Snorkeling in Miyakojima: Sea Turtles with Free Reruns

Miyakojima's sea turtles surface in shallow water where your feet touch bottom.

Snorkel with sea turtles in Miyakojima with a PADI-certified guide who leads small groups from the city center shop. Equipment, photos, and facility use are free. If turtles don't appear due to conditions beyond your control, you get a free return visit within a year. Children from age 5 can join, and guides teach beginners in shallow water before the open swim.

The experience

The shop sits in central Miyakojima, 15 minutes by car from the airport. You meet at 9am or 1pm, fill out a form, get fitted with a wetsuit (sizes 90cm to XXL), mask, fins, marine shoes and life jacket, all free. A PADI-certified guide gives a solid lecture on technique, then you practice in shallow water where you can stand before heading out. The whole activity runs about three hours from arrival to shower.

The snorkel itself lasts roughly 40 minutes in the water. Your guide carries a GoPro and shoots photos and video the whole time, handing you the full data file on the day: no extra charge, no limit on how many shots. The operator reports a 100% encounter rate with sea turtles in 2025, and backs that confidence with a free return visit if conditions (tide, temperature, the turtle's mood) keep you from seeing one. That guarantee is valid for a year.

The shop has hot water showers, separate changing rooms, hairdryers, shampoo, conditioner, body soap and lotion. There's a powder space for women. Parking is free. You can bring your own prescription mask if you need one (the shop stocks free masks for prescriptions down to -7), or rent their equipment without paying extra. The guide speaks Japanese.

What’s included

Experience fee, full set of snorkel equipment (wetsuit, mask, snorkel, fins, marine shoes, life jacket), facility use (hot water shower, changing room, toilet, parking, hairdryer, shampoo, conditioner, body soap, lotion), GoPro photos and video files, guide support, and insurance.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 13:00Last departure this season: 31 Dec

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 12

Live guideJapanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48h

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by サマーリゾート宮古島

Is this one for you?The guide speaks Japanese, so this works best for travelers comfortable following instruction in that language or traveling with someone who translates. Children from 5 onward can join because the guide teaches in shallow water first, letting young swimmers and beginners build confidence before the open snorkel.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What happens if we don't see sea turtles on the day we book?

If turtles don't appear due to tidal conditions, water temperature or other factors beyond your control, you get a free return ticket valid for one year. The operator does not issue free reruns if you miss the tour yourself or if conditions were in your favor but you chose not to participate.

Do I need to bring my own snorkel gear?

No. Wetsuits, masks, snorkels, fins, marine shoes and life jackets are all included free. If you wear prescription lenses, bring your own mask or use one of the shop's free prescription masks (available down to -7).

What do I get from the GoPro photos and videos?

Your guide films and photographs the whole snorkel with a GoPro. You receive all the photo and video files on the day of your tour at no extra cost, with no limit on how many shots are taken.

How long does the whole experience take?

Plan for about three hours from the time you arrive at the shop. That includes the lecture and practice in shallow water, the 40-minute snorkel, and time to shower and change afterward.

Where is the shop located, and how do I get there?

Summer Resort Miyakojima is in the center of Miyakojima, about 15 minutes by car from Miyako Airport. Public transportation options are available nearby.