Yonehara Beach
米原海岸24°27′ N 124°11′ ESnorkel
Yonehara Beach on Ishigaki's north-west coast draws snorkellers to coral close to shore inside Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, and it has no lifeguards, so the local rules ask everyone in the water to wear a life jacket or wetsuit. Stay inside the reef and skip it in wind.
Photo Syced · Wikimedia Commons · CC0 and others, credited in the gallery
The coral starts close to shore at Yonehara, which is why it draws snorkellers, and the whole bay lies inside Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. The Yonehara beach council, with Ishigaki City, has written seventeen rules for the shore: no collecting, no stepping on coral, no feeding fish, reef-safe sunscreen, and a life jacket or wetsuit for anyone in the water. The old campsite is closed and fires and barbecues are banned.
Ishigaki City's water-safety page shows Yonehara under its warnings about wind and rip currents. Snorkel with a partner well inside the reef edge, and stay out of the water on a windy day or when a typhoon is near.
Before you swim
- Ishigaki's water-safety council warns of rip currents and of swimming in strong wind
- Yonehara's beach rules ask swimmers to wear a life jacket or wetsuit
- No swimming in storm warnings or around typhoons
- Coral underfoot: stepping on or breaking it is banned under the Natural Parks Act
December to March
Yonehara faces north into the winter wind, so December to March brings chop and poor visibility on many days. JMA's 1991–2020 normal for the sea north of Ishigaki sits at about 23 °C in February. The campsite behind the beach is closed.
Snorkelling · 4/5
Entry Walk in from the sand across the shallows
Live coral and reef fish inside Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park
Our ratings
- Swimming
- Snorkelling
- Sunset
- Quiet
- Families
- Scenery
Worth knowing
- Wear a life jacket or wetsuit, as the local rules ask.
- Leave coral fragments and sand on the beach; taking them is banned.
- Change in a proper place; the rules ask visitors not to walk through the village in swimwear.
FAQ
Quick answers about Yonehara Beachよくある質問
Is Yonehara Beach safe for snorkelling?
Only in calm weather and with care. Yonehara has no lifeguards, the local rules ask snorkellers to wear a life jacket or wetsuit, and Ishigaki's water-safety page warns about rip currents and wind.
Can you take coral or sand from Yonehara Beach?
No. Yonehara's beach rules ban taking coral fragments or sand under the Natural Parks Act and the Coast Act, and collecting coral, tropical fish or giant clams is also banned.
Is Yonehara Beach worth visiting in winter?
Yonehara faces north into the winter wind, so December to March brings chop and poor visibility on many days. JMA's 1991–2020 normal for the sea north of Ishigaki sits at about 23 °C in February. The campsite behind the beach is closed.
Is Yonehara Beach good for snorkelling?
We rate the snorkelling at Yonehara Beach 4 out of 5. Live coral and reef fish inside Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. Entry: walk in from the sand across the shallows.
Within 8 km
Stay nearby宿
Within 8 km
Eat and drink nearby食
Within 8 km
Beaches and swims nearby浜
Book it
Line up the trip around Yonehara Beach
Some of these links pay us a commission. It costs you nothing and keeps the guide independent.