A must-see for beginners and fishing enthusiasts alike! Enjoy fishing in Mizuna Island!

What is Mizuna Island like?

Have you ever heard of a place called Minna-jima Island?

Mizuna Island is one of the outlying islands of Okinawa Prefecture, a small island located northwest of the main island of Okinawa.

It takes about 15 minutes to get there from the main island of Okinawa by high-speed boat, and many tourists visit on a day trip.

It is also called "Croissant Island" because of its crescent shape surrounded by crystal clear waters.

 

Directions from Naha Airport and Watakuchi Port

There are two ways to get to Watakuchi Port, where high-speed boats are available: by bus and on foot, or by renting a car.

First, let us introduce the case of walking to the bus.

From Naha Airport, take the "Yanbaru Express Bus", a local bus that takes about 2 hours, and get off at the "Motobu Museum Mae" stop.

The "Yanbaru Express Bus" is like a regular bus, so there is no need to make a reservation.

It is advisable to check the timetable and other information on the website in advance.

Once you arrive at the drop-off bus stop, you can reach Watakuchi Port in about 700 meters, or a 10-minute walk.

The other is to rent a car at a car rental store near Naha Airport and travel to Watakuchi Port.

With a rental car, it is easy to visit sightseeing spots other than Mizuna Island.

Most of them also offer airport pick-up service, making the process of renting a car easy!

If you look up Watakuchi Port on your car navigation system, you can get there without any problem.

Depending on the traffic conditions of the day, it takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Watakuchi Port.

The Watakuchi Port parking lot is well maintained, but it is best to allow plenty of time during high season.

Why choose Mizuna Island?

What makes Mizuna Island so popular as a tourist destination is that it is so accessible that it can be visited on a day trip from the main island of Okinawa!

Recommended for those who have already had enough fun on the main island of Okinawa, as well as for those who want to explore the remote islands.

 

Attractions of Mizuna Island

From here, there is more than just accessibility.Here are some of the attractions of Mizuna Island.

 

Beaches with blue sea and white sand

It is characterized by beautiful, crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches that are so clear and transparent that they cannot be compared to the beaches on the main island.

It is home to many colorful fish as well as corals.

Its beauty makes you want to jump into the sea from a moving high-speed boat.

 

Enjoy marine activities!

On Mizuna Island, visitors can enjoy not only swimming, but also banana boating and parasailing.

The experience store also offers beginner courses, so those who are a little nervous about participating in marine activities and small children can also participate with ease!

If you are lucky, you may even encounter wild sea turtles while snorkeling or diving.

 

Beautiful cobblestone streets

The wonderful scenery of Mizuna Island is not only limited to the sea.

The ground of the residential area is white stone pavement, which, combined with the masonry walls on the sides, creates a quaint Okinawan atmosphere.

Walking up the stone-paved slope from the harbor to the village, and looking back from the top of the slope, there is a spectacular view of the stone pavement and the beautiful blue sky and sea.

Incidentally, this is the only road connecting the port and the village, so there are many tourists and cars passing by, but please try to preserve the memories of the spectacular view in your photos!

 

Big catch! Fishing at Mizuna Island

The beautiful seaBecause of the rich ecosystem on Mizuna Island, the island is home to many other fish besides tropical fish.

There are also many fish that cannot be caught in the mainland, so even those who are not originally interested in fishing will enjoy themselves.

 

How to enjoy fishing

Fishing may not be the first marine activity that comes to mind.

Fishing is also a mainstay of the area around Mizuna Island.

Here are some ways to enjoy fishing that will please even those who do not usually fish!

 

Fishing Attractions on Mizuna Island

When we hear the word "fishing," we inevitably think only of the catch.

On Mizuna Island, enjoying fishing while enjoying the beautiful nature is itself the biggest attraction.

 

Easy to catch even for beginners

The waters around Mizuna Island are characterized by a wide variety of fish that can be caught because the waters are warm throughout the year.

Furthermore, by fishing when the fish you want to catch are in season, even beginners can catch more fish more easily.

 

Enjoy the spectacular view of the ocean

Fishing with a view of the beautiful ocean is a relaxing experience.

Listening to the sound of waves and wind, forgetting the busyness of daily life and feeling the time pass by, you can relax as if you are doing Zen or meditation.

One of the attractions is the ability to refresh one's mood.

 

You can even eat the fish you catch.

After participating in a fishing tour, you may eat your catch at a restaurant or tavern designated by the tour store.

Especially if you are planning to participate with your family, you can enjoy not only the fishing experience but also the food, which will surely make your memories even more enjoyable!

Advance reservations are required, so don't forget to make one.

 

Main fish caught on Mizuna Island

What kinds of fish can be caught in the sea around Okinawa?

From here, we will include the differences from fish caught in the mainland.

 

gurukul (Tripterospermum japonicum)

The first type is gurukun.

Its official name is Takasago, but in Okinawa Prefecture it is called Gurukun and is designated as a prefectural fish.

These fish inhabit the coastal waters of warmer oceans, prefer coral reefs and rocky zones, and have a schooling habit.

Especially in summer and fall, gurukun fishing tours are organized, and the fish is known to be relatively easy for beginners to catch.

And as for how to cook gurukun after catching it, fried gurukun is the most popular way to cook it! It is so much loved by the locals that it is a staple fish!

 

Indian rhinoceros

In Honshu, it is known as grouper, but in Okinawa it is called meibai, and is popular as a high-end fish.

Since meibai prefer warmer waters, meibai fishing can be enjoyed throughout the year in Okinawa, but spring and fall are said to be especially in season.

Since this root fish lives among coral reefs and rocky areas, when targeting meibai, it is best to go near a shore or bank where there is a lot of such terrain.

Of course, they can also be caught by boat fishing!

Numerous species of mealybugs inhabit the area, but be sure to check in advance because some species are poisonous!

After catching a meibai, the best way to enjoy it is as sashimi.

 

taman

In Okinawa, it is the No. 1 popular lure fishing target, but in Honshu, it is scarce and almost never distributed.

They migrate in small schools and prey on small fish by driving them into the water.

Taman can also be caught year-round, but the best time to catch them is from March to October, which coincides with the spring spawning season.

Beginners should experience this time of year.

It can be served as sashimi, but it is also excellent grilled with butter.

 

If you want to enjoy fishing casually, join a tour!

Fishing tours are also available on Mizuna Island.

Since tools and other equipment are often available for rent, it is easy to participate.

 

Recommended Tours

Here are some recommendations for tours you can enjoy on Mizuna Island.

 

Snorkeling at Mizuna Island! (No.604)

A very popular boat entry snorkeling plan where you can see colorful corals and fish!

Boat entry takes you directly to the point by boat, so you can enjoy a bit of a cruising sensation while snorkeling at your leisure.

 

Experience diving in Mizuna Island! (No.605)

With the support of your instructor, dive into a world of excitement!

Clear waters, beautiful corals, and vivid fish welcome you.

Boat entry allows you to dive directly to the dive site by boat, so you do not have to walk around with heavy equipment on your back.

 

Summer Only] Mizuna Island Swimming Free Plan (with parasol) (No.613)

Let's make your own original plan by combining your choice of different types of swimming at Mizuna Island!

Of course, you can apply for swimming only! We can make a plan according to your travel schedule.

 

summary

How was it?

Snorkeling and diving are popular marine activities on Mizuna Island, but fishing is also attractive as a way to enjoy a relaxing time in the beautiful sea.

If you visit Mizuna Island, please experience it for yourself.

Thank you for taking the time to read this to the end.