[Convenient Afternoon Trip] Join a local captain for a tour to swim with sea turtles at Yabiji (drone photography included)

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• This afternoon snorkeling tour takes you to a popular scenic spot in Miyako Island where you can swim with sea turtles. This is an ambitious plan that allows you to arrive in Miyako Island in the morning and quickly enjoy snorkeling at Yaebishi in the afternoon. For example, even if you arrive at the airport at 11:30 in the morning and rent a car from there, you can still make it in time for the meeting time. The departure port is easily accessible from the airport and major resorts, and is chosen for its total travel time. The local captain will assess the sea conditions and take you to a point where you have a high chance of encountering sea turtles. Have you ever been to Yaebishi? Yaebishi (Yabiji) is a spectacular scenic spot in Miyako Island that you should visit at least once in your lifetime. [What is Yaebishi?] Yaebishi is a massive coral continent formed by eight huge coral reefs (main Bishi) and more than 100 large and small coral reefs (general Bishi), and is designated as a scenic spot and natural monument of Japan. The Yaebise coral reef (main and secondary) covers about one-third of Miyako Island, stretching approximately 17 km from north to south and 6.5 km from east to west, making it one of Japan's largest coral reefs. The varied underwater topography maintains a unique ecosystem, and a wide variety of creatures inhabit it, from large marine life to macro creatures, offering many breathtaking encounters throughout the year. Yumutsu guides tours with the goal of swimming with sea turtles in this spectacular Yaebise. Since the behavior patterns of wild creatures such as sea turtles change depending on the sea conditions, we are not bound by fixed patterns and excel at selecting points that match the weather and sea conditions on the day of the tour. Our captain, a local native with over 18 years of guiding experience, has many favorite spots that he knows. Unlike the assembly-line style of snorkeling tours that only take you to specific locations, our captain's ambitious style of choosing points based on the sea conditions of the day is satisfying even for himself, and is well-received by repeat customers. Even though we refer to it simply as Yaebise, it is actually a magnificent coral reef. There are many sea turtle spots, but not all of them have calm sea conditions. The natural world changes its appearance in various ways every day, so let's all look for sea turtles according to the conditions of the day! Let's enjoy not only sea turtles, but also the world of coral reefs that are synonymous with Yaebise! Giant table corals, which are now rare, are growing vibrantly in Yaebise. Sea turtles sometimes suddenly appear in front of you from the shadow of these large corals, which can be quite a surprise! It can be stressful for them, so please refrain from touching marine life. Let's not forget that we are being allowed to play in nature, and let's show respect for nature.
• About the Guide Style – What kind of guidance will they provide?
• Unlike many snorkeling tours that use a production-line style of guiding where you're only taken to specific locations, we choose our snorkeling spots based on the sea conditions at that time, which is why we're so popular with our repeat customers.
• About store-based vs. on-site meeting
• Our shop is a rare brick-and-mortar snorkeling specialty shop in Miyako Island. In the spring of 2024, we stylishly renovated our waiting area! We also have hot showers and hair dryers available after tours, so we can confidently recommend our services to women and families with children. The boat departs from Sarahama Fishing Port, right in front of our shop (20 seconds on foot), and you can immediately rinse off the seawater in the showers upon returning to port, making it easy to make the most of your limited travel time. Even customers on their last day of travel can freshen up with a shower before heading to the airport. Our shop is conveniently located about 25 minutes from Miyako Airport and about 15 minutes from Shimojishima Airport, and it is the captain's family home. Sarahama Fishing Port, the number one port in Okinawa for bonito landings, is the main port of Irabu Island, and watching the fish being unloaded is one of the highlights of a trip to Sarahama! Diagonally across from Yumutsu, there is also a restaurant run by the Irabu Fisheries Cooperative that is popular for its fisherman's bowls. After enjoying the underwater world with snorkeling, savor the full flavor of Irabu Island by enjoying local fisherman's cuisine.
• Regarding safety measures
• We prioritize safety above all else, ensuring buoyancy with wetsuits and life jackets, and our world-class certified guides will carefully explain how to use the equipment and provide thorough support throughout the tour. Even if you're a first-timer or not confident in your swimming abilities, please feel free to join our tour with peace of mind.