Panari Island (island)
What is Panari Island?
Panari Island (Aragusukujima) is a remote island consisting of two islands, Kamijishima and Shimomijishima, located about 10 km southeast of Ishigaki Island. Panari" means "away" in Yaeyama dialect, and as the name implies, the island is located far away from other islands, where nature and traditional culture of the past remain strong.
The entire island is considered a sacred place, and tourists are only allowed to land freely on some tours. The mysterious atmosphere and pristine nature of the island attracts a lot of attention through search keywords such as "Ishigakijima Panari Island Tour," "Panari Island landing method," and "Panari Island access," etc.
Why Panari Island is popular and how to enjoy it
Panari Island is an ideal destination for those who seek the charm of an unexplored, untouristed island. The following are some of the most popular ways to enjoy the island.
1. snorkeling experience in the coral reef sea
The waters around Panari Island boast outstanding clarity and are a popular snorkeling spot where you can observe colorful tropical fish and coral reefs up close. The Panari Island snorkel tour departing from Ishigaki Island is highly rated as "swimming in untouched nature.
2. limited landing experiences and island walks
Panari Island is not allowed to be landed on by individuals and can only be visited by guided tours. During the tour, you can visit the ruins of villages and sacred Utaki (Utaki) sites to get a feel for the history and culture of the island.
3. pristine and private
Unlike other tourist destinations, the number of tourists is limited, allowing for a quiet and serene time. It is an ideal destination for travelers searching for "Panari Island: unexplored region" or "Ishigaki Island: hole-in-the-wall spots."
4. a chance to meet sea turtles
If you are lucky, you may even see a green sea turtle in the water. The experience of snorkeling or bare diving and swimming side by side with a sea turtle is truly an experience of a lifetime.
Panari Island Details
| name | Panari Island (Aragusuku Island)" |
| Location | Shinshiro, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa, JapanView on Map) |
| parking lot | No (parking is not required on site for tour participants) |
| toilet | None (available on tour boats or at Ishigaki Port) |
