SUP & Canoe Experience at Kabira Bay, Ishigaki Island | A Half-Day Tour in "Kabira Blue"

A Half-Day Tour at Kabira Bay: Choose SUP or Canoe

Kabira Bay is a scenic spot on Ishigaki Island that earned three stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japon. On this tour, you'll paddle by SUP (stand-up paddleboard) or canoe across the emerald-blue water known as "Kabira Blue."

The tour is run by "Ishigaki Island ADVENTURE PiPi," operated by NASH Co., Ltd. You choose either SUP or canoe when you book, then head out to sea with your guide.

Plan on about 2.5 hours in total. Equipment rental and photo data are included, and free hotel pick-up is available in the eligible areas.

※ If bad weather makes it difficult to run the tour in Kabira Bay, we may offer a switch to a mangrove SUP or canoe tour instead.

Safety at PiPi, a "Maru-Yu" Certified Shop

The tour is run by "Ishigaki Island ADVENTURE PiPi," operated by NASH Co., Ltd.

PiPi is certified as an "Excellent Marine Leisure Provider for Safety Measures" (known as "Maru-Yu"), a designation given only to operators that meet the safety standards set by the Okinawa Prefectural Public Safety Commission. Only about 3% of operators in Okinawa Prefecture hold the Maru-Yu certification (as of August 2025).

The shop has met strict standards for guide safety training and operations, including mandatory life jackets, carrying an AED, and regular safety training for staff. That's why first-timers and families with children can join with peace of mind.

First, Learn How to Use the Paddle on the Beach

Once you meet your guide, you'll head to the activity site. After putting on your life jacket, you'll learn how to hold and use the paddle. Even if the equipment is new to you, you can get comfortable with it before heading out to sea.

When you're ready, set out into Kabira Bay on the SUP or canoe you chose. Next, here's what each option is like.

On a SUP, Stand or Sit as You Like

SUP is a versatile activity you can enjoy standing, sitting, or even lying down. Once you get used to it, stand up on the board and glide slowly past green-covered rocks and small islands.

Participants especially love the feeling of floating on the super-clear water. Seen from above, the shadows of the coral reef spread in patches beneath the board, while the blue gradient stretches out toward the open sea.

If standing makes you nervous, you can paddle sitting down or simply lie back. Even if you don't like getting wet, you can enjoy the scenery of Kabira Bay in a style that suits you.

On a Canoe, Sit Back and Enjoy Kabira Bay

In a canoe, you paddle from a seated position. In a two-person canoe, part of the fun is calling out to each other and syncing your strokes.

Take in the colors of the sea and the surrounding mountains as you glide across the bay with your guide. If you'd like to share a canoe with family or friends, talk to the staff about seating when you book.

SUP is open to ages 3 to 59, and canoe to ages 3 to 65. Depending on sea conditions, children aged 3 to 11 may be guided by canoe instead of SUP.

Back to the Beach, with Your Photos to Take Home

When your time on the water is over, you'll head back to the beach. The photo data your guide takes is free, so you can keep shots of yourself paddling and posing on the sea as travel memories.

After the tour, you can also use the warm showers near the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal for free. If you'd like to, just let your guide know.

FAQ

■ Can I join if I've never tried SUP or canoeing? Yes. Your guide will explain how to paddle and support you throughout the experience. You can also enjoy SUP while sitting down.

■ What is the minimum age? SUP is open to ages 3 to 59, and canoe to ages 3 to 65. Depending on sea conditions, children aged 3 to 11 may be guided by canoe instead of SUP.

■ Can I take part without getting wet? You can enjoy the activity seated, but you may still get wet from splashes or if you fall in. Please change into clothes you don't mind getting wet, and bring a towel, a drink, and a change of clothes.

■ Where do we meet, and is there a pick-up service? Meeting at the Ishigaki Port Ferry Terminal and pick-up from accommodations in the eligible areas are both available. Check the pick-up range for the plan you book, and follow the latest guidance you receive after booking for the meeting place and time.

■ What happens if the weather is bad? If bad weather makes it difficult to run the tour in Kabira Bay, we may offer a switch to a mangrove SUP or canoe tour. If safety cannot be ensured, the tour may be canceled.

Before You Book

• Your choice of SUP or canoe, and the age requirements for each participant
• Meeting place, start time, and the eligible areas for free pick-up
• Clothes you don't mind getting wet, plus a towel, a drink, and a change of clothes
• Weather-related changes, and the latest prices and cancellation terms

Prices, tour times, and plan details may change. Please check the latest information before booking.

Wrapping Up

Stand up on a SUP and take in the whole bay, or call out to each other as you paddle a canoe. Start planning by talking with your travel companions about how you'd like to enjoy the waters of Kabira Bay.

First-timers can set off after learning how to paddle from the guide. Once you've settled on a date, check availability for the plan you'd like to try.

If you want to feel the beauty of the sea up close on your first trip to Ishigaki Island, check out [[Ishigaki / Half-Day] Kabira Bay: Choose Your SUP or Canoe](/go/ishigaki-kabira-bay-sup-canoe-tour-123727).