[Okinawa ]can be enjoyed all year round in the Ishigaki Island area! Attractive marine sports

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SHIMERAGI（シメラギ）石垣島&小浜島（幻の島上陸&シュノーケル）(@shimeragi_ishigakijima)がシェアした投稿

The first thing you want to do in the beautiful tropical sea is swimming. In Ishigaki Island, there are two major ways to enjoy exploring underwater, and one of them is snorkeling.

Snorkeling requires only three pieces of equipment: a mask (underwater glasses), snorkel, and fins. Because there is no need to swim hard and you can enjoy leisurely peering into the water from near the surface, snorkeling is recommended for a wide range of people, from inexperienced swimmers, beginners, and children to seniors.

In Ishigaki's crystal clear waters, you can easily observe the bottom of the ocean even when looking from the water's surface. Snorkeling is a safe sport that is perfect for this kind of ocean, and since it is not a deep dive, the physical load is relatively light. It is one of the things you should experience when you come to Ishigaki Island.

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SHIMERAGI（シメラギ）石垣島&小浜島（幻の島上陸&シュノーケル）(@shimeragi_ishigakijima)がシェアした投稿

Ishigaki Island has many great spots for snorkeling. Especially in the northern part of the island, there are many famous snorkeling spots such as "Yonehara Beach ""Sunset Beach ". All of these beaches are among the clearest on the island, allowing you to immerse yourself in the pristine nature.

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沖縄ダイビングと青の洞窟のシーモール ℡0989219555(@okinawadiving.seamole)がシェアした投稿

"The Blue Cave "is another snorkeling spot that should not be forgotten. As the name suggests, the water inside this cave is crystal clear blue, and when the conditions are right, the blue color is even more pronounced as it reflects the blue sky and sunlight. It is also famous for its large number of table corals. In addition to underwater exploration, visitors can also go ashore in the caves and explore the stalactite caves.

There are many tour packages available that include snorkeling as part of the itinerary. Many packages can be booked up to a day in advance or a few hours before the day of the tour, so you can make reservations after you arrive at the destination. Compared to diving, budgets are lower and the time required for diving tours can be as short as half a day, making it easy to flexibly incorporate snorkeling into your travel plans.

In contrast to snorkeling, which is a relatively low hurdle, diving involves carrying an oxygen cylinder on your back and diving to the bottom of the ocean. For those who want to experience the charm of Ishigaki's sea more deeply, this is also recommended. If you try it, you will surely want to "come here again ".

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ダイビングスクールマレア石垣島/マリンロッジ・マレア石垣島(@marea_ishigaki)がシェアした投稿

Ishigaki Island is a very suitable place for those who are new to scuba diving. "It is called the Mecca of diving "and has ideal waters and experienced instructors to support you. Even inexperienced divers who have a fear of swimming can get the hang of it by taking a pre-dive course. At first, you may have a hard time just breathing, but it will be one of your unforgettable memories.

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舞│ꒉ:)و ̑𓂃◌𓈒𓐍𓇼*(@marokoro222)がシェアした投稿

It is a somewhat challenging experience diving, but you should definitely try it if you really want to experience the charm of Ishigaki Island's ocean. Over the years, local diving guides have researched and developed spots where you can encounter manta rays. Thanks to their efforts, it is now possible to pinpoint the spots where you can see manta rays with a fairly high probability.

Of course, nature is the other party, and there is no 100% guarantee that you will see manta rays, but the experience and data accumulated by the guides are worth trusting. The large shadows that pass leisurely in front of your eyes are very powerful.

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石垣島アクティビティ案内&一棟貸しヴィラしてます🏡(@ishigaki__activity)がシェアした投稿

While diving and exploring underwater is an unmissable option, it is also nice to feel the wind and spray blowing over the surface of the water with your whole body. How about taking a free walk on the water by experiencing a new sensory sport "SUP ".

SUP is the official name "Stand Up Paddle ", and as the name suggests, it is a boat similar to a one-person surfboard. It is basically ridden standing up, but you can also sit or lie down to enjoy the freedom of the boat. Standing and rowing requires a good sense of balance, and at first it may take a little getting used to and awakening the core muscles. Mostly, however, even beginners will be able to row well and move forward in about an hour, and once you try it, you will surely become addicted to the fun.

There are numerous plans to enjoy SUP, and you can choose from a wide range of options according to your preferences. One spot in particular is Kabira Bay. This place is classified by the renowned Michelin Green Guide as a three-star travel guide, equivalent to a rating of "worth the trouble of traveling ". The wide open field with open visibility, emerald green crystal clear waters and white sandy beaches are ideal for SUP.

Various other spots offer SUP experience plans. In addition, you can change not only the location but also the time of day. With plans to see golden sunrises and sunsets, and a glorious starry sky at night, there is no end to the plans from morning to night.

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ダイビングサービス シーフレンズ(@seafriends.ig)がシェアした投稿

There are still many leisure activities unique to Ishigaki Island that you cannot experience in everyday life. One of them is windsurfing.

While canoes and kayaks are vehicles that you paddle yourself, windsurfing uses the force of the natural wind to propel you forward. As the name suggests, the part you ride is shaped like a surfboard, but it has a sail on top to catch the wind. You will feel the wind blowing through the sea of Ishigaki Island, and slide on the transparent sea. It is an exhilarating and luxurious experience.

When traveling with a couple or a group, you want to share the fun and excitement together. How about experiencing the thrill and centrifugal force of gliding on the surface of the ocean while splashing around on "Banana Boat ", a classic marine sport that should not be forgotten.

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リザンシーパークホテル谷茶ベイ【公式】(@rizzan.sea.park.hotel_resort)がシェアした投稿

Banana boats are different in quality from any of the other sports we have introduced, and offer a different level of stimulation and exhilaration. This is a typical marine sport in which a water bike glides on the water pulling a tube that can accommodate a person, and as the name suggests, it is an elongated vehicle shaped like a banana. Basically, multiple people ride together, making it ideal for groups. Although you can choose according to your needs, the speed you experience is quite high, so it is sure to be a lot of fun for everyone.

There is a great variety of tubing-based marine sports, not limited to banana boats. For example, there are various options such as "Big Marble ", which is thrilling but stable, and "Giant Thriller ", which is more stimulating as you are lying face down and your face is closer to the water. Don't forget to check out the wide variety of plans offered for unlimited play of these marine sports.

If you want to enjoy the great nature with elegance as a couple or a group, canoeing is an option you should not forget. Especially in Ishigaki Island, not only the ocean but also the mangroves growing wild in the rivers are one of the main attractions, and you can feel a little adventure in the jungle by using a canoe.

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石垣島アクティビティ案内&一棟貸しヴィラしてます🏡(@ishigaki__activity)がシェアした投稿

Compared to SUP, canoeing is much more stable and usually requires no practice to get started. Another advantage is that you can take turns paddling.

We must not forget that Ishigaki Island has vast mangrove forests. The hirugi forest, which is equivalent to about 48 times the size of Tokyo Dome, stretches along both banks of Miyara River and extends 1,500 meters from the mouth of the river to the upper reaches. Using a canoe or kayak, visitors can enjoy a little jungle exploration as they float up the river.

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石垣島パラセーリング NOA(@parasailingnoa)がシェアした投稿

How about viewing the spectacular view not only from the water but also from the sky? Enjoy the Ishigaki sea as if you were a bird while parasailing in the air. It will be an unforgettable memory.

Parasailing is a sport similar to paragliding and sailing combined, with the parachute floating in flight according to the speed of the boat. The length of the rope can be chosen according to preference, and even small children can experience it from a low height. Another nice thing is that you don't get soaked, even though you are at sea.

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Megumi Shibata(@meg19900215)がシェアした投稿

Ishigaki's wide, clear, shallow waters are a perfect spot for a variety of activities. Taking advantage of this location, flyboarding is gaining popularity.

Flyboarding is an activity in which one attaches water bike jets to one's feet and floats on water using the water pressure emitted from the jets. At first glance, flyboarding may seem like a challenging sport, but it is not as difficult as it may seem, and many inexperienced flyboarders seem to be able to successfully walk in the air. Why not give it a try?