An impressive experience of swimming with sea turtles in Ishigaki Island! Introducing spots, timing, and recommended tours for beginners!

Swim with sea turtles in Ishigaki Island!

There are many sea turtles living in Ishigaki Island and around Yaeyama, and they come to the beach to lay eggs during the egg-laying season.

Gentle eyes, large shell, cute form, graceful swimming figure.... You would like to swim near them at least once, wouldn't you?

This time, on Ishigaki Island, a paradise for sea turtles.Spots where you can see sea turtles with high probability.and recommended times,Beginners welcome sea turtle tourto the following!

Ranking of popular tours to meet sea turtles

Click here to read the article in conjunction with this one.

Meet manta rays and sea turtles! Complete guide to popular diving spots in Ishigaki Island recommended for beginners!Contents1 Ishigaki Island is a diving paradise! 2.1 Calm and clear waters 2.2 Many spots to see manta rays and sea turtles 2.3 Various tours are available 2.4 Warm climate and a [...]

Types of sea turtles that can be seen on Ishigaki Island

The sea turtles most commonly seen on Ishigaki Island aregreen turtle (Chelonia mydas)" and it is a trend that is increasing worldwide.

They are also on the increase in the waters of Okinawa as overfishing has decreased and "tiger sharks," the natural enemy of sea turtles, have been exterminated.

Other inhabitants include the loggerhead turtle, which eats crustaceans, and the hawksbill turtle, which is relatively small with jagged edges on its shell.

I want to meet sea turtles on Ishigaki Island!
When is the best season?

Sea turtles areCan be seen on Ishigaki Island throughout the year.but a particularly high probability of meeting,Spawning season from May to SeptemberThe following is a list of the most common problems with the

Sea turtles can be seen swimming in the shallows to lay eggs. You may also be able to observe them laying eggs on the beach.

When observing sea turtles laying eggs, watch them quietly, taking care not to shout, shine light on them, get too close, or touch them.

Recommended Sea Turtle Spots on Ishigaki Island

Ishigaki Island is dotted with spots where you can meet sea turtles with high probability. We will introduce the characteristics of each location!

Ranking of popular tours to meet sea turtles

Yonehara Beach
Popular spot to meet green turtles in shallow water

Yonehara Beach is one of the most popular spots on Ishigaki Island with a particularly high encounter rate with sea turtles.

Green turtles can often be seen in the area just off the coast,Beginners and those with children due to shallow waterIt is also recommended for

Sea grass is abundant and sea turtles can sometimes be seen feeding.

Around Kabira Bay
Impressed by the clear sea and sea turtles

Kabira Bay is one of the most beautiful spots in Ishigaki Island, and the surrounding area is calledKabira Kawasaki Manta Scrambleand "Manta City PointThere is a manta area called

No reservation is required to enjoy the "glass boatSea turtles can be seen at a high rate during a cruise on the

Swimming by yourself is prohibited, so join a tour and enjoy the spectacular view and the underwater world to the fullest☆.

Held at Kabira Bay!
Click here for plans including sea turtle tours

Blue Cave
Fantastic popular spots on Ishigaki Island

The Blue Cave in Ishigaki Island is a popular spot where the light shining into the cave reflects and shines in a fantastic blue color.

The surrounding area is also an excellent snorkeling spot,Cave Exploration and SnorkelingThere are many tours that include the following

Click here for the plan to see the Blue Cave & sea turtles.

Phantom Island (Hamashima)
Spectacular view point where you can see sea turtles.

The Phantom Island isIt appears only at low tide.An uninhabited island of white sand, officially named "Hamashima," is a popular photo spot.

Many plans include a snorkeling tour with a landing, and are recommended for those who want to enjoy ocean fun and spectacular views at the same time.

Recommended tours including sea turtles & phantom islands

Ishigaki Island/1 day] Encounter rate is more than 90%! Manta Ray or Sea Turtle Snorkeling & Phantom Island Landing & Experience Diving Tour☆Beginners are welcome Small group for your safety♪ (No.525)開始時間9:00-16:00所要時間Approx. 7 hours17,000 yen →directional marker or indicator15,000suffix for names of swords, armour, musical instruments, etc.

Ishigakijima Island/1 Day] Landing on Phantom Island & Experience Diving & Sea Turtle Snorkeling Small Group Specializing in Beginners (No.475)開始時間8:10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.所要時間Approx. 6 hours22,000 yen

Ishigaki Island/1 Day] Sea Turtle Encounter Rate Over 90%☆Landing on Phantom Island & Experience Diving 2dives & Snorkeling Tour《Including equipment & Lunch》（No.342開始時間8:20 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.所要時間Approx. 8 hours19,800 yen

Osaki Area
A popular staple with a high rate of sea turtle encounters

The Osaki area, including Osaki Beach, has a very high encounter rate with sea turtles.The sea turtle encounter rate is over 901 TP3T!

Located on the Yarabe Peninsula in the northwestern part of Ishigaki Island, it is a hole-in-the-wall yet excellent snorkeling and diving spot.

The current is also calm, making it popular with beginner divers.

How to choose Ishigaki Island Sea Turtle Tour

To be sure of seeing sea turtles, it is best to join a tour led by an experienced guide! Here is a summary of points to consider when choosing a tour.

Plan name check!
Choose the one marked "sea turtles."

To increase your chances of seeing sea turtles, choose a tour with "sea turtles" in the tour title.

Some of them have specific encounter rates written on them, such as "Encounter rate: 901 TP3T or higher," so if you want to be sure you want to see sea turtles, check carefully and choose the right one.

Ishigaki Island! Click here for recommended tours where you can meet sea turtles.

Ishigaki Island/1 day] Encounter rate is more than 90%! Manta Ray or Sea Turtle Snorkeling & Phantom Island Landing & Experience Diving Tour☆Beginners are welcome Small group for your safety♪ (No.525)開始時間9:00-16:00所要時間Approx. 7 hours17,000 yen →directional marker or indicator15,000suffix for names of swords, armour, musical instruments, etc.

Ishigakijima Island/1 Day] Landing on Phantom Island & Experience Diving & Sea Turtle Snorkeling Small Group Specializing in Beginners (No.475)開始時間8:10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.所要時間Approx. 6 hours22,000 yen

Ishigaki Island/Half Day】Experience Diving & Sea Turtle Snorkeling! Small group for beginners☆(Photo data present) (No.477)開始時間8:30-11:30 (available only from 11/1-4/30) / 12:30-15:30所要時間Approx. 3 hours18,800 yen →directional marker or indicator14,500suffix for names of swords, armour, musical instruments, etc.

Held on Ishigaki Island!
Click here for tours where you can meet sea turtles.

Snorkeling or diving?
How to choose an experience style

The distance to sea turtles and the style of observation varies greatly depending on whether you are snorkeling or diving.

Snorkeling is a style of observation from the surface of the water, suitable for encountering sea turtles in shallow waters,Beginners and with childrenRecommended for

Diving is a dynamic experience that takes you deeper and puts you in the same line of sight as sea turtles.

No license is required for experience diving. Choose the one that best suits your interests and physical strength for a more satisfying experience.

We recommend the plan with photography and photo data.

For beginners, we especially recommend the plan that includes a photography service by a guide.

Have yourselves absorbed in the experience and have shots taken of you and the sea turtles for memories that will last a lifetime!

Click here for recommended plans with photo data

Ishigakijima Island/Half-day afternoon]Specialized for beginners☆Sea turtle encounter rate is more than 90%! Experience Diving 1dive & Snorkeling Tour 《Photo & Movie Present by Latest Model》（No.482)開始時間12:30 - 3:30 p.m.所要時間Approx. 3-4 hours17,500 yen →directional marker or indicator14,500suffix for names of swords, armour, musical instruments, etc.

Ishigaki Island/Half Day】Experience Diving & Sea Turtle Snorkeling! Small group for beginners☆(Photo data present) (No.477)開始時間8:30-11:30 (available only from 11/1-4/30) / 12:30-15:30所要時間Approx. 3 hours18,800 yen →directional marker or indicator14,500suffix for names of swords, armour, musical instruments, etc.

Before joining a sea turtle tour
Points to note that you should know

To enjoy encounters with sea turtles, it is important to remember to be considerate of safety and nature. Check the points you should know in advance.

Manners and rules when observing sea turtles

Never touch or chase sea turtles.Sea turtles are very sensitive creaturesand human contact is a major stressor.

When observing, keep a distance of at least 3 meters and watch quietly. Also, avoid using a flash or making loud noises underwater.

Follow your guide's instructions and be sure to act in a nature-friendly manner.

It's a living thing, so it's not like we can meet 1001 TP3T.

Sea turtles are also natural creatures. They are not tamed in aquariums as in aquariums.

Even if Ishigaki Island is inhabited by many sea turtles, we cannot guarantee that you will see 100% sea turtles even if you are guided by an experienced guide.

We hope you will enjoy the underwater world and the nature of Ishigaki Island without being too disappointed if you don't see us.

Typhoons and sudden changes in winter weather.
Tours are sometimes cancelled.

Sea tours are weather dependent and may be cancelled if there is a forecast of strong wind warnings, high waves, or thunderstorms due to typhoons.

Most tours do not charge a cancellation fee if cancelled due to weather. Check the cancellation policy well in advance.

Allowing extra time in the travel itinerary will make it easier to deal with weather risks.

summary

On Ishigaki Island, even beginners can have an exciting experience swimming with sea turtles. Let's make unforgettable memories of the sea by choosing the best time of year, spots, and tours to meet turtles.

Click here to read the article in conjunction with this one.

Introducing popular Ishigaki Island diving tours with recommended times, points, and beginners OK!Contents1 Swim with Manta Rays in Ishigaki Island! 2 Recommended Manta Encounter Points in Ishigaki Island2.1 Kabira-Ishizaki Manta Scramble2.2 Manta City Point (MCP) 2.3 Yonara Waterway3 Increase your chances of seeing manta rays [...]

No worries even if it's your first time! Ishigaki Island Experience Diving Tour Recommendation Guide2 Reasons why Ishigaki Island is recommended for beginners 2.1 You can enjoy diving all year round due to the mild climate 2.2 Calm and clear water 2.3 There are spots where you can see manta rays and sea turtles 2.4 There are many experienced guides and a variety of tour [...].

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