On the north of Ikema Island, there is a compact beach that includes all the elements of Miyakojima‘s beautiful beaches within a small area. The white sandy beach shore, the crystal clear azure color seawater, coral reefs, and tropical fishes can all be found at Funaks Beach (フナクスビーチ). You can even hide behind the big rocks to avoid sunlight!
About Funaks Beach
The beach that is also known as Ikema Block (池間ブロック) doesn’t have large waves. So even on a weekday, there might be a couple of people swimming or snorkeling at Funaks Beach. It usually doesn’t get too crowded, which is good! (^_-)-☆.
Another good thing about Funaks Beach is the number of shells you can find on the shore. So if you love collecting shells, you will have a lot of fun at Funaks Beach, searching for colorful shells, large and small!
The only con of Funaks Beach is its lack of facilities. Whilst there is a toilet and a simple rental shop in the car park, we still recommend that you come fully prepared because they might not be open, especially the toilet.
Please note that the water covers almost the entire shore during high tide.
Important: Walk carefully while on the rocky terrain. Although it isn’t high, you won’t want to fall off the cliff.
Tips:
☛ You can only get backlight in the morning at Funaks Beach.
☛ Arrive by 10 am for a high chance to enjoy the beach yourself.
☛ Water shoes are recommended to protect your feet from the potentially sharp rocky road.
The Whale Rock (クジラ岩) and the Praying Black Coral (祈りの黒珊瑚) at Funaks Beach
Looking east from Funaks Beach is the rocky terrain that resembles a whale when the tide ebbs. So when you get there, you might see people taking pictures with it as a backdrop.
Also, check out the black coral from where you can see the Whale Rock. Doesn’t the whole coral group look like a scene of a woman praying with her hands joined?
Please note that you need to walk along the rocky cliff shore to see the Whale Rock and the Praying Black Coral. If you are afraid of heights or traveling with young children, consider giving it a pass.
How to Get to Funaks Beachフ(ナクスビーチ)
- Funaks Beach is around a 30-minute drive from Miyako Airport (宮古空港).
- The beach is a 30-minute walk from the Gyokyō-mae (漁協前) bus stop.
Discover Other Islands in Miyakojima City
On top of the breathtaking beaches, Miyako Island also has a couple of attractions in other categories. There are, of course, farmers’ markets and food-related spots on the island that await your visit!
If you need ideas of where else in the city is worth your time, refer to our article on The Top 12 Attractions in Miyakojima City!
