19 Popular Activities on Ishigaki Island to Enjoy in the Afternoon

Ishigaki Island is a classic tourist destination in Okinawa, visited by many tourists from Japan and abroad.

There are a number of activities for tourists on the island, but we have selected a popular activity that can be enjoyed in the afternoon.

Whenever there is an activity that interests you, we encourage you to participate.

 

Enjoy a comfortable trip with a rental car!

We'll also make reservations in advance for car rentals, which fill up quickly!
↓Click here for more information.

 

What is Ishigaki Island?

Ishigaki Island is a remote island located south of the main island of Okinawa.

Access is by plane, which takes about 3 hours from Narita Airport.

It is also popular among foreigners as it accepts international flights from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

There are also ferry services from Ishigaki Island to Iriomote Island, Taketomi Island, and other nearby islands, making it a good intermediate point when touring the islands.

 

Afternoon activities

There are seven main popular activities on Ishigaki Island that can be enjoyed in the afternoon for half a day.

All of them allow you to enjoy the nature of Ishigaki Island.

It is especially recommended for those with a short travel schedule, as you can arrive in the morning and play in the afternoon.

 

Landing on Phantom Island & Snorkeling

Nearby Ishigaki Island is Hamashima, known as the Island of Illusions.

The island appears only when the tide is low, and is surrounded by crystal clear waters.

This tour includes elegant snorkeling in the beautiful waters around Hamashima.

The trip takes about 3.5 hours and can be played in the afternoon.

The coral reefs around Ishigaki Island are among the largest in the northern hemisphere.

Masks, fins, and other equipment are available for rent, so there is no need to provide our own gear.

Click here for plan details ↓

 

Ishigaki Island Fishing Tour

Fishing tours are perfect for those who love fishing.

On this tour, you will take a boat to the waters around Ishigaki Island and catch a variety of tropical fish.

Because it is easy to do even for those who have never done it before, couples as well as families with children can participate.

It is not limited to a certain time of the year and is held throughout the season.

In addition, fish caught during the fishing tour can be cooked for you at an Ishigaki Island izakaya or fish.

The taste of fish you caught yourself is a great way to create memories of your trip.

Sunset fishing tours are also recommended for those who cannot make it in the afternoon.

Click here for plan details ↓

For more information on sunset fishing, click here↓.

 

mangrove canoe

A canoe tour along the Miyara River, which has hirugi forests, a national natural treasure, is recommended for those who want to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the mangroves.

Canoes can accommodate up to two people, making them perfect for couples who want to have fun together.

The area around the Miyara River is home to a myriad of plants representative of tropical nature, which will soothe both men and women alike.

Before starting the tour, the guide will teach you how to use a paddle, so don't worry if you have never been in a canoe before.

The tour itself takes about 2 hours and allows you to enjoy the activities and the nature of Ishigaki Island in a quick and easy manner.

Click here for plan details ↓

 

Dolphin petting experience

In addition to admiring the ocean and plants, there are also activities that allow visitors to interact with animals.

On Ishigaki Island, it is possible to interact with dolphins, whose cute calls and performances are popular.

You can pet the dolphins and feed them, which is a rare experience.

Before interacting with the dolphins, you will be guided by an instructor and given information about the dolphins, so you will not only enjoy but also learn.

This program is open to children as young as 0 years old, and is recommended for those who are looking for an activity that children can enjoy.

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Kabira Bay SUP Tour

SUP is an activity where you stand on a thick board and paddle.

Both adults and children can enjoy this tour because it makes you feel as if you are standing on the ocean. The tour will take place in Kabira Bay, which is well known overseas for its SUP, and you will paddle through the ocean with a guide.

There is a rock in Kabira Bay that is popular because it is rumored to be a rock that will fulfill love, and you can touch it during the tour. At the end of the tour, you will have your photo taken, so you can keep it as a souvenir.

Click here for plan details ↓

 

Experience Diving Tour

For those who want to enjoy the sea of Ishigaki Island in earnest, we recommend the tour that includes experience diving that can be joined in the afternoon.

Diving tours do not require a license, making them ideal for inexperienced divers who want to give it a try.

Heading deeper than where you snorkel, you can catch a glimpse of clownfish, coral reefs, and other life forms.

All equipment needed for diving is included in the tour price, and there are no additional fees.

Please take a leisurely swim in the ocean around Ishigaki Island.

Click here for plan details ↓

 

Snorkeling in the "Blue Cave

In the northern part of Ishigaki Island, there is a beautiful and quiet tourist spot called the Blue Cave.

Tours include snorkeling in the Blue Cave, exploring the cave, and more.

Snorkeling is no problem for first-timers, as the guide will teach you while you actually swim.

In addition, equipment necessary for snorkeling, such as life jackets and fins, can be rented.

Couples and families, as well as individuals, are welcome to participate.

Click here for plan details ↓

 

Trekking tour to "Nosoko Marpei," selected as one of the 100 best mountains in the island

Have you ever heard of trekking? Trekking means hiking in the mountains.

It refers to walking in the mountains without aiming for the summit.

Here is an introduction to such trekking tours.

In Ishigaki Island, there is a power spot called "Nosoko Marpei" where there is an old legend that love will be fulfilled.

The tour introduced here is a trekking tour up the mountain of Ishigaki Island's power spot where love is said to be fulfilled.

Not only as a power spot, it is also famous for its 360-degree panoramic view, and the best view in Ishigaki Island can be seen from the top of Nosodake.

Nosodake is a not so big mountain at 284m above sea level, but it is said by local people to be the No. 1 scenic spot in Ishigaki Island.

It is an activity that involves wading through the jungle rather than mountain climbing.

Since the altitude is not that high, the tour's appeal is that you can enjoy climbing while having fun. Even though the mountain is not that high, there are no high mountains or buildings around, so you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view at the top, which is also an attraction of the tour.

 

Drone Aerial Photo Shooting & Hole-in-the-wall Tour

The tour will include drone aerial photography, which is rare as an activity, and a visit to a number of interesting spots.

Tour hidden spots in Ishigaki Island with an instructor who has played around with the drone and will give you photos and videos taken by the drone after the tour.

A drone is also included in the tour price, and you can therefore come empty-handed.

You will be guided to the most suitable location based on your preferences, weather conditions, and time of day.

Create your own memories with a premium aerial tour of a special place.

If you wish, you can also pilot your own drone and try your hand at taking original photographs.

The number of participants can be as small as a couple or as large as a group of friends.

The price is a little higher than other activities, but why not try it for a special anniversary?

 

Evening activities

Some of the activities on Ishigaki Island can be enjoyed only in the evening.

All of them offer spectacular views, so check them out if you want to enjoy the scenery.

We have picked out three of them for this issue.

 

Nagura Bay Sunset SUP Cruise

This tour combines SUP, which is paddling in the ocean standing up, and Nagura Bay, which is the representative ocean of Ishigaki Island.

In this tour, you can not only enjoy the ocean of Ishigaki Island by SUP, but also watch the orange sunset of Ishigaki Island.

The SUP tour starts from a marshy area with mangroves and arrives at Nagura Bay at the best time as the sun is setting.

Please enjoy the sunset of Ishigaki Island.

Click here for plan details ↓

 

sunset fishing

On this tour, you can catch Ishigaki Island fish under the beautiful sunset sky.

A large number of different fish swim in the water, and even beginner fishermen can get a large number of fish.

Also, watching the sunset in between fishing sessions will help you to overcome the fatigue of fishing.

After fishing, you can have your catch cooked at the restaurant, so we recommend tasting your catch for dinner.

Click here for plan details ↓

 

Sunset & Night Beach Yoga

If you want to relax from the daily grind, try a calming yoga practice on the beach.

Yoga is performed from sunset sky to starry night, so you can view both the sunset and starry sky.

Doing yoga while feeling the quiet sound of the waves and the sea breeze is soothing to both body and soul.

The night sky is especially beautiful, so beautiful that it has been designated a protected area, and the Milky Way and shooting stars can sometimes be seen.

Perfect for those looking for a soothing activity.

Click here for plan details ↓

 

Evening Activities

Ishigaki Island offers three activities that can be enjoyed not only during the daytime but also at night.

Some of these experiences are only possible at night, and will provide valuable memories.

 

Tropical Jungle Night Tour

Night tours, which take visitors through the jungle with headlights on, offer a chance to see rare creatures such as the coconut crab, which forages for food at night.

Since all of these creatures are not easily seen in Honshu, there is a chance to encounter creatures you never knew existed.

For children, it can feel like an adventure, and at the same time, it can be used as a place to learn about living things.

Another attractive point of the tour is that you can look up at the sky while exploring the jungle and see a star-filled sky.

Click here for plan details ↓

 

Night Mangrove & Starry Sky Canoeing

This is not SUP, but a canoe ride to explore the mangroves at night.

We proceeded through the pitch-dark jungle with headlights on.

Some of the fish inhabiting the Miyara River jump in response to the light from headlights.

Of course, if you look up at the sky, you will see a night sky strewn with countless stars.

Bring a drink and comfortable clothing for the tour.

Everyone from children to the elderly can participate.

 

May-August] "One Night Flower" Sagaribana Viewing Tour

Have you ever heard of the sagaribana, which blooms with a sweet fragrance for only one day on a summer night?

This tour is to see the "Sagaribana", the "phantom flower" of Ishigaki Island's summer season.

This tour is popular among repeaters of Ishigaki Island.

This romantic flower that blooms in the mangrove swamp blooms from rainy season to summer, and blooms and disperses only for one night is a must-see for those who come to Ishigaki Island during this season.

Sagaribana grows wild only in subtropical jungles with mangrove swamps.

It produces white, pink, and red flowers. The sweet fragrance of this area makes you feel as if you are in a fantasy world.

Sagaribana blooms for only one night, and the language of flowers is 'good luck will come to you.

Why not appreciate the encounter with the sagaribana, which can only be seen for one night in early summer, with your lover or loved ones?

 

Yaeyama Fireflies" Tour: Nature's Illumination

Tour to see the "Yaeyama Firefly", Japan's smallest firefly that can be seen in Ishigaki Island from April to May.

These precious fireflies can only be seen for a few hours after sunset, known as the "magic hour.

The light spreading throughout the forest looks just like a natural illumination.

Illumination of nature is an activity unique to the Yaeyama Islands, including Ishigaki Island.

The sight of numerous Yaeyama fireflies flying off at once is said to be a carpet of light, and some people who see this spectacle for the first time are so moved by it that they shed tears.

This tour is led by a nature guide who knows Ishigaki Island night tours and will take you to the most suitable spot for that day.

On the way to see the fireflies, you will also enter the jungle, so you can also explore the jungle.

We hope you enjoy the fireflies and the night in the subtropical jungle.

 

Nature Planetarium Ishigaki Island Starry Sky Tour

Ishigaki Island is also known as "Star Island", a planetarium tour at a spot where stars can be seen beautifully.

You can enjoy stargazing at the most beautiful place of the day and time, and if the weather is good, you can see the Milky Way, shooting stars, and even the light of satellites.

Please come and enjoy the starry sky under the clear air that sets it apart from the rest.

Ishigaki Island is also called a sacred place for stargazing, where you can see up to 84 of the 88 constellations in total.

It is one of the few areas where the Southern Cross is also visible from December to June.

It is exceptional to lie down and relax on a picnic sheet on such a land of Ishigaki Island, where you can see all the first magnitude stars and relax in the starlight as shooting stars fall down on the island.

In this stargazing tour, you will visit some of the best spots to enjoy the starry sky of Ishigaki Island and hear about the starry sky from the guide in charge.

It is the most luxurious and highly recommended to spend the night feeling several natural lights in the pitch dark night.

 

Milky Way Star Cruise

This tour is a different way to enjoy the starry sky from the above tours, enjoying the star-filled sky and star cruising on Ishigaki Island, the first island in Japan to be recognized as a starry sky protected area.

This tour goes to a place where there is no light at all in the direction of Kohama Island to observe the star-filled sky.

Meet at your respective hotels or at the site to begin your tour.

The trip takes about 30 minutes from the port of departure, but during the trip, the guide will provide detailed explanations about the stars.

The southernmost starry sky of Japan can be viewed from the sea, and depending on the time of year, the Milky Way and Southern Cross can be seen only here.

The best part of this tour is that the ship is very well equipped with sofas, air conditioning, and individual toilets.

So it is nice to be able to relax indoors even with small children or the elderly.

This tour includes a complimentary glass of tropical juice or Orion beer.

I highly recommend relaxing with a drink and looking for shooting stars.

 

summary

In this issue, we have introduced 13 activities that can be enjoyed in the afternoon.

There are also activities that can be enjoyed in an hour, perfect for those who want to casually enjoy the mangroves and the ocean.

We hope you will find this article useful when you are looking for afternoon activities in Ishigaki Island.

All the fun of Ishigaki Island is here↓.
Ishigaki Island Tours

Enjoy a comfortable trip with a rental car!

We'll also make reservations in advance for car rentals, which fill up quickly!
↓Click here for more information.

Enjoy a luxurious and relaxing experience after a day of activities.