Last Updated on 2026-03-01 by Tsubaki
Whenever someone mentions Ishigaki Island, what instantly pops into my head is that crystal-clear, deep blue ocean, endless white beaches, and all those gorgeous photos of people enjoying the shallow waters freely. This time, I spent 4 days in Ishigaki with my travel buddy Rebecca, and we finally got to land on Ishigaki’s Phantom Island. Seeing that perfect horizon where the sea meets the sky, and snorkeling in a coral reef area, genuinely made me feel like I’d stepped into a real-life Maldives.
In this post, I’m sharing the tour we joined on our first afternoon after arriving in Ishigaki: the “Phantom Island Landing + Snorkeling Experience.” I hope this helps you plan your own Ishigaki itinerary.
About the Phantom Island Snorkeling Experience
Where is Ishigaki Phantom Island, and what is this experience?
The “dreamy uninhabited island” snorkeling tour in Ishigaki is a super popular activity. The reason is simple: you get to take a small boat to land on a place you usually cannot reach, Phantom Island (幻の島), and then snorkel in the nearby coral reef waters.
Since the tour is guided the whole way and safety is a top priority, it’s generally fine for kids and seniors to join as well.
Phantom Island is actually formed by accumulated coral sand. Its official name is Hamajima (浜島). It only “appears” at low tide, and without a boat, you basically cannot get there.
Once you step onto the island, you’ll see a white sand beach with unbelievably clear blue water all around, plus the stunning coral reef scenery of Sekisei Lagoon. This area is known as one of Japan’s largest coral reef ecosystems, and honestly, it looks like something out of a dream.
What’s so special about landing on Phantom Island?
Landing on an uninhabited “vanishing” island
The most special part, of course, is that it’s uninhabited, and because the island only appears at low tide, it gives you that feeling of something magical and fleeting, like it might disappear the next moment.
When we landed, the tide was still low. The crescent shape of the coral sandbar, the color of the sea, and the reef scenery were unforgettable. I’ve also heard that quite a few commercials have been filmed here.
At the end of the tour, the tide was coming back in. When we returned from snorkeling, I realized my slippers were this close to being swept away. Luckily, I managed to chase them down. A few more minutes and I probably would have lost them for good haha
A coral reef paradise: Sekisei Lagoon
On this tour, the guide takes you to snorkel around Phantom Island in the surrounding waters of Sekisei Lagoon. This is the largest coral reef area in Japan, packed with diverse coral life, and it’s basically a dream destination for snorkeling lovers.
That said, this tour is mainly designed to be beginner-friendly and family-friendly, so you’ll snorkel in relatively shallow areas to keep everything safe and comfortable. If you already have lots of snorkeling experience, you might enjoy a more advanced, professional snorkeling tour that goes deeper and shows you a different side of the underwater world.
Professional guidance and free equipment rental
Throughout the tour, the guide keeps an eye on everyone’s safety and also explains local marine ecology and snorkeling techniques. The tour usually includes free rental of a life jacket, mask, and snorkel.
If you do not want to get in the water, or you’re not confident swimming, you can stay on the island and take photos instead. Just do not set your expectations too high for the guide’s photography skills.
A colorful underwater world
In these clear waters, you can see all kinds of vibrant coral and tropical fish weaving through the reef, like a garden under the sea.
Because the tour stays mostly in shallow water, you’ll usually see smaller fish, but getting to observe marine life up close is still incredibly fun. For first-time snorkelers, or anyone who wants a relaxed introduction to the underwater world, this is a rich experience and one you will remember.
Tour booking options
・Activity Japan: Phantom Island tour price comparison
（➡️Japane platform support English, you may find cheaper deals）
・KKday: Phantom Island landing + snorkeling price comparison
・Klook: Phantom Island landing + snorkeling price comparison
Phantom Island landing + snorkeling tour prices and what to expect
KKday and Klook both offer lots of similar tours. The cost is usually around USD $50 to $70, depending on the provider and time slot.
Most tours are available from morning through afternoon, and it’s easy to join even if you’re traveling solo. Most operators also include free snorkeling gear rental, and some even provide free mermaid costumes.
For our tour, we booked at a discounted price, so it was under USD $50. It included free gear rental and also free shuttle service around the port area, which felt like a great deal. I really recommend comparing prices across platforms.
Also, our guide was genuinely kind and enthusiastic, and the whole experience felt safe and comfortable from start to finish. What left the biggest impression was that after the tour, the guide even asked if we had plans at night and invited us to go stargazing together. Unfortunately, we already had another jungle stargazing adventure booked, so we had to say no. Honestly, it’s still a bit of a shame, because that would have been such a perfect extra memory to add onto the day.
Klook.comTour booking options
・Activity Japan: Phantom Island tour price comparison
（➡️Japane platform support English, you may find cheaper deals）
・KKday: Phantom Island landing + snorkeling price comparison
・Klook: Phantom Island landing + snorkeling price comparison
Our Phantom Island Landing & Snorkeling Experience
We joined this snorkeling tour on the afternoon of our first day in Ishigaki, right after arriving in the morning.
The entire tour lasts about two hours, and in this section, I’ll walk you through the whole process, from lunch at the local eatery Haruchan, all the way to the end of the tour!
Meet-Up Before Hotel Check-In or at Ishigaki Port
We chose the last afternoon slot of the day, with our reservation at 14:00 and the meeting time at 13:40.
This schedule worked out perfectly for travelers like us who just landed in Ishigaki that morning. We had enough time to reach the city center, check into our hotel, enjoy a relaxing lunch, and then head over to the meeting point. It was a smooth transition, neither rushed nor dragging.
Since we were required to wear swimsuits under our clothes at the meeting, we simply put them on before heading out for lunch. It saved time and kept everything hassle-free.
We met our friendly guide right in front of our hotel near the port. After the meet-up, we hopped into a van that took us to the Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal, where our dreamlike ocean adventure began.
It was also really heartwarming to see some families bringing small children to join this tour!
Shuttle to Ishigaki Port & Boat Ride to Phantom Island
When we arrived at the terminal, we could hardly wait to get on the boat. The water at the dock was unbelievably clear, and we could even see fish swimming with the naked eye!
The boat ride itself felt like a dream. The sea was so blue and transparent it looked unreal. After about 20 minutes, the crescent-shaped outline of Phantom Island slowly came into view, like something out of a movie.
As the boat glided closer, the water shifted from deep sapphire to crystal clear. It honestly reminded me of the Maldives, it was that breathtaking. We couldn’t wait to step onto the island.
Free Time to Explore and Snap Photos on the Island
After landing on this uninhabited island, the guide gave us some free time to explore.
Naturally, most of us spent that time taking photos everywhere. I think the photos I took here alone probably make up a tenth of everything I shot during our entire 4-day trip haha
Later, the guide took the group to the shallow waters on the other side of the island for snorkeling.
But if you’re not keen on getting into the water or just want more time for photos, you’re totally free to stay on the island and keep snapping away.
Tour booking options
・Activity Japan: Phantom Island tour price comparison
（➡️Japane platform support English, you may find cheaper deals）
・KKday: Phantom Island landing + snorkeling price comparison
・Klook: Phantom Island landing + snorkeling price comparison
Snorkeling in Sekisei Lagoon
Sekisei Lagoon is Japan’s largest coral reef area, and its underwater scenery is nothing short of spectacular.
Even though we only explored a small section of the reef, the moment I saw those vibrant coral gardens and schools of tropical fish darting through, I felt like I was swimming in a garden beneath the sea.
We even got lucky and saw clownfish and blue damselfish playing among the sea anemones. The water was comfortably warm, the sunlight sparkled through the surface, and even just floating on the water, we could clearly see every detail below.
Returning to Ishigaki Island from Phantom Island
As always, time flies when you’re having a good time. Just as we were still basking in the beauty of the underwater world, the tide quietly began to rise, gradually swallowing the island back into the sea.
Our flip-flops, which we had left near the shore, were nearly swept away by the waves. Thankfully, we managed to grab them just in time, a slightly thrilling but memorable way to wrap up this magical trip haha
A Delicious Dinner and Starry Night Adventure
After returning to Ishigaki Island, we followed our guide’s recommendation and headed to the incredibly popular local izakaya, Hitoshi Ishigantou Branch, for a flavorful and satisfying dinner packed with island vibes.
Later that evening, we joined a night jungle stargazing tour, which we had pre-booked in advance. From daytime sea adventures to nighttime sky wonders, the whole day was filled with awe and joy.
I’ll be writing separate blog posts about both of these experiences, so if you’re curious, stay tuned to Tsubaki Travel for more updates!
Related articles:
《Japan’s Most Beautiful Starry Sky: Ishigaki Night Jungle Tour》
Travel Tips & Things to Know
Book in Advance
Phantom Island tours are one of the most popular experiences in Ishigaki, especially in summer, when it’s peak season. Since the tour schedule is also tide-dependent, it’s best to book early.
That said, we went in late August, and there were still slots available about 2 weeks in advance, so if your timing is flexible, it’s doable!
What to Bring
The tour usually includes free rental gear for snorkeling (mask, snorkel, life vest), but you’ll need to bring your own essentials like:
・Swimsuit
・Towel
・Sunscreen (preferably reef-safe to protect the delicate coral ecosystem)
🧴 I strongly recommend using ocean-friendly sunscreen to avoid harming the coral reefs while protecting your skin.
Protect the Environment
Please do not touch or step on the coral, and always follow the guide’s instructions. The reef ecosystem is incredibly fragile and deserves our care and respect.
Other Tips
The guide will likely remind you, but just in case: During high tide, the entire island can submerge, so it’s a good idea to leave your belongings and shoes on the boat to avoid having them swept away.
Final Thoughts
From landing on Phantom Island to snorkeling in the vibrant Sekisei Lagoon, this was easily one of the most unforgettable highlights of our 4-day Ishigaki trip.
If you’re planning a visit to Ishigaki, I wholeheartedly recommend adding this dreamy uninhabited island tour to your itinerary. Don’t forget to bookmark this post so you can refer to it when your trip to Ishigaki becomes a reality!
Tour booking options
・Activity Japan: Phantom Island tour price comparison
（➡️Japane platform support English, you may find cheaper deals）
・KKday: Phantom Island landing + snorkeling price comparison
・Klook: Phantom Island landing + snorkeling price comparison
Hope you found this guide helpful!
This was Tsubaki’s personal experience joining the Phantom Island snorkeling tour from Ishigaki,
and I truly hope it helps you plan your own dream adventure !
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Traveler’s Note:
The insights shared above are based on my personal experiences and subjective perspectives. When planning your trip, please consider current weather conditions and your own travel preferences.
Please note that all English articles on this site are AI-assisted translations of the original Traditional Chinese content. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy and natural flow, occasional nuances or expressions may differ. Thank you for your understanding.
In an era dominated by viral trends and “clickbait” locations, my true passion lies in exploring hidden corners and regions where information is scarce. I know firsthand how precious detailed, reliable information is when planning a journey. That is why I dedicate countless hours to research and field exploration, to curate these hard-earned insights for fellow travelers like you.
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