Snorkeling in Ishigaki: Phantom Island & Kabira Bay

Two water activities in one morning, one guide, all the gear, no experience needed.

Snorkel at Phantom Island and paddle Kabira Bay in Ishigaki on a single morning activity combining two water sports. The guide handles setup, safety and photography. You choose between SUP and canoe for the bay portion. Runs rain or shine for ages 3–59. Hot shower and wetsuits (winter) included. Live guide in English or Japanese. Pickup available on some options.

The experience

You start at Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal and spend four hours moving between two sites. First comes Kabira Bay, a Michelin Green Guide three-star location where the water is calm enough to paddle a SUP or canoe without prior experience. The guide leads you through the bay's geography and handles the equipment setup. Children aged 3 to 11 may use a canoe instead of SUP depending on conditions and group size that day. After the paddle, you head to Phantom Island: a sandbar off western Ishigaki's coast whose shape shifts with the tide. It's a natural aquarium: you enter the water in snorkeling gear (provided) and swim among fish and corals in shallow, protected water.

The guide photographs both activities and shares the images with you at no extra cost. Life jackets, fins, masks and wetsuits (in winter months) come with the booking. You bring only swimwear and arrive ready to enter the water. The operator is Okinawa-certified and all guides are trained water rescuers. If weather turns unsafe, the activity cancels. Otherwise it runs rain or shine. A hot shower is available near the terminal afterward, and the operator provides coupons redeemable at local restaurants as part of the package.

Meeting times may shift depending on tide and conditions, so confirmation arrives the day before. Late bookings (after 5 PM) meet directly at the terminal. The activity is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. If you have concerns about ocean confidence or physical strength, contact the operator in advance to discuss options.

What’s included

All snorkeling gear (mask, fins, life jacket), SUP or canoe equipment, wetsuits in winter months, guide instruction and water safety support, professional photography shared free after the activity, hot shower access near the terminal, restaurant coupons for participants, and experience fee with liability insurance.

Options for this experience

2 options

Canoe CourseGuide in English or Japanese · 08:00 and 08:30This is a course in which you paddle a canoe through Kabira Bay. The rental fee for the canoe equipment is included in the price. Pickup is included.

SUP CourseGuide in English or Japanese · 08:00This is a course in which you travel across Kabira Bay on a SUP. The rental fee for the SUP equipment is included in the price. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 08:30

AgesAdult (3 to 59 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 100

Live guideEnglish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 35 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteJP¥ 1,000

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by ISHIGAKI ADVENTURE PiPi

Is this one for you?Choose the SUP course if you want to balance on the board and paddle actively. Choose the canoe if you prefer sitting and paddling with a partner or guide, which also works better for younger children depending on the day's conditions. Either way, the morning timing fits a first afternoon in Ishigaki or a half-day slot in a longer stay.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Japanese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I do this snorkeling activity if I've never snorkeled before?

No experience is needed. The guide supports you throughout both the paddle and the snorkel, sets up all equipment, and stays with the group in the water. Children as young as 3 can participate with appropriate gear.

What is Phantom Island and why does its shape change?

Phantom Island is a natural sandbar off western Ishigaki that appears and disappears with the tide. When it surfaces, it creates a shallow lagoon where you snorkel among fish and corals in calm, clear water: a protected natural aquarium.

Do I choose SUP or canoe before I book, or can I decide on the day?

You select your preference at checkout: either the SUP Course or the Canoe Course. Children aged 3 to 11 may be guided to use the canoe instead of SUP depending on sea conditions and group size on your specific day.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to bring?

The booking includes all snorkeling and paddle equipment, life jacket, fins, mask, wetsuits (winter months), a hot shower afterward, photos taken by the guide, and restaurant coupons. You bring only swimwear and a Japan-based contact number for pre-tour confirmation.

What happens if the weather is bad on the day of my activity?

The activity runs rain or shine unless conditions become unsafe for the water. If that occurs, the operator will contact you to reschedule or cancel with a refund.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Pickup is included in at least one option. Check your booking choice at checkout. If you book a late slot (after 5 PM), you'll meet directly at Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal instead.