Best of Okinawa

Okinawa

Your airport pick up will meet you at Naha International Airport (assuming your flight arrives after 8:00am and before 21:30) and will take to your hotel by public transportation. They will answer any of your questions and hand you all tickets, documentation and your pocket internet device to use during your trip. Details directions will be included in your tour organizer send to you about 2 weeks before you depart for Japan.

Once you are checked in and had time to rest, you will be free to enjoy dinner anywhere you’d like. Make sure to ask your airport pick-up to provide a few recommendations before parting ways.

Okinawa

Today you will head to the Kerama Islands located about 32 kilometers (20 miles) southwest from Okinawa Main Island. Kerama’s coral reef offers some of the finest marine life. Its crystal clear water will allow you to see through dozens of meters. We will include a diving or snorkeling activity (both available for all levels), let us know your preference and we’ll arrange it for you. Kerama Islands are well known for their abundance of coral species including sea turtles, especially on Zamami Island.

Okinawa

Today we invite you to visit Naha and its surroundings with a private local guide. Possible sites include Shurijo Castle, Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum, Yachimun Street, Shurikinjocho Stone-Path Road, Fukushu-en Garden,… Your private guide will pick you up at your hotel and guide you around. Your guide will not work from a predetermined itinerary and will show you sights that are interesting to you. They are also very flexible and can make on the fly changes to fit your style, mood, weather, and crowds. In the evening as an option you can embark for sunset cruise sunset which is perfect for travelers celebrating a special occasion.

Miyakojima

Today you will fly south to Miyakojima where you will pick up your rental car. This is a small island but it leads the ranking of Japanese best beaches. Even during the Christmas holiday, you can swim there! Today we invite you to take some rest and visit Sunayama Beach which is perfect for photographers and romance! The flight from Naha to Miyakojima Island takes about 50 minutes.

Miyakojima

Today you have a full day to explore Miyakojima by car. Roads are not busy and it’s a very pleasant ride along the shore that’s waiting for you. You will easily be able to go around the island; crossing the Irabu or Ikema bridges to discover the islands of Ikema or Irabu and stop at a tasty lunch. Enjoy the long white sand beach of Maehama Beach. For snorkeling Yoshino Beach will be the best option via Cape Higashi-Hennazaki.

Ishigaki

Today after breakfast in Miyakojima, you will fly to Ishigaki that you will explore by rental car.

Possible sites include Kabira Bay (glass bottom boat ride), Mangrove,…

The Island offers several nice beaches and good snorkeling or diving in the surrounding coral reefs. Snorkeling can be enjoyed at nearly every beach on the island. Scuba Diving is also offered for all experience levels. Please let us know if you would like us to arrange a snorkeling or scuba diving tour for you. One of the best diving courses includes possible diving with manta at the Manta Scramble near Kabira Bay, of course, you are not guaranteed to see a manta but you never know unless you try.

The flight from Miyakojima to Ishigaki takes about 30 minutes.

Ishigaki

Today you will first take a boat to land on a Phantom Island (a small coral island that appears and then disappears as the tide ebbs and flows). Later you will enjoy great snorkeling nearby. Ishigaki Island is famous for the number of fish and marine life that live there which is supported by the coral and its fellow inhabitants.

Then in the evening you will join a small group to discover the mangrove trees when it is filled with life. If you are lucky to have a clear sky, you will be able to look at the stars from your paddleboard. The tour usually lasts 2 hours.

Taketomi

This morning you will head to the small but quiet and beautiful Taketomi Island by high speed boat. As you walk along the white sand paths connecting the pavilions in this resort village, you will remember that Taketomi is one of few areas in Japan where the scenery itself has been preserved since ancient times. The island is best explored by bicycle, so we will arrange bicycles for you to go around Taketomi Island. You will later ride on a buffalo cart listening to the local chants. The transportation from Ishigaki island to Taketomi Island takes 10 minutes by high-speed boat.

Iriomote

Today you will take a 35-40 minute high-speed boat to Iriomote to explore this jungle-covered island. To let you discover the island at your pace you will have a rental car. After arriving you will drop off your luggage at your hotel and will then join a river cruise or another unique activity selected together with your advisor. You may also just want to walk along one of the many beautiful beaches.

Activities you may enjoy:
– Kayaking in the mangroves
– River Cruise
– Pinaisara Falls (reached by riverboat and a 30-40 minute hike)
– Beaches like Hoshizuna no Hama or Tudumari no Hama
– Barasu Island (Barasu Island is a small coral island a short boat ride from Uehara Port. Here you might want join a half-day snorkeling tour. The clear waters surrounding the island offer plenty of opportunities to see corals and marine life.
-Yubujima Suigyu (water buffalo) Cart Ride

Let us know what interests you most and we will make the arrangements. If you have other interests, just let us know and we will see what can be arranged.

Iriomote

Today you will have a full day to explore Iriomote. This island offers a number of different activities including:

– Kayaking in the mangroves
– River Cruise
– Pinaisara Falls (reached by riverboat and a 30-40 minute hike)
– Beaches like Hoshizuna no Hama or Tudumari no Hama
– Barasu Island (Barasu Island is a small coral island a short boat ride from Uehara Port. Here you might want to join a half-day snorkeling tour. The clear waters surrounding the island offer plenty of opportunities to see corals and marine life.
-Yubujima Suigyu (water buffalo) Cart Ride

Let us know what interests you most and we will make the arrangements. If you have other interests, just let us know and we will see what can be arranged.

All good things must come to an end; today you will first head back to Ishigaki by ferry from where you will fly home with memories that you will keep for the rest of your life. The ferry from Iriomote to Ishigaki will take about 40 minutes. We will arrange a taxi for you from the port to Ishigaki Airport.