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Diving in Ishigaki Island! Summary of recommended spots and manta ray encounter rates by time of year☆.

マンタ

The charm of Ishigaki Island diving and
Know the best season!

マンタ

Ishigaki Island is known for its clear waters and abundant marine life,One of the best diving spots in JapanIt is.

The biggest attraction is the encounter with "manta rays," which attracts divers from all over the world.

Best season is June to November.and the clarity of the sea and the liveliness of the creatures are at their best. On the other hand, winter is a good time to enjoy the quiet sea with few people.

You can experience the best diving any time of year by choosing the time of year that best suits your purpose.

This article is for
Beginners who want to dive with confidence
If you want to know the best season for Ishigaki Island
For those who want to experience a satisfying diving experience in half a day.
If you want to know when and where you can see manta rays

Ishigaki Island Diving Tour
Click here to see the popularity ranking

 

Ishigaki Island Diving Characteristics by Season and
Recommendations for Enjoyment

ダイビング

Diving is possible throughout the year on Ishigaki Island, but seasonalThe expression of the seachanges.

Below are some seasonal characteristics and recommended diving styles.

↓For more information about the recommended time of year, click here↓.

 

Ishigaki Island in spring has excellent transparency!
(March - May)

ダイビング マンタ

Spring in Ishigaki Island from March to May is the season of "sea awakening". North winds weaken,transparencyThe number of ◎ is much higher than that of ◎.

The water temperature is a little cooler at 23-25 degrees Celsius, but you can dive comfortably in a thick suit. The marine ecology is active this time of year, with increased sightings of manta rays and the spawning of kobushi sharks!

Fewer tourists,Ideal for beginners to dive in a relaxed mannerIt is the season of the year.

↓Recommended for spring! Beginners' tours are here↓.

 

Summer is the best season for the sea in Ishigaki Island!
(June-August)

石垣島のテーブル珊瑚、ダイビング

Summer from June to August is the most exciting time for diving in Ishigaki Island.

The water temperature is 28-30 degrees Celsius, comfortable even with just a wetsuit. The sun's rays are strong and the coral reefs in the shallows sparkle with the "Blue WorldYou can enjoy "The

Also, while summer has strong southerly winds and the best conditions,typhoonIt should be noted that it is easy for a When booking a tour, you shouldCancellation PolicyIt is a good idea to check the ◎

↓Click here for summer tours.

 

Autumn is the peak of manta ray season!
(September to November)

マンタ ダイビング

Autumn from September to November is the best time to visit.Highest manta ray encounter rateSeason.

In addition, the water temperature is a comfortable 27-28°C and the clarity of the water is high, making it popular among experienced divers.

However, the area may be affected by typhoons until mid-October,weather forecastCheck the following in advance.

For more information about diving in autumn and November, please click here↓↓.

 

Is diving in Ishigaki Island in winter the worst?
(December - February)

ミゾレウミウシ

People tend to think that winter is not suitable for diving because it is cold, but in fact, winter from December to February is the best time to dive in Ishigaki Island.The Holey Season.Oh my god!!!

With fewer tourists, the sea is calmer on many days, and the clarity of the water is among the best in the year. The water temperature is low at 22-24℃, but you can dive comfortably if you wear a dry suit.

Also, winter isnudibranchand ... andmacrobiota(small fish and crustaceans) because they are found in abundance,Photo Faction DiverRecommended for.

This is the best time of year for those who want to dive quietly and leisurely.

For more information about Ishigaki Island in winter, click here.

 

Summary of creatures seen in each season

冬のダイビング、生き物、熱帯魚

Creatures found in each season
Spring (March to May)Spawning of kobushi and schools of butterflyfish
Summer (June-August)Coral spawning, green turtles
Autumn (September to November)Manta Rays: Manta Rays dance, schools of migratory fish
Winter (December to February)Macro life: Nudibranchs, Gobies, and other macro life

There is much to see and do in every season.What you want to seeThe trick is to choose the right time of year with a "B".

 

When is the best time to see manta rays and when is the best time to see manta rays?
Recommended Spots

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When it comes to diving in Ishigakijima Island, "themanta ray". The rate of its occurrence isseasonandsea conditionsThis is largely determined by the

High probability of encounter!
See the list of Ishigaki Island Manta Tour

 

When manta rays can be seen and
Thorough explanation of appearance trends

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The peak of manta ray emergence isSeptember - NovemberIn October, the encounter rate is as high as "90%. The encounter rate is especially high in October, when it is said to be 90%.

On the other hand, spring (March to May) is also a good time for manta rays to spawn, and if you are lucky, you can observe cleaning scenes (having your body cleaned by fish).

Manta rays are affected by currents, water temperature, and plankton levels,weatherThe point of appearance changes depending on the

The local guide will guide you to the best point of the day, so it is better to tell the guide that you want to see manta rays when you join the tour.

Learn more about manta rays

 

Popular spots for manta ray diving

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Recommended for manta ray divingPopular Spotsto the following!

 

Kabira-Ishizaki Manta Scramble

川平石崎マンタスクランブル

World famousManta ray point. Manta rays gathering at the cleaning station can be observed up close.

Manta Scramble Details
Location: Kabira, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture

↓Click here for recommended Kabira tours.

 

Manta City Point

ダイビング マンタ サイズ編集

Manta City Point is also located around Kabira Bay and is a major point along with Manta Scramble.

This is a relatively new observation spot, with a depth of around 15 meters and gentle topography.

To protect manta rays and reduce crowdingLimited number of boats allowed to dockis established.

Details of Manta City Point
Location: Northwest part of Ishigaki Island, near Kabira Bay

 

Yonara Waterway (for advanced users)

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Due to fast tidal currentsAdvanced users onlyHowever, the sight of multiple manta rays in a row is breathtaking. It is known as a fantastic manta ray spot.

More about Yonara Waterway
Location: Taketomi Town, Okinawa Prefecture

 

Can be enjoyed in half a day
How to Choose a Manta Ray Diving Tour

ダイビング マンタ

For those who want to spend only half a day diving during their trip, we offer a morning and afternoon diving tour.Half Day Touris recommended. There are three key factors to choose

point
Is equipment rental and transportation included?
Small group size (to avoid crowding when encountering manta rays)
Whether to go to Manta Point (about 40 minutes by boat)

Especially for first-timers,Stores with proven track recordIt is safe to choose the

↓Click here for recommended half-day tours.

 

Recommendation
Ishigaki Island Diving Spots Summary

ダイビング

When diving in Ishigaki Island,My levelChoose a spot that suits your needs ◎Select a spot that suits your needs

 

Popular beaches for beginners
Entry Spot

米原ビーチ

Recommended for beginners and experience divers.Yonehara Beachand "Shiraho Area". It is easy to enter, and colorful coral reefs and clown fish can be seen even in shallow water.

Yonehara Beach in particular is famous for its dense fish population and high transparency.

In addition, many of the points have stores attached to them, so even first-timers can try them without worry.

 

Yonehara Beach

A popular spot in the northwestern part of Ishigaki Island. Even in the shallows, there are colorfulcoraland ... andanemone fishcan be seen and the transparency is excellent.

It is easy to enter and ideal for beginners and experience divers.

Details of Yonehara Beach
Location: 644 Beikkai, Ishigaki City, Okinawa, Japan

 

Shiraho Area

サンゴ

One of the largest in Japan, spread out in the eastern part of Ishigaki Island.blue coral colonyare the highlights.

A variety of fish and corals can be observed even in shallow water, and the calm sea is safe and enjoyable.

Details of Shiraho Area
Location: 2107-2 Shiraho, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture

 

Challenging spots for advanced users

ダイビング

Ishigaki Island also offers advanced diving spots for adventurous divers, such as currents in the sea and caves.

Feeling the power of nature,Dives for terrain and big gameIt is recommended for those who want to enjoy the

The typical point is that "deified volcano or volcanic eruptionWith the ". You can experience the large scale ocean that is typical of Ishigaki Island.

 

Ogamizaki

ダイビング

Mikamizaki, located at the western end of the island, is an attractive dive site with dynamic topography along the cliffs.

Arches, caves and drop-offsThe underwater world is like a different world.

The tides can be fast, so even advancedAccompanied by a guideIt is safe to dive with

Mikamizaki Details
Location: Sakieda, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture

 

Diving in Ishigaki Island
What to look out for to avoid making mistakes.

注意

In order not to ruin your Ishigaki Island diving experience, you should checkpointto the following.

 

Avoiding Trouble
checkpoint

チェック

To avoid problems when diving in Ishigaki Island, check the following points.

point
interpoint (interword separation)congestion situationThe summer holidays and consecutive holidays tend to fill up the reservations, so early arrangements are essential.
interpoint (interword separation)typhoonJuly-October: Due to the high incidence of cancellations, plans with cancellation insurance are safe to use.
interpoint (interword separation)water temperature: Choose a suit according to the season (summer: 3mm, winter: 5mm + hooded vest).

weatherand ... andwind's directionIt is also safe to check if the store is flexible to change the point of sale, taking into account the

 

Even half-day diving
Tips for great satisfaction

プラン

morning flightis recommended because of its high transparency and stable sea conditions. Choose a dive store close to your lodging, considering the time required to prepare equipment and travel.

If you want to enjoy shootingPlan with GoPro Rentalis convenient.

↓Click here for recommended morning tours.

 

Diving in Ishigaki Island
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can beginners dive to see manta rays?
Yes, it is possible. There are tours that allow you to go manta scrambling, etc. even for experience diving. However, depending on the sea conditions, it may be cancelled, so if you are aiming for manta rays, a stay of two or more days is recommended.
Can I see manta rays on a half-day diving tour?
It is possible to see them, but it depends on the point of departure and weather conditions. Since the encounter rate is higher in the morning, choosing an early morning tour will increase your chances.
Which do you recommend, diving or snorkeling?
Diving is recommended if you want to experience the marine world in depth, while snorkeling is recommended if you want to enjoy it casually. Both offer the chance to encounter manta rays, but diving has the advantage if you want to see them at close range.

 

summary

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Diving in Ishigaki Island has completely different attractions in each season.

Spring brings clarity and tranquility, summer brings gorgeous underwater scenery, fall brings peak manta ray season, and winter brings calm and mysterious waters.

No matter what time of year you visit, you're sure to findThe expression of the sea that can only be seen at that momentThere is a "+".

Choose the time of year according to your travel schedule and purpose, and enjoy the sea of Ishigaki Island safely with a reliable diving store.

↓Click here to read the article.

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