North Okinawa Private Kayak Tour: Explore Mangroves and Coral Reef Ecosystems
5.0
43 Ratings
Nakijin
Embark on a private kayak tour in North Okinawa and discover the stunning beauty of the Yambaru region. Explore mangroves and coral reef ecosystems with a native English-speaking guide.
Duration: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Drive In Rikarikawarumi - Our certified guide will meet you at this restaurant with its fantastic views over Kouri and Yagaji Islands. This will be a chance to use a restroom and grab a drink. After a quick briefing about the experience, you will follow the guide in your car to the launch site, a 5-minute drive away.
  • Yagaji Island - From calm flat water to rolling ocean waves, areas to explore will depend on the private group member’s abilities, preferences, the weather and sea conditions, which we discuss shortly after booking.

Options include paddling by Kouri bridge, through Yagaji’s sea valley with its steep jungle covered walls or navigating past uninhabited islands and a mangrove bay in the Haneji inland sea, or visiting Nakijin’s wide mangrove-lined river, not forgetting the numerous white sand beaches along the coast.

  • Kouri Ohashi - Stop for a break on a secluded island or beach for tea and snacks.
  • Warumi Ohashi - Returning trip after the break (if the tour is not going around an island or making a one-way journey).

Options include paddling by Kouri bridge, through Yagaji’s sea valley with its steep jungle covered walls or navigating past uninhabited islands and a mangrove bay in the Haneji inland sea, or visiting Nakijin’s wide mangrove-lined river, not forgetting the numerous white sand beaches along the coast.

What's Included
  • Specific customisations for your private group’s abilties
  • Native English speaking certified guide
  • All fees and/or taxes
  • All activities
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (Unless pre-arranged)
Additional Information

Experience the stunning splendor of Northern Okinawa’s Yambaru area with a kayak expedition led by a native English-speaking guide. Whether you’re keen to delve deep into the mangroves and understand this extraordinary ecosystem’s special evolutionary developments, or skim across the coral reef, our private tour is adaptable to your group’s proficiency level. Post-booking, we will reach out to design a custom experience that accommodates your requirements and guarantees an unforgettable trip.

We will rendezvous at a convenient spot where you can change outfits and grab a beverage prior to setting off to the launching point. We will familiarize you with the basics of kayaking before delving into your journey.
The launch point and exploration paths are dictated by the weather and marine conditions as well as your group’s capabilities. The expedition could possibly include stops at scenic locations like Kouri Island, Nakijin Reef, Yagaji Sea Valley, or Haneji Inland Sea, wherein you can investigate hidden beaches, mangroves, and secluded islands.

  • Operates in most weather conditions, please wear sun protection and clothes that can get wet.
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
Location
DRIVE IN RIKARIKA-WARUMI
Weather and sea conditions may affect departure point. We will confirm the exact meeting before the tour date. Please let us know to request pick-up & drop-off.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(43 Ratings)
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Khardy1
Feb 27, 2024
Great Time! - This was a really great experience, Nik brought all the gear including waterproof shoes and even extra sun hats! Nik is a great guide, we went at my (slower) pace as I was very new to kayaking. I had asked to see mangroves and some wildlife and he delivered! We had a tea/snack break on a lovely beach with plenty of mangrove trees around as well as crabs hiding in sandy holes nearby. The route wasn't difficult even for a beginner which I really appreciated, he made sure to check in about my abilities beforehand.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
507valeriec
Feb 12, 2024
Great trip for all ages and fitness levels 😀 - 100% recommend the kayaking tour with Nik!! He customized the trip exactly how we wanted it, and was so knowledgeable about the area. He really went above and beyond and we all had a great time! I went with my 7 y/o, 15 y/o and a friend and we all loved learning about the mangroves and the islands around us. The trip can be fast paced or slow, long breaks or short, and has a tea and cookie break while walking around the mangroves. Bonus we got to meet Nik's wife and pup at the end 😀
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mymitravel
Feb 2, 2024
Amazing experience! Highly recommended! - It was super amazing! I am so happy we had that experience and Nik was such a great guide! Thank you very much for showing us the mangroves, explaining so many things about nature and Japan and the amazing day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David_z
Jan 6, 2024
Great tour guide + Unique experience = A must do - A friend and I book the mangrove tour and spent a few hours with the guide (Nik) kayaking in a beautiful in-land sea in northern Okinawa. Nik is very friendly and knowledgeable, sharing with us not only amazing spots of nature but also some insights into the local culture. This experience is one of that we would gladly do again.
Review provided by Viator
Emmanouil_s
Dec 31, 2023
highly recomended activity - Amazing experience and views !! One of the best activity in Okinawa. Highly recomended !! You shouldn;t miss this one
Review provided by Viator
Lynnlm7013pq
Dec 16, 2023
Amazing experience by an awesome guide - From start to finish it was totally memorable. We spent hours kayaking, enjoying the view of the reefs and fishes in the clear blue water. Nik shared with us with his local and historical knowledge. He is very flexible with our requests and took care of us well. Our short water hike to the lighthouse is the highlight of the morning. We waddled through the water among rocks but felt very confident with his guidance to get us there safely, which he did. Thanks, Nik… the best guide we met this trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Daytrip67027498425
Oct 19, 2023
Free water cannons and coffee!! - If you’ve never done kayaking it’s a great way to start. Still water beautiful sunrise view and a nice lunch break with free coffee and some sweets to get some energy again. I had a great time making my friends wet with the water cannons that come on every Kayak! And our guide Nik offered some great tactics to ambush my friends. If ur looking for a quiet tour with some information and fun facts amongst the salty water lake it’s also possible. For me a great first experience!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gnkidsinaus
Oct 19, 2023
Kayaking adventure - Nik (English speaking)and his wife met us at a local Lawson where we picked up some snacks. We had our own car and followed him to our launching spot. There were 7 of us. A couple of double kayaks and singles for the rest of us. 5 hours. 1100yen. He was knowledgeable of the area, allowed us to take our time with a couple of stops. Personalized itinerary. You could go as hard or easy as you want. He brought tea, coffee and sugar snacks. Took pictures and gave us a parting gift which was a nice touch. You will love him and his wife. Very friendlyandeasy going.. Well worth the money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kklmm
Oct 19, 2023
Kayak adventure through the mangroves - Nik and his awesome kayak company were recommended to us by another tour operator. Our group of 7 had a wonderful day kayaking and exploring a beautiful and quiet inland sea. It was an awesome adventure! One for the book!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Travelingfromvegas
Oct 18, 2023
You want an active tour in Okinawa, then this is it! - Nik was a FANTASTIC guide! He had thought ahead about all the details and what we might need and what we might have questions about. We had a delightful approximately 1 1/2 hour kayaking experience in really calm inland seas near the Ocean Tower, and then after lunch, we met up again for the jungle trek. It was to the Fukugawa (hope that I spelled this right!) waterfall. We viewed it from the bottom and then hiked to the top. Nik supplied neoprene boots to help us navigate easier in the water and some snacks as well! He asked if we would want to hike further, and we declined. He was ready to go, but we had a long couple of days already. I would heartily recommend that anyone interested in an active tour, book this!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 6 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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