The Top Swimming Spots in Ishigaki Island: Is Kabira Bay a Swimmable Option?

Ishigaki Island in Okinawa Prefecture is a popular tourist destination as a diving spot.

Many people may visit Ishigaki Island, solely for the purpose of bathing in these beautiful seas.

The clear, cobalt blue ocean of Ishigaki Island contrasts beautifully with the blue sky and dazzling white sandy beach, and while it is very satisfying just to look at it from the beach, you can create a different and fun memory by getting into the ocean.

So, in this article, I, an Okinawan resident, will introduce three recommended beaches for swimming in Ishigaki Island.

In the latter half of the article, I also mention if you can swim at Kabira Bay, which has been awarded three stars by the Michelin Green Guide, so please refer to it when you visit Ishigaki Island.

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1. Fusaki Beach

Fusaki Beach is a natural beach adjacent to one of the best resort hotels in Ishigaki Island, Fusaki Beach Resort Hotel & Villas. The beach is accessed through the hotel entrance and is free of charge even for non-guests.

There is a swimming area, and during the season, nets are set up to prevent the invasion of dangerous creatures such as habu jellyfish. Monitors are also posted so that visitors can swim in peace.

There is also a full menu of marine activities, so you can not only swim, but also play in a variety of ways.

Glass boat excursion, clear kayak experience, SUP experience, snorkel tour, and many other fun activities are available so you can fully enjoy the ocean of Ishigaki Island.

Rental items are also available, such as parasol chair set, snorkel set, and life jacket, which you can enjoy safely and comfortably.

Please check the hotel's official website (https://www.fusaki.com/activity/fusaki/rental/295) for rental rates.

Fusaki Beach also offers a spectacular sunset view from the pier, so a visit at sunset is also recommended!

▼ Fusaki Beach
Address: 1625 Shinkawa, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
Admission: Free
Parking: Available (free of charge, 288 spaces)
Access：35 minutes drive from Ishigaki Airport, 15 minutes drive from Ishigaki Port Terminal
Facilities/Services: Jellyfish prevention net (June-October), lifeguard (March-October), toilets, showers, coin lockers, store, marine activities
Official website:https://www.fusaki.com/facility/beach

2. Maesato Beach

Maesato Beach is an artificial beach located on the grounds of ANA Intercontinental Ishigaki Resort. Like the aforementioned Fusaki Beach, it can be used free of charge even by non-guests.

Since it is managed by the hotel, the beach is clean and well maintained, and there are also facilities such as showers and toilets. From May to October, which is the on-season, the beach is covered with nets to prevent jellyfish, and there is a lifeguard on duty, so you can play in peace.

At the leisure house near the beach, you can sign up for various marine activities and rent SUPs (for one or two people), sea kayaks, floats/tandem floats, floater mats, masks and fins, wet suits, life jackets, marine boots, etc. You can also make reservations on the day of your visit.

There is also a full menu of activities available for same-day reservations, so you can play in a variety of ways depending on your mood that day!

Maesato Beach also has an athletic facility called Maesato Ocean Park where you can enjoy playing with your family on floating equipment on the sea. The fee is 2,000 yen for children 3-5 years old and 4,000 yen for children 5 years old and older.

The water athletic equipment is especially popular with children, and is recommended when traveling with a family!

▼ Maesato Beach
Address：ANA Intercontinental Ishigaki Resort, 354-1 Maesato, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
Admission: Free
Parking: Available (free of charge, 442 spaces)
Access: 20 minutes by car from Ishigaki Airport, local bus: a short walk from ANA Intercontinental Ishigaki Resort
Facilities/Services: Jellyfish prevention net (March-October), lifeguard (March-October), toilets, showers, coin lockers, store, marine activities
Official website:https://www.anaintercontinental-ishigaki.jp/recreation/

3. Sukuji Beach

Sukuji Beach is located 2 km west of Kabira Park, where Kabira Bay is located.

Because of its location in the bay, the beach is less affected by the wind and is relatively calm all the time.

During the season, there are lifeguards on duty and jellyfish nets are set up to ensure safety.

One thing to note is that because the beach is shallow, the tide recedes to the point where swimming is not possible at low tide. Check the ebb and flow of the tide when you go out.

There are water showers, toilets, and running water near the beach.

Since Sukuji Beach faces west, it is recommended to relax on the beach and watch the sunset after a long day of swimming.

▼ Sukuji Beach
Address: 185-1 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
Admission: Free
Parking: Available (free of charge, 200 spaces)
Access: 40 minutes drive from Ishigaki Airport, 40 minutes drive from Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, 2 minutes walk from Seaman's Club (local bus)
Facilities & Services: Jellyfish prevention net, lifeguard, restroom, changing room, shower, coin locker, store, marine activities

Swimming is prohibited in Kabira Bay

It is no exaggeration to say that you will always see Kabira Bay in the guidebooks and posters of Ishigaki Island. It is a very beautiful and popular tourist spot, and the contrast of white sandy beach and emerald green is breathtaking.

Kabira Bay looks like a great, beautiful sea to swim in, but unfortunately, swimming is prohibited in Kabira Bay.

The reason for this is that the tides are fast and there are many glass boats for sightseeing, so swimming is prohibited to prevent accidents.

However, the view of Kabira Bay from the promenade near the beach is very beautiful, and a leisurely stroll is recommended.

There are many ways to enjoy the beauty of Kabira Bay without swimming, so please visit there when you visit Ishigaki Island.

▼ Kabira Bay
Address: 934 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
Admission: Free
Parking: Available (fee required)
Access: 30 minutes drive from Ishigaki Airport, 30 minutes drive from Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, 2 minutes walk from Kabira Koen-mae bus stop
Facilities/Services: Marine activities, store

Have a good time at the beaches of Ishigaki Island!

In Ishigaki Island, there are beaches where swimming is prohibited like Kabira Bay, but there are also beaches where you can swim such as Fusaki Beach, Maesato Beach, and Sukuji Beach.

The three beaches mentioned above have lifeguards, jellyfish nets, and other minimum safety precautions.

To prevent accidents, please enjoy the beautiful ocean of Ishigaki Island to the fullest by swimming in the safe and controlled beaches!