Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Kabira Bay Marine Reserve is located on the northern coast of Ishigaki Island, part of the Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The reserve encompasses the bay and its surrounding shallow waters, famed for striking white coral sand beaches and vibrant marine ecosystems including rare black pearl oyster beds. The bay is framed by lush green hills and limestone cliffs, providing a sheltered environment for a diverse array of tropical fish, coral species, and other marine life that thrive in the warm waters of the East China Sea. Kabira Bay is especially known for its dense coral reefs, which are some of the best preserved in the region, playing a critical ecological role and supporting important fisheries. Historically, the bay has been a traditional fishing ground and is culturally significant to the local Ryukyu people. Visitors are drawn to the bay not only for its spectacular underwater viewing but also for the famous glass-bottom boat tours that allow inspection of coral and marine life without diving. While swimming and fishing are prohibited within the reserve to protect the ecosystem, snorkeling is allowed in designated adjacent areas. The scenic bay with its stunning scenery and rare black pearls harvested nearby remains a key natural attraction on Ishigaki Island, appealing to eco-tourists, snorkelers, and photographers. Its marine reserve status helps ensure the ongoing conservation of its precious habitats amid rising tourism and environmental pressures.
