Ishigaki Island 石垣島
Beaches & dive sites; Yaeyama Islands’ hub
The only urban centre and the transport hub for the southern Yaeyama Islands, Ishigaki-jima receives direct flights from Naha and mainland Japan, and has the group’s main ferry terminal.
Ishigaki is an attractive island with several nice beaches and good snorkeling and diving in the surrounding coral reefs. Top beaches include Yonehara and Sunset Beach.
Ishigaki township offers lots of hotels, shops, restaurants and bars. There’s a good bus service and rental wheels are available for exploring the island, which is 35km in length.
Consider visiting Taketomi Island and Iriomote Island on day or overnight trips by ferry from here.