Let's enjoy clear kayaking in Onna Village where the blue cave is attractive! Introducing the attraction of clear kayaking and popular tours!

 

What is Clear Kayak?

Have you ever heard of kayaking?

It is a small boat, similar to a canoe, in which a small group of one or two people paddle together. While kayaking as a competitive sport involves vigorous paddling and speed competition, kayaking as an activity is quite different.

The appeal of a recreational kayak is that you can paddle on the water at your own leisurely pace and relax while enjoying the scenery and the sea.

So what do you know about clear kayaks? As the name suggests, clear kayaks are skeleton-shaped kayaks with the entire hull or only the bottom of the boat transparent. It is a very popular activity in Onna Village on the main island of Okinawa, a resort tourist area.

This time, we would like to introduce the secret to the popularity of such clear kayaks.

 

How to enjoy clear kayaking

Clear kayaking is an activity that can be enjoyed in two ways.

The first is to enjoy it as a normal kayak. The kayaks used for this activity are constructed in such a way that they will not capsize even if they are slightly shaken, and they are extremely safe.

Since the center of gravity is stable, it is not affected so much by larger waves. The fact that tourists can safely participate even if they cannot swim is a major attraction for them.

Many people find kayaking attractive because of its ability to turn in small circles. For example, mangroves, which are representative of the subtropical climate of Okinawa, are unique in that they grow in brackish water where the ocean and rivers mix.

With a kayak, it is possible to enter the river from the mouth to see such an area of established mangroves.

The landscape and inhabitants of the ocean and rivers can be very different, so it is a great advantage to be able to handle a variety of situations.

Now, this is where the clear kayak offers different capabilities than the kayak.

 

Clear Kayak Attraction

The only basic difference between a kayak and a clear kayak is whether the hull is transparent or not. Although there is only one difference, you will find that it is a big difference when you actually get on board.

The experience of moving through the ocean on a transparent boat creates a fierce sense of immersion. Inexperienced people sometimes worry about durability, imagining glass-like materials, but of course clear kayaks are very sturdy.

Polycarbonate is often used as the material for clear kayaks, a material so robust that it is used in riot police shields.

Have you ever seen a scene in a movie where a person is holding a transparent shield to subdue a mob? If you have seen such a scene, you may understand that the material is the same as that, and you will not have to worry about its durability.

Now, since kayaking is a seated activity, one of the main characteristics of kayaking is that the line of sight is closer to the surface of the ocean than in standing activities. The lower posture allows you to feel the ocean and waves that much closer, and you can experience the power of the activity.

The sensation of the boat moving forward with each stroke of the paddle is very interesting, and the exhilarating feeling is sure to be addictive. The thrill of floating directly on the water is even more intense with a clear kayak.

 

You can observe the undersea while sitting

Highly stable kayaks are also ideal for stopping to paddle and admire the ocean. Clear kayaks are particularly attractive because they give the sensation of sitting on the surface of the ocean, with a magical view of the underwater world directly below.

Onna Village is so active in the growth and protection of coral that it has adopted the slogan "the world's most coral-friendly village," and there are more than 200 species of coral growing in colonies under the sea.

Coral purifies the water quality of the sea, and coral also provides a home for tropical fish and other sea creatures. This is one of the reasons Onna Village boasts an overwhelming sense of transparency in the sea. Everything from the quality of the water to the color and diversity of life is a sight unlike anything seen on the mainland.

The scale of the place, surrounded on all sides by the beautiful blue ocean, may make you feel as if you are sitting on top of a giant aquarium tank.

While snorkeling and diving are activities that can be enjoyed by entering the ocean, clear kayaking is a rare activity that allows you to observe the underwater world up close without going into the water.

As this is an experience that is not easily experienced, the satisfaction level after participating in the event will probably be high.

 

Enjoyable for both children and adults.

Another common attraction shared by kayaks and clear kayaks is their low threshold as an activity. Kayaks, which do not capsize with the slightest bump, can be maneuvered without any specialized skills.

When you join the tour, there is only a short explanation of how to handle the paddles at the beginning, and then you are free to paddle the boat as you please.

Those who are uncomfortable with ocean activities because they are not good swimmers need not worry, as life jackets can be rented and worn when boarding the kayaks.

Even if you should fall into the sea, your body will float naturally, so you will be able to enjoy yourself to the fullest without thinking about the risks. One of the major advantages of paddling is that it does not require strong arm strength, so it can be enjoyed casually by people of all ages and both sexes.

If the tour does not have a specific destination and you are enjoying the kayak ride itself, you do not even need to paddle from the middle of the tour. Just move to the right spot, then relax and enjoy the Okinawan sea.

If you are in a clear kayak, you can also stop the boat and look through the bottom of the boat to see the ocean.

Among activities, kayaking does not have strict age requirements for participation, and many tours allow even young children to participate if they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Kayaks are boats that allow two people to share a boat, which is a great attraction, allowing friends, couples, or parents and children to enjoy the freedom of kayaking together.

If you visit Onna Village during your summer vacation, I recommend that you and your child get into a kayak and paddle out to sea together, where you can enjoy a good look at the underwater world.

 

Insta-worthy

And not to be overlooked is the fact that it is also an outstanding activity in terms of photo quality.

Tours that offer clear kayak rides often include a photo service by the staff, who will take pictures of you during the activity. The clear kayaks are especially unique in that the entire boat is transparent.

The transparent boat allows the blue surface of the ocean to show through, making for an interesting scene where almost the entire surface is ocean except for ourselves, depending on how the picture is taken.

Of course, in response to the demand for social networking services such as Instagram, you can also receive the photos you have taken as data, so they can be posted immediately to social networking sites.

Photos are extra at theme park attractions, but in the case of this activity, they are often included in the service, so by all means be proactive and have your photo taken.

Also, since the kayak is stable on top, it is of course possible to bring your own phone or camera and take pictures.

However, there will be waves on the ocean, so be sure to take waterproof measures before bringing it in.

 

Onna Village's ocean, one of the most beautiful in Okinawa, is perfect for clear kayaking

Clear kayaking is not as popular as regular kayaking and is not an activity that can be enjoyed anywhere in Japan. Among the few places where clear kayaking can be enjoyed, Okinawa and Onna Village are particularly suitable.

Onna Village is an area facing the west coast of the main island of Okinawa, where resort hotels are located and the beaches are well maintained.

It is also located right in the center of the main island of Okinawa, making it an excellent location for easy access from anywhere on the island, including Naha Airport. The easy accessibility of the area has led to the development of activities for tourists.

So it is under these circumstances that clear kayaking has also become established. Recently in Okinawa, corals have been dying due to rising sea water temperatures and massive outbreaks of crown-of-thorns starfish.

Many people have been troubled by the fact that corals, which create colorful and beautiful landscapes, are dying and bleaching due to environmental changes and predation.

Onna Village, as mentioned above, has been actively promoting coral protection with the phrase "the most coral-friendly village in the world" as its slogan. As a result, coral bleaching has been halted, and the sea in Onna Village continues to look like something out of a fairy tale.

Onna Village, facing the western part of the island, offers a spectacular sunset view from the ocean. The sight of the Okinawan sun, which has been brightly illuminating the island, disappearing into the horizon is so vivid and moving that it brings a deep sense of satisfaction to those who see it.

Since experiencing clear kayaking in Onna Village once, many repeat visitors come back every time they take a long vacation and paddle out to the sea.

Another major attraction of clear kayaking is the opportunity to encounter the spectacular scenery unique to Onna Village.

 

Recommended Tours

We will pick up recommended tours to experience clear kayaking.

When you visit Onna Village, please try clear kayaking.

 

Clear kayak cruising with a skeleton.

The attractive point of this tour is that you can view Manzakage, the most scenic spot on the main island of Okinawa, of which Onna Village is proud. While looking up at the powerful rock face made of Ryukyu limestone derived from coral, you can see the ocean beneath the transparent hull of the boat.

This is an extremely luxurious activity tour that allows you to enjoy the great nature of Onna Village on land and sea at the same time.

 

summary

We hope you enjoyed our introduction to clear kayaks, which are different from kayaks.

This is one of the rarest activities you can enjoy in Onna Village, and since it is difficult to prepare your own polycarbonate kayak, it is recommended that you join a tour to experience it for yourself.

A small note of caution: there is nothing on the ocean to block the sun.

Because of the glare from the ocean surface, the environment can quickly become sunburned, so it is recommended that you wear a good water-proof sunscreen.

If you want to experience the extraordinary feeling of the tropics, this is definitely an activity you should try.

If you visit Onna Village, please try clear kayaking!