7 Best Places to See Sea Turtles on Ishigaki Island! Including Beaches, Best Times to Visit, and Sighting Rates
Where's the best place to see sea turtles on Ishigaki Island?
If you want to increase your chances of seeing them, let the guide choose the spot for the day.Boat SnorkelingI recommend this tour. If you want to enter the water from the beach, choose a tour around the Blue Cave; if you’d rather just watch without swimming, opt for the glass-bottom boat tours at Kuroshima Research Institute or Kabira Bay.
You can see sea turtles all year round on Ishigaki Island!
A convenient place and time to meet
Sea turtles make their home in the waters around Ishigaki Island, so you have a chance to see them no matter the season!
In this column, we’ve compiled a list of seven places where you can see sea turtles, along with the best times to visit, encounter rates, the species you can see, and proper observation etiquette.
If you're wondering, "Where should I go to see them?" or "Should I go on a tour or travel on my own?", please use this information to help you plan your trip.
◆For those who want to know where to see sea turtles and which beaches to visit
◆For those interested in the best times to see sea turtles or their sighting rates
◆For those who want to see sea turtles even if they aren't strong swimmers
Click here to see the ranking of popular tours in Ishigaki Island.
If you're not sure, go with this!
▼Click here for recommended tours where you can see sea turtles▼
7 Best Places to See Sea Turtles on Ishigaki Island
The sea turtle viewing spots on Ishigaki Island fall into three categories: those accessible by boat offshore, those accessible from the beach, and those where you can see the turtles without swimming.
I recommend choosing based on whether you're confident in your swimming skills or just how much you really want to meet them!
Head straight to the sea turtle spot by boat☆
▼Click here for recommended boat snorkeling tours▼
Osaki Area
The area around Osaki Beach, located at the base of the Yara Peninsula in the northwestern part of Ishigaki Island, is characterized by coral reefs that extend all the way to the shallows.
It's a popular spot for sea turtles and is often included in tours, andResting on the coralYou might even see a sea turtle.
Access: 30 minutes by car from Ishigaki Port Terminal
◆Parking: Available (no restrooms)
Ishinishi Lagoon and the Area Around the "Phantom Island"
The Ishigaki-Iriomote Lagoon, which stretches between Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island, is one of the largest coral reef ecosystems in Japan.
There are many tours that include a visit to “Phantom Island (Hamajima),” a sandbar that appears only at low tide, andLanding and Marine LifeThe best part is that you can enjoy all of this at once!
◆Access: You can only get there by tour boat.
KAWAHIRA ISHIZAKI
Located off the coast of Kabira Bay, Kabira Ishizaki is a famous diving spot known for its manta rays.
While on a manta ray-spotting tour, you might also come across sea turtles, andI get to see both of themThat's what makes it so great—the fact that it might happen.
◆Access: You can only get there by tour boat.
Blue Cave
The Blue Cave, located in Fukai in the northern part of Ishigaki Island, is a spot where you can walk straight into the ocean from the beach.
There are many tours that let you enjoy cave exploration and snorkeling together, andPeople who aren't comfortable on boatsIt's also great for families with young children.
◆Directions: About a 20-minute drive from New Ishigaki Airport; about a 30-minute drive from the Ishigaki Port Remote Islands Terminal
◆ Parking: Free parking available (Maibara Yaeyama Palm Grove)
You can enter from the beach—no worries!☆
▼Click here for the Blue Cave Sea Turtle Tour▼
Kawahira Bay (Glass-bottom Boat)
Swimming is prohibited in Kabira Bay, so you can't swim there, but you can see the underwater world from a glass-bottom boat.
If you're lucky.Sea Turtles That Don't SwimYou might even get to see them, so it's perfect for people who aren't strong swimmers or those traveling with small children!
◆Directions: About a 30- to 40-minute drive from the Ishigaki Port Remote Islands Terminal
For information on the glass-bottom boat boarding location and travel time, see “Column on the Kawahira Bay Glass-Bottom Boat"We cover this in detail in [...].
Around Baraas Island
Barasu Island, located between Iriomote Island and Hatoma Island, is a small island made entirely of coral fragments.
The waters around the island are rich in coral, and this is a spot where you can encounter sea turtles. Most tours depart from and return to Iriomote Island, but there are also tours that include a ferry ride.Day Trip PlansIf so, you can go there on a day trip from Ishigaki Island.
◆Access: You can only get there by tour boat (take a ferry from Ishigaki Island to Iriomote Island to join the tour)
You can do a day trip from Ishigaki Island☆
▼Click here for the Baraas Island tour that includes a ferry ride▼
Kuroshima Research Institute
The Kuroshima Research Institute is a facility affiliated with the NPO Japan Sea Turtle Council that conducts research on sea turtles and other marine life in the Yaeyama Islands.
Since you can see the sea turtles kept at the facility,Take your time without rushingHighly recommended for anyone who wants to observe sea turtles!
◆Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
◆Directions: Take a high-speed ferry from Ishigaki Port Remote Islands Terminal to Kuroshima Port, then ride a bicycle for about 10 minutes from Kuroshima Port.
For information on how to get to Kuroshima and the island's highlights, see "Kuroshima Tourism Column"Please check it out."
When to See Sea Turtles on Ishigaki Island
Since sea turtles can be seen on Ishigaki Island all year round, you don't have to miss out just because of the time of year you're traveling.
However, since the ease of access to the ocean and the best times to observe spawning and hatching vary by season, be sure to choose a time that suits your purpose!
Held year-round☆
▼Click here for our sea turtle tour that includes a trial dive▼
![[Ishigaki Island · 1-Day Tour] A: “Phantom Island” Landfall & Introductory Diving & Sea Turtle Snorkeling 《Free Photo Data & Equipment Rental & Lunch Included》 (No. 475) – Featured Image](https://ishigaki-tours.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG_0670-825x510.jpg)
You can see sea turtles all year round! Summer is the best time to go swimming.
Since sea turtles can be found in the waters around Ishigaki Island even in winter, you have a chance to see them even on a winter trip.
The number of snorkeling reservations at Ishigaki Island Tours isAugust is the peak monthBookings tend to be heaviest from July through October. If you're planning to go in the summer, I recommend booking early.
January: 221 cases, February: 245 cases, March: 525 cases, April: 573 cases, May: 600 cases, June: 555 cases, July: 1,058 cases, August: 1,341 cases (annual peak), 927 cases in September, 915 cases in October, 488 cases in November, 287 cases in December
Since the sea can get rough on some winter days due to north winds, it’s safer to join a tour that selects spots less affected by the wind.
Egg-laying can be observed from spring through summer.
According to a survey by the Fisheries Research and Education Agency, the nesting season on Ishigaki Island is from April to July for loggerhead sea turtles and from May to August for green sea turtles.
On the Sandy Beach at NightEgg-Laying Observation TourSince this is the case, why not join a guide and watch the sea turtles come ashore?
Only on evenings from May through September☆
▼Click here for the sea turtle nesting observation tour▼
What Are the Chances of Seeing Sea Turtles on Ishigaki Island? How to Choose a Tour
Since sea turtles are wild animals, there is no guarantee that you will see them.
Even so, you can really boost your chances of meeting someone by choosing the right spots and tours!
Encounter rates depend on your choice of location.
The spots where sea turtles are often seen vary depending on the wind and tides that day.
The Guide.Sea Conditions That DayIf you choose a tour that lets you pick a spot based on what you see, you’ll have an easier time spotting sea turtles than if you were searching on your own. Look for tours listed on the itinerary page that say “Sea turtle sighting rate: 90% or higher” (No. 525interpoint (interword separation)No. 482(and so on) are also available.
How to Choose a Tour Where You Can See Sea Turtles
The plans offered by Ishigaki Island Tours that have “Sea Turtles” in the title are30 entries(As of November 2026) Yes, there is.
When choosing a tour, compare the options to see if they mention visiting a sea turtle viewing spot, if the tour involves a boat ride, and if they offer a free photo.
Customer reviews are also helpful.No. 304With 230 reviews and a rating of 4.8,No. 349It has 276 reviews and a rating of 4.8, with many visitors reporting that they saw sea turtles (as of November 2026).
Click here for tours to see sea turtles.
Types of Sea Turtles You Can See on Ishigaki Island
Ishigaki Island is a vital site where all three species of sea turtles that lay eggs in Japan come to nest.
A survey by the Fisheries Research and Education Agency reports that loggerhead sea turtles are laying eggs in large numbers, while hawksbill sea turtles are laying eggs only rarely.
green turtle (Chelonia mydas)
The green sea turtle is the creature you're most likely to encounter while snorkeling on Ishigaki Island. As adults, they mainly feed on seaweed and seagrass,Plant-based dietIt's a sea turtle.
Although it is listed as Endangered Category II in the Ministry of the Environment’s Red Data Book (2026), reports indicate that the number of eggs laid is increasing on Ishigaki Island and Kuro Island.
hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
The hawksbill sea turtle is a species of sea turtle characterized by its pointed beak and beautiful shell, which is also used to make tortoiseshell.
Although you’re less likely to encounter them than green sea turtles,divingYou might spot them near the coral inside.
loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
The loggerhead sea turtle is a sea turtle with a large head and a brown shell. It is a carnivore that feeds on shellfish, crabs, and other creatures found on the seafloor, and Japan is the only place where loggerhead sea turtles from the North Pacific lay their eggs.
According to the Ministry of the Environment’s Red Data Book (2026),Endangered (Category IB)So, it's rare to see them in the waters around Ishigaki Island.
Etiquette and Precautions When Encountering Sea Turtles
Sea turtles are animals at risk of extinction.
Let’s make sure to follow proper observation etiquette and ocean safety rules so we can continue to meet in the waters around Ishigaki Island!
Don't touch, don't chase, just watch quietly
If you touch or chase a sea turtle, it will be startled, causing its breathing pattern to become irregular, which puts it under a great deal of stress.
Do not approach from above or block the path, andKeep your distanceLet’s watch quietly. On the beach at night, please avoid using lights or speaking loudly, as these can disturb the nesting process.
When swimming on your own, be mindful of the tidal currents.
In the waters around Ishigaki Island, strong offshore currents and sudden changes in weather can occur.
When swimming on your own,life jacketWear appropriate clothing and avoid entering the water alone. If you get swept away, the basic rule is not to swim toward the shore, but to swim parallel to the shore to get out of the current.
For dinner after seeing the sea turtles
Oceanfront Grill St. ELMO ISHIGAKI
I take a moment to leisurely reflect on the thrill of seeing the sea turtles while gazing out at the ocean. For moments like that, I recommend...The Restaurant Closest to the Ocean on Ishigaki IslandAll 48 seats offer ocean views, and the sea stretches out right in front of the terrace seating. You can enjoy your meal while listening to the sound of the waves and wind and resting your body after a day of snorkeling.
The person in charge of the cooking isA Michelin-starred top chef. The menu features a variety of dishes made with local island ingredients. Lunch service begins at 10:00 a.m., making it a convenient spot to stop by after a morning tour.
The highlights of the dinner are the Ishigaki beef sirloin and filet mignon steaks, along with an eight-course French meal served as the sun sets. As the sun dips into the sea, you can bring this special day on Ishigaki Island to a close.
Hours: Lunch 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. / Dinner 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.
Parking: Available
Click here for more information about St. ELMO
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Sea Turtles on Ishigaki Island
You can see them. Since sea turtles are in the waters around Ishigaki Island year-round, you have a chance to spot them on a tour even in winter. Since the sea can get rough on days when the north wind blows, it’s best to join a tour where the guide selects the best spot based on the day’s sea conditions.
If you wear a life jacket and join a guided tour, even people who can’t swim can participate. If you’re nervous about going in the water, there are other ways to see sea turtles without swimming, such as on a glass-bottom boat in Kabira Bay or at the Kuroshima Research Institute.
On Ishigaki Island, the nesting season for loggerhead sea turtles is from April to July, and for green sea turtles, from May to August. Since nesting occurs at night, nesting observation tours are held from May to September (No. 374) We recommend exploring with a guide.
summary
On Ishigaki Island, you have the chance to see sea turtles all year round, and if you want to increase your chances of seeing them,Head there by boatI recommend taking a tour.
If you're coming from the beach, you can visit the Blue Cave; if you'd rather see it without swimming, you can choose the glass-bottom boat tour at Kabira Bay or the Kuroshima Research Institute.
When you encounter a sea turtle, please follow the rules and enjoy your time with it!
▼Click here for articles to read in conjunction with this article.
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