[Northern Okinawa, Higashi Village] Mangrove Canoe Tour <Short Course>

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• Explore Okinawa's largest mangrove forest, a designated natural monument, by canoe! Children are welcome! Mangroves grow where river water and ocean water meet. The mangrove forest of Gesashi Bay in Higashi Village is a nationally designated natural monument and boasts the largest mangrove forest on Okinawa's main island. The mangrove canoeing experience is a popular activity that allows you to observe the mangrove forest and its diverse inhabitants from up close. At the beginning of the experience, your guide will provide instruction on basic canoeing techniques, such as paddling, moving forward, backward, and turning, as well as safety precautions. The course ascends from the river mouth upstream, but the water is calm with almost no strong currents, making it feel like walking on the water. Even beginners can enjoy this experience with peace of mind. ~Experience Schedule~ Meeting point, kayaking instruction (20 minutes) → Departure for the mangrove forest of Gesashi Bay and experience (70 minutes) → Arrival at Higashi Village Mangrove Park and disbandment
• Mangroves designated as a natural monument
• The mangrove canoe tour on the Gesashi River involves leisurely paddling a kayak while listening to commentary from a tour guide. Mangroves are tropical and subtropical plants that grow in a special environment where seawater and freshwater mix, and in Japan they can only be found in Okinawa and a few parts of Kagoshima. The most distinctive feature of mangroves is their roots, which have different shapes depending on the species. In the mangrove forests of Gesashi Bay, three types of mangroves can be seen: Bruguiera gigantea, Kandelia candel, and Rhizophora gracilis. They apparently choose their preferred habitat depending on conditions such as salinity and water depth. You can take your time to observe the real mangroves, comparing the shapes of their roots, leaves, and seeds.
• The base of the mangroves is a hiding place for creatures such as the red "red fiddler crab" and the white "white fiddler crab." Birds and small fish also gather here, so keep your eyes peeled like you're playing a game of hide and seek to find creatures hiding in the mangroves, or various creatures will appear right in front of you, making for a series of fun surprises during the tour. There is a boardwalk around Higashimura Fureai Hirugi Park where you can observe the mangroves, but canoes allow you to get a close-up view from above the water, and once you enter the mangrove forest you can explore the jungle with an exciting sense of adventure.