Minna-jima Island Motobu, Okinawa

Paradise is only a short ferry ride away. In Northern Okinawa the beach destinations is Minna-jima Island. The crescent shaped island situated off the coast of Motobu is easy to get to but feels like a totally different world than the cities and highways of the main Okinawa Island.

Minna-Jima Island is popular with SCUBA Divers, snorkelers, and beach goers but even on busy days the crowds are minimal compared to many Okinawa beaches. To get there you first you hop a 20 minute ferry from Motobu Town that takes you across the crystal clear blue waters of the East China Sea

When the ferry arrives at the paradise like island you can easily find the roped off swimming area in the clear waters next to the hundreds of meters of white sandy beach perfect for laying on and soaking up the sun on a lazy Okinawa afternoon. Near the beach are public toilets and a food stand to get a quick bite.

For the more active types who enjoy snorkeling or SCUBA Diving the sea at Minna-jima offers up a variety of fish species as well as urchins, starfish, sea cucumbers and snails. Coral heads line the coastal waters and striking blue starfish can be seen sitting on the sandy bottom every few feet. As you travel further out, a small reef is host to incredible colors of plant and animal life and on most days, the water is quite tame.

The center of the island features a small, but vibrant forest of palms, ferns and other tall trees and can be explored safely. On the other side of the Minna-jima Island you can find fishermen working hard in the mid days heat using local techniques to bring in their catch of the day.

Directions: Take Hwy 58 North and turn left on Hwy 84. Follow 84 to 449, which leads directly to Motobu and look for a small dock area with boats and parked cars.

Minna-jima Island Location/Access
	From Naha Airport: Approx. 160 min by car and ferry From Okinawa Expressway Kyoda I.C: Approx. 60 min by car and ferry Parking: Available (Free) Ferry Fare: 1,680 yen round trip Ferry Address: Minna, Sesoko, Motobu-cho, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa Ferry Phone: 0980-47-5179