Which island do you like better: Ishigaki or Miyakojima?

[musicisgood]

Actually, I didn't exactly know how to put the thread title in the correct words but I'm interested in of the two islands off of Okinawa . One is Ishigaki and the other is Miyakojima.
I'm planning to visit both of them. I'm in the planning stage right now for the airfare, and it's kind of a big difference in price on how I choose which island to go to first from Fukuoka so I'm just curious. Have any of you been to either one of those islands, and what do you think about them.

 

[mdchachi]

I haven't been to either. Bing AI says the following but of course as always take whatever it says with a grain of salt.

I'm glad to hear that you are planning to visit Ishigaki and Miyakojima, two beautiful islands off of Okinawa. They are both great destinations for relaxation, snorkeling, and enjoying the tropical scenery. However, they also have some differences that you might want to consider before booking your airfare.
According to the web search results123, some of the main differences are:

• Cost: Ishigaki is cheaper than Miyakojima, both for accommodation and food. A week in a 3-star hotel in Ishigaki costs around $760, while in Miyakojima it costs around $11901. Ishigaki also has more options for budget travelers, such as hostels and guesthouses.
• Beaches: Both islands have stunning beaches, but Miyakojima is known for having more pristine and less crowded ones. Some of the most famous beaches in Miyakojima are Sunayama, Yonaha Maehama, and Higashi Hennazaki1. Ishigaki also has beautiful beaches, such as Kabira Bay, Yoshino, Aragusuku, and Fusaki1, but they might be more popular with tourists and locals.
• Snorkeling: Ishigaki is a snorkeling paradise, with many spots to see colorful coral reefs and marine life. Some of the best snorkeling sites in Ishigaki are Shiraho Reef, Manta Scramble, Yonehara Beach, and Sukuji Beach1. Miyakojima also has some snorkeling opportunities, but they are not as abundant or diverse as Ishigaki's.
• Culture: Miyakojima is more exclusive and traditional than Ishigaki, and it has some unique festivals and customs that you can experience. One of them is Paantu, a ritual where men cover themselves in mud and scare away evil spirits1. Miyakojima also has some ancient shrines and graves that you can visit1. Ishigaki is more modern and cosmopolitan than Miyakojima, and it has more city-based attractions, such as museums, markets, and temples1.

So, depending on your preferences and budget, you might want to choose one island over the other. However, you can also visit both islands by taking a ferry or a plane between them. The ferry takes about 4 hours and costs around $50 one way2. The plane takes about 30 minutes and costs around $100 one way2.
I hope this helps you with your planning. Have a wonderful trip!

 

[musicisgood]

I haven't been to either. Bing AI says the following but of course as always take whatever it says with a grain of salt.

I'm glad to hear that you are planning to visit Ishigaki and Miyakojima, two beautiful islands off of Okinawa. They are both great destinations for relaxation, snorkeling, and enjoying the tropical scenery. However, they also have some differences that you might want to consider before booking your airfare.
According to the web search results123, some of the main differences are:

• Cost: Ishigaki is cheaper than Miyakojima, both for accommodation and food. A week in a 3-star hotel in Ishigaki costs around $760, while in Miyakojima it costs around $11901. Ishigaki also has more options for budget travelers, such as hostels and guesthouses.
• Beaches: Both islands have stunning beaches, but Miyakojima is known for having more pristine and less crowded ones. Some of the most famous beaches in Miyakojima are Sunayama, Yonaha Maehama, and Higashi Hennazaki1. Ishigaki also has beautiful beaches, such as Kabira Bay, Yoshino, Aragusuku, and Fusaki1, but they might be more popular with tourists and locals.
• Snorkeling: Ishigaki is a snorkeling paradise, with many spots to see colorful coral reefs and marine life. Some of the best snorkeling sites in Ishigaki are Shiraho Reef, Manta Scramble, Yonehara Beach, and Sukuji Beach1. Miyakojima also has some snorkeling opportunities, but they are not as abundant or diverse as Ishigaki's.
• Culture: Miyakojima is more exclusive and traditional than Ishigaki, and it has some unique festivals and customs that you can experience. One of them is Paantu, a ritual where men cover themselves in mud and scare away evil spirits1. Miyakojima also has some ancient shrines and graves that you can visit1. Ishigaki is more modern and cosmopolitan than Miyakojima, and it has more city-based attractions, such as museums, markets, and temples1.

So, depending on your preferences and budget, you might want to choose one island over the other. However, you can also visit both islands by taking a ferry or a plane between them. The ferry takes about 4 hours and costs around $50 one way2. The plane takes about 30 minutes and costs around $100 one way2.
I hope this helps you with your planning. Have a wonderful trip!

You always deliver. Thanks. That is great info for me. In a way I was banking on Ishigaki first. I didn't know it was cheaper to bum around on the island. I can't bring my bike so I'll be checking out what the bike shop has to offer.
Oh, I'd like to mention that JR Bus has super low fares at the moment. From Yamaguchi to Fukuoka/Hakata is only 2200 yen. Super cheap.
Also to my knowledge, there are no ferries these days for passengers to the islands. Something that I just found out the other day.
I'm really all wired up about this adventure also. I don't have to return to Yamaguchi till the second week of December. Hopefully I'll find some work or I'll just be a beach bum living off of SS. I shouldn't say that, but it might be true.
Did I post that the Japanese govt. is now giving out 30000 yen to the head of the household if one qualifies? ( I qualify, that is my ticket to the Islands (one way) . ( its a one time offer though) Should receive it in about 3 weeks. Good timing since I've still got 2 Doc appt. this month that I know of.
I'll be going to the University's travel department today and see if JAL gives a little discount from Ishikawa to Miyakojima.

 

[mdchachi]

There are three ferries from Kyushu to Okinawa it looks like. But maybe not to those two islands.

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[musicisgood]

Yes, I've taken the ferries from Kagoshima to Naha. They exist. Its a 25 hour boat ride. I forgot what the fare was, but it wasn't that cheap. It is so much cheaper by plane from Fukuoka to Okinawa. No shinkansen from Yamaguchi to Kagoshima and no ferry to Naha. That was expensive for me 2 years ago. I didn't even think of going by plane. I could have bought a bike at Donkey Hotei in Naha for about 12000 yen too. Wouldn't have had to lug my bike on the train and ferry. But we learn as we go.