Ishigaki Island Sightseeing (Glass Boat and Taketomi Island Tour)

Ishigaki Island Sightseeing (Glass Boat and Taketomi Island Tour)

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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

 

Kabira Bay 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.

 

Kabira Bay Glass Boat

 

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

 

Kabira Bay Glass Boat

 

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

(i)What can I see on the glass boat?

The floor of the boat is made of glass, allowing visitors to view marine life from the boat!

You may even see sea turtles!

(2)Do you get seasick?

The glass boat does not feel that bumpy, but it is advisable to take anti-sickness medicine if you are worried!

You will spend a lot of time looking down since you will be looking at the bottom of the ship. For those who get easily intoxicated, it is recommended to take anti-sickness medicine beforehand.

(iii) Are there any restaurants around Kabira Bay?

There are rice restaurants, souvenir shops, and Blue Seal ice cream shops around Kabira Bay!

It would be a good idea to stop by for a short break or to prevent summer fatigue!

4)Can I enjoy the scenery besides the glass boat?

There is an observatory in Kabira Bay that has been featured on the cover of the Ishigaki Island guidebook!

The observatory overlooking Kabira Bay and down to the beach is also a popular walking course!

Three recommended glass boat tours in Ishigaki Island

 

Full-day Phantom Island Snorkeling & Kabira Bay Walk & Glass Boat Set

 

Kabira Bay Glass Boat

 

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.

 

Click here to book Kabira Bay Glass Boat & Phantom Island Snorkeling

 

Blue Cave Snorkeling & Kabira Bay Walk in Ishigaki Island

 

Kabira Bay Glass Boat

 

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.

 

Click here to book Kabira Bay Walk & Blue Cave Snorkeling

 

Kabira Bay Glass Boat & Blue Cave Snorkeling around the scenic spots of Ishigaki Island - Half Day Course

 

Kabira Bay Glass Boat

 

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!

 

Click here to book Kabira Bay Glass Boat & Blue Cave Snorkeling

 

What is Taketomi Island Tour?

 

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

 

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 Tour

 

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

 

Taketomi Island

 

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!

 

Click here to book Taketomi Island Tour & Phantom Island Snorkeling

 

Ishigaki Island Sightseeing (Glass Boat and Taketomi Island Tour)Click here for activities including

Ishigaki Island Sightseeing (Glass Boat and Taketomi Island Tour)Tour Reviews and Testimonials

Soichiro
5
This is a plan worth considering if you want to make the most of your time on Ishigaki Island with family or friends. Since it combines an afternoon private tour with a sunset dinner, it’s sure to be a special experience for everyone. Not only can you enjoy lobster and Ishigaki beef for dinner, but the round-trip transportation to and from the restaurant is also included—a reassuring perk. This seems like a great option for anyone looking for a memorable travel experience.
yuuu
5
This package lets you enjoy Ishigaki Island’s natural beauty on a private tour, followed by a special dinner experience. Since it’s a charter tour, it’s an attractive option for groups and families who want to enjoy their own private time together. Another convenient feature is the round-trip transportation to and from the restaurant. From activities to dining, this package is perfect for those who want to make the most of their day on the trip.
momo
5
We went as a group of friends! Since it was such a special trip, we decided to book the whole tour just for ourselves—and it was the best decision ever. Having the tour all to ourselves meant we could relax and enjoy ourselves without worrying about anyone else, and we were so happy to have so many photos taken of us. The restaurant we went to in the evening was super stylish, and it was absolutely amazing to toast together while watching the sunset! The included transportation was also a huge help.
Yuu & Dad
5
We took this tour on a family vacation. Since it was a private tour, we didn’t have to worry about others around us and could enjoy ourselves at our own pace, which was great. The guide was very kind, and our whole family was completely satisfied! After the tour, we had a delicious dinner at a wonderful restaurant, and since they provided a ride back, getting around was a breeze. It made for a wonderful family memory.
Nachi
5
Since this was a trip for three generations of our family, we chose a charter so we wouldn’t have to worry about disturbing other guests. They tailored the itinerary so that everyone—from children to seniors—could enjoy themselves without any strain, and it was the perfect choice. The round-trip transportation to and from the restaurant for dinner after our activities made getting there incredibly easy. The dishes, created under the supervision of a Michelin-starred chef, were exquisite, and the whole family was thrilled, saying, “We’re so glad we came.”
さの
5
友人グループで貸切チャーターを利用しました！自分たちのペースや希望に合わせてツアーを組んでもらえたので、周りを気にせず思いっきり羽を伸ばせました。午後半日たっぷりプライベート感を満喫した後は、無料送迎でレストランへ。送迎付きなのでお酒も気にせず楽しめましたし、豪華な石垣牛とロブスターのディナーまで含めて完璧なプライベート旅になりました！
Taji
4
Kabira Bay was way more beautiful than it looked in photos! The view from the ocean while canoeing was absolutely amazing—I could have stayed there forever. The staff were friendly and created a fun atmosphere. I was completely satisfied with the tour—they showed me so many different places! It was just a shame the weather turned cloudy partway through, but I still had a great time.
JohnT
5
I went on the Kabira Bay kayaking and island sightseeing tour, and it exceeded all my expectations. 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 in a kayak was such a special experience. Our guide was wonderful—always attentive and full of great local knowledge.
The sightseeing portion was just as enjoyable—it was well-paced, interesting, and took us to some real hidden gems around the island.
I was worried the weather might let us down, but honestly, even with a few clouds, Kabira Bay was breathtakingly beautiful. I can only imagine how incredible it looks on a perfect sunny day. I highly, highly recommend it!
Takoyaki-kun
5
It was my first time trying SUP, and I had so much fun! Paddling through the mangroves felt amazing and was really relaxing. The staff were cheerful, and the atmosphere was fun from start to finish. I was also completely satisfied with the sightseeing tour—they took us to so many different places! If I ever come back to Ishigaki, I’ll definitely join this tour again.
Tiffany
4
I went on 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 ever done before. The reflections of the trees on the calm water were absolutely stunning.
The sightseeing portion was also well-paced and took us to some great spots around the island. Our guide was warm and encouraging, especially toward those of us who had never tried SUP before!
The weather wasn’t great on the day of our tour, which made the scenery look a little subdued—but honestly, it added a mysterious, misty atmosphere to the mangroves. Still, it was a fantastic tour overall!