Beyond the main Okinawa island lies an archipelago of smaller islands — many with waters of extraordinary clarity, coral reefs rivaling the Great Barrier Reef’s diversity, and a quietude increasingly difficult to find in the developed world. The main outer island groups — Kerama, Miyako, and Yaeyama — are among Japan’s most spectacular natural environments and are accessible from Naha by ferry or short domestic flight.
Kerama Islands (慶良間諸島)
The Kerama archipelago — Zamami, Tokashiki, Aka, and Geruma islands — lies 30–40 km west of Naha, accessible by high-speed ferry (50–90 minutes) or slow ferry (2 hours). The waters around the Keramas are designated as Kerama Blue (ケラマブルー) — a specific shade of aquamarine transparency produced by the combination of white sand, shallow depth, and exceptional water clarity. Snorkeling directly from the beach at Furuzamami Beach (Zamami) or Aharen Beach (Tokashiki) immediately rewards with sea turtles, reef fish, and coral. Humpback whale watching (ザトウクジラ) from January to March makes the Keramas a marine calendar highlight.
The islands are small enough to cycle around in a day. Accommodation ranges from simple民宿 (minshuku, family guesthouses) to small dive resort hotels. Very limited convenience store access — bring supplies from Naha for multi-day stays.
Miyako Islands (宮古島)
Miyako Island — 2 hours by flight or 10+ hours by ferry from Naha — has the flattest terrain and most accessible beaches in Okinawa prefecture. Yonaha Maehama Beach (与那覇前浜) is a 7km white sand beach consistently ranked among Japan’s finest. The nearby Kurima Island (来間島) and Irabu Island (伊良部島) are connected to Miyako by bridges and offer quieter alternatives. Miyako’s diving — particularly the Triskelion wreck site and drift dives along Yabiji reef — is among Japan’s most celebrated. Miyako is also popular for triathlon events, with its flat roads and consistent wind conditions.
Yaeyama Islands: Ishigaki and Iriomote
Ishigaki Island (石垣島) — the hub of the Yaeyama group, 1.5 hours by flight from Naha — is the largest island with the most infrastructure, excellent restaurants, and some of Japan’s highest quality Ishigaki beef (石垣牛, Wagyu raised on the island). The Kabira Bay (川平湾) — pearl-cultivating waters of extraordinary turquoise color, not swimmable but viewable from glassbottom boats — is one of Japan’s most photographed coastal scenes.
Iriomote Island (西表島, accessible by ferry from Ishigaki, 40 minutes) — UNESCO World Heritage listed — is 90% jungle, with the endangered Iriomote wildcat (イリオモテヤマネコ) as its symbol. Mangrove kayaking up the Urauchi River, trekking to Mariudo and Kampire Waterfalls, and night wildlife spotting create a subtropical jungle adventure uniquely accessible within Japan.
Taketomi Island (竹富島, 15 minutes by ferry from Ishigaki) is a perfectly preserved Ryukyuan village — coral-walled lanes, red-tile roofed houses, and buffalo-cart tours through the narrow streets. No cars allowed. Day trip from Ishigaki or overnight in a traditional minshuku.
Getting to Okinawa’s Outer Islands
From mainland Japan: fly directly to Miyako (New Ishigaki Airport serves Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya with LCC and ANA/JAL) or transit via Naha. From Naha: domestic flights to Miyako (45 min) and Ishigaki (55 min) run frequently; inter-island ferries serve the Kerama and Yaeyama groups. High-speed ferries between Ishigaki and the surrounding islands are the primary way to island-hop within the Yaeyama group. Rent a car or scooter on larger islands; bicycles suffice on Taketomi and Kerama islands.