A complete guide to diving in Ishigaki Island for beginners! How to choose a tour without fail and introduction of popular spots!
Table of Contents
- 1 Recommended diving experience for beginners! Swim with sea turtles and manta rays in Ishigaki Island!
- 2 Small group tours are recommended for beginners! Ishigaki Island Diving Experience Flow and Notes
- 3 Recommended Diving Tours in Ishigaki Island
- 4 Popular Diving Spots in Ishigaki Island
- 5 If you want to get a diving license! Why Ishigaki Island is perfect for you!
- 6 Prices for Diving in Ishigaki Island How to choose the best plan
- 7 summary
Recommended diving experience for beginners!
Swim with sea turtles and manta rays on Ishigaki Island!
Ishigaki Island is the central island of the Yaeyama Archipelago, located further south from the main island of Okinawa, and is highly regarded by divers from around the world.
This is because of the beautiful coral reefs, crystal clear waters, abundant marine life, andMild climate for year-round divingIt is located at
Many dive stores also offer careful training and support for beginners, and there is a wide range of "trial diving" available for those without a license.
Therefore, many people say, "My first diving will be on Ishigaki Island! and many people aim to obtain a license during their trip.
We introduce diving in Ishigaki Island, which can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to experienced divers.
◆Ishigaki Island diving spots
Those who want to experience diving for the first time in Ishigaki Island.
◆Searching for recommended diving tours?
Small group tours are recommended for beginners!
Ishigaki Island Diving Experience Flow and Notes
While diving for the first time is exciting, there is also a lot of anxiety!
In Ishigaki Island, even beginners can enjoy themselves,Full support system for diving experiencesThe company is doing so.
Here, you will learn about the basic flow of the diving experience, precautions you should know in advance, andDiscover the benefits of small-group tours, ideal for beginners.I will do so.
◆ Avoid alcohol on the day before
◆Not to fly for at least 18 hours after diving
Before diving in Ishigaki Island!
Points to know
Experience diving is a tour for beginners who do not need a diving license to participate.
Because an instructor will always be with you,Even if you are not a good swimmer, you can enjoy the underwater world with ease.
Points to know in advance include: check your health (no high blood pressure, ear or lung problems, etc.), avoid alcohol the day before, and do not fly for at least 18 hours after diving.
In addition, eyeglass users are often provided with a mask with power, so ask about this at the time of reservation!
◆ Avoid alcohol on the day before
◆Not to fly for at least 18 hours after diving
Beginners can also feel at ease!
Advantages of Small Group Tours
If you join a small group tourInstructors provide personalized care for each individualcan be provided and safety is increased.
For beginners, anxiety and nervousness are common, but in a small group, it is easy to ask questions and practice at your own pace.
Another major advantage is the flexibility to change points depending on sea conditions!
How to choose a recommended small-group tour
Small-group tours are popular not only for their "peace of mind" but also for the "high quality experience" they provide☆.
Attractive attentive services such as underwater photo service and flexible support for manta ray and sea turtle emergence points!
In tour selection,Achievements, reviews, guide response, and safety measuresCheck the
The reviews on the reservation website are helpful, but the Q&A and equipment rental on the official website are also key points.Â
Small-group event!
See more recommended plans
Recommended Diving Tours in Ishigaki Island
Ishigaki Island offers numerous diving tours, each with its own charm.
There is a wide variety of diving experiences, including tours to see manta rays and sea turtles, as well as a plan to land on "Phantom Island" with its spectacular view.
Here are some particularly popular and recommended diving tours.
Guided tour to coral reef & manta point!
Small Group Experience Diving Tours
This tour is unique in that it covers everything from shallow waters with colorful coral reefs to big game spots where manta rays appear.
The tour is conducted in groups of 2 to 4 people per instructor, so even beginners can feel at ease.
At a spot near Kabira Bay, there is a high probability of encountering manta rays, and they look great on SNS☆.
Plans with free rental of underwater cameras are also gaining popularity!
See more details about the plan
Experience Diving & Sea Turtle Snorkeling
Tours to meet sea turtles are also very popular on Ishigaki Island!
In the Yonehara Beach and Mikamizaki areas, there is a high chance of seeing green turtles and hawksbill turtles, and snorkeling alone can be enjoyable enough.
This tour combines both diving and snorkeling, allowing even beginners to experience the charm of the sea from both underwater and surface.
See more details about the plan
Landing on "Phantom Island" & Experience Diving Tour
The experience diving tour, which includes a landing on "Phantom Island (Hamashima)," a sand island that appears only at low tide, is very popular, especially among women.
You can enjoy the experience of diving in shallow water along with extraordinary and spectacular views!
Plenty of photo-worthy spotsThis makes it perfect for couples and group trips.
Not only is it a great installation, but the clarity of the sea makes it satisfying both underwater and on land.
See more details about the plan
Popular Diving Spots in Ishigaki Island
Ishigaki Island is home to many world-class diving sites.
The points are dotted with various features, such as coral reefs in clear waters, areas where large migratory fish gather, and calm reefs for beginners☆.
Here are three representative spots that are particularly popular!
Kabira-Ishizaki Manta Scramble
Ishigaki Island's representative diving spotsSpeaking of which, Kabira Ishizaki Manta Scramble.
This area is famous for its "manta ray gathering roots," which are rare in the world, and the encounter rate is extremely high, and it is almost certain that manta rays can be seen during the summer and fall seasons!
The depth is around 15m at the deepest, and the current is calm most days, making it perfect for practicing neutral buoyancy!
The experience of seeing the graceful manta rays up close and personal will be a memory that will last a lifetime.
Average depth: 10-15 m
Flow: Gentle to moderate
Point: Recommended for beginners.
Yonehara W Leaf
W Reef," which stretches off Yonehara Beach, is a popular spot for beginners and intermediate surfers!
Colorful coral reefs spread out,Rich marine life including tropical fish and sea turtlesThe company is doing so.
The reef is relatively shallow, making it ideal for snorkeling as well as diving.
Because the sea conditions are often calm, it is recommended as the first dive site for experience divers.
Average depth: 25m
Flow: Almost none
Point: Enjoyable for beginners and experts alike.
Yonara Channel
Yonara Suido, known as a spot for advanced divers, is located between Ishigaki and Iriomote Islands, and its unique underwater environment created by strong currents is attractive!
Here, you may encounter not only manta rays, but also large giant giant jacks and napoleon fish.
However, because drift diving is the basic method,Sufficient skills and experience are required.
This is a spot that you should definitely try once you have obtained your license and become an intermediate level or higher.
Average depth: 15-25m
Currents: Strong currents are likely to occur
Point: Timing of the dive is important to increase the encounter rate!
If you want to get a diving license!
Why Ishigaki Island is perfect for you
Ishigaki Island is an ideal environment for those who want to acquire a diving license while traveling.
Efficiently obtain a license in a short period of timeNot only that, but you can also enjoy the beautiful ocean during the course.
Here, we explain why Ishigaki Island is suitable for license training and the fun dives you can enjoy after obtaining the license!
C-card acquisition in a short period of time!
Why is the license course so popular on Ishigaki Island?
On Ishigaki Island, there are a variety of programs to obtain a "C Card (Open Water)" in a short intensive course of about 3 days.
The mild climate, high transparency, and abundant beach entry points are ideal for beginners to practice in a relaxed environment!
The course content isCertification organizations such as PADI and NAUI, the world's standardis provided by ◎ and the instructors are experienced ◎.
Every year, more and more people choose Ishigaki Island for acquiring a license to combine their trip.
Recommended Fun Diving Tours
Once licensed, the next step is fun diving!
Ishigaki Island offers many fun diving tours for license holders, taking you to a wide variety of sites such as Kabira Bay, Kuroshima, and around Taketomi Island.
Particularly recommended are plans that visit multiple spots in one day, such as "2 boats, 1 beach.
The probability of seeing manta rays and sea turtles is high, and the number of repeat divers is very high.â
Ishigaki Island Diving Prices
How to choose the best plan?
Diving fees in Ishigaki Island range from about 12,000 to 15,000 yen for experience diving and 15,000 to 18,000 yen for 2 dives for fun diving.
The price varies depending on the cost of rental equipment, photo services, and transportation, so please check the details of your plan carefully!
Value-for-money plans include "Experience diving in the morning + sightseeing on Phantom Island in the afternoon,Set tours combining multiple activities are popularIt is.
Also, some stores offer discounts for participation on two or more days, so it is recommended to participate on consecutive days.â
summary
Ishigaki Island is an ideal location for beginner divers.
The beautiful ocean, abundant life, diverse spots, and friendly guides make for a safe and comfortable first-time diving experience!
Just a little effort in choosing the right tours and stores can make a big difference in the satisfaction of your trip☆.
Please use this article as a reference to find the perfect diving experience for you and enjoy the sea of Ishigaki Island to the fullest♪