A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yaeyama Islands vs. Airlie Beach for Resorts, Scuba Diving & Snorkeling, Beaches, and Hiking

Should you visit Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Yaeyama Islands and Airlie Beach. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Yaeyama Islands

Yaeyama Islands is a tropical, pristine, and luxurious archipelago. You'll find world class beauty in Yaeyama Islands as well. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Yaeyama Islands travel costs.

Airlie Beach

Airlie Beach is a idyllic, paradise, and laid back town. You'll find world class beauty in Airlie Beach as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Airlie Beach travel costs.

Yaeyama Islands and Airlie Beach: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Airlie Beach. Although Yaeyama Islands and Airlie Beach are both popular with visitors, Airlie Beach has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Airlie Beach is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and shopping, while Yaeyama Islands is known for its museums and attractions. Yaeyama Islands is popular for its jungle, tropical setting, and pristine beaches. Airlie Beach is popular for its tours and transportation that visit the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands. It is also home to the Airlie Beach Lagoon.

How is Yaeyama Islands different from Airlie Beach?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Airlie Beach and Yaeyama Islands. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach?

Yaeyama Islands is a moderate archipelago for its sights and museums. However, Airlie Beach is not a good town for its museums and history.

Yaeyama Islands offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. The islands are known for their beaches, snorkeling, and jungles, but don't expect much in the form of museums.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Airlie Beach. Oceanfront beauty is what this town is all about, so you won't find much is the form of museums and manmade landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Yaeyama Islands and Airlie Beach.

Yaeyama Islands offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many fruits and vegetables that are local to the region. Tropical fruits are common including pineapples, passionfruit, mango, shikuwasa, watermelon, papaya, and dragon fruit. You can try Yaeyama Soba (noodle soup) or any other local favorite at the restaurants in the area, most of which are usually concentrated around the villages on the island.

Airlie Beach has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's a good selection of restaurants in town that offer everything from freshly caught local seafood to fine dining or casual. Try to pick a place with a view.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach Better for Nightlife?

Both Yaeyama Islands and Airlie Beach are good when it comes to partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Yaeyama Islands. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. You can sip a cocktail and enjoy the view from your resort's bar.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Airlie Beach. The town has a number of nightlife venues that include DJ hosted parties, beachfront cocktail lounges, and mellow local bars.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach Better for Resorts?

There are terrific resorts to choose from in both Yaeyama Islands and Airlie Beach.

Vacationers flock to Yaeyama Islands for its luxury resorts. There are luxury international resorts as well as smaller upscale hotels. Many resorts are found on the largest island, Ishigaki.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Airlie Beach is a great choice. There's everything from posh resorts and luxury hotels to family-friendly campgrounds. There are also hostels that cater to the budget crowd.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Airlie Beach is terrific for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, Yaeyama Islands is not as famous, but is still a good archipelago to visit for its diving and snorkeling.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Airlie Beach. You can't snorkel right off the shore because the water is murky and mucky, but there are excursions that will take you to the Great Barrier Reef. There are many day cruises that will take you out on the reef to several sights where you may see beautiful coral, sea turtles, or even reef sharks.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Yaeyama Islands. The islands offer great scuba diving and snorkeling with coral reefs and tropical fish as well as manta rays and pelagic fish.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach Better for Beaches?

Yaeyama Islands and Airlie Beach both offer terrific beaches.

Yaeyama Islands offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. This tropical paradise has white sand beaches and turquoise water. There are water sports, including snorkeling and diving, and the beaches on each island have their own atmosphere and vibe.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Airlie Beach. Near town there are world class beaches that range from secluded and idyllic to those lined with luxury resorts. For an escape, head to Hideaway Bay or Dingo Beach. If you don't want to leave town, there's also Airlie Beach, which is right off the Main Street. You likely won't want to swim here, but you can enjoy a picnic. Whatever beach you chose, do confirm that there's a stinger net.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach Better for Hiking?

Airlie Beach is terrific for the nearby hiking options. Also, Yaeyama Islands is not as famous, but is still a good archipelago to visit for its hiking trails.

Airlie Beach is well-known for its hiking and trekking. You'll find many incredible hiking trails in the area. Conway National Park is a great place to hike through the rainforest and Conway State Forest is another nice spot.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Yaeyama Islands. The islands offer relatively easy access to jungle hikes, which will quickly make you feel like you've been swept into a hidden paradise. There are waterfalls, wildlife, butterflies, and scenic spots to explore.

Is the Shopping Better in Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach?

Airlie Beach is a good destination for shopping. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Airlie Beach is a great destination for shopping. Head to the town's main street for your typical souvenir shops and holiday stores.

Yaeyama Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach More Beautiful?

Yaeyama Islands and Airlie Beach both are comparable with their terrific scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Yaeyama Islands as well. White sand, blue water, tropical jungles and coral reefs make this a breathtakingly beautiful part of Japan.

Airlie Beach is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Serving as a gateway to the Whitsunday Islands, this town is surrounded by some of the world's most idyllic landscapes.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach Better for Families?

Both Yaeyama Islands and Airlie Beach are excellent family-friendly destinations.

Yaeyama Islands is a very family-friendly place to visit. This island setting has blue waters and water sports that the whole family can enjoy. There are also family-friendly resorts with kids clubs and nearby nature.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Airlie Beach is very family-friendly. Kids will enjoy playing in the Airlie Beach Lagoon, visiting the markets, or hanging out at the local beaches or playgrounds. If you're hoping to swim in the ocean, be very aware of the season and the conditions.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach Better for Couples?

Yaeyama Islands and Airlie Beach both terrific destinations for a couple.

Yaeyama Islands is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Beautiful blue water and fun water sports make this a wonderful destination for couples. There are nice resorts and fine dining opportunities that make this a great couple's retreat.

Airlie Beach makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples often use this as a gateway to the stunning Whitsunday Islands. The dining scene is good and there are countless outdoor activities that you can enjoy together. There are also many different resorts in the area.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Airlie Beach is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Airlie Beach. If you're hoping to visit the Whitsunday Islands, then is a good place to base yourself as a backpacker. It has a decent selection of hostels and there are a number of restaurants and other dining options.

Yaeyama Islands is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpacking can be challenging as transportation is limited and accommodation can be expensive.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Airlie Beach is a good destination for its public transit. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for times when you don't have a car.

Airlie Beach has a few public transit options. There's a public bus that runs from Proserpine to Shute Harbour. The main bus station is near the city center and the main beach.

Public transit is mostly limited in Yaeyama Islands. There is very little in the form of public transit but you can get from the largest island, Ishigaki Island, to nearby islands by ferry.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach a more walkable city?

Airlie Beach is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for its high level of walkability.

Airlie Beach is very walkable. The town itself is walkable, but the surrounding area is hilly and requires a car.

Yaeyama Islands is generally not a very walkable archipelago. Some of the islands are small enough to get around on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Yaeyama Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Airlie Beach Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Airlie Beach or Yaeyama Islands?

How long in Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach?

Both Yaeyama Islands and Airlie Beach have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Airlie Beach than in Yaeyama Islands. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Yaeyama Islands, and 4-7 days is enough time in Airlie Beach.

Families should spend more time in Airlie Beach than Yaeyama Islands. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Airlie Beach, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Airlie Beach than Yaeyama Islands. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Airlie Beach that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Airlie Beach than Yaeyama Islands if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Airlie Beach.

One day in Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach?

In Yaeyama Islands, many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling that this pristine archipelago offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The paradise destination of Airlie Beach offers nightlife and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach?

Yaeyama Islands is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the beaches. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

The town of Airlie Beach offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach?

In Yaeyama Islands, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this pristine destination offers. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Lots of people come for the beaches. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Airlie Beach is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This town offers something for everyone. It is common to spend five days here. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach?

Yaeyama Islands is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The laid back town of Airlie Beach offers shopping and nightlife. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. For many, it makes a great getaway for one week. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia, and The Best Honeymoon Tours in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yaeyama Islands and Airlie Beach, we can see that Airlie Beach is more expensive. And not only is Yaeyama Islands much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Yaeyama Islands is in Asia and Airlie Beach is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Yaeyama Islands would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yaeyama Islands and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Airlie Beach would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Airlie Beach than you might in Yaeyama Islands.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yaeyama Islands Expensive? and Is Airlie Beach Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Airlie Beach is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Yaeyama Islands has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach in the Summer?

Both Airlie Beach and Yaeyama Islands are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Yaeyama Islands because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Airlie Beach this time of year.

Yaeyama Islands is a little warmer than Airlie Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Yaeyama Islands averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Airlie Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. Yaeyama Islands usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Airlie Beach during summer. Yaeyama Islands gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Airlie Beach receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. In July, Yaeyama Islands usually receives less rain than Airlie Beachin January. Yaeyama Islands gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 331 mm (13 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach in the Autumn?

Both Airlie Beach and Yaeyama Islands during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Yaeyama Islands this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Airlie Beach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Yaeyama Islands is a little warmer than Airlie Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Yaeyama Islands in October average around 26°C (78°F), and Airlie Beach averages at about 23°C (73°F)in April.

In Airlie Beach, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Yaeyama Islands often gets less sunshine than Airlie Beachin April. Yaeyama Islands gets 177 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Airlie Beach receives 207 hours of full sun.

Airlie Beach gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. Yaeyama Islands usually gets more rain in October than Airlie Beachin April. Yaeyama Islands gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Yaeyama Islands and Airlie Beach. Many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the museums and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Airlie Beach in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Yaeyama Islands is generally around the same temperature as Airlie Beachin July. Daily temperatures in Yaeyama Islands average around 18°C (64°F), and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Airlie Beach this time of the year. Yaeyama Islands usually receives less sunshine than Airlie Beach during winter. Yaeyama Islands gets 97 hours of sunny skies, while Airlie Beach receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

Yaeyama Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Yaeyama Islands usually receives more rain than Airlie Beachin July. Yaeyama Islands gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Airlie Beach in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Yaeyama Islands as well as Airlie Beach. Many visitors come to Yaeyama Islands in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Airlie Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Yaeyama Islands is around the same temperature as Airlie Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Yaeyama Islands averages around 23°C (74°F) in April, and Airlie Beach fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Airlie Beach. In the spring, Yaeyama Islands often gets less sunshine than Airlie Beachin October. Yaeyama Islands gets 154 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Airlie Beach receives 298 hours of full sun.

Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. Yaeyama Islands usually gets more rain in April than Airlie Beachin October. Yaeyama Islands gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Airlie Beach receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year. May to June in Yaeyama Islands is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Airlie Beach and Yaeyama Islands