Five stunning natural beaches you should definitely visit if you're going to Iriomote Island

Iriomote Island is the second largest island in Okinawa. It is home to the rare Iriomote wildcat, and subtropical jungle covers 90% of the island, making it a place rich in nature.

You can enjoy Iriomote Island through a variety of activities themed around its great outdoors, such as canoe tours through mangroves and trekking, but the main attraction is definitely the "sea."

So, in this article, I'd like to introduce some recommended beaches, including whether they have facilities like toilets and showers for swimming, and even some hidden gem beaches.

The main attraction of the island is definitely the "tropical sea." Read about and experience the beautiful beaches and shores of the subtropical region!

<Contents>
1. Haemida Beach
2. Hoshizuna Beach
3. Tsukigahama
4. Ida Beach
5. Barasu Island and Hatoma Island
6. Other beach information
★Unarizaki Mimikiri Beach
~ extra edition ~
★Nakano Beach is suitable for advanced snorkelers.
★A hidden gem among hidden gems. What is Maruma Beach?
Afterword

~A beach close to Ohara Port~

1. Haemida Beach

Haemida Beach, located at the southern tip of Iriomote Island, is the longest beach on the island. Its white sand and shallow waters make it ideal for beachcombing, such as playing on the beach or collecting seashells. The crystal-clear blue sea against a clear blue sky offers an unparalleled sense of luxury!

Furthermore, to the west of this beach, there are no roads or other infrastructure, and the unique jungle of Iriomote Island, often called the "Galapagos of the East," stretches out, allowing you to enjoy a completely different landscape from the sea.

The contrasting scenery makes this a place you'll want to gaze at forever, a place you'll be reluctant to leave. However, there's no shade, so be sure to take thorough precautions against heatstroke and sunburn.

[Spot Information: Haemida Beach]
Address: Minamikaze, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: Approximately 10 minutes by car from Ohara Port
Facilities: No changing rooms, showers, toilets, or shops.

~A beach close to Uehara Port~

2. Hoshizuna Beach

Many people say they've been to other beaches but always come back to Hoshizuna Beach. Its appeal lies in its crystal-clear waters and shallow waters. Similar to Taketomi Island, the beach where the "star sand" washes ashore is interspersed with rocky areas, so if you peek under the rocks and into the crevices, you might encounter schools of fish.

In other shallow areas, colorful fish swim around as if nothing is wrong, making it a great spot for chasing them or taking underwater photos.

©OCVB

The current is strong and there are few fish further out, so it's recommended to play closer to the shore and to the right rather than near the large rocks. The waves are almost nonexistent and the water is shallow for a long distance, so even small children can play safely! Search for star sand, go for a swim and enjoy this quintessential Okinawan beach.

[Spot Information: Hoshizuna Beach]
Address: Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: Approximately 5 minutes by car from Uehara Port (approximately 3.5 km)
Facilities: Restaurant and restrooms (located inside the restaurant)

3. Tsukigahama

Tsukigahama is a beach located at the mouth of the Urauchi River. The coastline offers beautiful scenery, and in the evening it is a perfect viewpoint to watch the sun sink.

Its official name is Tudumari Beach. The fine-grained sand is made from rocky sand that forms the base of Iriomote Island and has been broken down to the shore. Because it contains few impurities, it is also famous as "singing sand," which makes a squeaking sound when stepped on.

Tsukigahama, considered a sacred place on the island of the gods, has long been cherished as a special spot shaped like a beautiful crescent moon. It is also a place where sea turtles come to lay their eggs. The waves are calm and there are many fish, making it a great spot for snorkeling!

Also, right in front of Tsukigahama Beach is "RISONARE (formerly Nirakanai)," a resort operated by Hoshino Resorts, which is well-known throughout Japan, so we recommend using both. At night, the blackout curtains are drawn, making the area completely dark, so you can enjoy the starry night sky.

[Spot Information: Tsukigahama]
Address: Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: Approximately 10 minutes by car from Uehara Port (approximately 4 km)
Facilities: No changing rooms, showers, toilets, or shops.

4. Ida Beach

Image provided by: Kaito Yaeyama

Ida Beach is a secluded beach that can only be reached from Iriomote Island and is inaccessible by land. It's about a 10-minute boat ride from Shirahama Port and a 10-minute walk from Funauki Port. As it is said to be the cleanest beach on Iriomote Island, the pristine sea is like a swimming pool. When the wind dies down completely, a breathtakingly beautiful view unfolds before your eyes.

The shallow waters mean you can step in and see vibrant coral and tropical fish without even having to dive, enjoying a natural aquarium where you can watch them swimming around comfortably.
Ida Beach isn't touristy, so there aren't any shops, but the Funauki village has places to rent and buy beach gear, so it's a good idea to stock up on supplies on your way to the beach. It's a hidden gem of a beach and definitely worth traveling from island to island for!

[Spot Information: Ida Beach]
Address: Iriomote, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Access: Approximately 35 minutes by car from Uehara Port to Shirahama Port (approximately 10 minutes on foot from Shirahama Port).
Facilities: No changing rooms, showers, toilets, or shops.

5. The ultimate paradise! Barasu Island and Hatoma Island

Barasu Island is so popular that many people say it's their main reason for visiting Iriomote Island! Located about 3km north of Iriomote Island, this dreamlike uninhabited island floats in the sea.
Like the Maldives, one of the countless islands floating in the Indian Ocean, these small islands have been formed by the accumulation and uplift of bleached coral fragments. How about enjoying some snorkeling in this luxurious location surrounded by the ocean on all sides?

Further 2km from Barasu Island lies Hatoma Island, also known as "Ruri no Shima" (Lapis Lazuli Island), where you can swim to your heart's content at its beaches. Hatoma Island was the setting for the drama "Ruri no Shima" (Lapis Lazuli Island), but it remains a laid-back place that hasn't been commercialized for tourism. It's an island with breathtakingly beautiful beaches.

There are boat tours that allow you to enjoy both Barasu Island and Hatoma Island, so let's enjoy the sea along with the spectacular scenery at spots chosen by professionals.

Image courtesy of:Iriomote Duck Tour
★ Barasu Island & Hatoma Island Snorkeling 1-Day Course
Operating hours: 9:30 AM to approximately 4:00 PM
Price: 10,000 yen per adult, 8,000 yen and up for elementary school students.
~Course Contents~
9:30 AM Departure from Uehara Port ~ 2 snorkeling spots ~ Landing on Hatoma Island (BBQ lunch & island stroll) ~ 1 snorkeling spot ~ Return to port
■Price includes: Boat fare, lunch, and guide fee (Free rentals available: life jacket, snorkel, mask, fins, and wetsuit)
*For BBQ, customers grill their own vegetables, meat, etc.
*Showers are available after the tour.
*Shuttle service available to accommodations around Uehara.

6. Other beach information

★Unarizaki Mimikiri Beach

Located behind the Sumiyoshi village, this beautiful beach isn't particularly large, but its high water clarity and proximity to the open sea make it a hidden gem for snorkeling, especially for enjoying the reef.
You can reach it by taking a walk in the sea from Hoshizuna Beach at low tide. Alternatively, you can descend from the side path of "Villa Basho" and follow the path through the jungle to get there. If you want to enjoy a private beach experience, this is a place I highly recommend.
[Spot Information: Unarizaki Mimikiri Beach]
Address: Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Facilities: No changing rooms, showers, toilets, or shops.

~ extra edition ~

★A hidden gem among hidden gems. What is Maruma Beach?

Within walking distance of Uehara Port is a guesthouse called "Maruma-so." Right behind it is "Maruma Beach," which was a filming location for the TV show "Suiyou Dou Deshou."
It's very quiet, with shallow waters stretching out for a long distance. While not very wide, the water is exceptionally clear, revealing coral reefs beneath the surface. If you're looking to swim as soon as you arrive at the harbor, this is the perfect spot!
[Spot Information: Maruma Beach]
Address: 527 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture (behind Maruma-so)
Facilities: No changing rooms, showers, toilets, or shops.
(Using accommodation is convenient!)

★For advanced snorkelers. Nakano Beach offers stunning views of overlapping coral formations!

Leaving Uehara Port and heading towards Hoshizuna Beach, there's a beach that's a must-see for snorkeling enthusiasts. Nakano Beach, which unfolds beyond the windbreak forest, is simply "vast."

There are no toilets or shops, but this untouched, natural beach is so beautiful that any snorkel enthusiast will be grinning from ear to ear! Coral reefs and brightly colored fish greet you right beyond the sandy shore. However, there's quite a distance to the reef edge after beach entry, so be sure to swim in pairs. The feeling of swimming along the edge of the drop-off while snorkeling is incredible!

[Spot Information: Nakano Beach]
Address: Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture
Facilities: No changing rooms, showers, toilets, or shops.
(The entrance to the coast is a bit hard to find, but you have to push your way through the windbreak forest near the three-way intersection in front of "Super Oyakawa".)
*Since there are few people around, please prioritize your safety above all else.
*Please be careful not to step on coral during low tide.

Afterword

Iriomote Island's beautiful scenery is preserved precisely because so much of it remains untouched. It might be convenient if there were beach huts with changing rooms, hot showers, and dining facilities. However, with its beautiful beaches, incredibly clear waters, and the coral and fish that thrive in them, you shouldn't feel any inconvenience.

However, since it's a natural beach with no lifeguards, extra caution is needed. To ensure you create wonderful memories, please don't push yourself too hard and enjoy yourself while listening to your body!