Encountering sea turtles on Ishigaki Island! Thorough explanation of recommended spots and tours with high encounter rates
Table of Contents
- 1 Can I meet sea turtles in Ishigaki Island? Introducing recommended spots and types of sea turtles!
- 2 Types of sea turtles living on Ishigaki Island
- 3 Time of year when there is a high probability of encountering sea turtles
- 4 You may meet sea turtles and manta rays! 6 recommended spots in Ishigaki Island
- 5 Must-see for those who want to see sea turtles in Ishigaki Island! Points to choose the sea turtle tour
- 6 Sea turtle encounter rate of 90% or more is continuing! Recommended Sea Turtle Tour in Ishigaki Island
- 7 Spots where you can see sea turtles even if you can't swim.
- 8 What you can do to protect sea turtles
- 9 summary
Can I meet sea turtles on Ishigaki Island?
Includes recommended spots and types of sea turtles!
Sea turtles," which are also listed as an endangered species, are said to be able to live only in clean waters.
While snorkeling and diving with such sea turtlesswim withYou can do it!
○If you want to know what kind of sea turtles you can see on Ishigaki Island and when.
○If you want to know the recommended sea turtle spots on Ishigaki Island.
For those who want to know about tours where you can swim with sea turtles.
In this article, we introduce the types of sea turtles that can be seen on Ishigaki Island, as well as spots & activities where you can swim with sea turtles!
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Click here for tours to see sea turtles.
Types of sea turtles living on Ishigaki Island
What types of sea turtles inhabit Ishigaki Island?
This time, you can meet in Ishigaki Island.3 types of sea turtlesto the following!
green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
The most famous is the green sea turtle.Most sea turtles are carnivores, but adult green turtles are known to be herbivores and their staple diet is seaweed.
Green turtles prefer warm waters, so they often appear in the waters of Ishigaki Island.
◆Shell is smooth
◆ head small and round
◆Relatively mild-mannered
◆Predominantly found in the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans
loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Loggerhead turtles are characterized by their large heads and red bodies.
In the North Pacific, it can only be seen in Japan, mainly on Iriomote Island, south of Ishigaki Island.
Loggerhead turtles are carnivores compared to green turtles because they feed primarily on shellfish and other crustaceans!
◆Shell reddish brown or pale yellow
◆Growing up to 100 cm
◆Inhabits the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, and Mediterranean Oceans
hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
The hawksbill turtle is smaller in size than the green and loggerhead turtles.
Its shell is heart-shaped, but as it grows, it becomes more rounded,It has a beautiful yellow and black speckled carapace.
Nowadays, it is said that it is difficult to see them, but here in Ishigaki Island, you can see them by snorkeling and diving.
◆Shell with jagged edges
◆ dorsal surface yellowish brown with blackish brown spots
◆Inhabits tropical oceans of the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans
Time of year when there is a high probability of encountering sea turtles
On Ishigaki Island, sea turtles can be seen throughout the year. Especially, you can meet them with high probability,Spawning season from May to SeptemberThe following is a list of the most common problems with the
You may see sea turtles swimming in the shallows to lay their eggs, or you may see turtles coming up on the beach to lay their eggs.
However, sea turtles are very cautious, so approach carefully.
↓Sea turtle encounter rate is more than 90%.
You may see sea turtles and manta rays!
6 recommended spots on Ishigaki Island
We carefully select 6 recommended snorkeling/diving spots on Ishigaki Island where you have a high probability of meeting sea turtles!
◆Kawahira Ishizaki Manta Point
◆ Blue Cave
◆Baras Island
◆Phantom Island (Hamashima)
◆Shihshi Lagoon
Let's dig deeper into each spot.
Osaki Area
The Osaki area including Osaki Beach has shallow water and is one of the most popular beaches in Ishigaki Island.Sea turtle encounter rate is over 901 TP3TThe company boasts a
Located on the Yarabe Peninsula in the northwestern part of Ishigaki Island, there are many coral reefs living even in shallow waters. It is a great snorkeling and diving spot as well as a hole-in-the-wall.
Access: 30 minutes by car from Ishigakijima Island Terminal
Now on special SALE!
Click here for tours to see sea turtles.
Kabira-Ishizaki Manta Point
Kabira-Shizaki Manta Point, as the name impliesFamous for seeing manta rays.It is a diving spot in Ishigaki Island, but there is also a chance to see sea turtles.
Diving may be a hurdle, but you may encounter them while cruising Kabira Bay in a canoe, SUP, glass board, etc.
This is a recommended sea turtle point for those who are not good swimmers!
Access: 10 minutes by boat from Sukuji Beach
Click here for recommended tours in Kabira Bay.
Learn more about Kabira Bay tours
Blue Cave
The "Blue Cave" is located in the northern part of Ishigaki Island,Popular snorkeling spot with colorful tropical fishIt is.
Probability of about 20% for sea turtles.In addition to sea turtles, you can also encounter them inEnjoy being surrounded by colorful tropical fish.Snorkeling is sure to impress!
Access: 30 minutes by car from Ishigakijima Island Terminal
Click here for recommended tours held at the Blue Cave.
Learn more about tours held at the Blue Cave
Barras Island
The Isle of Barras.A "miracle island" made entirely of coral fragmentsThe sea turtles are very common in this area. There is a high probability of encountering sea turtles in the waters around here.
The contrast between the color of the sea and the island of Baras, called the miracle island, is outstanding☆.
Access: only available for tours from Ishigaki Island
Click here for recommended tours in Barasu Island.
Learn more about our tours in Baras Island
Around Phantom Island (Hamashima)
Phantom Island is located between Ishigaki Island and Kohama Island, about 30 minutes by boat from Ishigaki Island.Uninhabited island not on the mapIt is.
Around this phantom island (Hamashima), it is possible to encounter sea turtles and manta rays.
Since it can only be reached by boat, join a tour and enjoy it safely and securely♪
Access: only available for tours from Ishigaki Island
Click here for recommended tours held on Phantom Island.
Learn more about the tours held on the Island of Illusions.
Lake Shihshihshan
You can meet sea turtles at many snorkeling spots on Ishigaki Island, but the most famous spot is around Ishinishi lagoon.
Here.Can snorkel with sea turtlesOther than that, it is famous for the most colorful corals in Japan.
It is a very popular spot.Book EarlyPlease visit the site with a
Access: only available for tours from Ishigaki Island
Click here for recommended tours held at Shihsi Jagoho.
A must-see for those who want to see sea turtles on Ishigaki Island!
Points for choosing a sea turtle tour
If you want to see sea turtles in Ishigaki Island, it is recommended to join a tour.
The guides know the spots where sea turtles are most likely to be encountered,Safe and SecureYou can enjoy encounters with sea turtles☆.
Choose a tour marked "sea turtles."
When booking a tour, choose a tour with "sea turtles" in the plan name or plan features.
Even if the plan has pictures of sea turtles, plans that do not include sea turtle encounter rates may not go to the sea turtle point on the same day.
High rate of sea turtle encounters
Boat entry tours are recommended!
Boat snorkeling, which is done by boat to the point, is better,High encounter rate as we head directly to the sea turtle spot.It is.
If sea turtles are a priority, look for boat entry tours.
However, there are several beaches on Ishigaki Island with high sea turtle encounter rates, so if you are worried about seasickness or a family with small children,Don't worry, there are also beach snorkeling tours where you can see sea turtles.
Tours with photography data are recommended.
We recommend tours where the guide takes photos during the tour and presents the data as a free gift.
If you do happen to see a sea turtle, take a commemorative photo! Please do your best to find sea turtles for a two-shot.
○ Boat snorkeling has a higher encounter rate.
○○Tour with photo tour is recommended.
Includes free photo data as a gift
Click here for sea turtle tours
Sea turtle encounter rate of 901 TP3T or higher continues!
Recommended Sea Turtle Tours in Ishigaki Island
Here are some recommended sea turtle tours!
All tours can be enjoyed even by beginners... ♪
You can meet sea turtles!
Click here for recommended tour ranking
Blue Cave Snorkeling
This is the snorkeling tour at the Blue Cave introduced earlier.
The beach entry allows you to start from where you can stand on your feet, making it safe for those with small children or those who have never snorkeled before.
There is a clear and beautiful world in the sea. Let's swim with many fishes and sea turtles!
Click here for recommended snorkeling tours
Learn more about snorkeling
Phantom Island Snorkeling
Swim with colorful coral and cute fish at Ishinishi lagoon, one of Japan's largest coral reef spots in the waters near Phantom Island!
Sea turtles breathe at the surface of the water, so depending on the time of day, you may be able to see them up close.
The tour includes photo data, so please try to take two shots with sea turtles☆.
Click here for recommended snorkeling tours
Barras Island Snorkeling
Although sea turtles cannot be seen on Barras Island, a little further offshore, there are excellent snorkeling spots with colorful tropical fish and sea turtles.
Most tours start and end at Iriomote Island, but you can also enjoy a day trip from Ishigaki Island if you take the Barasu Island snorkeling tour that includes a ferry between Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands!
Click here for recommended snorkeling tours
Experience Diving
In fact, 90% of the people who participate in diving tours in Ishigaki Island are beginners! We will give you a detailed lecture according to each person's level.
On the day of the tour, we will select a calm point with the highest encounter rate with sea turtles and few waves to guide you!
Click here for recommended tours including diving
Learn more about diving
Spots where you can see sea turtles even if you can't swim.
It is located on Kuroshima Island, about 30 minutes by high-speed boat from Ishigaki Island.Kuroshima Research Instituteis a facility that conducts research on sea turtles and coconut crabs.
The Kuroshima Research Institute has a space that is open to the public and exhibits the creatures it keeps, so you can see sea turtles and other Yaeyama creatures.
It is also recommended to visit for your child's free research during summer vacation!
Access: 10 minutes by bicycle from Kuroshima Port
Learn more about Kuroshima
Click here to book a ferry to Kuroshima
What you can do to protect sea turtles
The three species of sea turtles introduced here are also listed as endangered species.
In the future, we hope that everyone who visits Ishigaki Island will be able to see sea turtles all the time, andWe should protect nature so that we can create a habitable environment for sea turtles.I think that is a good idea.
Sea turtles lay their eggs in areas that are rich in nature, dark and quiet. However, due to development around the coast, the number of places where sea turtles lay their eggs is decreasing.
◆Impact of Global Warming
One of the major issues in global warming is rising sea levels. Antarctic ice has begun to melt and sea levels are rising. This will result in fewer beaches for sea turtles to lay their eggs, and will also endanger human habitats. Global warming has a negative impact not only on sea turtles, but also on us humans.
◆Marine debris issues
A lot of trash from overseas also washes up on the beaches of Ishigaki Island. Plastic bottles discarded on the road are blown away by the wind and washed into the ocean, and some people throw garbage directly into the ocean.Littering is absolutely wrong.It is.
Plastic debris floating in the ocean resembles jellyfish that sea turtles eat. If a sea turtle accidentally eats one, it may not dissolve in its stomach and die.
summary
Have you found a spot where you would like to swim with sea turtles? The population of endangered sea turtles is decreasing year by year on Ishigaki Island, but sea turtles swimming gracefully are very cool.
Please try snorkeling and diving and swimming with sea turtles when you come to Ishigaki Island☆.
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