What is the Island of Illusion? The miraculous pure white beach of Ishigaki Island is explained! Ishigaki Island resident staff will give you a thorough explanation!

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A short boat ride away from the emerald green waters of Ishigaki Island, there is a pure white beach floating in the sea. That is the phantom island of Ishigaki Island.

It is also known as a point where marine leisure activities such as snorkeling and diving can be enjoyed, with excellent transparency and coral reefs spreading out around it that look great on SNS.

It is also used for tours because of its fantastic presence and photogenic location.
This article introduces how to enjoy the phantom island and its tours.

 

 

 

What is Phantom Island (Hamashima)?

Hamashima Island, known as the "Phantom Island," is an uninhabited crescent-shaped island not shown on any maps, located between Kohama Island and Taketomi Island, about 10 km west of Ishigaki Island.

Hamashima is called a phantom island because it gradually appears as the tide recedes and disappears as the tide rises. It is an island that appears and disappears depending on the difference in tidal levels.

The charm of Phantom Island is the beauty of its location. The sandy beach is pure white, and because there is no vegetation on the beach and nothing to block the view, the 360-degree panoramic view is superb.

The emerald green water around the white beach is crystal clear, and as you go offshore, the water changes into a gradation of cobalt blue depending on the depth of the water.

Since you can enjoy marine leisure activities such as snorkeling and diving amidst such spectacular scenery, tours to the Phantom Island are very popular among Ishigaki Islanders.

 

History of Phantom Island (Hamashima)

 

Phantom Island has attracted people for many years, but when did it become a popular tourist attraction? Since it is located between Ishigaki Island and Kohama Island, it has been strongly influenced by these two islands.

During World War II, Kohama Island was stationed by the Navy and suffered from air raids. After World War II, the island was administered by the U.S. military before being returned to Japan in May 1972.

The converted Kohama Island began to have resort hotels built on it in the late 1970s. As a result, the number of tourists from Kohama Island to Hama Island increased, and the island became a popular spot as a "phantom island.

The beautiful phantom island may have seen the history of each island between Ishigaki Island and Kohama Island.

 

How to get to Phantom Island (Hamashima)

 

 

Since it is a phantom island that appears in the middle of the ocean, the only way to land on it is by boat. Since the island is uninhabited for a limited time only, there are no regularly scheduled boats, so the best way to get there is to apply at a local marine store on Ishigaki, Taketomi, or Kohama Island.

It takes about 30 minutes from Ishigaki Island and about 10 minutes from Taketomi Island and Kohama Island. The time of ebb and flow of the tide varies from day to day, so the time you can stay depends on the time of ebb tide. If you take a guided tour with a detailed guide, you can rest assured that he or she will take you to the right place at the right time without fail.

 

 

When making a reservation, please inform us of your travel schedule in advance, and after consulting with us, we can arrange the most ideal schedule to avoid the unfortunate situation in which the entire island is submerged because the tide has not receded much.

 

 

If you want to feel more like a deserted island, you can choose a tour with fewer guests, but it is possible that you will be accompanied by another tour group, so you will have to give up that option.

 

 

Clothing to visit Phantom Island (Hamashima)

When going to the Phantom Island, it is advisable to wear clothes that can get wet, such as swimsuits or wetsuits, basically.

Wetsuits are available for rent at marine stores.

 

 

The timing for changing clothes depends on the marine store of the tour, so please check in advance.

If you are going directly to the ship with lodging transfer, change into your swimsuit in advance at the inn and depart.

 

 

Sometimes there are places to change clothes in the store or on the ship.

It is also very useful to have a waterproof marine bag to pack your belongings.

Shade parasols and beach mats are often provided by the stores, but towels and drinks need to be checked.

 

 

In some cases, the goal is to keep garbage out of the building, so people are restricted from bringing in food, drinks, and other items.

Don't forget to prepare personal necessities such as sunscreen, a sunshade jacket, and sunglasses.

 

 

Some stores may offer free rental of underwater cameras. It is a good idea to check what to bring with you in advance.

On the other hand, be very careful not to forget anything when leaving.

 

 

In a few hours it will sink to the bottom of the ocean, and there is no guarantee that it will still be there the next time a phantom island appears.

As expected, Wi-Fi does not work, but most cell phones work in the waters between Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands.

 

 

Highlights of Phantom Island

 

 

The highlight of Phantom Island is all the conclusion. Everything you see is beautiful to behold.
At low tide, the island emerges from the empty sea and reveals its main shape. As time goes by, the island gradually becomes smaller and smaller until it disappears like a phantom, and can truly be called a phantom island!

 

 

When Hama-jima is visible on the sea, it looks like a crescent moon and gradually changes its shape. Those who stay on Hamashima for a long period of time will be able to see the gradual change in the island's shape. If you are planning to stay for a short period of time, it is best to visit at a time when the difference in tidal levels is different between the first and second visits. You will feel as if you are on a different island.

 

 

Difference between Barras Island and Phantom Island

There is Barasu Island, which has a similar characteristic of appearing and disappearing depending on the difference in tidal levels. Such an island is nicknamed "Miracle Island," as if it were a phantom island.

 

 

The most distinctive feature of Barras Island is that it is formed entirely of coral fragments. Therefore, if you walk barefoot, you may step on a sharp piece of coral and hurt the sole of your foot. On the other hand, Hamashima Island has some coral fragments mixed in, but most of it is sand, and it is very smooth, so there is no risk of injury even if you walk ashore barefoot. This makes it safe for visitors with children.

 

 

The beautiful, crystal clear waters of Phantom Island are very beautiful, but the pure white beaches are also very attractive. Because the island is underwater, there is no grass or trees, and the pure white beach contrasts beautifully with the emerald green ocean.

 

 

Also, on a fine day, the sparkling white sand is beautiful. It is very popular for its photogenic scenery, and is also a famous photo spot.

 

 

As I mentioned earlier, there is nothing to block your view around the phantom island, so you can enjoy a spectacular view as far as the eye can see. Also, when the tide rises, the entire island is covered by the sea, giving visitors the sensation of walking on the ocean.

 

 

The island has been used for filming dramas, commercials, and music videos, and is so popular for photo weddings that some visitors come to take their wedding photos. It is a popular spot for both visitors and repeaters.

 

 

It is essential to have a smartphone or camera when visiting Phantom Island because of its photogenic spots. Many people visit on tours, and it is a good idea to check in advance because many tours have guides who can take many beautiful pictures.

 

During the tour, you can take pictures in various positions and poses, so let's take pictures in your favorite poses and post them on SNS!

 

You can enjoy just walking along the beautiful beaches of Hama Island, but we recommend that you play in the ocean. The shallow waters of Hamashima allow even small children to reach the beach, so families with children and those who are not good swimmers can play in the waves!

 

If you go offshore, you will find so many coral reefs growing in clusters. Between Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island, there is Ishinishi lagoon, the largest coral reef in Japan, and there are many coral colonies around Hamajima.

 

 

Many corals and tropical fishes inhabit the Shihsi lagoon. For this reason, marine activities such as snorkeling and diving are also popular.

 

 

It is no wonder that many snorkeling and diving tours are offered. As mentioned earlier, you will need to cross the ocean by boat to get to the island, but there are no regular boats in operation. We strongly recommend that you join a tour to enjoy the world-class ocean.

 

 

Hamashima, a "phantom island" made of only the brightly colored sea and pure white sand of Ishigaki Island, is a very popular spot for tourists not only for marine activities such as diving and snorkeling, but also for seeing and enjoying the beautiful scenery with a camera in hand.

 

 

From couples to families with small children, Hamashima offers a wide variety of tours that will satisfy everyone. Enjoy the rich gradation of the ocean and the encounter with a phantom island that is never the same shape and a spectacular view that you will not find anywhere else!

 

 

Ishigaki Island has so many spots with beautiful scenery, but this phantom island is exceptional. It is a spot suitable for any group of friends, couples, and families, so please visit.

 

How to Enjoy Phantom Island

On Phantom Island, you can enjoy the changing colors of the sea even before you come ashore.

As the boat approaches the island, the dark blue sea suddenly turns emerald green and then bright blue.

 

 

The island has only white sand beaches, but above all, it offers spectacular views that cannot be experienced on any other beach.

Standing at the tip of the beach and looking out at the horizon from there, one gets the strange sensation of floating between the sea and the sky.

 

 

On days when the sea is calm, island shadows and clouds in the sky are reflected on the surface of the sea, creating a linearly symmetrical, picturesque view.

The sea water is clear all year round, and anyone can enjoy the sense of tropical freedom as they step barefoot on the white sand of the lapping waves.

 

 

On rare occasions, turtles will appear in the shallows to take a break. You will be lucky if you see them.

If you are able to visit at the time when the appearance of the island coincides with sunset, you can enjoy a spectacular view of the sky and sea that turns red every moment, which is completely different from the view during the daytime.

 

 

Perhaps you can see the green flash more closely.

 

 

The island has a charm that makes you want to just stand there for as long as time permits.

The island's unique scenery has attracted attention as a photo spot, sparked by social networking posts by tourists who have visited the island, and has recently been used for filming for television and other media.

 

We hope that you will take the opportunity to try your hand at a photo that looks great.

The ocean, sky, and white sandy beaches are all you need to capture the beauty of the area, but we recommend wearing a swimsuit or pareo in vivid tropical colors for a more photogenic look.

 

 

You may also want to bring small items such as tropical flowers or glass bottles.

Pieces of coral are likely to be found, but do not expect to find shells locally.

 

 

Some stores offer the unique service of renting mermaid suits for photo shoots.

With a waterproof camera, you can also take interesting photos that are half underwater and half above water.

 

 

You may not see many fish near the edge of the waves, but if you look underwater, you will see endless patterns of sand carved by the waves, creating an endless desert-like landscape.

 

 

If you have an underwater camera, this is a quiet and mysterious seascape that you should definitely capture in your photos.

The beach on Phantom Island is quite shallow and wide, so families with small children can play in the ocean with ease. It is also recommended to relax on the beach and enjoy the beautiful ocean colors and spectacular views.

 

 

To snorkel or dive, take a boat to a point away from the phantom island.

Each tour is well explained and guided by a guide, so even beginners can enjoy the tour with ease.

 

 

3 recommended activities on Phantom Island

 

As mentioned briefly above, here are some recommended activities on Phantom Island, a fashionable spot between Ishigaki Island and Kohama Island.

Phantom Island (1) Snorkeling

 

"Also, coral reefs and many fish can be safely observed in the shallows. Offshore, sea turtles and manta rays can be observed more often, but often in the shallows, which can be enjoyable enough.

 

 

Being an uninhabited island, the clarity of the ocean is also overwhelmingly high, making it an ideal spot for snorkeling.

 

 

Phantom Island (2) Diving

 

 

The next activity we will discuss is diving. This is one of the most popular activities on the island for the same reason as snorkeling.

 

 

Because they dive carrying oxygen cylinders, they can explore the seafloor and observe living creatures for extended periods of time. It eliminates the only bottleneck of snorkeling, which is the lack of oxygen.

 

 

If water pressure is not a problem, you can go deeper to search for creatures. The creatures that live at each depth are different, so it is a privilege to experience the biodiversity of Hamashima's rich biota.

 

Phantom Island (3) Fishing

The last activity we will introduce is Hamashima Fishing.
Near Hamashima Island is Japan's largest coral reef zone, "Shisai Jiaogoho.

 

 

It is said that Shihsi lagoon is home to hundreds of coral reefs and thousands or tens of thousands of marine creatures. As a result, fishing is often as good as a bite.

 

 

However, it is recommended to join a boat fishing tour because you will need to fish offshore. Most guides and captains are well versed in the waters and will be able to assist you with your fishing in detail.

 

High-end fish are usually caught, so why don't you join us to make a fortune?

What do I need to prepare before I go?

 

 

Hamashima Island is very attractive because of its lack of vegetation and 360-degree panoramic view, but on the other hand, it is essential to take measures to protect yourself from sunburn. However, sun protection is a must. Especially in summer, the sun's rays can sting your skin.

 

If the sunburn only darkens the skin, it is not a problem, but for some people with weak skin, it turns bright red and looks inflamed. Therefore, it is always recommended to take sun protection measures regardless of the strength of your skin.

 

 

You should take precautions even on a sunny or cloudy day. Sunscreen is a necessity, and sun protection items such as sunglasses, hats, and rash guards should always be prepared in advance. Recently, there are also sunscreens that can be taken, so be sure to take all possible measures in combination with such products.

 

 

Please note the following when landing on the island. The boat will not be anchored right next to the island, but a short distance away. This is because there is a risk of running aground if the boat gets too close to the island. This means that even those who do not plan to experience marine sports but only to go ashore will get wet from the waist up to their chests.

For this reason, we recommend that you wear clothes that you don't mind getting wet. If you are going to get wet anyway, it is more economical to participate in the activity!

On sunny days, the beach can get very hot. With this in mind, it is a good idea to have sandals or marine shoes available.

 

Click here for a list of Ishigaki Island PiPi's Phantom Island Tours

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

We have introduced you to the Phantom Island. How was it?

 

The island, which is as ephemeral as a phantom, disappearing at unmapped tide levels, was a beautiful and photogenic location. The contrast between the shining white beach and the clear blue ocean is spectacular.

 

Activities on such a beautiful island are the best. If you visit Ishigaki Island, please visit the fantastic island "Hamashima".

 

Thank you for reading to the end.