What is SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard)?
Table of Contents
⬇︎Sale is now on! Click here for SUP tour specials!
What is SUP anyway?
SUP (Stand Up Paddleboarding) is a new type of activity that originated in Hawaii, where you stand on a board and move through the water. It is larger and more stable than a surfboard, so it is easier for beginners to handle than canoeing or kayaking.
Because you stand on a stable board and paddle forward, you can naturally raise your eyes and look out over the wilderness, which is a perfect match for Ishigaki Island with its beautiful natural scenery!
Because it uses the entire body, celebrities overseas have begun to pay attention to it from the perspective of beauty and health, and it is now very popular among young women all over the world.Balancing on a SUP board in various poses stimulates fine muscles that are not normally used, providing a great workout!
In fact, SUP (Stand Up Paddle Boat) competitions are so popular in Ishigaki Island that they are held around April every year. The mangrove rivers and crystal clear waters of Ishigaki Island are one of the most suitable fields in Japan for SUP activities♪ Competitions are grueling competitions, but most tours are of course slow going.
For details and a list of SUP tours in Ishigaki Island, click here↓.
There are many ways to play SUP!
SUP is one of the most versatile of marine activities and is packed with a wide variety of ways to play. Aside from water cruises, you can cruise rivers in Tokyo and other metropolitan areas, or work out your body and mind through yoga and healing on a paddle boat. You can also enjoy the breeze slowly on a board with small children or dogs, or go SUP fishing in places where you are not allowed to walk. You can also participate in SUP competitions held around the country or surf the waves like a surfer in the ocean. The variety of ways to play is another attraction of SUP.
Three reasons why SUP is popular in tourist destinations
SUP is now very popular in Ishigaki Island and other tourist destinations, and the following three points may explain why it has become so popular.
1. easy even for beginners
It is almost as easy as riding a bicycle.
2. the cruise should look stylish and photogenic
Many people use it for social networking posts.
3. to be able to taste the natural townscape of a tourist destination.
Since the cruise is usually on the ocean or a river, you can see spectacular views that you would not be able to see on foot.
* By the way, SUP is also popular now in the river in Dotonbori, Osaka (laugh).
Safe and enjoyable activities
A common question we hear from our SUP participants is, "Won't I fall over standing on the board?" In fact, this is a big misconception! Actually, this is a big misunderstanding! The SUP board we provide at Ishigaki Island Tours is "Inflatable SUP", which is a large and stable board for beginners. We rarely have customers who fall off the board during our tours. Even if you are hesitant to try SUP because of safety concerns, you can rest assured that you are in safe hands! * Of course, for safety reasons, life jackets must be worn.
There are also various ways to use the paddles, such as standing or sitting. This is a fun activity that can be enjoyed according to one's own physical strength and preferences, so everyone from children to the elderly can participate, and it is sure to be highly satisfying.
In fact, the oldest person on the tour was 78 years old! We hope you and your family will enjoy the tour.
What to wear for SUP
Basically, most of the SUP activities in Ishigaki Island only allow you to get wet up to the knees (except for the Fukidori River). Therefore, half pants (leggings if available) on the bottom and a rash guard on top are recommended. However, if you want to go into the water for SUP in the ocean or bay, we recommend wearing a bathing suit inside. In summer, for example, you can wear a swimsuit if you SUP in the ocean.
SUP Tour in Ishigaki Island
The rivers flowing through the ocean and mangroves of Ishigaki Island are among the most beautiful in Japan and are reputed to give you the feeling of walking on the surface of the water! Let us introduce each plan of SUP tour in Ishigaki Island♪
Kabira Bay SUP
First of all, the most popular SUP tour is to enjoy Kabira Bay! Do you know Kabira Bay?Kabira Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in Ishigaki Island, and has been awarded three stars in the Michelin Green Guide and one of the best 100 scenic spots in Japan.(The other three-star tourist spots are all famous spots such as Kiyomizu Temple, Himeji Castle, and the Sapporo Snow Festival!)
Kabira Bay can be enjoyed just by swimming, but the view from a SUP that takes you right in the middle of the unobstructed marine blue water is simply breathtaking! You will feel as if you are walking on the surface of the water.
For more information about SUP tours in Kabira Bay, click here↓.
Also popular is the combination plan with blue cave snorkeling.This popular course includes a SUP cruise in Kabira Bay in the morning, followed by Blue Cave snorkeling and waterfall water fun in the afternoon. Recommended for families and those who have limited time on their itinerary and want to have fun in one day!
Click here for details of the SUP & Blue Cave Snorkel Set Plan at Kabira Bay ↓↓ Click here for details of the SUP & Blue Cave Snorkel Set Plan at Kabira Bay
Fukiutsu River SUP
Fukitsu River is a beautiful river surrounded by mangroves located in the northern part of Ishigaki Island. If you go deeper, it leads to Yabiku Falls, and along the river, there are many mangroves, you can feel like in a subtropical jungle. Recommended for those who want to experience the great nature in Ishigaki Island.This tour is very active, and depending on the tide level, you will get wet from the waist to the stomach area during the trek, so please be sure to wear clothes that you can get wet.
It is a different kind of fun than Kabira Bay SUP on the beautiful ocean! There is also Nosoko Marpei near the Fukidori River, so you can enjoy SUP and trekking together! If you are interested, please contact us anytime♪
For more information on SUP tours on the Fukidori River, click here↓.
Miyara River Mangrove SUP
The mangrove river is easily accessible, about 10 to 15 minutes from the city center.It is the largest mangrove river in Ishigaki Island with 1,500m in length and 225ha in area (about 48 times the size of Tokyo Dome!). The hirugi forest along the riverbank is designated as a natural monument!Surrounded by mangroves, Miyara River is not affected by wind and waves, so it is safe for everyone from small children to the elderly to play safely throughout the year, After the SUP cruise, you can enjoy watching flora and fauna such as kakatsugayu, hinokame, and Okinawa sharinbai, which are unique to Ishigaki Island.
For more information on SUP tours on the Miyara River, click here↓.
Blue Cave SUP
Blue Cave is a beautiful cave created by nature located about 30 minutes by car from Ishigaki Island Port Terminal. Blue caves are found in Italy, Okinawa Island, and all over the world, but the attraction of the Blue Cave in Ishigaki Island is that the surface of the sea reflects the sky beautifully like a mirror, and the beautiful cobalt blue color of the sea shines only in the cave. It is a miraculous view created by various conditions such as the angle of the light and the unique topography of the cave. Of all the so-called "blue caves" in the world, the Blue Cave in Ishigaki Island is perhaps the most photogenic.
Inside the cave, you can walk around and see stalactite caves and skylights from which you can see the sky. The Blue Cave SUP tour takes you inside such a blue cave by SUP! After SUPing on the sea, you can walk on land inside the cave and enjoy the stalactite caves. The sea around the Blue Cave is famous for its many primary-colored tropical fish, so it is a fun event to observe them while cruising around on a SUP.
For more information on SUP tours in the Blue Cave, click here↓.
Nagura Bay SUP
Nagura Bay, the largest bay in Ishigaki Island with an area of about 30 square kilometers, is located on the way to Kabira Bay from Ishigakijima Remote Island Terminal. When the tide is low, it becomes a good environment for ebb and flow fishing, and at high tide, it is the best place for SUP due to the great view.
Sunset SUP is especially popular in Nagura Bay♪ The 360° panoramic view and the sight of the sun going down over the horizon is so beautiful that it will leave you speechless♪Nagura Bay is the only spot in Okinawa Prefecture designated under the Ramsar Convention, and mangrove trees can be seen in the surrounding area.You can end the day with this Nagura Bay SUP...
For more information about SUP Yoga, click here↓.
SUP Yoga
Let's enjoy SUP cruising and yoga in the clear waters of Ishigaki Island, where you can not only enjoy SUP but also refresh your body with yoga. Yoga while feeling the comfortable sunlight and blue sky of Ishigaki Island is different from yoga in yoga studios on the mainland. Please fully enjoy the unique yoga of Ishigaki Island!
Click here for related plans
Kohama Island SUP
SUP on Kohama Island offers a different kind of SUP than on Ishigaki Island. The island's small size (approximately 16 km in circumference) allows you to go around the perimeter of the island (about 1/4 of the island). On Kohama Island, there are a total of 16 courses that go around the perimeter of the island, and the guides judge the wind and tide levels of the day and resort cruise slowly. You can enjoy SUP in the relaxing atmosphere unique to Kohama Island.
For more information, click here↓.
Kohama Island SUP Experience
Iriomote Island SUP
Iriomote Island, the "Galapagos of the East," is a day trip (40 minutes by ferry) from Ishigaki Island. In Iriomote Island, you can enjoy SUP cruising while enjoying unexplored beaches and lush mangrove forests.
If you want to taste the nature of Iriomote Island, which is registered as a World Natural Heritage site, this is the place to go!
For more information about SUP tour in Iriomote Island, click here↓.
SUP in Ishigaki Island with Ishigakijima Tours!
How was it? You can enjoy various SUP tours in Ishigaki Island! It is recommended to spend a whole day to fully enjoy SUP tours! Also, you can book SUP in Ishigaki Island on the day of the tour, so you can make a reservation on the spur of the moment.
Click here for related activities
All the fun in Ishigaki Island is here↓.
Ishigaki Island Tours
