Favorite Island

January 13, 2026 – Hoshizuna Beach – 33 km day ride – Terrace Iriomotejima

January 14, 2026 – Hoshizuna Beach, Iriomote to Ishigaki, Ishigaki – 43 kms – Hotel Patina 

January 15, 2026 – Ishigaki – no cycling – Hotel Patina – island count: 16, with the addition of Taketomi

January 16, 2026 – Ishigaki – 46 km day cycle – Hotel Patina – total distance cycled: 1272 kms

Ruth: A couple of days ago Hanna from Okinawa asked me what my favourite island was so far. Even at the time it was a tough question to answer. We had just left Iriomote, the wildest and most rugged jewel on our itinerary and we were completely struck with its beauty. Miyako and Kumejima were also front runners. Ishigaki, at the time, was not quite in the running. The past two days has changed that and I’m even less able to answer Hanna’s question. 

With only two more days on Ishigaki we decided to do as much as we could. The weather is warm again and the winds lighter. Yesterday we joined a snorkeling tour so that we could see some of the best coral and fish. The tour had an age limit of 60, so Gord was suddenly a decade younger. He was still the strongest one there. We snorkelled near the blue cave on the north coast of the island. It was fabulous. 

In the afternoon, still covered in salt, we hopped on a ferry to visit the island of Taketomi. It has a collection of some of the best preserved traditional houses in the Okinawa Prefecture. We walked across the island and then zigzagged back through the sand streets of the delightful village.  Taketomi also boasts lovely coral beaches and dark skies for star gazing.

Today we cycled to the northwest coast of Ishigaki to visit Kabira Bay.  It is famous for black pearl cultivation and crystal clear waters full of coral. The bay is protected and snorkeling is not permitted, but hoards of people on bus tours were pouring onto glass bottomed boats for tours to view the bay and perhaps spot a turtle. 

The city of Ishigaki, where we are currently staying, is a great central location from which you can take ferries to visit a number of islands, each deserving several days stay. It’s likely one of the places we will return to so that we can explore more of them. Among these islands are Iriomote and Taketomi, which we would definitely return to.

The island of Ishigaki itself has rocketed up into the top rungs of favorite islands. The north of the island is staggeringly beautiful and there is much more for us to explore. When we return, however, we might both have to lie about our ages to go on a snorkeling tour.