What is the charm of Ishigaki Island activities? How to enjoy & tips for choosing tours to avoid regrets
Table of Contents
- 1 What is the attraction of Ishigaki Island What are the attractions of Ishigaki Island activities?
- 2 Ranking of Popular Activities in Ishigaki Island
- 3 Ishigaki Island Recommended snorkeling spots
- 4 On Ishigaki Island Adventure Activities
- 5 Healing Activities Enjoy Ishigaki Island
- 6 How to Choose Activities in Ishigaki Island How to choose a tour
- 7 Ishigaki Island Activities Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 8 summary
Ishigaki Island
What is the attraction of the activity?
Ishigaki Island, located in the center of Yaeyama, Okinawa, is a "treasure house of experiences" with its clear waters, varied coral reefs, virgin mangrove forests, and starry sky where you can even aim for the Southern Cross.
Marine Activities, ,Nature Activities, ,Healing ActivitiesA wide range of people can enjoy the tour, including beginners, advanced travelers, families, couples, and solo travelers.
Which one should I choose? We cover everything from the latest standard Ishigaki Island activities to how to choose without fail, the best season, and tips for making reservations.
It also explains how to design an itinerary and deal with weather risks to help you create a trip you won't regret.
For those who want to easily check tips on making reservations and what to bring.
◆ For those who want to know what to see and do at popular spots.
Those who want to hold down the best season, time of year, and weather measures.
Ranking of Popular Activities in Ishigaki Island
Ishigaki Island is all about the sea! Among allSnorkeling, diving, parasailingare the three most popular activities.
In addition, the "Landing on Phantom Island (Hamashima)" and "Swimming with Sea Turtles" tours are highly photogenic and satisfying, and are always among the top reservation destinations throughout the year♪.
Below are the highlights of the standard menu and the key points for selection, in a ranking format that is easy to understand even for beginners!
No. 1: Snorkeling
Put on a snorkel, mask, and fins for breathing, and then get out of the water.coral reefand ... andtropical fishA classic marine activity to observe the
Even if you are not a good swimmer, life jackets and floats make it easy to participate,Family trip, first ocean experienceIt is also ideal for
Boat entry provides access to the clear outer edge of the reef, while beach entry offers easy access for rest and photography.
Some tours have themes such as "aiming to encounter sea turtles" or "Blue Cave," so you can choose the one that best suits your purpose to increase your satisfaction.
⬇︎Recommended snorkeling tours are here: ⬇︎
Sea turtle snorkeling
How to enjoy
To increase your chances of seeing sea turtles, you can use theHabitat Zone"Quiet shallows"Time of day when few people are aroundTo hold down the "I'm sorry".
The rules are to follow the instructor's instructions, maintain a certain distance, and not touch, chase, or block the path.
Do not block the front of the boat when it comes to the surface to breathe, do not use a flash when taking pictures, and keep the boat in a near neutral buoyancy posture with the tips of the fins down. This alone will make the experience of "swimming together" much more pleasant!
Easy to increase transparency if photos are important.morning flightis ◎, if you want to avoid backlighting, choose a time when the sun is high in the sky.
⬇︎For more information about sea turtle snorkeling: ⬇︎
2nd: Diving
For experience diving (for inexperienced divers), one instructor directly supports a small group underwater.
More than snorkelingClose to living creaturesand the three-dimensionality of the corals, the power of the drop-offs, and the ecology of the clownfish nests."unique to underwater"The world of the
Even if you are not a confident swimmer or are anxious for the first time, you will be able to enjoy the experience calmly through the training and rope-assisted descent.
⬇︎For more information about diving in Ishigaki Island, please visit ⬇︎
for beginners
Diving Experience Tour
Check the following points when choosing a diving experience tour for beginners!
Carefulness of onshore training
Photography Support
Ratio of number of people in one group
The beach experience isFeet on the ground, a sense of securityThe boat experience is also suitable for those who are worried about seasickness. The boat experience offers a wide choice of points of interest,Advantageous in terms of transparency and fish shadowThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
Choose a store that has a full range of rental equipment sizes and numbers and is accustomed to adjusting wetsuit thickness and weights to increase comfort in terms of buoyancy control and heat retention.
Some stores offer courses with a view to obtaining a C-card (license), so check the lead-in to the next step.
On Ishigaki Island
What is a dive site?
Around Ishigaki Island, there are a variety of topographic features such as drop-offs facing the open ocean, shallow reefs with corals, and roots (pinnacles) scattered in the sand.
Summer to Fall."increase in the likelihood of encountering a manta ray"Some areas are known for their tendencies.
Beginners can dive at shallow sandy or coral sites with weak currents, while experienced divers can dive at boat sites that support terrain and drifts,Selection according to levelis important.
Ishigaki Island Diving Tour
Click here for the list
3rd : Parasailing
Pulled by a motorboat and parachuted into the air.
You can see the gradient sea overlooking the remote islands from the sky, and Ishigaki Island."Difference in ocean color"This is the activity that shows the most!
The exhilaration of having the ocean at your feet is unique.
Since wind direction and speed determine whether the tour can be held or not, a backup date is recommended to increase the success rate.
Parasailing
Attractions and recommended tours
When choosing a parasailing tour, check the following points!
Altitude Options
Passengers may observe
Photography Service
The attraction is that "empty-handedness"short time"photogenic".
The strength of this tour is that it is compact from meeting to dismissal and can be easily incorporated into the afternoon of the day of arrival.
Mixed services are less expensive and chartered services are more flexible ◎ Attractive
In summer, cumulus clouds tend to form, creating a three-dimensional sky view, and in winter and spring, the air tends to be clearer and the remote islands in the distance can be seen more clearly.
Ishigaki Island Parasailing
Click here to see the ranking of popular plans
Ishigaki Island
Recommended snorkeling spots
Popularity,Osaki Beach (Tachii Beach), Yonehara Beach, Phantom IslandThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
sea turtleIf you are looking for a "green turtle," tours that deal with shallow areas where herbivorous green turtles feed on sea grass are your best bet!
From the standpoint of coral protection, care must be taken not to damage coral by standing in or fin-kicking, sunscreen must be reef-friendly, and other actions are required to reduce environmental impact.
⬇︎For more information about snorkeling: ⬇︎
Osaki Beach (Tachii Beach)
Osaki Beach is located on the west side of the island,Colorful tropical fishand ... andsea turtleThis is a popular spot with a high encounter rate with
The waves are calm and the transparency is excellent, so beginners and those with children can enjoy themselves without worry.
especiallythis morningThe light is beautiful, and if you bring an underwater camera, you will be able to take many beautiful pictures.
Access: 30 minutes by car from the city center
Yonehara Beach
The best natural beach in Ishigaki Islandand has one of the highest densities of coral reefs!
Recommended for those who want to enjoy snorkeling in an easy and authentic way, as you can see colorful fish right from the shore.
However, some areas have strong tidal currents, so take a tour or wear a life jacket.
Access: 30 minutes by car from the city center
Phantom Island (Hamashima)
The sand island "Phantom Island (Hamajima)" that appears only at low tide is truly representative of Ishigaki Island.scenic spotThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
Pure white sandy beachandEmerald blue seaThe contrast between the two is like a tropical paradise itself.
After landing, visitors can enjoy snorkeling in the shallows and take photos to their heart's content for an extraordinary experience.
Access: 30 minutes by boat from Ishigaki Island (no regular service, please take a tour).
⬇︎Recommended phantom island tours are here: ⬇︎
On Ishigaki Island
Adventure Activities
Ishigaki Island is not only about the sea.
On the islandNative mangrove forests, bird sanctuaries, and sandbars that change shape with the tidesThe diversity of nature is concentrated in such places as the following.
A little further afield, adventurous experiences such as landing on a deserted island and exploring a sandbar await.
There are many tours with pick-up and drop-off services that do not require a rental car, and it is safe to choose an operator that offers alternative plans depending on the weather.
At the mangrove kayaking experience
Get in touch with nature
Experience paddling slowly through a quiet cove in a two-person sit-on kayak.
Depending on the tide level, you can enter a narrow channel like a canal, or you can observe a Pseudobagrus ichneumon or a flying goby on the mudflats, changing the look of the same place.
Less wave effect,Popular with children and outdoor beginners.It is!
Ishigaki Island Mangrove Area
How to enjoy kayaking
Points,Tide, wind, time of dayThe following is a list of the most common problems with the "C" in the "C" column.
If you want to get close to the mangrove forest floor, the best time to do so is around high tide.
Conversely, choose a tour with a well-designed course that matches the tides and climate, such as when creatures are more likely to appear on the mud flats at low tide.
Practical clothing includes a rash guard that can easily dry when wet, a hat and polarized sunglasses to protect against the sun, and marine shoes for feet.
⬇︎Recommended mangrove tours are here: ⬇︎
Enjoy the ocean with a SUP experience
SUP (stand-up paddle), where you stand on a large board and paddle forward.
In the bay, where the waves are calm, you feel as if you are "walking on the sea.
Location to see coral reefs and tropical fish from a viewpoint close to the water's surface.is an experience unique to Ishigaki Island.
Ishigaki Island Blue Cave x SUP/Kayak Tour
Click here for the list
The appeal of SUP tours in Ishigaki Island
When choosing a tour, check the following points
Small Groups
Whether or not photos/videos are provided
Movement to the windward point is possible or not.
If you are worried about your balance, you can just sit down and start paddling, and there are many variations to suit different occasions, such as yoga and sunset SUP.
For sunset, the evening when the wind tends to drop is the best time, while sunrise SUP is the best time.Clean air and tranquilityis the best direction.
Healing Activities.
Enjoy Ishigaki Island
Incorporating a "healing" experience at the end of the day or at the end of your arrival day will greatly increase the satisfaction level of your trip.
Starry sky, sunset, glass boatis less steps and more convenient for three-generation travel and recovery after rain.
Soak up the sea breeze and relax in "island time.
On a tour of the starry sky
Enjoy Ishigaki Island at night
When you leave the city, summer to fall is in the southern sky.Milky WayIn the winter, theOrionis clear.
Expert guides explain the location of the constellations and the story of the seasons,Tours with telescope and starscape photography supportis also popular.
During the new moon, the number of stars increases and the contrast with the naked eye improves dramatically, and around the full moon, you can enjoy moonlit night and silhouette photos of the ocean.
Starry sky tour of Ishigaki Island
Recommended Spots
The guide will select points that can be safely accessed at night, such as northern vista points, quiet beaches, and sandy beaches that appear at low tide.
If your plan includes tripod rental and a lecture on how to photograph starscapes,A memorable one even for beginners.To.
Clothing should include a windproof cloak, and sneakers rather than sandals are safer on the feet.
Sunset Cruise.
A Romantic Time
Sunset over the open sea, islands in the distanceon board.
Depending on the wave conditions, plans are also available for cruising in the bay or nearby waters and enjoying chill time with a glass in hand.
Short time, high satisfactionThe "one section" tour is easy to include on the day of arrival or on the last day of your trip.
Popular in Ishigaki Island
Sunset Cruise Tour
When choosing a sunset cruise tour, check the following points.
Departure point (with or without transportation)
Provision of drinks and snacks
Whether it is covered or not and whether it has a toilet
The sunset isThe expression changes completely depending on the season and cloud cover.Therefore, if you are staying for consecutive nights, setting up multiple days as candidates will increase the likelihood of encountering them.
If the weather is clear, the "Sunset→Starry sky" plan is a popular after-sunset stargazing option.
Recommendation
Click here for sunset cruise tours
Glass Boat Sightseeing
Overlooking the beautiful ocean
In a boat with a glass bottom,Observe coral reefs and tropical fish without getting wetOh my god!!!
This activity is easy for older people and those with small children to participate in and can be easily incorporated between weather events.
Tours with a nature observation policy that does not involve commentary announcements or feeding are increasing, and enjoyment with less environmental impact is spreading.
How to enjoy glass boat sightseeing and
Recommended Tours
When choosing a glass boat tour, check the following points!
Organisms and landforms that can be seen
Is the route less affected by waves?
Time required (approx. 30-60 minutes)
Even on cloudy days, there is often enough to enjoy underwater,Transparency is more stable in the morning.Trends.
Photographers can reduce reflections by removing polarized sunglasses or moving the lenses closer to the glass.
⬇︎Recommended glass boat tours are here: ⬇︎
How to choose Ishigaki Island Activities and
Tips for choosing a tour
Check the following points when choosing Ishigaki Island activities!
Meeting place
Safety equipment
Pick-up and drop-off service
Guide Qualifications
Alternatives in case of rain or high winds
Environmentally Conscious Stance (Coral Conservation)
degree of difficultyandthe time requiredLet's combine your schedule without difficulty based on each of the following
For beginners and advanced users
Activity Differences
The difference is that "Depth, current, travel distance, equipment".
For beginners, we recommend shallow water, low current, high instructor ratio, and photo support.
For advanced users, it is more oceanic, drifting, long paddles, emphasis on self-management, and self-taking is the basic principle.
Even if you are confident, approach your "first point" with humility and do not overdo it. This is the ironclad rule of safety.
Characteristics of Ishigaki Island by season
SeasonalThe expression of the seawill change.
SummerOne of the best seasons. The sea is calm, tours are plentiful, and sun protection is a must.
[AutumnAfter the typhoon, when the transparency recovers, there are days when you can "get out" of the water. The evening and starry night views are photogenic.
WinterNorth winds tend to make the open ocean rough, but the bay and mangroves behind the wind are active. The thickness of the wets increases comfort.
Points to note when booking tours
When booking a tour, please note the following points.
Guidelines for Environmental Considerations
Meeting place and parking lot
Handling of Photo Data
Conditions and age restrictions with children
Cancellation Policy (Refunds and substitutions in the event of weather cancellation)
The holidays and peak season fill up fast.Advance Reservationsis safe ◎
Also, it is recommended to have a short & less intoxicating menu on the arrival day, a main menu on the middle day, and a less wet and healing schedule on the last day ◎.
Ishigaki Island Activities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
summary
Activities on Ishigaki Island are ".Sea, forest, sky, nightAll of the "Mere Old Man" is the star of the show.
From the classic snorkeling and experience diving to the photogenic "Phantom Island," exhilarating parasailing, stargazing, sunset and glass boats, there is something for everyone from beginners to experts, from families to couples, and solo travelers.
The three tips to avoid regrets are: choose a level of difficulty that suits your objective and physical fitness, prepare an "alternative plan" according to the season and weather, and choose a guide who takes safety and environmental considerations seriously.
The diverse expressions of the sea, sky, and forests of Ishigaki Island,Best form for your purposePlease savor it in the following manner.
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