Ishigaki

We went snorkeling with Makoto. The water was crystal clear, and we saw lots of colorful fish and coral. Makoto took photos and videos throughout. It was so much fun, we wish we could have stayed longer!

I went with my 10-year-old, and even though neither of us speaks English or Japanese, they kindly explained everything. We were the only two Koreans there, and even though I'm a total beginner at swimming, the staff stayed with us and took care of us. We saw sea turtles twice, and the water was teeming with fish. It was a half-day tour, but I wish we had booked the full-day option. I highly recommend it. Equipment: They rent out everything. You wear a wetsuit instead of a life jacket, which is a bit difficult to put on and take off, but it's better than a vest. They also rent out flippers and goggles. Safety: If you stray too far, the instructor will tell you to stay close. They seem to keep checking on beginners like me who are worried. Listening to the experts is the best thing to do. Experience: If you go to the shops they tell you about, they'll check your wetsuit and flipper sizes, and then tell you to follow them in your car (rental car). After about a 5-minute drive, you park at the harbor and board the boat - after about a 30-minute ride, you'll have about 1 hour of water activities - 10 minutes of rest - another 1 hour of water activities - 30 minutes to the harbor. We took the boat back around 8:40 AM and arrived around 11:40 AM.

My family and I had a wonderful snorkeling experience. We saw many different kinds of fish,even sea snakes. Thanks to our tour guide,Akari. She did an amazing job. She showed us where the clownfish at and kept us safe during our tour.

The meeting location was convenient, and the pick-up staff were friendly and welcoming. They had the appropriate shoes ready in the vehicle that morning. The mangrove canoe experience was great, the leader was attentive, caring, and provided detailed explanations, and took many photos. The Blue Cave tour in the afternoon was less impressive, especially the Blue Cave itself, which was a bit disappointing. The snorkeling was more fun. It was strange that everyone had to walk in the sea instead of swimming out. Walking is actually more dangerous. Overall, I was still satisfied.

This afternoon, I participated in the ISHIGAKI ADVENTURE PiPi snorkeling tour, and it was an unforgettable experience. The first stop was diving right into the sea for snorkeling, where I saw colorful tropical fish and vast coral reefs, feeling as if I had entered a vibrant underwater world. The second stop was a visit to the dreamlike Phantom Island, where the pristine white sandbar sparkled in the sunlight, blending with the azure sea in a breathtakingly beautiful scene. The travel agency's arrangements were very thorough, with complete equipment and smooth procedures, making me feel secure throughout the entire trip. Special thanks to our guide, Jiro, who was very enthusiastic throughout, not only patiently explaining the ecology of the sea and the island but also thoughtfully taking many wonderful photos for everyone, making the entire trip more relaxed and enjoyable. This Ishigaki Island snorkeling experience is truly worth recommending!

We had a family trip today with 7 people, participating in the Kabira Bay SUP in the morning and the Blue Cave snorkeling in the afternoon. The leader in charge of us was Aoi-san. Since we are Taiwanese and don't understand Japanese, the leader used Chinese and English to explain and guide us. Aoi-san's Chinese is excellent, and communication was not a problem. She also took great care of the children along the way, and was very enthusiastic and cheerful. It was a great trip.

If you don't request a pick-up/drop-off service separately, they won't come to pick you up. So, if you need it, be sure to request it via LINE or email. Otherwise, you'll have to go to the tour company yourself. The tour details aren't very descriptive, but there are two main points. After about a 40-50 minute boat ride, you'll arrive at the first point, where you'll snorkel in the middle of a coral reef for about an hour. The second point seemed to take about 15-20 minutes to reach. You'll then go to Fantasy Island, where you'll have 30 minutes, and you'll need to return your rented snorkel gear. There are fewer fish than in Southeast Asia, just so you know, haha... Be sure to bring your own water and drinks! The sea is beautiful. My father is over 65, and we didn't bring a doctor's note, but everyone should make sure to bring one. He couldn't snorkel, but he was able to ride the boat. The main customers are Japanese, and they only speak basic English, so if you're new to snorkeling, this tour might be a bit difficult. There's not much information about Ishigaki tours, so I'm leaving this review. Hope it helps everyone! 🥹

There was a change in the itinerary at first. First we went to Taketomi and then to Phantom Island. I liked it better that way, so it didn't bother me. I got the ferry ticket and was able to explore Taketomi on my own. It was a very interesting island, which I explored on foot. A bike wasn't necessary, but many recommend it. At lunchtime, Naomi took us to the boat. We received our equipment and an introduction to snorkeling. At sea, Naomi looked after our small group and led us to various locations. She made sure we took breaks and took photos of us. Afterward, we went to Phantom Island and had some time there. I chatted with Naomi there and received some more information about the island and Ishigaki. Afterward, we went back. It was a wonderful snorkeling experience; the coral reefs were beautiful. The staff were very friendly, funny, and helpful. Overall, a wonderful experience.

Booked for a full day, mangrove SUP/canoe in the morning, and Blue Cave snorkeling in the afternoon! The meeting point was very easy to find, and the pre-activity precautions were noted very clearly. The mangrove forest in the morning had extremely high levels of negative oxygen ions! Very chill! You can eat delicious food near the ferry terminal at noon and take a short break before continuing in the afternoon. The Blue Cave snorkeling in the afternoon was a fantastic experience. The instructor, Aoi, was very patient and professional. Two fellow travelers who couldn't swim were also very well taken care of. The sea in Ishigaki Island is very clear, and you can see huge coral reefs and beautiful marine life. Aoi also took a lot of photos and videos for everyone. I highly recommend everyone to come and experience snorkeling!!