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The Ishigaki Island resident staff will thoroughly explain how to get to and play at Ishinishi Jagako!
Hello everyone!
Did you know that Ishigaki Island has the largest coral reef in Japan? Its name is Ishinishi lagoon.
The correct name is the coral reef that stretches between Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island, a world-famous snorkel and dive site with hundreds of species of corals and creatures.
This article introduces you to Shihsi lagoon, one such world-class coral reef.
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What is Shihsei Lagoon?
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, Shihsi lagoon is the largest coral reef zone in Japan, stretching approximately 20 km from east to west and 15 km from north to south.
It is called "Ishinishi lagoon" from "Ishi" of Ishigaki Island and "Nishi" of Iriomote Island because it spreads over the waters between Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island and grows in colonies.
Shihsi lagoon is home to more than 400 species of reef-building corals and thousands and tens of thousands of species of marine life. Marine activities such as snorkeling and diving, which are mainly for exploring the ocean and observing marine life, are therefore popular here.
How to get to Shihsi Lagoon
Ishinishi lagoon is widely spread over Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island and can be accessed by going offshore. However, it is difficult to go there by yourself.
Therefore, we recommend that you go on the following two tours so that you can enjoy the tour along with the careful guidance of a guide.
Hamashima Island Snorkeling
Barras Island Snorkeling
Both are very popular activity spots that you should visit when you come to Ishigaki Island.
Both Hamashima Island, called the Island of Illusions, and Barasu Island, called the Island of Miracles, have an unusual feature. They both hide and appear in the sea depending on the tides.
Once ashore, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view with no vegetation, while offshore, the Shihsi lagoon spreads out and offers a variety of creatures to encounter. The easiest way to access the Shihsi Lagoon is to take a tour. If you want to do everything on your own, you will need to charter a boat and rent a set of snorkeling and diving equipment. In addition, there is no guide, so safety is not guaranteed. If you take a tour, all of the above can be satisfied.
The following tours are recommended to visit such Shihsi Jagged Lake.
More information about Shihsi lagoon
Boasting the largest coral reef zone in Japan, Ishinishi lagoon serves as a habitat and spawning ground for creatures over a wide area of ocean, supporting the marine ecosystem of the waters surrounding Ishigaki Island. It is also a place where fishing is actively conducted, and is a keystone of biological productivity to support the industries of Ishigaki Island and surrounding islands, and is used as a feed for diving, snorkeling, and other activities.
Because of its importance, the area was designated as a national park in 1972, and in 1977 the four districts of Takidongqi, Simosibi, Kyangqi, and Maibishi became underwater park areas.
Basically, the sea is shallow and the waves are very calm, thanks to the abundance of coral, making it very suitable for marine sports. This makes it one of the fields where activities take place all year round.
If you check the seabed around the island, you will see white sand covered with coral fragments, which looks very beautiful in the blue sea. However, the tidal range is notoriously extreme, and at low tide, the reef can become so shallow that coral peeks out from the bottom of the sea, so be careful when diving or snorkeling to avoid stepping on or hitting the reef.
How to Play at Shihsei Lagoon
Shihsi lagoon is the largest coral reef zone in Japan. As a result, it is characterized by abundant biota. There are a variety of activities that take advantage of the unique characteristics of Lake Shihseo Jagoho. Some of them are introduced below.
snorkeling
The first activity we will introduce is snorkeling. This activity is not to be missed when visiting Shihsi lagoon.
Shihsi lagoon extends even at relatively shallow depths. If you are lucky, you can encounter not only coral and tropical fish, but also sea turtles and manta rays.
You can even meet Nemo, a popular Disney character! The crystal clear waters are also great for those who are not good swimmers, as you can observe fish just floating around without going to the bottom of the ocean.
As you explore the Shihsi lagoon, look for "fish fields" where fish school, coral fields, and sea turtles can be found.
diving
The next activity we will introduce is diving.
Compared to snorkeling, there is a lot of equipment that looks difficult and requires a license, which may make you feel like you can't do it easily, but that is not true. However, this is not the case. Beginners without a license can experience diving with a guide.
The tour guide will also provide you with all the necessary equipment, and you will receive a detailed lecture before you dive, so you can enjoy underwater exploration without any hustle and bustle.
Compared to snorkeling, diving allows you to stay underwater for longer periods of time, allowing you to spend more time observing and photographing marine life. Also, even though many areas are shallow, snorkelers have to swim underwater while considering their breathing limits, which limits the depths they can explore. Diving, on the other hand, allows you to go deeper than snorkeling and observe a wider range of creatures. Diving is recommended for those who want to take their time to explore the Shihsi lagoon.
summary
We have introduced Ishinishi Jagoho. How was it?
Ishinishi lagoon is the largest coral reef zone in Japan with 400 species of corals, and it was like a pillar of the Ishigaki Island sea that supports many marine ecosystems.
The following is a list of recommendations for such a Shihsi Jagoho.
You can see manta rays and sea turtles.
Various Activity Experiences
Accessible by tour
Can be visited all year round.
Please visit Shihsi Jagoho with the above points in mind.
Thank you for reading to the end.
This article was written by.
