Discover another side of Okinawa:
a private forest-lake experience in Yanbaru.
Not the ocean you expected.
Before the plans — a short word on why this experience is different from anything else on the island.

A quieter Okinawa
Away from the coastline and crowds — a still forest lake hidden deep in Yanbaru.

SUP & Sabani, on a lake
Paddle a forest lake, not the sea — calmer water, and a different kind of stillness.

Beginner-friendly, always
90% of our guests have never paddled before. Guided at your own pace, no experience required.

Private or small-group
Never a crowded tour. Your group moves at its own rhythm, with a dedicated local guide.

Local, lifelong guides
Guides who have lived and paddled Yanbaru for years — not seasonal staff.

Even the rain is part of it
Sheltered by dense forest, the lake stays calm in weather that would cancel a sea tour.
Three ways onto the water
Each field, and each vessel, offers a different rhythm of Yanbaru.

Jungle SUP Bunagaya Lake
A private lake, fully yours.
A fully private SUP experience on a quiet forest lake connected to the Yanbaru World Heritage forest. For guests seeking privacy, stillness, and a deeper encounter with Okinawa’s subtropical forest.

Jungle SUP Akemio Lake
Okinawa’s classic forest-lake paddle.
Our guided SUP experience on a wide, peaceful lake surrounded by forest and birdsong. Suitable for all levels — first-timers and families welcome.

Jungle Sabani Akemio Lake
Sail a century-old Okinawan vessel.
Sail Yanbaru’s waters aboard a handcrafted Okinawan sabani — a rare encounter with living maritime heritage. Can be combined with SUP.
| Bunagaya SUP | Akemio SUP | Sabani | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy | Fully private | Small-group, guided | Small-group, guided |
| Best for | Deep immersion & stillness | First-timers & families | Culture & scenery |
| Duration | ~2.5 hours | ~2.5 hours | ~2.5 hours |
| Level | Beginner-friendly | Beginner-friendly | Beginner-friendly |
Bunagaya SUP
- Privacy
- Fully private
- Best for
- Deep immersion & stillness
- Duration
- ~2.5 hours
- Level
- Beginner-friendly
Akemio SUP
- Privacy
- Small-group, guided
- Best for
- First-timers & families
- Duration
- ~2.5 hours
- Level
- Beginner-friendly
Sabani
- Privacy
- Small-group, guided
- Best for
- Culture & scenery
- Duration
- ~2.5 hours
- Level
- Beginner-friendly

What is a Sabani?
The sabani is a traditional Okinawan fishing canoe, hand-built from wood using techniques passed down for generations. Once essential to daily life and inter-island trade, today it survives mainly through cultural preservation and racing traditions — a rare, living piece of maritime heritage you can experience firsthand on Yanbaru’s calm waters.
Make it your own
Curated add-ons for a more personal experience. Advance reservation required for scheduling.

Relaxation & Recovery
From motion, to stillness.
A 60-minute treatment after your time on the water — choose aroma, seitai bodywork, or dry head spa.

Coconut Hat Workshop
Woven by hand, worn on the water.
Weave your own hat from coconut leaf, then wear it out onto the lake. A memory — and a hat — to keep.

Professional Photographer
Let the moment be captured.
A photographer who knows the field joins your tour, capturing natural moments without staged posing.
What to expect
Included
- Life jacket & wetsuit
- Guide fee & field access
- Lakeside café break — local coffee & Okinawan sweets
- Tour photos & a short video, captured by your guide
- Local insider recommendations for Yanbaru
- English-language information materials
Not Included
- Hotel transfer
- Professional photographer add-on
- Meals
Prefer something more tailored?
Hotel transfer, a full-day plan combining this tour with an ocean excursion, a surprise gift for someone special — most things can be arranged. Just let us know via the booking form.
How the day unfolds
Booking & Consultation
Share your dates, group size, and hotel — we’ll help you choose.
Check-in & Briefing
Arrive at the meeting point; a short briefing on conditions and flow.
Gear & Lecture
Change, gear up, and learn the basics of paddling and safety.
On the Water
Paddle the lake at your own pace, guided the whole way.
Wrap-up
Change, and settle up before you go.
Getting there
- Meeting point
558 Makiya, Nago, Okinawa 905-1143, Japan - From Naha Airport
Approx. 90–100 min via Okinawa Expressway - From Halekulani Okinawa
Approx. 30–40 min by car - Transfer
Not included — rental car or taxi recommended
Bespoke arrangements, including private transfer, can be tailored upon request — please inquire for details.
Before you go
Schedule
- Duration: approx. 2.5 hours
- Sessions: 9:30–12:00 / 13:30–16:00
- Level: beginner-friendly, suitable for all levels
- Ages: adult (high school age and up), child (age 3 – junior high)
- Meeting: guests arrive directly at the meeting point
What to Bring
- Quick-dry clothing you don’t mind getting wet
- Towel & a change of clothes
- Drinking water
- Hat & reef-safe sunscreen
Life jacket & wetsuit are provided on site.
Weather & Rain Policy
Sheltered by dense forest and a winding shoreline, the lake is largely protected from wind — so tours run comfortably even when the coast is rough. In the case of strong wind, heavy rain, or rising water levels, the tour may be cancelled or adjusted at the operator’s discretion for safety. No cancellation fee applies in this case.
Meet your guides
Local guides who have paddled and cared for this field for years — not seasonal staff.

Mitsuki
Founding Guide
A founding member of Jungle SUP and champion crew of a strait-crossing sabani race. Brings an easy, playful warmth to every tour.

Kimiko
Ocean Athlete & Guide
Lifesaving and outrigger canoe competitor, with international ocean-crossing race experience — a steady, reassuring presence on the water.

Akira
Guide
Raised close to the sea, mountains, and rivers, with years of kayak and snorkel guiding experience across Okinawa.
From our guests
“My first-ever SUP experience, something I’d wanted to try for years. I got to enjoy it together with my son’s family and grandchildren.”
“200 times more fun than we imagined. Surrounded by the sounds of nature, we were completely absorbed in the moment.”
“I never imagined I could still try something like this at my age. It brought back memories of my childhood by the mountains.”
Good to know
Do I need SUP or Sabani experience?
Not at all — about 90% of our guests have never paddled before. Every tour begins with a simple lecture, and your guide supports you at your own pace throughout.
What happens if it rains?
The lake is sheltered by forest and rarely affected by wind, so light rain doesn’t stop the tour — it’s simply part of the jungle experience. Tours are only cancelled or adjusted in cases of strong wind, heavy rain, or rising water, with no cancellation fee.
Can children join?
Yes — families are very welcome. Preschool-age children ride together with an adult; please ask if you have questions about a specific age.
Can elderly family members join?
Yes, guests in their 70s and 80s have joined and enjoyed the tour. We adjust the pace to suit your group — feel free to ask in advance if you have any concerns.
Do guides speak English?
Our guides speak basic English — enough for safety briefings and simple conversation. For anything more detailed, a translation app can help.
Is swimming ability required?
No — life jackets are worn at all times, and the lake’s calm, sheltered water makes it approachable even for non-swimmers.
What is the cancellation policy?
See the Policies section below for full details on cancellation and rescheduling.
Reserve your experience
Share your dates and preferences, and we’ll shape the experience together.
Explore the Plans
Browse the experiences above and choose the one that suits you best.
Send Your Request
Share your dates, group size, and any requests — we’ll follow up personally and work with you to finalize the details.
Confirmation
Once the details are confirmed, we’ll finalize your booking by email and prepare for your visit.
Cancellation & policies
Cancellation
| Cancelled the day before | 50% |
| Cancelled same day | 100% |
| No-show | 100% |
If the tour is cancelled by the operator for weather or safety reasons, no cancellation fee applies.
Rescheduling & Other Notes
Date changes are accommodated where availability allows — please contact us as early as possible. Participation is subject to age, health, and swimming-ability considerations; please mention any concerns when booking so we can plan accordingly.
Privacy
We collect only the details needed to arrange your booking — your name, contact information, and tour preferences — and use them solely to plan and confirm your experience. Your information is never shared with third parties without consent, and you may request access, correction, or deletion at any time.
Your other side of Okinawa is waiting in Yanbaru.
Instagram: @junglesup.okinawa


