Ingya Marine Garden | Recommended Beaches for Snorkeling with Kids on Miyakojima

Hello, I’m tuna (@miyakojimalife_) (^^)

Summer has already arrived on Miyakojima, located far to the south of the mainland‼

Just as Ketsumeishi sings, “Mountains, rivers—but really, the ocean~!” I think the ocean is definitely a summer staple (or at least that’s what I believe)

When you think of the ocean on a southern island,

“white sandy beaches” and “blue ocean”

—but

but the Ingya Marine Garden I’m introducing today is

That’s what the ocean looks like

I don’t see anything fun about that at all. lol

However, rocky beaches are home to lots of tropical fish that live there, using the rocks as their hideouts

See? Now I’m starting to picture something fun

Plus, this beach is perfect for families!

I’d be happy if you’d keep this in mind when you come visit Miyako Island.

Ingya is perfect for snorkeling.

Locals call this beach “Ingya.”

Sometimes it’s written as “Imgya” in brochures,

I’m not sure why (◜◔。◔◝)?

Both my grandpa and grandma have always called it “Ingya,” so I’m going with that.

In fact, there are spots at Ingya where spring water flows, so the water is cold in some areas

First up is the “Ingya” ocean!

It’s the ocean you see as soon as you step down onto the beach

Right in front of you, you can see an island with a small hill.

Here’s what it looks like up close

You’ll definitely notice how crystal-clear the water is

It’s a spot perfect for family snorkeling.

As you can see, the water at Ingya is very shallow.

Especially at low tide, the water is shallow enough for even small children to enjoy

Plus, since it’s a cove, the water is calm with no waves

For this reason, it’s ideal for family snorkeling trips with young children

Additionally, rocky outcrops—which serve as hiding spots for fish—are scattered throughout the area, so you can see plenty of fish

At low tide, you can spot small tropical fish stranded on the rocks in the shallows.

If you’re swimming at Ingya, water shoes are a must.

The waters off Ingya have more rocks, stones, and coral deposits than sandy beaches

It looks like a white sandy beach, but when you get closer, it looks like this

It hurts if you’re barefoot. (laughs)

Since there are rocky areas underwater as well, water shoes are a must.

Personally, I recommend Crocs

If you have water shoes, nothing beats them, but if you’re just using them for a quick bit of sightseeing, I recommend Crocs.

Here are three reasons why I recommend them:

Crocs knockoffs are fine, too

If you have a pair at home, I recommend packing them in your travel bag to use at the beach! ♪

Things to Keep in Mind When Swimming at Ingya

The sea is calm with no waves, but there’s just one thing to watch out for

Since Ingya Bay is a cove, there’s a section where it connects to the open ocean

The area under the Ingya Bridge connects to the open ocean, and there’s a current flowing from the cove out to sea

This is a spot where many accidents occur—tourists get swept out to sea while snorkeling—so it’s best to stay away from it

Back in the day, local kids used to jump into the ocean from the bridge all the time, though…

More Than Just Swimming

Ingya is a great place not only for swimming but also for enjoying the scenery.

Since it’s situated on a small hill, you’ll work up a sweat during the hot summer months, but a breathtaking view awaits at the top.

Access to the Observation Deck

There’s a side path between the parking lot and the beach; if you take it, you’ll come to a white walking path

The sun is intense on Miyako Island, so not only the sandy beach but also the ground reflects a lot of heat (/_+)

On the right is the cove beach I mentioned earlier

On the left is the open ocean.

I didn’t take any photos, but the ocean looks quite different on the left and right sides, so be sure to check it out when you visit

Even as you walk along the boardwalk, you can see fish swimming in the emerald-green sea.

The sea is truly calm no matter when you visit

Ingya Bridge

If you walk a little further, you’ll see the Ingya Bridge.

You can actually take photos right from underneath the bridge, so it’s a great spot for photography.

Looking from the bridge, you can definitely see the current.

The stairs are a struggle…

Once you cross Ingya Bridge, there are stairs starting right here

These stairs are surprisingly tough…

They aren’t that high, but there’s almost no shade, so the direct sunlight is scorching.

I’m starting to wish I had a parasol.

It’s long…

The fact that the steps are low is a blessing.

Plus, the breathtaking views soothe me as I climb the stairs

The few oases of shade that pop up here and there

Finally, the summit! Below lies the coral reef sea

Drenched in sweat, I reached the summit—and there was a breathtaking view

The blue sea and the blue sky

The stairs and the coral reef-filled sea look absolutely stunning

As I’ve posted on the homepage, the view from the cove side is also one of my favorites

Ingya—the name, meaning “enclosed spring,” fits this view perfectly

There used to be a gazebo at the summit, with a cow sculpture perched on its roof

While I was away from the island, the gazebo disappeared, and now the little cow quietly gazes out at the sea near the summit

It’s very surreal

How to Get to Ingya

Ingya is located on the eastern side of the island (formerly Tomori, Shirobe Town)

It’s about a 20-minute drive from downtown Miyako Island

Parking

Parking is available, but since the lot isn’t very large, it tends to fill up quickly

It used to be easy to find a spot, but due to the recent surge in tourists, it can sometimes be full

I hope this article helps someone have an enjoyable sightseeing experience

Please be especially careful not to get too close to the underside of the bridge while snorkeling

Thank you for watching until the end! *ᴗ ᴗ)⁾⁾