About 30 minutes from Ishigaki Island! How to get to Phantom Island and recommended tours!

What is Phantom Island (Hamashima)?

Among the many destinations for domestic travel, Okinawa Prefecture is one of the most popular tourist prefectures.

Many of you may have heard about Ishigaki Island, which attracts many tourists along with Okinawa Island, Miyako Island, and Iriomote Island in that Okinawa Prefecture.

One popular spot that can be reached from Ishigaki Island is Hamashima, also known as the Island of Illusions.

Hamashima is located 10 km west of Ishigaki Island, and is called a phantom island because of its characteristic of appearing only during a limited period of low tide.

For those who are considering a sightseeing trip in Japan, we will introduce various information about Hamashima, a recommended tourist spot.

 

How to get to Phantom Island (Hamajima) from Ishigaki Island

First, let's look at how to get to Hamashima.

Hamashima is surrounded by the beautiful sea of the Yaeyama Islands in all directions, making it seem as if only the beach is floating on the sea.

Such a location is one of the reasons for its popularity, but at the same time it is characterized by limited accessibility.

Since it is necessary to go through Ishigaki Island to reach the phantom island, you should first travel to Ishigaki Island by direct flights from Haneda, Narita, Chubu, Kansai, and Fukuoka airports, or by flights through the main island of Okinawa.

Once you arrive at Ishigaki Island, from there you will join a local tour to Hama Island.

If you take a Hamashima sightseeing activity tour, you will be able to reach Hamashima after a 30-minute boat ride.

 

How to spend time on Phantom Island (Hamashima)

Next, let's look at some recommendations for spending time on Hamashima.

To make the most of your time on the island, which is full of wonderful attractions, we recommend that you have a good idea of what you want to do beforehand.

 

Free yourself from daily stress! Spend a relaxing time

If you have gone to the trouble of visiting an unusual tourist destination, you may want to pack your schedule and enjoy the area as much as possible.

On Hamashima, however, staying busy is not the only correct answer.

In a beautiful location cut off from the city, how about relaxing your body and mind, soaking up the sun, listening to the sound of the waves coming in, and forgetting about your daily life?

 

Must see on social networking sites! Photography

When you visit a beautiful location on a sightseeing trip, you might expect it to look good on social networking sites.

Needless to say, the scenery of Hamashima, which can only be visited at limited times, is fascinating and will more than adequately convey its beauty through the filter of a camera.

If you take photos in the midst of superb nature, you may be able to capture your memories in a tangible form while also aiming for a great response on social networking sites.

 

Enjoy the underwater world! Marine Activities

Hamashima is known for the beauty of the island itself and the surrounding sea, but marine activities such as snorkeling and diving are also highly popular.

The sea surrounding Hamashima is blessed with an extremely beautiful environment, with crystal clear seawater and a variety of colorful tropical fish and other underwater life.

The ocean itself is calm and shallow in many areas, so even beginners in marine activities can enjoy themselves with ease.

 

Special Occasion! Surprise your loved ones!

The beautiful location of Hamashima is beyond description, and many people want to celebrate their special day in such a beautiful spot.

For example, if you are planning a surprise for a loved one, such as a marriage proposal, you should let the tour staff know.

Diving tours that support surprises are also popular, making this an ideal spot to preserve special memories.

 

You can fully enjoy the tour even in half a day! What is the charm of Ishigaki Island *Phantom Island Tour?

While it may seem that tourists should spend more time in one spot and enjoy one place even if it takes more than one day, Hamashima is attractive because it can be fully enjoyed even in a half-day trip.

If you join the Phantom Island Tour departing from Ishigaki Island, you can enjoy an efficient sightseeing trip while being guided by skilled tour staff who know the area inside out.

One of the attractions of Hamashima sightseeing is that it can easily be included as part of a tour plan, even on a sightseeing trip with a limited number of days.

 

For those who want to visit a lot of spots! For those who want to visit many spots!

To get to Hamashima, you can go from Kohama Island as well as Ishigaki Island, but tours to and from Ishigaki Island are particularly varied.

Some tour plans can be combined with sightseeing on other remote islands, making them ideal for those who wish to visit a variety of islands.

The route via Ishigaki Island is a highly recommended option in view of its accessibility.

 

Healing time on an uninhabited island that cannot be experienced on Ishigaki Island

Ishigaki Island is one of the largest of the many remote islands in Okinawa Prefecture, and is characterized by a suitably developed environment.

In this rich environment, you can enjoy a variety of ways to play, including sightseeing, dining, shopping, and activities, but you may find that the abundance of content can be hectic at times.

In contrast, Hamashima is an isolated island surrounded by the sea on all sides, where you can spend a relaxing and healing time on a beautiful beach.

 

Abundant coral reefs around the Phantom Island

One of the main characteristics of Hamashima's location is that the largest coral reef area in Japan, called Shihsi Jagako, stretches nearby.

Many people may think of coral reefs when they hear of the Okinawan ocean, and from that perspective, the ocean around Hamajima is one of the most spectacular locations in the world.

The beauty of the island, which is often referred to as a "phantom island," is made possible by its beautiful beaches, white sand, and magnificent coral sea.

 

Enjoy a 360° panoramic view! Recommended activities with landing on Phantom Island (Hamashima)

Hamashima's location is surrounded on all sides by a beautiful blue ocean, and of course there is nothing to obstruct the view around it.

The panoramic location, which makes you feel as if you have drifted onto a deserted island where no one knows you, will be one of the most vivid memories of your sightseeing trip.

Why don't you enjoy the unique combination of blue sky and blue sea of Okinawa from the bottom of your heart in Hamashima?

To help you enjoy Hamashima to the fullest, we have listed below a variety of popular activities.

 

snorkeling

Among the various marine activities widely enjoyed in Okinawa Prefecture, snorkeling is one of the most popular.

Snorkeling involves diving into the ocean while wearing a snorkel, which is a combination of underwater glasses and a breathing tube, and fin-like fins and, if necessary, a rash guard.

Thanks to the snorkel, you can enjoy swimming without raising your face from the surface of the sea, and you can enjoy the clear underwater view through the underwater glasses.

It is a friendly activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and genders, and the low hurdle for experiencing it is also a factor in its growing popularity.

As mentioned above, the waters near Hamashima are covered with coral reefs and are home to an abundance of tropical fish and other marine life.

There are many activity tours that include snorkeling, so beginners and experienced snorkelers alike should definitely consider participating.

 

Experience Diving

Diving is recommended for those who want to enjoy a more authentic underwater swimming experience than snorkeling.

Diving is an activity in which divers wear oxygen tanks, breathing regulators, and a variety of other heavy equipment to enable them to breathe underwater and plunge into deep waters that they could not dive alive.

The ability to remain underwater for tens of minutes at a time allows for a deeper immersion in the beauty of the ocean and a magical feeling as if you are a part of the ocean.

Diving can only be attempted with an original diving license, but at Hamashima you can participate in the form of trial diving with a professional instructor.

Compared to snorkeling, diving has a reputation for offering more mysterious undersea scenery, and many people acquire licenses after participating in the diving experience.

Of course, every precaution is taken to ensure safety, so if you are visiting Hamashima, I highly recommend that you take the plunge.

 

Save money by combining with other popular spots!
Popular Activity Tours

As mentioned briefly above, the island itself is compact in size, making it easy to enjoy in combination with other sightseeing activities.

We would like to introduce a tour plan that combines Hamashima with other popular spots.

If you join a set tour, you will definitely be able to concentrate on sightseeing without having to think about managing the time schedule that you have to worry about when visiting multiple spots.

Below are some recommended set tours, which we will check out in order!

 

Set with "Taketomi Island" where the old streets of Okinawa still remain

One of the most frequently cited pleasures of travel for those who love to travel is to get to know the original landscapes of the area.

If you can encounter an original landscape location, you can learn about the cultural changes the land has gone through and think about its history.

One of the best places to enjoy such fun in Okinawa Prefecture is Taketomi Island, where the streets of old Okinawa still retain their appearance.

While Taketomi Island has tourism resources, it is also home to people who have been living a traditional lifestyle since the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom.

The island offers a deep taste of idyllic atmosphere and historical mystery, and we recommend that you visit the island in combination with a Hamashima sightseeing tour.

 

Set with Kabira Bay, a scenic spot on Ishigaki Island

One of the best scenic spots on Ishigaki Island is Kabira Bay, which has received high praise both in Japan and abroad, including a three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide.

The seas of the Yaeyama Islands, of which Ishigaki Island is a part, are known for their beautiful scenery, and Kabira Bay is one of the most beautiful spots.

Kabira Bay is unique in that the hue of the sea changes with the weather and the time of day, with some days shimmering in a lush blue glow and others in a shimmering emerald green.

It is said to be a sea that you could look at all day long and never get bored because of its ever-changing colors, and if you visit it, you will find it to be the most beautiful and memorable part of your trip.

This is another spot that can be visited in conjunction with Hamashima, so please consider taking a set tour!

 

Bomb Fishing Experience! Fishing and set

The waters around Ishigaki Island form an environment that can be called a treasure trove of marine life due to its beauty.

One way to enjoy such a spot is to experience fishing.

Guided by staff with a thorough knowledge of the local waters, this tour is a great way to get on a boat and travel to waters suitable for fishing and experience the kind of feeding conditions that are usually hard to come by.

Fishing enthusiasts and even those who have not experienced much fishing before will enjoy the amazing fishing experience.

Many families have become fascinated with fishing as a result of experiencing it as a family.

Of course, we provide full support for beginners so that they can take on the challenge without worry, so why not enjoy it together with Hamashima?

 

Smiles, excitement max! Set with marine sports!

Participation in marine sports is also highly recommended to actively enjoy sightseeing in Okinawa Prefecture.

You can freely enjoy your choice of jet skis, banana boats, SUPs, canoes, and other marine sports that are too numerous to count with only the fingers of both hands.

In Ishigaki Island, which is dotted with beautiful beaches as well as Hamashima, you can choose the location and type of activity from a variety of plans according to your preference.

As the island is a popular tourist destination, the support system for participating in marine sports is excellent.

Even beginners can enjoy various activities, so why not try marine sports in combination with sightseeing on Hamashima?

 

Charter

One of the bottlenecks in using tour plans for travel is the fact that you will be in a group with other customers.

If you want to spend a relaxing time with only your relatives, or if you are worried about disrupting the pace of your group, which may include children or the elderly, you may avoid using the tour.

Therefore, we would like to recommend a tour plan that allows one group to use the boat and guide in the form of a charter.

Once the tour is chartered, there is no need to worry about other guests and you will be free to enjoy sightseeing at your leisure.

We encourage you to consider it as one of your travel plans.

 

summary

In this issue, we have introduced tours to Hamajima, a phantom island, from a trip to Ishigaki Island, one of the most popular islands in Okinawa Prefecture.

It is a very attractive spot that attracts many visitors, so why not visit?

We hope this article will be of help to you on your trip.