Spectacular scenery! Three popular cruising tours you can enjoy on Kohama Island!

Cruising on Kohama Island

What do you think of when you hear the word "cruising"?What people tend to imagine is a boat trip on a cruise ship to enjoy a walk on the sea.When you search for "cruising" on Google or other search engines, the main type of cruising that appears at the top of the list is a cruise on a luxury cruise ship.

However, cruising originally meant cruising not only on cruise ships but also on yachts and other small vessels, and the term is also used for activities such as canoeing and SUP.Cruising for waterfront views is a highly popular activity and is widely enjoyed on various islands.

Kohama Island, one of the remote islands in Okinawa Prefecture, is recommended as a sightseeing spot where you can enjoy such cruising to your heart's content.This time we would like to introduce such cruising on Kohama Island.

What is Kohama Island anyway?

Kohama Island is located further southwest than the main island of Okinawa, and belongs to the same Yaeyama Islands as Ishigaki Island, a popular resort destination, and Iriomote Island, famous for its rich nature.It is not a large island, with an area of about 8㎢ and an outer circumference of less than 17km.

However, it was the setting for the 2001 NHK television series "Churasan," and its idyllic and beautiful landscape of sugarcane fields is beloved by many.The drama was so popular that it was called a social phenomenon, and even now, 20 years later, some fans still visit the island as a so-called "holy place pilgrimage.The population was 700 as of 2020, and due to the small size of both the area and the community, there is no airport on the island.

Therefore, to get to Kohama Island, you must first visit Ishigaki Island, also in the Yaeyama Islands.Direct access to Ishigaki Island from various airports in Japan.There are several buses to and from the city, so there is no need to worry about transportation.

Upon arrival at Ishigaki Island, go directly to Ishigaki Port.There is a regular route between the Ishigaki Port Terminal and Kohama Port via high-speed boats and ferries, so the main means of transportation is to come and go by these means.

As of 2020, there will be eight flights a day, and the time required is about 25 minutes, so once you get to Ishigaki Island, it will be relatively easy to get to and from the island.It is recommended to check the operation information in advance, as flights may be cancelled due to sea conditions.In fact, island residents often go to Ishigaki Island to do their shopping.

The main industry of Kohama Island is tourism, and the observatory with a great view on a mountain called Ufudaki and a private house called the Omori Family Residence, a registered tangible cultural property of Japan, are famous tourist resources.The area is also dotted with historical sites, places related to "Churasan," and clusters of banyan trees, making it a land of many tourist attractions.

The island's compact size also makes it a popular tourist resource for renting bicycles and enjoying the sea breezes.

Click here to book a ferry to Kohama Island

Why cruising is popular on Kohama Island

What is the most attractive point of Kohama Island? Many people, when asked, say the white sandy beaches and the beautiful blue ocean.Kohama Island is surrounded by one of the largest coral reefs in Japan, called Ishinishi Jogako, and the reefs are home to an abundance of colorful tropical fish.

There are more than 400 species of coral living in this area, making it one of the rarest coral reef areas not only in Japan but also in the world.In addition, the entire Yaeyama Islands face an ocean current called the Kuroshio Current, which is characterized by a lack of nutrients and low plankton.Although it sounds bad to write "nutrient-poor," it is a great advantage in terms of the landscape because the ocean is clearer when there is less plankton, which causes ocean turbidity.

In addition to the beauty of the ocean, also known as Kohama blue, the subtropical climate maintains mild temperatures throughout the year, making marine activities very popular.Along with snorkeling and diving, various types of cruising such as SUP and canoeing are popular among tourists.

You can enjoy the beautiful ocean, sunset, and other natural beauty!

Kohama Island is surrounded on all sides by a vast expanse of blue ocean, so if you paddle out to sea, you will be rewarded with an unobstructed view of the island.The sunshine and the sea breeze will blow away your daily fatigue and refresh your body and mind.

Another unique feature of the Yaeyama Islands, to which Kohama Island belongs, is that it is located at the western end of the country, making it the place where the sun sets the latest in Japan.Not only that, but the air around Kohama Island is extremely clean because there are almost no factories, cars, or other gas-emitting elements.The sunlight, unencumbered by atmospheric dust, will surely give you a different impression from the sunlight you see in the city.Cruising while watching the orange sunset sink into the shadow of Iriomote Island in the west will give you an impression that will last a lifetime.

3 cruising experiences on Kohama Island

Let us introduce you to some of the cruising activities you can experience on Kohama Island.

The three types of cruising we will be featuring are SUP cruising, canoe cruising, and sunset cruising.Each has different attractions, so let's look at them in comparison!

SUP Cruising

The first activity I would like to introduce is SUP.SUP stands for Stand Up Paddle Surfing.As the name suggests, this activity involves standing on a board like a surfboard and paddling through the ocean using a paddle.Many people have the impression that standing on a board on the water sounds difficult, but one of the characteristics of SUP is that it is highly stable due to the use of a large board.

Despite its stylish appearance, the game has a familiar level of difficulty, making it easy to enjoy for men and women of all ages.SUP originated in the 1960s in Waikiki, Hawaii, a popular surfing destination.Originally started by local surfers as a way to practice balance in surfing, the activity has recently become increasingly popular around the world.

The movements that strengthen the core and legs and hips also provide a high level of fitness, which has led to the popularity of the sport among celebrities in the U.S. and Europe, as well as the growing number of people who compete in the sport because it makes for great social networking photos.There is no strict definition of the board used for SUP, but in general, a larger surfboard or a specialized board is used.

In many cases, the price of a local tour includes equipment rental, so there is no need to prepare the equipment on your own, making it easy for beginners to try their hand.SUP is one of the most popular activities on Kohama Island, and visitors can easily experience SUP even if they come empty-handed.

Not only in the summer, but even in the middle of winter, Kohama Island maintains mild temperatures and can be enjoyed without problems.Also, those who are not good at swimming tend to shy away from ocean activities, but there is no need to worry because rental life jackets can be worn during SUP.

Furthermore, one of the reasons for SUP's popularity is that it utilizes a large board, allowing several people to ride on a single board.Not only can you enjoy the ride with your family and friends, but if you are traveling with your lover, you can also strengthen your bond by viewing the same scenery together.

One thing to keep in mind when enjoying SUP is that Kohama Island, being a tropical island, is much sunnier than the mainland.Because of the sunlight pouring down from above as well as the reflection from the sea surface, we tend to get sunburned more than we think.It is essential to wear sunscreen, and in addition, it may be a good idea to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Click here for Kohama Island SUP tour!

canoe cruising

Another popular cruising activity, along with SUP, is canoe cruising.As the name suggests, this is a canoe ride to enjoy cruising on the sea.However, when you hear the word "canoeing," you may imagine the hard, stoic spectacle of competitions at the Olympics and other events.Of course, canoeing in an activity is completely different from competition.

Activity canoes are very stable and rarely capsize.In addition, because the boat is easy to maneuver and does not require much strength, it can be easily enjoyed by anyone except small children.The main attraction is that if you stop rowing, you can enjoy the view of the sea at a leisurely pace.You can also take a peek at the crystal clear Kohama blue waters from above.

As mentioned above, surrounded by Ishinishi lagoon, Kohama Island is home to a large number of corals in the sea.Corals are characterized by their ability to absorb carbon dioxide and photosynthesize in the ocean, releasing oxygen and minerals into the water.This purifies the water and produces the crystal clear emerald green waters that are Kohama Island's greatest attraction.

Since SUP requires balancing on a board, a canoe may be a better choice for closely observing the underwater world.Now, one of the popular points of such canoes is that they can accommodate two people.

It is similar to SUP in that it can be enjoyed by two people, but canoes are more suitable for parents and children to enjoy together because they are more stable.The memory of riding together in one canoe and viewing the beautiful scenery of Kohama Island with your child may become an original experience that will last a lifetime for your child.

On Kohama Island, many local canoeing tours are also available.Life jackets and other items can be rented, so no special baggage is required for participation here either.

When participating in winter, it is best to be prepared to adjust whether you wear short or long sleeves based on the weather and wind conditions of the day, as the wind blowing on the sea may make the temperature feel cooler than the temperature.

Click here for Kohama Island canoe tours!

Sunset Cruising

Lastly, I would like to introduce Kohama Island Sunset Cruising.This is different from activities such as SUP or canoeing, where you paddle by yourself, but it is a pure enjoyment of the ocean at sunset aboard a cruise ship or yacht.

As lightly mentioned above, the sunsets in the Yaeyama Islands, the area with the slowest sunset in Japan and the least impurities in the atmosphere, are also exceptionally beautiful.The dazzling tropical sun can feel too bright during the summer days.However, by the time the day turns to the west, the harshness of the sunlight fades and only glorious beauty can be enjoyed.

If you get on a boat and sway with the waves, you will enjoy the pleasant sea breeze, the roar of the sea, the emerald green horizon and the sun setting in the shadow of Iriomote Island, just like in a painting.Various tours are offered on Kohama Island, many of which include one drink, so you can relax and enjoy the ocean while having a drink.

And the biggest attraction of the sunset on Kohama Island is the green flash, a very rare weather phenomenon.This phenomenon, also known as green flash, is when the sun appears to blink with a strong green light for a moment just before sunset.It is said that this is a rare sight to encounter because only the green wavelengths contained in sunlight reach the eye due to the angle of incidence of the light.Because of its rarity, there is a legend in tropical countries such as Hawaii and Guam that those who encounter the Green Flash will be blessed.The minimum conditions for a green flash are that you can see the sunset to the horizon or horizon and that the air is very clear.Kohama Island, which meets both of these conditions well, is one of the easiest places in Japan to witness the Green Flash.If air quality, temperature, sky conditions, and other conditions are right, there is a good chance you will be able to witness it, so try to focus on the moment of sunset and you may get lucky.

Click here for Kohama Island Sunset Cruising Tour!

summary

These are the three types of cruising that can be enjoyed on Kohama Island.While all of these cruises have different attractions, they all share a commonality in that they can be enjoyed without being overbearing.

It takes a lot of courage to try marine activities if you have no experience, but the hurdles for both SUP and canoeing are not high at all.If you join a local tour, you can receive simple instruction, so why not try your hand at it for the first time on Kohama Island?

And while sunset-viewing cruises are available throughout Japan, the land where you might encounter the green flash is very limited.It is an experience that will surely become an unforgettable memory for a lifetime, so please enjoy your favorite cruising experience when visiting Kohama Island!

Click here to book a ferry to Kohama Island