Kuroshima - Ishigaki
Ferry to Okinawa
Kuroshima - Ishigaki
Ferry to Okinawa
Fares for the Kuroshima to Ishigaki crossing usually range somewhere between $20* and $115*. Most travellers pay around $75* for a Kuroshima Ishigaki ferry ticket, and the cheapest fares on this route begin at $20*. Foot passengers can expect to pay roughly $75* on average.
Fares vary according to passenger count, vehicle type, the route itself and what time you sail. Figures come from fares searched in the previous 30 days, don't include service fees, and were last checked August 26.
There's a quick way to stack up ferry fares and operators from around the world side by side, so you can pick the crossing that best suits you. Getting in early tends to open up the widest choice of prices and sailing times.
Direct Ferries has discounts running throughout the year. Where a senior discount applies to your crossing, it's applied the moment you pick the matching age bracket in the passenger section of your search.
If you're a student or recent graduate, a 5% discount is up for grabs. Head to our partner Student Beans to confirm your status and you'll receive a code to enter at checkout.
A handful of Spanish and Italian ferry routes also offer a resident discount — choose the "Residents" option if it appears during your search and the lower fare is applied straight away. You'll usually need to show proof of address, like a residency card or certificate, when you check in.
Sailings on the Kuroshima Ishigaki route generally kick off from Kuroshima at around 09:10, and the last departure of the day is usually around 17:10.
You certainly can — with a short crossing and sailings running daily, Kuroshima to Ishigaki is an easy day trip. Taking a vehicle, where possible, gives you the freedom to explore a bit further once you land.
No, vehicles aren't currently accepted on sailings between Kuroshima and Ishigaki.
Bicycles aren't currently accepted on sailings between Kuroshima and Ishigaki.
Yes, Yaeyama Kanko Ferry carries foot passengers between Kuroshima and Ishigaki.
Pet owners are in luck — Yaeyama Kanko Ferry allows pets on board between Kuroshima and Ishigaki. .
Fares reflect searches from the last 30 days, exclude service fees, and were last checked August 26.
Before you bring a pet on board, it helps to have the following sorted:
It depends on which operator you're sailing with — some ferries keep pets in your vehicle for the whole trip, while others have dedicated pet areas, kennels, or even pet-friendly cabins. Our Deal Finder lays out the options so you can pick the crossing that works for your pet.
There's a bit to know before travelling with a guide or assistance dog. Let our customer service team know in advance, or mention it to the ferry operator when you book, so everything's arranged ahead of time.
Carry any certification or documentation your dog needs, since you could be asked to show it at boarding or partway through the crossing.
Rules for guide dogs and assistance dogs can differ from general pet policy, even on sailings where pets aren't otherwise allowed. Reach out to our customer service team to check what applies to your sailing, or visit our Special Assistance Help page for more detail.
Whether the Kuroshima to Ishigaki route has an overnight sailing depends on a mix of factors. Search with your travel dates, and we'll show you whether an overnight option exists, plus current timetables, crossing times and daytime alternatives.
Note that overnight sailings can occasionally take a bit longer than daytime crossings.
What you'll need to travel varies by route, so it pays to check ahead of your sailing. A valid passport is typically required for the Kuroshima to Ishigaki crossing, along with any visa or national ID required for your nationality. As rules depend on both where you're from and where you're headed, our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide is worth a read to avoid any hold-ups at check-in.
Booking couldn't be simpler — select your departure port, arrival port and travel date to see everything on offer. From there, you can weigh up alternative routes and departure times to land on the best fit.
Look for early-booking deals and flexible fare types, like upgrades or flexi-tickets, which give you room to change plans later. Double-check details such as passenger numbers and vehicle specs as you go, to keep the booking process painless.
You'll get a confirmation email the moment your booking goes through. From there, how your boarding pass turns up depends on the operator.
Some operators send the boarding pass straight away, while others want you to check in at the port. Where it's on offer, online check-in through the Direct Ferries app can save you time at the terminal.
Ticket desks tend to sit right by the ferry terminal. Building in some extra time before you sail means you won't be rushed collecting tickets and getting checked in.
Have your confirmation email and valid photo ID — a passport or identity card — ready at check-in. If a pet's travelling with you, bring their vaccination and insurance papers, and hold onto proof of address if you booked with a resident discount.
A gap in sailings from Kuroshima to Ishigaki on your chosen date usually comes down to something like a timetable adjustment, limited space, or a seasonal dip in service. Try a different date, or browse other options with our Route & Port finder.
Generally speaking, booking your Kuroshima to Ishigaki ferry sooner rather than later pays off — earlier bookings usually mean lower fares and more choice of departure times and cabins.
A few weeks' lead time is usually enough to catch a good deal, though fares can still move around depending on the season and what's left available.
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| Kuroshima - Ishigaki Ferry Route Prices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foot Passenger | $75 | |
| Kuroshima - Ishigaki Ferry Route Summary | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Okinawa |
| Destination | Okinawa |
| No. of Operators | 1 |
| Operators | Yaeyama Kanko Ferry |
| Average Price | $75 |
| Average Daily Sailings | 3 |
| Average Weekly Sailings | 18 |
| Average Sailing Duration | 30 m |
| Fastest Sailing Duration | 30 m |
| First Ferry | 09:10 |
| Last Ferry | 17:10 |
| Distance | 10 Nautical Miles |
* Prices subject to change, pricing is taken from last 30 days, last updated 1 August 2026.
Of the 200 islands belonging to Kujukushima, Kuroshima is the largest and most developed, giving home to just over 200 people. The island is known for its heart shape, giving it the tag of ‘Heart Island’ though it is also known as ‘Island of Cows’ due to the fact there are more cows than inhabitants. To celebrate the number of cows, there is a cow festival held once a year, attracting some tourists – the sunbathing and diving keeps the tourists there for a few days longer. Around the island there are a few notable landmarks dotted about, including a lighthouse standing at the southern tip. Around the centre of the town, the traditional architecture remains in good condition; many houses with a hip roof are surrounded by walls made of dark coral stones. From the church in the centre, the walk to the ferry terminal is only around 20-30 minutes and most of the island can be covered by foot. Depending on the time of year, there are crossings from Kuroshima Port a few times per day, heading to the commercial hub of Ishigaki. The vessels provided for the crossing are relatively simple and modest due to the short length of the route, only lasting around 30 minutes.
Surrounded on all sides by the baby-blue surf of the East China Sea, Ishigaki is the very definition of a paradise island. The second-largest of the volcanic Yaeyama islands in the southernmost reaches of Japan, Ishigaki is blessed with a rear-round warmth, rolling hills covered in lush swathes of tropical woodland, and broad stretches of gold-sand beaches that skirt along the coast. Despite its undeniable appeal, the island has managed to preserve its peaceful and laid-back atmosphere away from the bustle of tourism; it’s soothing soundtrack composed of nothing more than the hum of wildlife and the gentle lapping of waves upon the shore. The island’s rough-shaped coastline is pitted with bays perfect for watersports, with diving, snorkelling and surfing the most popular forms of recreational activity. With much of the surrounding sea protected by a national park, the stunning world beneath the waves thrives with rare marine life. Those who want to view the underwater scene without getting their feet wet can hop on a glass-bottomed boat in Kabira Bay instead. The region’s port is found in Ishigaki city on the south-western coast of the island. It is a lively facility of small jetties and piers neatly separated into small, square inlets that stretch across the seafront. The ferry terminal can be found on the edge of the city’s Misakicho district. It is a relatively large facility with plenty of passenger amenities including an indoor waiting hall; a pay-phone; vending machines selling food and drink; and a busy, on-site taxi-rank. Due to its central city location, travelling to and from the port is simple. Buses and coaches leave from stops directly outside the terminal and whisk passengers to the island’s main sightseeing spots, including the various beach-lined bays and the verdant slopes of Bannadake mountain. Though there are plenty of narrow, rural roads that weave across the heart of the island, the most accessible route for motorists unfamiliar with the local surroundings is the 390 highway. This long roadway passes by the island’s regional airport as it traces Ishigaki’s undulating southern coast. A host of ferry routes currently leave from the city port on a daily basis. Services hosted by Yaeyama Kanko Ferry and Ishigaki Dream Tours sail short journeys west to the ports of Ohara and Uehara on Iriomote Island, as well as to the islands of Taketomi, Kohama, Kuroshima and Hatoma.
