It’s Just a 30-Minute Flight from Ishigaki Island to Miyako Island! A Comprehensive Guide to Ferry Options and Itineraries

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When it comes to trips to Okinawa’s outlying islands, I often hear people say they want to visit both Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island.

 

Both are popular resort islands, each with its own unique charm.

Actually, Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island are about133 kmIt is also quite far away, so the only practical means of transportation is by plane.

 

In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide to traveling by plane between Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island, including travel times, information on the discontinued ferry service, and travel itineraries for efficiently exploring both islands.

 

If you want to enjoy both Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island to the fullest, be sure to read this all the way through!

 

How do you get from Ishigaki Island to Miyako Island? Flying is definitely the best option!

The current options for traveling between Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island areAirplaneThat's all.

 

Although there used to be a passenger ferry route, regular service has been suspended due to factors such as a decline in ridership.

 

Although the two islands appear close on a map, they are actually more than 100 km apart—a distance that takes about 6 to 7 hours to travel, even by high-speed ferry.

 

That’s why airplanes, which allow you to travel quickly, are by far the most efficient and convenient option.

Fortunately, JAL (Japan Transocean Air/Ryukyu Air Commuter) and ANA (ANA Wings) operate direct flights between Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island, with approximately three round trips per day as of 2026.

 

The flight takes only about30 minutesIt's just a short ride, and you'll be there in no time.

 

Fares vary depending on the season and when you book, but as a general guideline, they range from about 6,000 to 15,000 yen per one-way trip.

With the rise of low-cost carriers (LCCs), it’s become easier to find affordable flights, making it more convenient than ever to travel back and forth between the two islands. It’s great to be able to enjoy both Miyako Island and Ishigaki Island in such a short flight time.

 

From Ishigaki Island to Miyako Island
Is there a ferry?

Some of you might be wondering, “Can I get there by boat instead of by plane?”

 

ConclusionTo put it simply, as of 2026, there are no passenger ferries operating between Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island.

 

Although there was a time when a ferry service operated between Ishigaki Port and Miyako Port, ridership declined due to the expansion of air service and the long travel time, and the regular ferry service has now been discontinued.

If we were to travel by boat, the travel time would beAbout 6 to 7 hoursIt also carries the risk of seasickness and the drawback of having an entire day of travel wasted.

 

While there are still ways to transport vehicles on cargo ships, there are virtually no options for tourists to board them. As a result, flying is currently the only option for traveling between Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island.

 

Some people may be driven by a sense of romance, thinking, “I just have to go by boat!” but unfortunately, that’s not really feasible at the moment.

While it’s not entirely impossible that passenger ferries might resume service in the future, you should plan your trip assuming you’ll be flying, at least at this stage.

 

Even when considering time and comfort,30 minutesThe benefits of traveling by plane are significant.

 

 

Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island
If you're going to visit both
How much time will this take?

When planning a trip to both Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island, one of the main concerns is how many days you’ll need.

 

Generally speaking, a tour of both islands requires at least4 days and 3 nightsI'd like to see at least that much.

 

For example, if you stay two nights on Ishigaki Island and one night on Miyako Island—for a total of three nights—you’ll have enough time to explore each island.

If I may be so bold,4 nights, 5 daysIf you have that much time, it’s ideal because you can take your time sightseeing on each island for a full two days.

 

When planning your schedule, be sure to take flight times into account.

 

Use a different island for the outbound and return trips"Open-Jaw (Multi-City Travel)"If you do it this way, you can tour the area efficiently.

Even for the same itinerary, we recommend combining flights departing from and arriving at Ishigaki Island with those departing from and arriving at Miyako Island, as this allows for efficient travel.

 

In addition, when travelers have the opportunity to take longer vacations—such as during the summer Obon holiday or the year-end and New Year’s holidays—an increasing number are taking the plunge and visiting both islands as part of a single trip.

 

Since you have this long vacation, why not take advantage of it to experience the charms of both the Yaeyama and Miyako regions in a single trip!

 

Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island,
What are the benefits of going to both?

There are actually significant benefits to visiting both islands on a single trip.

 

First and foremost, rather than traveling separately,You can keep your travel costs downThat's it.

 

Since both Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island are located far from Honshu, the cost of round-trip airfare tends to add up if you travel to each island separately.

 

However, if you visit both destinations on a single trip, you’ll only need to purchase one round-trip airline ticket between Honshu and Okinawa.

Overall, you can save quite a bit on transportation costs compared to taking two separate trips.

 

The second benefit is that both islands'You can clearly feel the differenceThis is to say.

 

Although Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island are both tropical resorts, there are significant differences in their natural environments and the ways to enjoy them.

 

If you visit repeatedly over a short period of time, you'll likely find the differences even more striking.

Discovering that “the experiences on Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island are so different when you compare them!” is one of the unique joys of a round-trip tour.

 

In addition, on a single trip,The Cultures of Two Remote IslandsAnother appealing aspect is that you can actually touch it.

 

The dialects, local cuisine, and traditional events on Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island differ slightly from one another.

 

Be sure to make the most of both islands!

 

A Comprehensive Guide to the Charms of Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island!

Finally, I’d like to briefly introduce the unique charms of Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island, as well as the different ways to enjoy each.

 

Even though they are both remote islands in Okinawa, the two islandsDifferent CharmsThere are many

 

Since you're visiting both places, let's make sure to highlight the must-see spots at each one.

 

The Charms of Ishigaki Island

The greatest appeal of Ishigaki Island is itsNature Teeming with BiodiversityIt is located at

 

The island is home to several mountains, including Mount Omoto, the highest peak in Okinawa Prefecture.

 

Nutrient-rich rivers flowing from the mountains into the ocean nurture vast coral reefs and a rich ecosystem in the surrounding waters.

 

In fact, around Ishigaki Island, there areOne of Japan's Largest Coral Reef AreasThe "Ishini Lagoon" stretches out, dotted with spots where you can encounter colorful tropical fish and sea turtles.

Ishigaki Island also serves as a hub for tourism in the Yaeyama Islands.

 

In addition to sightseeing on the island itself, you can take a high-speed ferry from the Ishigaki Port Remote Islands Terminal to reach unique nearby islands such as Iriomote Island, Taketomi Island, and Kohama Island in about 10 to 60 minutes.

 

From jungle expeditions on Iriomote Island—a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site—to strolling through the red-tiled-roof village on Taketomi Island,island hoppingBeing able to enjoy this is surely one of the unique charms of Ishigaki Island.

 

Ishigaki Island’s appeal lies in its perfect balance, allowing visitors to enjoy both nature-based sightseeing and exploring the town.

Ishigaki Island also offers a wide variety of marine activities.

 

From canoeing and SUP in the mangrove forests to sunset cruises at dusk, you can enjoy a variety of activities set against the backdrop of the ocean, rivers, and mountains.

 

In particular, the "Mysterious Island" landing tour, the Blue Cave exploration tour, and the snorkeling tour where you can swim with sea turtles are extremely popular and are must-try activities during a trip to Ishigaki Island.

 

The Charms of Miyako Island

The appeal of Miyako Island is, without a doubt,"Miyako Blue"A breathtaking scene known asSpectacular Views of the Blue SeaIt is.

 

Miyako Island is a flat island formed by the uplift of limestone, and unlike Ishigaki Island, it has no high mountains or large rivers.

 

Thanks to this, there is little sediment runoff from the rain, and the waters surrounding the island are a crystal-clear blue.

 

There are numerous beaches dotted with beautiful white sand, and among them, Yonaha Maehama Beach is"The Most Beautiful Beach in the Orient"It is known as one of Miyako Island's most famous beaches.

The pristine white powdery sand and the 7-kilometer stretch of shallow waters truly make for a breathtaking view.

 

Another major feature of Miyako Island is that it is connected by bridges to the surrounding islands (such as Irabu Island, Ikema Island, and Kurima Island).

 

One of the unique pleasures of Miyako Island is taking a scenic drive across to a remote island by car and gazing out over the emerald-green sea from the top of a long bridge spanning the ocean.

 

especiallyIrabu BridgeThe view from the (3,540-meter-long) bridge and the view of Maehama Beach from the Kurima Bridge are definitely worth seeing.

Snorkeling and diving are also very popular on Miyako Island, and there are many spots where you can swim with sea turtles (such as around Yaese and Ogami Island).

 

However, since there are no other inhabited islands off the coast of Miyako Island that can be reached by sightseeing boat, tours of the outlying islands mainly consist of driving tours of the islands connected by bridges.

 

That’s why one of Miyako Island’s charms is how easy it is to enjoy a complete vacation on a single island (plus the islands accessible by bridge).

 

in the end

A trip that takes you to two popular remote islands—Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island—is a luxurious experience that lets you enjoy the charms of both at once.

 

Traveling by plane takes only about 30 minutes, making it easy and efficient to tour the area.

 

As introduced in this article,3 nights and 4 days or moreIf you can work out the schedule, you'll be able to fully enjoy both Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island.

 

On Ishigaki Island, you’ll find lush nature and island hopping, while on Miyako Island, the “Miyako Blue” sea and scenic drives offer a different kind of fun.

If you can't quite decide between the two, why not take the plunge and visit both?

 

You're sure to have experiences that can only be had on each island,memories that will last a lifetimeIt should be.

 

ADVENTURE PiPi on Ishigaki Island operates locations not only on Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands but also on Miyako Island, offering a variety of nature tours such as snorkeling and kayaking.

When planning a trip to both islands, be sure to take advantage of the activities offered by our shop to fully enjoy the tropical natural scenery.

 

Well then, thank you for reading to the end.

 

We hope you enjoy your wonderful trip to Ishigaki Island and Miyako Island!

This article was written by.

Nice to meet you! I’m Nacky—I’m originally from Osaka, but I was so captivated by Okinawa that I moved here. When I first visited Ishigaki Island on a trip, I was completely enchanted by its natural beauty and the warmth of its people. I thought, “I want to get to know this place better and share it with others,” so I moved to Okinawa. Before I knew it, I found myself moving from one of Okinawa’s outlying islands to another (Ishigaki, Miyako, Iriomote, and others), and I’m now in my seventh year of living in Okinawa.

Currently, as a staff member at 【ADVENTURE PiPi】, I provide activity experiences to guests visiting the remote islands of Okinawa, while also writing articles from a local perspective for tourists.

We’re committed to conveying the charm of Okinawa’s remote islands in a “real” and “easy-to-understand” way, sharing information from a local perspective—from tourist attractions and hidden-gem beaches to seasonal activities and how to choose the right tour. We provide helpful information so that even first-time visitors to Ishigaki can enjoy their trip with peace of mind.

For those of you wondering, “Which of Okinawa’s remote islands would you recommend?” or “Which activities should I choose?”, we’ll share the latest on the islands with all our heart!