What is the popular activity "Glass Boat" at Kabira Bay in Ishigaki Island? How to board, prices, and recommended times.

What is Kabira Bay on Ishigaki Island?

Ishigaki Island is a beautiful island in the ocean about 430 km southwest of Naha on the main island of Okinawa, matching subtropical nature with urban functions. The circumference of the island is approximately 162 km.

It is the third largest island in Okinawa Prefecture after Okinawa Island and Iriomote Island, and is the main island of the Yaeyama Islands. Kabira Bay, located in the northwestern part of Ishigaki Island, is a scenic inlet 2 km deep.

It is known as the best view spot in the Yaeyama Islands where many tourists visit. The sea shining in the sunlight is described as rainbow or seven colors.

 

Kabira Bay is Ishigaki Island's No. 1 well-known tourist spot

Kabira Bay is the most beautiful scenic spot on Ishigaki Island and the No. 1 well-known tourist spot. It is also designated as a national scenic beauty spot along with Omotodake (Mt. Omotodake), the highest peak in Okinawa Prefecture at 526m above sea level on Ishigaki Island.

Kabira Bay is also known as the only place in Japan where black butterfly pearls, the rarest of Ryukyu pearls, are cultivated.

 

Why is Kabira Bay so popular?

The reason for Kabira Bay's popularity is the clarity of its waters. The ocean of Kabira Bay changes its color from moment to moment depending on the amount of sunlight and the tides.

The contrast between the white sandy beaches, the sea, the sky, and the small islands in the bay is too beautiful for words.

 

Directions to Kabira Bay

Kabira Bay is conveniently accessible from Ishigaki Airport or Ishigaki Port Terminal in the city center. Each can be reached by bus, cab, or rental car.

Cabs are stationed at Ishigaki Airport and Ishigaki Port Terminal, and there is a reasonable number of local buses.
If you rent a car, use the Kabira Park toll parking lot.

 

Directions from Ishigaki Airport

From Ishigaki Airport to Kabira Bay is 25 km, about 45 minutes by car.

Also, from Ishigaki Airport, take the local bus on the Yonehara Campground Line and get off at Kabira Koen-mae. The fare is 830 yen.

 

Directions from the city center

It is 19 km from Ishigaki Port Rito Terminal in the city center to Kabira Bay. It takes about 40 minutes by car.

The local bus from Ishigaki Port Ritojima Terminal is the Kabira Resort Line, getting off at Kabira Koen-mae. The fare is 730 yen.

 

What is Kabira Bay Glass Boat?

The Kabira Bay Glass Boat is a popular sightseeing boat that allows visitors to see coral formations and colorful fish through the glass bottom of the boat.

There are various types of Kabira Bay glass boats, ranging from small boats that can accommodate about 10 people to large boats that can accommodate about 40 people. Except for groups, reservations are not required for most boats.

 

Features of the glass boat experience at Kabira Bay

The greatest feature of the Kabira Bay Glass Boat is that you can observe the underwater scenery with your clothes on. Since the bottom of the boat is made of transparent glass, visitors can enjoy an underwater walk while riding the boat.

Enjoy the crystal clear waters, called Kabila blue, on a glass boat.

 

Kabira Bay Glass Boat Rates and Duration

Kabira Bay glass boats are operated by three companies: Kaiho Marine, Marin Hausuguru-kun, and Kabira Marine Service.

The boarding fee for Kaiho Marine is 1050 yen for adults (junior high school students and older) and 530 yen for children (elementary school students). Marinha Usukuru-kun and Kabira Marine Service charge 1,200 yen for adults (junior high school students and older) and 600 yen for children (elementary school students).

The trip takes about 30 minutes, and the boat departs at any time about every 15 to 30 minutes. Hours of operation are from 9:00 to 17:00.

 

 Five Attractions of Kabira Bay Glass Boat

The biggest attraction of the Kabira Bay Glass Boat is that you can easily board the boat in your normal clothes. The best part of the Kabira Bay Glass Boat is that you can get on the boat directly from the shallows of the bay without using a pier.

Once you set sail, unlike snorkeling or diving, you can simply stay on the boat and enjoy the underwater scenery through the clear glass of the boat's bottom. This makes it ideal for families and the elderly.

In addition, the glass boat includes detailed explanations by a guide, so you can deepen your understanding of the creatures of Kabira Bay.

Another important point is that the boat departs from time to time about every 15 to 20 minutes, so you can board without waiting too long.

 

Enjoy the 3-star Michelin Green Guide sea

Kabira Bay was designated as a national scenic spot in 1997, and in 2009, it was given the highest rating of 3 stars by the Michelin Green Guide Japon. Incidentally, Kabira Bay is the only 3-star spot in Okinawa Prefecture.

In other words, in Japan, it has the same reputation as Kyoto and Mt.

 

Observe many colorful corals & tropical fish

Kabira Bay is home to approximately 300 species of corals and over 1,000 species of tropical fish. The most representative corals of Kabira Bay are the longnose coral and the Suginokimidorii.

The ctenophores are available in a wide variety of colors: greenish, reddish, and blue. Suginokimidorii is a coral with a pointed tip that appears to glow, and is easily recognized by its branching clusters.

Popular tropical fish include the clownfish, made famous by the Disney movie "Finding Nemo," and the blue wrasse and the longtooth wrasse. The sight of colorful tropical fish swimming gracefully among the coral is very relaxing.

 

If you are lucky, you can see sea turtles.

On the Kabira Bay glass boat, if you are lucky, you will also encounter sea turtles. The type of sea turtles encountered in Kabira Bay has the highest encounter rate with green turtles.

Green turtles are 70 to 100 cm in length and feed mainly on seaweed, hence their blue fat, which gives them their name. They weigh approximately 150 kg and have a life span of approximately 70 to 80 years.

 

Can be experienced by men and women of all ages

The Kabira Bay Glass Boat is suitable for people of all ages, from small children to the elderly. The boat sails in the bay, so there is almost no swaying, and even those who are anxious about their legs and backs can participate without worry.

If you are still concerned about seasickness, take motion sickness medication in advance.

 

Can be experienced without getting wet and in normal clothes

Another feature of the Kabira Bay glass boat is that there is no need for diving equipment or life jackets, and you can experience an underwater walk in your regular clothes without getting wet. Because you can enjoy the underwater world without getting wet, it is recommended for all four seasons, especially during cold winter trips.

It is an extremely valuable experience to see colorful coral, tropical fish, and sea turtles up close from a glass boat without getting wet.

 

 What time of day is recommended for the Kabira Bay glass boat experience?

Generally speaking, the best time to experience the Kabira Bay glass boat is at high tide in the afternoon, when the blue of the ocean can be seen clearly. In particular, two hours before and after high tide on a clear day is the best time to go.

Sunset time is also fantastic. Another advantage is that at low tide, boats can get closer to the coral and tropical fish than at high tide.

Therefore, it is no exaggeration to say that if the wind is calm, the view is basically beautiful at any time of the day.

 

How to board the Kabira Bay Glass Boat

To board the Kabira Bay Glass Boat, instead of going to the pier, walk along the white sand beach and approach the boat that is waiting for you at the edge of the waves. You then board the boat using the steps that are lowered from the tip of the boat to the beach.

The same steps are used when disembarking. However, the steps are rather slender, so be sure to grab the handrail and watch your step.

 

Three popular tours that include Kabira Bay glass boat

Kabira Bay, the No. 1 popular tourist spot in Ishigaki Island, offers a popular set plan that includes a glass boat. In the set plan, you can combine the glass boat with various marine activities.

We will introduce three carefully selected year-round plans handled by Ishigakijima Tours, a travel agency specializing in Ishigaki Island.

 

Phantom Island Landing & Snorkeling x Kabira Bay Glass Boat Tour

This super-satisfying plan includes a glass boat experience at "Kabira Bay" and a snorkeling experience and landing on "Phantom Island," an uninhabited island with a spectacular view.

Phantom Island (Hamashima) is a crescent-shaped sandbar floating between Kohama Island and Taketomi Island in the Yaeyama Islands. 360 degrees surrounded by the sea, it is called "Phantom Island" because it becomes smaller or larger depending on the tide level.

The waters near Phantom Island are also famous for a beautiful coral spot called Seokuseijoko, one of the largest coral reefs in Japan. In the crystal clear waters, visitors can swim with colorful corals and cute fish.

If you want to go to the island but don't want to get wet, you can skip the snorkeling and just relax on the boat while admiring the spectacular view.

Kabira Bay, located in the northwestern part of Ishigaki Island, is a 3-star tourist spot (rated as worth the trip to see the place) by the Michelin Green Guidebook.

The Kabira Bay glass-bottomed boat experience allows visitors to observe the underwater world while riding in the boat, and to see sparkling coral, tropical fish, and, if they are lucky, sea turtles.

The basic schedule is to first meet your guide at the Ishigaki Port Remote Islands Terminal at 8:30am.

After that, we will go to the Phantom Island and start snorkeling. After snorkeling, return to Ishigaki Port Terminal and have lunch (own expense).

After receiving the Kabira Bay glass boat ticket from the guide, you will go to Kabira Bay on your own and enjoy the glass boat at your own time before returning home. The tour takes about 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Prices are 9800 yen for adults (junior high school students and older), 8800 yen for children (under junior high school), and 7800 yen for infants (under elementary school).

The fee includes the experience fee, snorkeling equipment, life jacket, liability insurance, special shoes, wetsuit (free rental except in winter), hot shower (near Ishigakijima Remote Island Terminal), glass boat ride, and consumption tax.

The minimum number of participants is 4 (1-3 people can apply), and the age range is from 3 to 65 years old.

In addition, all guides who lead participants are certified water rescue personnel. Participants will receive easy-to-understand and detailed lectures, so everyone from small children to those who are not good swimmers can participate with peace of mind.

During the tour, the guide will take photos of the participants with a special waterproof camera, and the data will be given to you free of charge.

For more information about the tour, please visit the Ishigaki Island Tours website.

 

Blue Cave Snorkeling x Kabira Bay Glass Boat Tour

This plan includes a glass boat experience at "Kabira Bay" where you can enjoy beautiful scenery and snorkeling at "Blue Cave". There is a scenic spot called "Blue Cave" not only in Italy and the main island of Okinawa, but also in Ishigaki Island.

Around the cave is a sea lecture where many fish gather, making it a popular snorkeling spot. Depending on the tide and light, the surface of the water becomes like a mirror and the surrounding scenery is reflected in the surface of the sea, creating a fantastic sight similar to the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.

In addition, you can go ashore to explore the interior of the caves and observe the stalactite caves and the mysterious sight of Ishigaki Island. Snorkeling in the beautiful clear water and swimming with colorful fishes that remind you of the Dragon's Palace is another enjoyable experience.

This plan also includes a glass boat ride for underwater observation. From the boat, you can see colorful corals and tropical fish, and if your timing is right, you may even catch a glimpse of a sea turtle.

The reference schedule is to meet your guide at Ishigaki Port Rito Terminal at 9:00am. Make preparations when you arrive at the local field. Then, we will start the blue cave exploration and snorkeling.

After snorkeling, return to Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal for your own lunch (at your own expense). After receiving the Kabira Bay glass boat ticket from the guide, you will be transferred to Kabira Bay on your own to enjoy the glass boat at your own time before returning home. The tour takes about 7 hours.

Prices are 9800 yen for adults (junior high school students and older), 8800 yen for children (under junior high school), and 7800 yen for infants (under elementary school).

The fee includes the experience fee, snorkeling equipment set, SUP/canoe set, life jacket, liability insurance, special shoes, wetsuit (in winter), hot shower (near Ishigakijima Remote Island Terminal), glass boat ride, and consumption tax.

The minimum number of participants is 4 (1-3 people can apply), and the age range is from 5 to 65 years old.

Also, as in the previous tour, the person guiding you is a certified water rescuer. They will give you a detailed lecture, so you will be able to participate in the tour with peace of mind.

A special waterproof camera is available to take photos of participants and receive the data free of charge, making this a memorable event that will last a lifetime.

For more information about the tour, please visit the Ishigaki Island Tours website.

 

Kabira Bay SUP x x Kabira Bay Glass Boat Tour

This plan includes a glass boat experience and SUP at "Kabira Bay.

SUP stands for stand up paddle boat, which is rapidly gaining popularity around the world.
It is one of the marine sports. Standing on a surf boat and paddling alternately left and right with a single paddle, you can enjoy an unprecedented sense of exhilaration as you move swiftly along the surface of the ocean, rivers, and other waterways.

The Kabira Bay Glass Boat has a glass bottom, through which you can look into the sea like a natural aquarium.

The schedule is to meet your guide at Ishigaki Port Rito Terminal at 8:00am. After that, we will arrive at Kabira Bay and start the Kabira Bay Glass Boat.

After the glass boat, let's go to the SUP spot, where you will receive a SUP lecture and start your SUP experience.

After the activity, participants who meet locally will be disbanded on the spot, and those with transportation will be dropped off at Ishigaki Port Rito Terminal or their hotel.

After receiving the Kabira Bay glass boat ticket from the guide, you will be transferred to Kabira Bay on your own to enjoy the glass boat at your own time before returning home. The tour takes about 4 hours.

Prices are 9800 yen for adults (junior high school students and older), 8800 yen for children (under junior high school), and 7800 yen for infants (under elementary school).

The fee includes the experience fee, SUP set, liability insurance, special shoes, wetsuit (in winter), hot shower (near Ishigakijima Remote Island Terminal), glass boat ride, and consumption tax.

The minimum number of participants is 4 (1-3 people can apply), and the age range is from 3 to 65 years old.

All guides on this tour are also certified water rescuers, and you will receive easy-to-understand lectures. As with the other tours, you can also receive your photo data free of charge.

For more information about the tour, please visit the Ishigaki Island Tours website.

 

Facilities around Kabira Bay to enjoy with glass boat experience

Here is a guide to facilities around Kabira Bay that can be enjoyed together with the glass boat experience. Kabira Village, located in front of Kabira Park overlooking Kabira Bay, is dotted with unique restaurants and souvenir stores that cannot be found in the city center.

Let's take a walk together with Kabira Bay.

 

lunch

Kabira Village is home to a number of famous restaurants that are not surprisingly well-known. After refreshing your mind and body with a view of the Kabila blue sea, enjoy Kabira's gourmet cuisine.

Here are some island lunch restaurants with a loco feel that are popular with islanders.

 

Kabira Park Tea House

Kabira Park Tea House is a restaurant located in Kabira Park, and its signature dish is Yaeyama soba (buckwheat noodles) with the same old taste. You can also enjoy simple local Okinawan dishes such as chanburu and stir-fried vegetable set menus.

It is better to aim for early in the day, as it is often crowded at lunchtime.

Basic Information on Kabira Park Teahouse
Address: 9345-37 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan
Phone number 0980-88-2210
Business hours: 11:00-16:00
Closed on Thursdays
Parking available (free of charge)

 

Ishigaki Beef Kebab Kaboo

It is the southernmost kebab shop in Japan located in the island station Kabira Garden. It is the only place where you can eat Ishigaki beef kebab in Ishigaki Island.

Incidentally, kebab (Turkish) is a general term for a dish made by roasting and cooking meat, vegetables, fish, etc. We recommend you to take out Ishigaki beef kebab as well.

Ishigaki Beef Kebab Kaboo Basic Information
Address: 917-1 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa
Phone number 090-1086-2413
Business hours: 11:00-17:00
Closed: No regular holidays
Parking available (charged)

 

Kabira Garden

The restaurant is located at the entrance of Kabira Park. You can enjoy dishes unique to Ishigaki Island such as Yaeyama Soba and Ishigaki beef bowl.

The restaurant has a large number of seats, so it can easily be used by groups.

Basic Information on Kabira Garden
Address: 917-1 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa
Phone number 0980-88-2440
Business hours: 9:00-18:00 (restaurant open 11:00-14:00)
Closed: No regular holidays
Parking available (charged)

 

gift shop

After enjoying lunch at Kabira Village, stop by the souvenir shop.

Yaeyama has many local specialties, so you will probably have a hard time finding souvenirs. Let's buy some souvenirs such as seafood, mountain foods, folk crafts, handicrafts, accessories, etc. to remember your enjoyable trip to Yaeyama.

 

 Kabira Garden

Kabira Garden, located at the entrance of Kabira Park and featuring a restaurant, has a shopping floor offering a wide variety of island souvenirs.

Especially popular are "Ishigaki beef crackers" using Ishigaki beef and Kabira Garden's original product "I went to Ishigaki Island! Chinsuko 3-piece set".

Other awamori, "Omoto," made at the Takamine Sake Brewery near Kabira Bay, would make a great souvenir for those who love to drink or for your loved ones.

Basic Information on Kabira Garden
Address: 917-1 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa
Phone number 0980-88-2440
Business hours: 9:00-18:00 (restaurant open 11:00-14:00)
Closed: No regular holidays
Parking available (charged)

 

Y's studio

Located about 2 minutes drive from Kabira Bay, Y's studio is a store that sells accessories processed from Yakogai shells produced in Ishigaki Island. All accessories are made by hand at the studio and home.

The most popular accessory is the motif of a sea turtle from Ishigaki Island. We also deal in rare luminous shell seals.

It is also recommended to wear handmade accessories made of luminous shells, also known as "jade of the sea," as a good-luck charm.

Luminous shell Y's studio basic information
Address: 642-1, Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
Phone number 0980-87-0626
Business hours: 10:00-18:00
Closed: No regular holidays
Parking available (free of charge)

 

Kabira Farm

Kabira Farm is a passion fruit specialty store located on a hill overlooking the innermost part of Kabira Bay. The farm handles everything from cultivation to processing and sales, and offers drinks and jams in the store.

Why not enjoy the taste of tropical fruits as they are?

Basic Information on Kabira Farm
Address: 1291-63 Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa
Phone number 0980-88-2475
Business hours: 10:00-18:00
Closed: No regular holidays
Parking available (free of charge)

 

summary

In this issue, we introduced the attractions of glass boats that can be enjoyed in Kabira Bay and the tours that can be experienced.

Kabira Bay is one of the world's most beautiful spots.

In addition to glass boats, Kabira Bay offers many other attractions such as activities to enjoy the beautiful ocean, gourmet food, and shopping.