Top 9 Ishigaki Kayaking Tours

1.Okinawa Ishigaki Mangrove SUP or Canoe Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 147 reviews · from $52Our pick

Explore Ishigaki’s Miyara River Hirugi Grove by stand-up paddleboard or canoe for about 90 minutes. Guides such as Hiroki and Ken may share mangrove facts, help mixed-language groups, and take photos during the trip. Equipment and life jackets are supplied, with hot showers available near Ishigaki Port afterward.

“Our guide Hiroki was awesome. He made the whole experience enjoyable and fun. He spoke in both English and Japanese as we were a mixed group but he never made anyone feel left out. We learned fun facts about mangroves and Read more”

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2.Okinawa Ishigaki Kabira Bay SUP or Canoe Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 118 reviews · from $52

Spend about 90 minutes on Kabira Bay, choosing a SUP board or stable canoe as conditions allow. Your guide provides equipment, safety instructions, photo data, insurance, and access to a hot shower near Ishigaki Port. Children may be placed in canoes for extra stability. The tour runs in Japanese or English, though the language may vary by day.

“Fantastic location and saw two manta rays swimming through the water while on the SUP. Our guide was fantastic and very fun.”

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3.Okinawa Ishigaki Kabira Bay SUP or Canoe and Blue Cave Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · from $89

Spend about four hours on Ishigaki’s coast, paddling a SUP or canoe at scenic Kabira Bay before snorkeling near Ao no Doukutsu, the Blue Cave. Guides such as Akari, Seiki, Hiro, Susan, Moe, and Sebastian have led this trip, though the team can vary. Expect safety gear, photo data, and hot showers near the port, plus a ¥1,000 snorkeling-equipment charge.

“This was the coolest thing I’ve done. The staff supplies you with a life vest, water shoes, flippers and goggles. There is one guide leading the way and one guide behind us. The water was very calm and was easy to swim. I’d recommend taking your time while in the ocean. It can get tiring a bit, but feel free to just relax, float and enjoy the time. Around 11 am, we went to kabira bay for lunch which was nice also. Definitely recommend!”

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4.[Ishigaki]Mangrove SUP/Canoe + Blue Cave Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 92 reviews · from $89

You’ll spend about four hours paddling a SUP or canoe through Ishigaki’s Miyara River mangroves, then snorkeling at Blue Cave and nearby waters. Guide Taka has led this outing in English, and guides take photos during the day. The package includes transport options, safety gear, insurance, wetsuits in winter, photo data, and a hot shower, though snorkeling equipment costs ¥1,000 extra.

“It has been a great experience! We enjoyed it a lot. The canoë, the paddle, the scuba diving: that was all absolutely wonderful. The only negative point is the price…very expensive. The lunch should definitely be included”

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5.2-Hour Miyara River SUP or Canoeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 81 reviews · 2 hours · from $54

Spend two hours at Ishigaki’s Miyara River, including about 75 minutes paddling through protected mangroves by canoe or SUP. Guides such as Sota, Yuki, and Kento explain local plants and animals in English or Japanese, take photos, and help beginners feel safe. Hotel pickup is available in southern Ishigaki.

“We really enjoyed canoeing through the mangroves with Hiroki and his team. Not only because they showed us the beautiful nature and animals living in this unique habitat, but also because it was quite refreshing on a very hot day! Don't let the many questions about physical health concern you. The trip is quite easy going on a flat and calm river, especially if you already have some canoeing experience. The team was very cheerful, polite and careful. The equipment was also very good. The canoes are open, so make sure to have enough sunscreen on. And the parking lot across the centrally located pick up point (the harbor terminal)…”

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6.Mangrove SUP or Canoe & Phantom Island Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 52 reviews · 6 hours · from $103

Spend six hours combining a calm canoe or SUP trip through Miyara River’s hirugi mangroves with a speedboat ride to Phantom Island and a guided snorkel. Guides such as Akari, Sebastian, Kote, and Arai provide safety help, local nature notes, and photos. English support is available, though Japanese-only guiding can occur.

“It was fantastic!! Our guide was Diego, he let us swim around and explore! I got to see many different fish and colorful corals. Highly recommended! The phantom island was beautiful as well. He took pictures of us and gave us around 20 minutes to relax in the island. Thank you Diego!”

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7.Canoe or SUP at Kabira Bay＆Snorkeling at Blue Cave

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 24 reviews · 6 hours · from $93

Spend six hours exploring Ishigaki by canoe or SUP and snorkel gear. Paddle at Kabira Bay, then visit the Blue Cave, with guides such as Makoto, Tomo, Kote, and Yujiro leading recent outings. Hotel pickup is available in southern Ishigaki, and photo data is included. Bring about ¥1,500 for lunch and your own water.

“We joined the Blue Cave snorkeling tour with Tomo-san, and it was such an incredible experience! Tomo-san was super friendly, professional, and made us feel safe and comfortable the whole time. He knew all the best spots in and around the cave, and thanks to him, we got to see so many beautiful fish and coral up close. The water was crystal clear, and the cave itself was stunning—just like the photos, but even better in person. Tomo-san also took great photos for us during the tour, which was such a nice bonus. Communication before the tour was smooth and helpful—they reached out the day before to confirm everything and…”

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8.Mangrove&Sea SUP/Kayak Tour with SLR&Drone footage

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 2 hours · from $48Best value

Spend two hours paddling through Fukidogawa’s mangroves and nearby sea with a Japanese or English-speaking guide. Choose SUP if you are 12 to 55, or a canoe if you are 3 to 65. A 5.4K drone and DSLR camera record the outing, with edited files sent through LINE or another media service within three days. Ryota is one guide praised for clear explanations and excellent photos.

“A great activity with a professional guide and the photos are truly special. I highly recommend this tour!”

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9.SUP or Kayaking experience at Kabira Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · 2 hours · from $54

Meet your guide near Ishigaki Port, then head to Kabira Bay for a two-hour SUP or kayak outing. After 15 minutes of instruction, you spend about an hour on the water with safety gear, guide support, and waterproof camera photos. English or Japanese service is available, though the language may depend on the day. Southern-area hotel pickup is included.

“The weather made it impossible to do any water activities, which is a risk in typhoon season. i appreciate that the guides put safety first and cancelled the trip. I went to Kabira bay and back, by bus, with a 1000Yen daily bus pass. It is a pretty location and better for being almost devoid of others. wave height had cancelled all glass bottom boats.”

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