On the second day of our Okinawa trip in our 60s,
we joined a Hamajima (Phantom Island) tour departing from Kohama Island.
At first, we booked a tour through Kohama Island Tours.
The tour was scheduled to depart at 8:30 a.m.
We thought it would be very convenient to visit Hamajima first
and then continue sightseeing on Taketomi Island,
but unfortunately,
the tour was canceled by the operator.
We reorganized our schedule
and booked another tour through Kohama Island Tours.
Hamajima (Phantom Island) Landing Tour departing from Kohama Island
The price at the time was ¥4,900 per person.
There are more Hamajima tours and departure times available from Ishigaki Island,
so Ishigaki can be convenient if you want more choices or need to fit the tour into a specific schedule.
On the other hand,
staying on Kohama Island allows you to enjoy quiet beaches
and, when the weather is good,
a beautiful night sky filled with stars.
For that reason,
if you are already staying on Kohama Island, joining a Hamajima tour directly from Kohama can be a very convenient option.
What Is Hamajima, Also Known as Phantom Island?
Hamajima is a small sandy island
located between Ishigaki Island and Kohama Island.
It is often known as
“Phantom Island”
because its appearance changes with the tides.
There are almost no buildings on the island,
and its main attraction is the simple scenery of
white sand surrounded by blue ocean.
On a sunny day,
the contrast between the bright white sand and emerald-colored water can be beautiful,
which also makes Hamajima a popular place for taking photos.
There is very little shade,
so if you visit during the warmer months,
it is a good idea to prepare for the heat and strong sun
with a hat, sunscreen and drinking water.
Our Hamajima Tour in Our 60s: Seasickness, Boat Ride & Unpredictable Weather
It took us about 15 minutes by boat to reach Hamajima from Kohama Island.
Because the boat ride was relatively short,
I did not need to take motion sickness medicine.
The boat did move around quite a bit,
but in my case,
it was not enough to make me feel seasick.
If you are worried about motion sickness,
you may feel more comfortable bringing motion sickness medication or some candy with you.
Until a few days before the tour,
the weather forecast had predicted sunshine.
But on the morning of our tour,
it suddenly started raining.
Unfortunately,
the weather was not on our side.
Our departure was delayed by about an hour,
and luckily the rain eventually stopped,
so we were still able to join the tour.
Hamajima is known for its beautiful sea on sunny days,
so I have to admit that I was quite disappointed with the weather this time.
I had even looked at historical weather data
and chosen travel dates that seemed to have a good chance of sunshine.
But sometimes,
the weather simply comes down to luck (*_*)
Hmm...
What a shame!
Still,
I was happy that we were able to land on Hamajima.
I would love to return on a sunny day
and see the blue ocean and white sand that the island is famous for.
Our Guide Took Lots of Great Photos
Our tour guide was clearly very experienced at taking photos.
The guide was really good at photography!
When we asked,
they took plenty of photos for us.
With better weather,
I think this would be a wonderful place for memorable travel photos.
We had originally booked a plan that included a mermaid-style photo experience,
but considering the weather that day,
in the end I was glad that we had changed to a different plan.
A Stranded Ship Near Hamajima
We noticed a black ship near Hamajima.
We were told that it was a Chinese vessel
that had broken down and could no longer move.
According to what we heard during the tour,
it had not yet been removed.
We were also told that it was unusual to see a vessel still remaining there in such a recognizable condition,
so I took a photo as a record of our visit.
What We Learned from Joining the Hamajima Tour in Our 60s
After joining the tour,
I felt that the experience itself was quite manageable for travelers in their 60s.
The boat ride was relatively short,
and the tour did not involve walking long distances.
However,
Hamajima can be very hot and sunny in summer,
and there is little shade.
So I think it is important to pay attention to your physical condition,
stay hydrated
and prepare properly for the heat.
We wore beach sandals during our tour,
but considering the boat boarding,
wet surfaces
and walking around the island,
I think marine shoes or water shoes would provide better stability.
For travelers in their 60s and beyond,
footwear that is less likely to slip
and that holds the foot securely
may feel more comfortable and reassuring.
The tour website we used also stated that
the tour was suitable for everyone from young children to older adults.
According to the tour information,
the boat ride from Ishigaki Island to Hamajima takes about 30 minutes,
while the ride from Kohama Island takes only around 10 to 15 minutes.
For that reason,
the operator also recommends departing from Kohama Island
for families with young children
or for people who are concerned about seasickness.
It is also very convenient if you are already staying on Kohama Island.
Departing from Ishigaki has its own advantage:
there are more tour options and departure times,
making it easier to fit the excursion into your itinerary.
I liked that travelers can choose between Ishigaki and Kohama departures
depending on their own schedule and priorities.
Returning to Ishigaki Island by Ferry
After returning from Hamajima to Kohama Island by boat,
we headed straight to the ferry terminal
and took a ferry to Ishigaki Island.
The weather was unfortunately not ideal during the morning of our second day,
but I was still glad that we were able to enjoy both Kohama Island and Hamajima.
We also rented a car and explored Kohama Island.
Traveling by car made it easy to visit several places efficiently,
even with limited time.
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