Miyakojima tours: snorkeling, kayaking and sightseeing

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Look for sea turtles beneath the surface, paddle to Pumpkin Cave, or explore Kurima Island after dark. These six tours take you into Miyakojima's sea, caves and island scenery.

Six ways to enjoy Miyakojima

Explore the sea and caves

Explore the island after dark

Sightseeing without a car

Offshore reefs, underwater views and island crafts

Compare Yabiji tours by meeting point and age limits

Yabiji is an offshore coral-reef area beyond Ikema Island. These trips enter the water from a boat, while beach snorkeling starts from shore. If you are prone to seasickness, ask about sailing time and resting on board before booking.

Allow time for travel to and from Ikema Island and changing clothes. Without a car, arrange both journeys around the meeting time first. Leaving a buffer after arrival and before your flight makes changes for rough seas easier to manage.

Aquabase: Yabiji Course A

Duration and format
About 3 hours; 2–3 stops. Showers and changing rooms.
Meeting and transfers
Meet at the shop, Ikema 83-1. No transfers.
Age and group size
Ages 6–60. Book for 2 or more; 4 guests required to operate.
Guest cancellation
Free until 2 days before; 50% until 16:00 the day before, then 100%.

Marine Heart: half-day Yabiji

Duration and format
About 3 hours; listed meeting-to-finish times span 3 hours 15 minutes.
Meeting and transfers
Designated location near Ikema 903. Ask about transfers.
Age and group size
Ages 12–60, up to 90 kg, and Japanese public health insurance required. Minimum 2 adults.
Guest cancellation
50% the day before; 100% on the day.

These are direct-booking terms. Ask each operator about health requirements and your preferred language. Neither charges for operator cancellation due to sea conditions. Aquabase may offer another sea area or an alternative tour: check the terms if reaching Yabiji is essential.

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Yabiji boat snorkeling from Ikema Island

Travel offshore by boat to snorkel at 2–3 reef sites. Duration: 2.5–3 hours. Ages 6–60; at least two people must actually participate.

You must communicate in Japanese or English. Full refund for cancellation at least 48 hours in advance. Check the health requirements before booking.

Meet at Aquabase, Ikema 83-1. Arrange your own transport and leave luggage at your accommodation; storage is unavailable.

Check prices and dates on Klook (Japanese page)

The page lists minimum operating groups of both 5 and 4 people. Confirm this with the booking provider. Ad: we may earn a commission if you book through this link.

Wear a life jacket, stay with others and follow the day's sea conditions. For a marine emergency, call 118.

Before sea and nature activities

Wear a life jacket and avoid going alone

Wear a life jacket at sea, stay in a group of at least two, and keep children under constant supervision. Do not swim or enter the sea after drinking alcohol, when short of sleep or when tired.

Check wind, waves and lightning, and be prepared to cancel

Check the forecast, wind and tides beforehand, and do not enter the sea in high waves or bad weather. SUP boards can be carried away by wind. Strong winds, lightning and high waves also require caution on the shore.

For incidents or accidents at sea, call 118

Report an accident at sea or request a marine rescue by calling 118 without an area code.

Do not chase turtles or touch coral

Do not chase or touch sea turtles, or feed marine life. Do not stand on coral or kick it with fins. During night observation, do not collect or damage plants or animals, and take your rubbish with you.

Follow cave conservation rules and respect the sacred site

At Pumpkin Cave, do not touch stalactites or enter restricted areas. The surrounding area is a place of worship. The conservation and use agreement prohibits signatory operators from running trips that walk through the sea to the cave, and specifies using kayaks or SUP boards.

Frequently asked questions

Can I participate if I cannot swim?

It depends on the activity and operator's conditions. Explain your concerns about water and your swimming experience, and discuss practice and assistance. The availability of a buoyancy aid alone does not establish that you can participate.

Can children or older adults participate?

Age limits differ by plan. Choose a plan whose health requirements, correctly fitting equipment, parental-accompaniment rules and other conditions are met by everyone in your group.

Will the activity run in rain?

Rain alone does not determine this. The operator considers wind, waves, lightning and tides and may change the meeting point or activity, or cancel it.

Are sea-turtle sightings guaranteed?

No. Sea turtles are wild animals, so encounters are not guaranteed. You may not find any; if you do, do not chase or touch them.

Miyako Islands travel guides

Official information and sources