Ishigaki Island Sightseeing (Glass Boat and Taketomi Island Tour)
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Ishigaki Island Sightseeing (Glass Boat and Taketomi Island Tour)Popularity Ranking
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half-melon shaped bun (term used in the Chugoku area) sunset one day afternoon AM sightseeing River SUP Canoe (river kayak) sunrise setting sun mangrove spacious the .... river mangrove Taketomi Island popularityApprox. 7 hours／/9,800 yen/person (tax included) -
afternoon AM sightseeing phantom island snorkel sea turtle spacious sea phantom island Taketomi Island popularityApprox. 7 hours／/9,800 yen/person (tax included) -
one day sightseeing River Activities River SUP Canoe (river kayak) Sightseeing Tours mangrove spacious sea the .... river phantom island mangrove popularityApprox. 6 hours／/15,000 yen/person (tax included) -
one day sightseeing River Activities River SUP Canoe (river kayak) Sightseeing Tours mangrove spacious sea the .... river phantom island mangrove popularityApprox. 6 hours／/15,000 yen/person (tax included) -
afternoon AM sightseeing Kabira Bay Blue Cave snorkel sea turtle glass boat Kabira Bay Blue CaveApprox. 7 hours／/9,800 yen/person (tax included)
The Ishigaki Island glass boat is a boat with a transparent glass bottom that allows you to observe the undersea. The boat is adopted because of the high transparency of Ishigaki Island, and it is very popular because even 0-year-old children and elderly people can easily participate and observe the sea and its creatures without getting wet! Ishigaki Island is rich in colorful corals and tropical fishes, so you can relax and enjoy the ocean. The clarity of the sea is one of the best in Japan, and you can feel the quality of the coral and the abundance of tropical fish species. It is truly a natural aquarium.
Features of Ishigaki Island Glass Boat
The most popular glass boat in Ishigaki Island is the one cruising in Kabira Bay. The crystal clear water is used for black pearl cultivation. It is very suitable for underwater observation with a large variety and amount of coral and tropical fish. You can also observe clownfish, a popular tropical fish.
If you are lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of a sea turtle swimming by. Kabira Bay is the most scenic spot on the island, and has been awarded three stars in the Michelin Green Guide, and you can see the sea change its hue into seven different colors. Not only can you observe the creatures, but you can also enjoy the beautiful scenery. The glass boat tour experience takes about 30 minutes, so it can be experienced easily. It is common to experience it as a set plan with other activities, and you can fully enjoy Ishigaki Island with the tour on the day you participate.
How to get to the glass boat in Ishigaki Island
The standard glass boat cruise in Ishigaki Island is the cruise in Kabira Bay. Kabira Bay is located northwest of the airport and can be reached in about 40 minutes by car. If you join a tour, most of the tours offer pick-up service from your hotel, and we recommend you to join a tour if you are not familiar with the area and have to check the way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Three recommended glass boat tours in Ishigaki Island
Full-day Phantom Island Snorkeling & Kabira Bay Walk & Glass Boat Set
The Ishigaki Island Glass Boat Tour is a combination tour of snorkeling and glass boat ride on the Phantom Island. At the beginning of the tour, we will snorkel at the Phantom Island located between Taketomi Island and Kohama Island. The island is a phantom island that appears only at low tide. The island is completely devoid of vegetation, so you can enjoy a 360-degree ocean view.
It is a fashionable spot that is often used as a filming location for commercials. Surrounded by Japan's largest coral area, Ishinishi lagoon, visitors can encounter coral, tropical fish, and sea turtles. The beauty of this place is truly a real dragon's palace. After snorkeling, we will have lunch and walk around Kabira Park until it is time to board the glass boat. Kabira Bay is the No.1 tourist attraction in Ishigaki Island, and there are souvenir shops and restaurants where you can take a short break.
The Kabira Observatory with pavilion overlooks Kabira Bay and offers the island's most scenic view of the seven shades of color. After the walk, we will cruise on a glass boat. The water quality of Kabira Bay is so good that it is used for black pearl cultivation, and the transparency is quite high. Therefore, coral and tropical fish can be clearly seen through the glass on the bottom of the glass boat. If you are lucky, you may even see sea turtles swimming around.
Blue Cave Snorkeling & Kabira Bay Walk in Ishigaki Island
The next tour is Blue Cave Snorkeling & Kabira Bay Walk in Ishigaki Island! This plan allows you to enjoy a walk in Kabira Bay, a scenic spot that has been awarded three stars by the Michelin Green Guide, which is one of only 17 places in Japan. You will take your time to enjoy the underwater world in Kabira Bay. You can observe dozens of species of colorful corals and a wide variety of tropical fish. The glass boat is a great way to observe the ocean without getting wet, and can be enjoyed by everyone from small children to the elderly. You can also see popular tropical fish such as clownfish.
After the glass boat cruising is over, we will move to the Blue Cave snorkeling point. You can enjoy snorkeling while surrounded by beautiful scenery. The experience is safe for children and those who are not good at swimming as the water level is low in the field.
Kabira Bay Glass Boat & Blue Cave Snorkeling around the scenic spots of Ishigaki Island - Half Day Course
The last tour introduced here is a plan that includes a glass boat ride and blue cave snorkeling in Kabira Bay. This plan can be enjoyed in half a day, so it is very easy to schedule your trip. At the beginning of the tour, you will explore Kabira Bay by glass boat. After enjoying Kabira Bay, we will go to the Blue Cave, the unexplored region of Ishigaki Island. Ishigaki Island's Blue Cave has only one entrance on the ocean side, so it will be dark as you go inside.
Looking at the entrance from the inside, the incident sunlight reflects off the cave, giving it a blue glow and creating a fantastic atmosphere. Around the Blue Cave, corals are growing in clusters, and you can also see bluefin reef sharks and clownfish. Kabira Bay and Blue Cave are the two most popular spots in Ishigaki Island, so please visit them!
What is Taketomi Island Tour?
Taketomi Island is the nearest remote island from Ishigaki Island, located about 10 minutes by high-speed boat from Ishigaki Port. Although it is a small island (9km in circumference), there are many sightseeing spots and villages that retain the original landscape of Okinawa such as red-tiled Okinawan houses, which are designated as Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings. In the Taketomi Island tour, you can enjoy walking around the island and snorkeling at the beach. You can also rent a bicycle or take a buffalo cart to explore the island, so you can enjoy the unusual and quiet atmosphere that you cannot feel in mainland Japan.
Features and Reasons for Recommending Taketomi Island Tour
Many of the Taketomi Island tours are free time, so you can explore the island as you like. As mentioned above, you can enjoy a leisurely tour of Taketomi Island while viewing the townscape of the island. You can also rent a bicycle to explore the sightseeing spots on the island. There are also tours where you can enjoy snorkeling and diving in the surrounding waters. Near Taketomi Island, there is Ishinishi lagoon, the largest coral area in Japan, where you can observe more than 400 species of corals and tropical fish. You can enjoy the sea which is one of the clearest in Yaeyama. Taketomi Island tours are very popular for both walks and activities, so please check out both!
How to get to Taketomi Island
Taketomi Island can be visited by regular boat from Ishigaki Island's outlying island terminal, with departures and arrivals every hour, making it easy to visit.
Click here for details on ferry fares and timetables to Taketomi Island.
Ishigakijima⇔Taketomijima Ferry Timetable
Recommended Taketomi Island Tour
Ishigaki Island, Phantom Island Snorkeling & Taketomi Island Sightseeing
We introduce the combination plan of snorkeling and sightseeing in Taketomi Island. At the beginning of the tour, you will enjoy snorkeling at the Phantom Island. You can observe colorful corals and tropical fishes in the emerald blue sea. If you are not a good swimmer, you can enjoy observing the creatures while floating on the surface of the sea. After snorkeling, you will go sightseeing in Taketomi Island. You will take a buffalo cart to explore the village with calm atmosphere. Check out this popular plan to enjoy both sightseeing and activities!
Ishigaki Island Sightseeing (Glass Boat and Taketomi Island Tour)Click here for activities including
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half-melon shaped bun (term used in the Chugoku area) sunset one day afternoon AM sightseeing River SUP Canoe (river kayak) sunrise setting sun mangrove spacious the .... river mangrove Taketomi Island popularityApprox. 7 hours／/9,800 yen/person (tax included)
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afternoon AM sightseeing phantom island snorkel sea turtle spacious sea phantom island Taketomi Island popularityApprox. 7 hours／/9,800 yen/person (tax included)
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one day sightseeing River Activities River SUP Canoe (river kayak) Sightseeing Tours mangrove spacious sea the .... river phantom island mangrove popularityApprox. 6 hours／/15,000 yen/person (tax included)
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one day sightseeing River Activities River SUP Canoe (river kayak) Sightseeing Tours mangrove spacious sea the .... river phantom island mangrove popularityApprox. 6 hours／/15,000 yen/person (tax included)
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afternoon AM sightseeing Kabira Bay Blue Cave snorkel sea turtle glass boat Kabira Bay Blue CaveApprox. 7 hours／/9,800 yen/person (tax included)
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Approx. 7 hours／/9,800 yen/person (tax included) -
Approx. 6 hours／/15,000 yen/person (tax included) -
Approx. 6 hours／/15,000 yen/person (tax included) -
Approx. 3 hours／/From ¥50,000/tour (tax included) -
Approx. 6 to 7 hours／/90,000yen~/tour (tax included) -
Approx. 6 to 7 hours／/From 165,000 yen/tour (tax included) -
Approx. 2 hours／/From 4,900 yen/person (*Price varies depending on number of people, plan, time of year, etc.) (tax included) -
Approx. 3 hours／/8,500 yen and up/person (*Price varies depending on number of people, plan, time of year, etc.) (tax included)
Ishigaki Island Sightseeing (Glass Boat and Taketomi Island Tour)Tour Reviews and Testimonials
タジ
川平湾、写真で見るより全然きれいでした！カヌーで海の上から見る景色が最高で、ずっとそこにいたかったです。スタッフさんも気さくで楽しい雰囲気でした。観光もいろんな場所を案内してもらえて大満足！途中から天気が曇ってきたのだけ惜しかったけど、それでも十分楽しめました。
JohnT
I joined the Kabira Bay kayaking and island sightseeing tour, and it exceeded every expectation. The color of the water in Kabira Bay is unlike anything I’ve ever seen — a vivid, almost unreal blue-green that takes your breath away. Paddling through it on a kayak was such a special experience. Our guide was wonderful, always attentive and full of great local knowledge.
The sightseeing portion was equally enjoyable — well-paced, interesting, and covered some real gems around the island.
I was worried the weather might let us down, but honestly even with some clouds, Kabira Bay was jaw-droppingly beautiful. I can only imagine how incredible it looks on a perfect sunny day. Highly, highly recommend!
The sightseeing portion was equally enjoyable — well-paced, interesting, and covered some real gems around the island.
I was worried the weather might let us down, but honestly even with some clouds, Kabira Bay was jaw-droppingly beautiful. I can only imagine how incredible it looks on a perfect sunny day. Highly, highly recommend!
たこやきくん
SUP初めてだったけど楽しすぎました！マングローブの中を進んでいくの、すごく気持ちよくて癒されました。スタッフさんも明るくて、終始楽しい雰囲気でした。観光もいろんな場所を連れて行ってもらえて大満足！石垣に来たらまた絶対参加したいです。
Tiffany
I joined the mangrove SUP and island sightseeing tour, and it was such a unique experience! Gliding through the mangrove forest on a stand-up paddleboard felt like exploring a secret jungle — peaceful, beautiful, and unlike anything I’d done before. The reflections of the trees on the calm water were absolutely stunning.
The sightseeing portion was also well-paced and covered some great spots around the island. Our guide was warm and encouraging, especially for those of us who had never tried SUP before!
The weather wasn’t great on our day, which made the scenery a little muted — but honestly it added a mysterious, misty atmosphere to the mangroves. Still a fantastic tour overall!
The sightseeing portion was also well-paced and covered some great spots around the island. Our guide was warm and encouraging, especially for those of us who had never tried SUP before!
The weather wasn’t great on our day, which made the scenery a little muted — but honestly it added a mysterious, misty atmosphere to the mangroves. Still a fantastic tour overall!
さいき
透明すぎる海、真っ白な砂浜、最高すぎました。シュノーケリングも魚がたくさんで大興奮！ガイドさんもノリが良くてめちゃくちゃ楽しかったです。
Jennii
I took the Ishigaki sightseeing tour combined with the “Phantom Island” landing and snorkeling experience, and it was truly unforgettable. The so-called “phantom island” (Hamajima) was absolutely breathtaking — a sandbar surrounded by turquoise water that feels like it shouldn’t exist in real life. Our guide was fantastic, always attentive and enthusiastic, making the whole trip feel special.
The snorkeling around the island was incredible — colorful fish and coral everywhere. The only downside was the weather, which was a bit gloomy and kept the scenery from being as vivid as it could be.
Would 100% recommend this tour to anyone visiting Ishigaki. Come on a sunny day and it’ll be perfect!
The snorkeling around the island was incredible — colorful fish and coral everywhere. The only downside was the weather, which was a bit gloomy and kept the scenery from being as vivid as it could be.
Would 100% recommend this tour to anyone visiting Ishigaki. Come on a sunny day and it’ll be perfect!
CC
I joined the Ishigaki island tour combined with snorkeling and had a wonderful time overall. The guide was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, pointing out the best spots around the island and making sure everyone felt comfortable in the water. The snorkeling was a highlight — the coral and tropical fish were stunning even on an overcast day!
The only reason I’m giving 4 stars instead of 5 is the weather — it was unfortunately not sunny during our visit, which made the scenery a little less vibrant than I’d hoped. But honestly, the tour itself was so well-organized that it didn’t ruin the experience at all.
If you’re visiting Ishigaki, this tour is absolutely worth it. I’d love to come back on a clear day and see the crystal-blue water in full sunshine. Highly recommend!
The only reason I’m giving 4 stars instead of 5 is the weather — it was unfortunately not sunny during our visit, which made the scenery a little less vibrant than I’d hoped. But honestly, the tour itself was so well-organized that it didn’t ruin the experience at all.
If you’re visiting Ishigaki, this tour is absolutely worth it. I’d love to come back on a clear day and see the crystal-blue water in full sunshine. Highly recommend!
よし
レンタカーを借りてなかったですが、観光地とシュノーケリングを全て送迎付きでしていただけたのでありがたかったです。
ガイドさんはトーク上手、写真も綺麗なのばかりで大満足。また遊びに来たいです！
ガイドさんはトーク上手、写真も綺麗なのばかりで大満足。また遊びに来たいです！
さゆり
川平湾で初めてのSUP体験！でしたが、とても楽しかったです！！
川平湾や御神崎灯台などの絶景も楽しめて、ガイドのひなさんが写真もたくさん撮ってくれました。
石垣島の自然を1日で満喫できるおすすめのツアーです!
川平湾や御神崎灯台などの絶景も楽しめて、ガイドのひなさんが写真もたくさん撮ってくれました。
石垣島の自然を1日で満喫できるおすすめのツアーです!
Emily
This tour was a great combination of sightseeing and a SUP or canoe experience. Kabira Bay was stunning and paddling on the clear water was very relaxing. The guide was friendly and took many photos for us. It was a wonderful day in Ishigaki.