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Miyako Airport
MMY • ROMY
On Miyako Island near the Hirara/Miyakojima visitor base • Often a short taxi or pickup journey to central Miyako; allow more for remote beaches and Irabu
Logistics · Destination Guide
Limestone arches, shifting island dive routes, clear-water snorkeling and Irabu road trips
Use this travel brief to set arrival flow, local transit, and gear movement before you lock your itinerary.
Fly into Miyako Airport (MMY) on Miyako Island or Miyako Shimojishima Airport (SHI) on Shimoji Island. Japan domestic connections, notably via Naha and major mainland cities, are the primary route; SHI also publishes selected international and low-cost services. Schedules are changeable. Miyako and Irabu bases are linked to both airports by road via Irabu Bridge. Bring gear on flights subject to airline baggage limits; plan post-dive no-fly intervals.
Miyako Airport
MMY • ROMY
On Miyako Island near the Hirara/Miyakojima visitor base • Often a short taxi or pickup journey to central Miyako; allow more for remote beaches and Irabu
Main Miyakojima airport, served by domestic flights including Naha and selected major mainland Japanese city routes. Confirm airline and season rather than assuming a specific flight runs daily.
Transport: Pre-arranged rental car, Taxi, Operator or hotel pickup if offered, Limited route buses
Miyako Shimojishima Airport
SHI • RORS
Shimoji and Irabu side; Hirara on Miyako is reached by bridge and road • Approximately 30 minutes by scheduled airport bus to Hirara Public Market, subject to timetable and traffic
Airport on bridge-linked Shimoji Island; current airport notices cover 2026/27 routes and changes, including Skymark domestic operations and selected international flights. Do not rely on outdated seasonal services.
Transport: Flight-matched airport bus toward Hirara, Taxi, Advance rental car, Hotel pickup if offered
A rental car is the most versatile way to reach beach starts, Irabu and Shimoji viewpoints and meeting ports; taxis and limited buses are alternatives. Drive on the left. Okinawa tourism describes the accepted Japanese driving license or relevant Geneva Convention International Driving Permit alongside home license and passport. Confirm parking and road restrictions around 17END. Do not assume dive tours include accommodation pickup or ferry transport.
Japan immigration rules apply to both airports. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes nationality-specific short-stay visa exemptions, often up to 90 days, with special passport conditions for some countries. Carry a valid passport and check the official MOFA/consulate requirements and airline transit conditions immediately before departure. There is no separate immigration clearance for driving between Miyako, Irabu and Shimoji. No scheduled passenger-ferry transfer between these three bridge-linked islands is established in official tourism materials.
Many scuba businesses offer tanks and weights and rent extra gear, but exact inclusions vary. Bring logged certifications, medical forms as needed, computer, suitable wetsuit and personal mask. For freedive training ask about certified instructor, secured line, rescue buoy, depth limitations and acceptable fins/weights. For Yabiji snorkeling verify life jacket, wetsuit, boat seasickness provisions and crew-to-guest ratios. Check airline baggage rules and protect cameras from salt/sun; leave a flight-safe interval after diving.
Japanese Yen (JPY)
Pay in yen. Hotels and large businesses may accept cards, while some marine businesses request cash for small extras and reef contributions. Confirm methods with the booked provider.
Arrange access to yen at airport, bank or convenience-store ATMs when available; check international-card compatibility and business hours. Do not rely on a card-only payment method at a boat meeting point.
100V • 60Hz • A, B
Okinawa uses 100V/60Hz; the typical wall socket is ungrounded Type A. Grounded Type B may exist but is not a dependable universal option. Use dual-voltage chargers and an appropriate adapter.
Communications
Japanese mobile network coverage is generally the practical solution on the main islands but can become unreliable offshore around Yabiji. Arrange roaming, eSIM or a Japanese data SIM before remote excursions, keep operator pickup information offline and do not rely on mobile phones as the boat's only emergency communication.
Language
Japanese is the default language for marine businesses and medical treatment; English varies by operator. Request an English-language medical, weather and overhead-boundary briefing explicitly. Written conditions and certification proof reduce misunderstandings.
Insurance
Carry travel medical insurance including scuba to your planned depth and style, freediving if relevant, emergency oxygen/recompression treatment and medical evacuation. Verify exclusions for overhead penetration, technical diving, training and weather cancellation; standard travel insurance may not cover all of these. Save emergency contacts and dive logs offline.
Packing list
Pack rash guard, sun hat, refillable water bottle, ocean-safe personal habits, a light rain shell and reef-safe footwear for land approaches without standing on coral. Scuba divers should bring their computer and training documentation. Freedivers need medical clearance information and a plan for an instructor-provided safety line. A personal mask improves fit; let operators confirm fin and suit requirements. Wet bags and seasickness prevention can help on Yabiji day boats.