Yoshino Beach
吉野海岸24°45′ N 125°27′ ESnorkel
Yoshino Beach in Gusukube is the shore-snorkelling lagoon the city credits with the most tropical fish on Miyako; a shuttle runs down from a paid cliff-top car park, and the lagoon needs mid to high tide.
Photo jared goss · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 and others, credited in the gallery
Yoshino's lagoon, the inō in the local word, holds the most tropical fish on the island by both number and variety, according to the city, and sea turtles nest on the beach. The water is shallow and tidal. At low tide there is too little water over the coral to snorkel without damaging it, so check the tide table and go when the water is up.
Private cars do not drive down. You park on the cliff and ride the minivan shuttle down, under a system the old Gusukube town set up in 2005; Japanese Wikipedia gives the facilities fee as ¥500 per vehicle. Showers, changing rooms, toilets and a kiosk with seasonal rentals wait at the bottom. Keep your feet off the coral and your hands to yourself.
Before you swim
- The lagoon is shallow and tidal; at low tide there is too little water to snorkel without hitting coral
- Do not stand on or touch the coral
- Do not snorkel alone or when a wave advisory is in force
December to March
Marea Miyakojima puts March water at 21–23 °C, and JMA normals give Miyako a February average high of 21.1 °C. Rental counters run seasonally, so bring your own mask and a wetsuit, and check the shuttle is running before you ride down.
Snorkelling · 5/5
Entry Walk in from the sand into the lagoon
Depth Shallow lagoon, depth varies strongly with the tide
The city says the lagoon holds the most tropical fish, by number and species, on Miyako
Our ratings
- Swimming
- Snorkelling
- Sunset
- Quiet
- Families
- Scenery
Worth knowing
- Go on a rising tide in the morning, before the shuttle queue builds.
- Aragusuku Beach lies a short way north-west and has an easier road down.
FAQ
Quick answers about Yoshino Beachよくある質問
Do you have to pay to park at Yoshino Beach?
Yes. Cars park on the cliff top and pay a facilities fee that includes the shuttle down; Japanese Wikipedia gives it as ¥500 per vehicle.
When is the best time to snorkel at Yoshino Beach?
Snorkel at Yoshino Beach at mid to high tide. The lagoon is shallow, and at low tide there is too little water above the coral.
Can you touch the coral at Yoshino?
No. Standing on or touching the coral damages the reef, and the city asks every swimmer to keep off it.
Is Yoshino Beach worth visiting in winter?
Marea Miyakojima puts March water at 21–23 °C, and JMA normals give Miyako a February average high of 21.1 °C. Rental counters run seasonally, so bring your own mask and a wetsuit, and check the shuttle is running before you ride down.
Is Yoshino Beach good for snorkelling?
We rate the snorkelling at Yoshino Beach 5 out of 5. The city says the lagoon holds the most tropical fish, by number and species, on Miyako. Entry: walk in from the sand into the lagoon.
Is Yoshino Beach safe?
Know these before you swim at Yoshino Beach: the lagoon is shallow and tidal; at low tide there is too little water to snorkel without hitting coral; do not stand on or touch the coral; do not snorkel alone or when a wave advisory is in force.
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