Just a 15-minute boat ride from Okinawa Main Island! Experience the breathtaking beauty of Minna Island's ocean | Enjoy marine activities in the coral reefs

Minnajima, a popular island in northern Okinawa Main Island, is easily accessible from the main island by regular high-speed ferry in just 15 minutes. Despite its easy accessibility, the island boasts exceptionally clear waters and is a treasure trove of swimming and marine activities. The island's total population is just over 20, but it attracts a staggering 6 tourists annually! During the summer, high-speed ferry tickets are difficult to reserve, but using a tour with transportation included will ensure your visit is smooth. This article will introduce the charms of this beautiful little island, Minnajima, as well as how to access it and the marine activities that can be reserved.

<Table of Contents>
1. What kind of place is Minna Island?
2. How to get to Minna Island
3. Have a blast on Minna Island!
3-1. Enjoy a day of swimming at Minna Beach
3-2. Enjoy marine activities to the fullest
4. Useful and recommended spots to know about
5. Accommodation on Minna Island

Show all table of contents

1. What kind of place is Minna Island?

▲From left to right: Minna Island, Sesoko Island, and Motobu Peninsula on Okinawa Island▲

Minna Island is a small island located off the west coast of the Motobu Peninsula on Okinawa Island, where the Churaumi Aquarium is located. It takes about 15 minutes by high-speed ferry from Tokuchi Port on the Motobu Peninsula.
When viewed from above, the island resembles the shape of a croissant, hence its affectionate nickname, "Croissant Island."
The main attraction of visiting Minna Island is, of course, its incredibly beautiful sea. The waters surrounding Minna Island are shallow, and coral reefs stretch out from there.
The shallow waters are perfect for swimming, and the island is also popular with divers who want to see the colorful coral reefs and tropical fish surrounding it up close.

▲Minna Beach is right next to the pier▲

Minna Beach, the main beach, stretches out right next to the pier where the high-speed ferry departs and arrives. Parasols and other rentals are available, and you can also book banana boat and parasailing tours around Minna Beach. While there are other natural beaches scattered around the island, there are no paved roads leading to them, so diving and snorkeling tours outside of Minna Beach mainly involve boat entry.
Image source:Photo library
A luxury resort is planned for construction on the western side of Minna Island, scheduled to open in 2028, which is likely to attract even more attention as a tourist destination.

2. How to get to Minna Island

You can get to Minna Island by taking the high-speed ferry "New Wing Minna" from Tokuchi Port on Okinawa Main Island. Tokuchi Port is about a 15-minute drive from Churaumi Aquarium, and there is another port nearby (Motobu Port), so be careful not to get them confused.

Address: 29 Tancha, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Prefecture

Remarks: From Naha Airport, take the expressway via Naha IC → Kyoda IC → National Route 58 (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes).

The number of high-speed ferries varies depending on the season, with 3 round trips per day in winter, 4 round trips per day in spring and autumn, and 6 to 8 round trips per day in summer, with roughly one ferry per hour during the daytime in the peak summer holiday period.
For timetables and service status, seeMinna Kaiun Official Website.

▲Tokuchi Port. The parking lot is not very large, so it is almost always full during the summer season.▲

One thing to be careful about here is arranging tickets for the high-speed ferry.
High-speed ferry to Minna Island cannot be booked in advance and is first-come, first-served.Therefore, during peak season when crowds are expected, it's advisable to arrive at least 30 minutes early to reserve round-trip tickets at the ticket office at Tokuchi Port.

For those who are feeling anxious, a more reliable option is to use a reservable local experience tour that provides transportation between Tokuchi Port and Minna Island by the company's own boat . Since the time is fixed and reservations are possible, you can rest assured. The tours offer various plans, including round-trip transportation, parasol rental, marine activities, and lunch.

➡Advance reservations available! Minna Island Tour Special (Tabi Plus One)

▲High-speed ferry terminal to Minna Island▲

The high-speed ferry has both a deck and a passenger cabin. The trip from Tokuchi Port to Minna Island takes only 15 minutes, so it's nice to enjoy the sea breeze on the deck.

3. Have a blast on Minna Island!

3-1. Enjoy a day of swimming at Minna Beach

Buoys and nets have been set up offshore at Minna Beach to define the swimming area, and there are lifeguards present, so you can enjoy playing there with small children with peace of mind.
Even within the swimming area (inside the net), there are corals and small tropical fish, so you can fully enjoy the sea around Minna Island with just a pair of goggles.

Recommended tour for those who want to relax at Minna Beach.
・One beach umbrella is provided free of charge per group.
Adults (12 years and older): 3,500 yen; Children (6-11 years old): 2,500 yen
・Parasol rental and lunch included
Adults (12 years and older): 5,000 yen; Children (6-11 years old): 4,000 yen
・We'll provide one parasol per customer!
Adults (12 years and older): 4,000 yen; Children (4-11 years old): 3,000 yen

In addition to the options highlighted above, there are many other types of tours available, including options without lunch and snorkeling tours with boat entry.

Even after arriving at Minna Island, you can rent parasols and snorkels on-site, and book banana boat rides and snorkeling tours if there are vacancies and availability! You can also enjoy a wide range of marine activities, so if you're interested, book a tour!

4. Useful and recommended spots to know about

The information center is just a 30-second walk from the beach. It has toilets, showers (for a fee), a foot-washing area (free), changing rooms, a shop, and vending machines. Further on, there is a parlor that is open only during the summer. It gets crowded in the summer, so it's a good idea to stock up on supplies on Okinawa Main Island beforehand.

There are also restrooms in the high-speed ferry waiting area (the white building on the right in the photo), which is located to the left of the pier.

5. Accommodation on Minna Island

Minna Island is bustling with tourists during the season, but after the last high-speed ferry departs, the beach becomes surprisingly quiet. Locals enjoy the cool evening air, making it a wonderful place to stroll along the sandy shore and gaze at the starry sky. Since you've come all the way to Minna Island, why not consider staying overnight? There are only a few accommodations, but they all have a homey atmosphere and offer a different experience from staying at a resort hotel on the main island.
Image source:Photo library

■Minshuku Oshiro
During peak season, there is a minimum of four guests, but outside of peak season, single occupancy is possible. A new building is also available.
Address: 6220 Sesoko, Motobu Town
TEL: 0980-47-3646
One night with two meals included: from ¥6,000

■Coral Reef in Minna
This is a rare two-story pension-style accommodation on Minna Island. It's known for its beautiful island views from the terrace on the second floor.
Address: 6223 Sesoko, Motobu Town
TEL: 0980-47-5688
One night with two meals included: from ¥6,000

■Minnajima Mermaid Log House
This is a cottage-style accommodation established by a marine shop. It generally includes two meals, and apparently they also offer barbecues.
Address: 6213 Sesoko, Motobu Town
TEL: 0980-47-3632
One night with two meals included: from ¥12,000

Final thoughts

Minna Island is an easy stop on a trip to Okinawa Main Island. While there aren't many tourist attractions, the beauty of the sea is highly praised by locals, making it an absolute must-visit for anyone who wants to enjoy the ocean! Why not make time to visit Minna Island for a day on your next trip to Okinawa?

Image source:Photo library