For those who enjoy marine sports, the ocean of Miyakojima, known as Miyako Blue, is one of the places they dream of diving in someday, but there are also many unique snorkeling spots that even beginners and children can enjoy, so it is a place that can satisfy both serious enthusiasts and those looking to enjoy with the family.
This time, we will introduce snorkeling spots in Miyakojima that you can enjoy with children.
■Imgya Marine Garden
Located in the south of Miyako Island, Imgya Marine Garden is a beach that is characterized by its intricate terrain that makes it look like a natural pool.
Locals call it "Ingya," which means "enclosed spring water," and it is said that it got its name from the groundwater that springs up from the inlet.
Thanks to this unique topography, the sea is calm and attracts many small fish that are easily affected by ocean currents, such as clownfish, making it a great place to snorkel with children.
Imugya Marine Garden is a public sea park, so it has facilities such as parking, toilets, and rest areas, all of which are free to use. However, since it is not a managed beach, there are no lifeguards and marine equipment such as parasols and snorkels are not available for rental, so please be aware of this.
There is a walking path on the rocky mountains surrounding the cove, and at the top of the mountain there is an observation deck where you can enjoy a spectacular 360-degree view, so why not take a stroll and take a break?
■ Yoshino Coast
Yoshino Coast, located in the southeast of Miyako Island, is a shallow coastline with coral reefs just off the beach, making it perfect for snorkeling.
The water is shallow overall, only about 2m at its deepest point, so you can get a close-up look at the many tropical fish, including clownfish and blue damselfish, that gather around the coral reef, as well as barracudas that are up to 1m long, making it a safe place for even beginners and small children to enjoy.
The water is shallow, so a lot of coral appears on the surface at low tide.
If you kick the coral with your fins or accidentally step on it, it will break and die, and you could also injure your feet, so it's best to stay out of the water at low tide and take it easy, taking breaks and such.
There are pieces of coral and shells scattered on the beach, so why not take a stroll and collect some as a memento of your trip?
■Shimoji Island Nakanoshima Beach
Shimoji Island has become easier to visit with the opening of the Irabu Bridge, which connects Miyako Island and Irabu Island, and Nakanoshima Beach is a popular spot for both diving and snorkeling, thanks to its coral reefs and diverse tropical fish.
Because the area is shaped like a bay, the sea is calm and even beginners and children can enjoy snorkeling safely.
The bay's deepest point is about 3m, and with high transparency, you can encounter colonies of coral and over 100 species of fish, including clownfish, blue damselfish, and blue triggerfish.
There are no facilities such as parking, toilets, or showers, and there is no shade.
You will need to bring your own parasol or tent, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc. to prevent heatstroke.
This is a place that is rarely visited by people on the island, and there are many large rocks and sharp rocks, so please wear a life jacket and marine shoes and take sufficient precautions to ensure safety when playing here.
This time, we introduced snorkeling spots in Miyakojima that can be enjoyed with children.
Miyakojima has many snorkeling spots where you can enter from the beach without having to go out to sea by boat, so even beginners and children can enjoy it easily, and it is famous for having many repeat visitors.
If you've come all the way to Miyakojima, don't give up just because you have children with you. Why not enjoy the ocean of Miyakojima with the whole family?
Totty — BIGHOLIDAY Owner's Guide
I've lived in Miyako Island for 21 years (since 2005). I specialize in fun diving. I select Miyako Island's three major dive sites more than 150 times a year, and I've done about 20,000 dives in Miyako Island. YouTube "Totty / scuba diving" shares Miyakojima diving information with more than twelve thousand subscribers.
Since 2023, we have been among the top-ranked Marine Diving Award winners for three consecutive years.
2023 Japan Coast Guard Director-General's Award (for meritorious service in maritime rescue)
Discoverer of Miyako Island's first manta ray station in 2025
