What kind of diving activities can I enjoy in Ishigaki Island?

 Ranked first in the country in diving area!

Diving is one of the most popular marine activities in Ishigaki Island, along with snorkeling and SUP.

Okinawa Prefecture is home to some of the best diving spots in the world, and the waters of Ishigaki Island are among the best in the world!

It has been ranked first in the "Best Diving Area in Japan" in the "Dive & Travel Awards" conducted annually by a diving magazine for almost 20 years in a row, a record that is still being broken.

This ranking is determined by readers' votes, and the record of consecutive first place is a solid proof that the sea of Ishigakijima continues to be loved by divers from all over Japan.

For more information about Ishigaki Island diving tours and a list of plans, click here↓.

 

Do you have to be certified to dive in the first place?

There are two main types of diving.

Experience Diving" that can be done by beginners or without a license.andFun Diving" requires a license.The two types of

 

Experience Diving

Ishigaki Island has many fields where even beginners can dive.

Actually, there are more customers who come to Ishigaki Island for experience diving.

For this reason, many diving services on Ishigaki Island offer mainly experience diving.

In addition, the rule is that two people are assigned to one instructor, so even first-timers can enjoy themselves without worry.

Click here for recommended tours for experience diving.
Half-day course

1 day course

 

fun diving

This is so-called diving that requires a license.

There are several types of licenses, but the two main ones are the open water license and the advanced license.

Depending on the type, the depth of water that can be dived, the time, etc. will vary.

 

Why is the sea of Ishigaki Island chosen as the best diving area?

The joys of diving in Ishigaki Island include the high transparency of the ocean, colorful blue and purple coral reefs, marine life such as sea turtles, manta rays, and bears, and unique underwater landforms created by rocks and coral reefs!

We also recommend the many unique dive sites along the coast of Ishigaki Island and the nearby remote island areas.

For those who want to see colorful coral reefs and tropical fish, observe manta rays and sea turtles swimming in the sea, or get a diving license in Ishigaki Island, the island you love, or are considering trial diving or planning a trip to Ishigaki Island, the sea of Ishigaki Island is We will introduce the reason why the sea of Ishigaki Island is chosen as the best diving area.

If you want to see manta rays, click here.

 

The clarity of the sea is high.

The sea of Ishigaki Island is highly transparent.

Especially during the summer months when the weather is sunny, some points can be so clear that you can see as far as 50 meters below the sea floor.

Diving in the blue ocean with beautiful light shining through, you may feel fluffy, as if you are flying in the sky.

 

2. Diving is possible all year round due to the high water temperature.

The average water temperature of the sea of Ishigaki Island is over 20 degrees throughout the year, and in August, the main season for diving, it reaches nearly 29 degrees, and the average minimum temperature is also high except in winter.

Even in winter, with some exceptions, you can enjoy it without getting cold if you wear a wetsuit.

1It is nice to be able to dive in a warm environment all year round.

 

No.3. Rare coral reefs inhabit large areas.

Shiraho, Ishinishi Jagako, and other waters including Ishigaki Island and its surrounding outlying islands are known worldwide as places where rare coral reefs can be found.

In Ishinishi lagoon, beautiful coral reefs of about 400 species, including branch corals and table corals, spread out on the seafloor in an area of about 20 km from east to west and 15 km from north to south in the sea area that stretches from Ishigaki Island to Iriomote Island.

You can also visit Hamashima, a "phantom island" located near Shihsei Jagoho.

For more details and a list of tours to the Island of Illusion, click here↓↓.

 

No.4. You can see clownfish and other small creatures.

One of the joys of diving is that you can encounter a variety of creatures in the sea.

You can observe countless colorful and unique fish inhabiting the reef, such as clownfish swimming around in the coral reefs, unique southern scorpionfish with long fins, uniquely styled nudibranchs, and sparrowhawks and glaucon (hawksbill) swimming freely in the sea.

If you want to see colorful tropical fish such as clownfish and snappers, but are not comfortable with boats or have small children (diving is for ages 10 and up) and would like to see tropical fish in a nearby snorkel, the Blue Cave is recommended.

Click here for snorkeling tours in the Blue Cave.

 

You can see manta rays and sea turtles.

Diving in Ishigaki Island is famous for its high encounter rate with manta rays.

If you are waiting for manta rays at the manta scramble off Kabira Bay, they may come in schools!

At some points, such as the Mikamizaki Turtle Garden, which is said to be a home for sea turtles, there is a chance to see green turtles, hawksbill turtles, and other sea turtles.

If you want to see manta rays, click here.

If you want to see sea turtles, click here.

 

No.6. Enjoy unique and mysterious underwater terrain

One of the most popular and maniacal ways to enjoy diving is by diving in topography, such as at a point called the Sakieda Maze.

Diving through naturally created reef breaks and rocky crevices in the ocean is becoming increasingly popular because it offers the thrill of wandering through a maze.

 

7. Sea that satisfies everyone from families to serious divers

Ishigaki Island, located in the center of the Yaeyama Islands, has many dive sites that are easily accessible by boat.

Therefore, divers of all levels and desires can enjoy diving, from first-timers and families with children to licensed and serious divers.

 

No.8. A wide range of diving stores and schools

In Ishigaki Island, there are many local diving stores and schools that have been in business for a long time and offer a wide variety of courses to meet the needs of both beginners and experienced divers, including small-group diving tours and half-day tours.

Diving with the experienced staff who know Ishigaki Island's ocean inside out will be an unforgettable and precious experience.

 

No.9. Direct flights are available and there is no need to worry about language barriers.

In addition to the convenience of direct flights from Tokyo and Osaka, LCCs are also in service, making it easy for those who want to enjoy diving at the lowest possible cost.Diving trips to foreign countries can be costly and the language barrier can be a hurdle, but on Ishigaki Island, of course, even first-time divers can rest assured that instructors will teach you carefully.

We invite you to make your first dive in Ishigaki Island, the best diving spot in Japan!

 

Popular diving tours in Ishigaki Island!

Landing on Phantom Island & Diving Experience

Ishigaki Island is the best diving spot in Japan.

For those who want to enjoy diving in Ishigaki Island, we recommend the 1-day tour including lunch!

No license is required for this diving experience, so feel free to join.

Beginners can rest assured that they will receive a detailed lecture before diving and support from a guide during the activity.

At the beginning of the tour, we will go to the Phantom Island, which is an essential part of Ishigaki Island trip.

Phantom Island (Hamashima) is literally a phantom island that can be seen or hidden in the sea depending on the difference in tidal levels.

The island is entirely covered in white sand with no vegetation, which contrasts beautifully with the surrounding emerald green sea.

It is often used as a filming location for commercials and is one of the essential places for women's travel because it is very photogenic.

The sea surrounding the island is also a beautiful environment.

Coral and tropical fish inhabit the shallows, and offshore is the largest coral reef in Japan, where you can swim with more than 400 species of coral and a wide variety of fish.

Look for clownfish, which became popular in Finding, and many beautiful tropical fish, such as Luris sparrowhawks.

After diving on the Phantom Island, we will have lunch in between.

After relaxing and enjoying Ishigaki's island cuisine, we will head for afternoon diving! For afternoon diving, we will choose the dive site based on the sea conditions!

There are manta ray spots where you have a high chance of encountering manta rays and sea turtle spots where there are many sea turtles, so let's have a diving experience unique to Ishigaki Island!

Click here for details of the Phantom Island Landing & Diving & Snorkeling Tour ↓↓ Click here for details of the Phantom Island Landing & Diving & Snorkeling Tour

 

Taketomi Island Sightseeing & Diving Experience

After the experience diving in the sea around Ishigaki Island, we move directly to Taketomi Island for lunch and relaxing sightseeing in Taketomi Island.

On Taketomi Island, you can take a buffalo cart or rent a bicycle to tour around the island, or take a glass boat to experience the underwater world that you saw during your diving experience.

The next tour we introduce is a luxury plan that includes both diving and sightseeing in Taketomi Island!

First, we will take the boat to Ishinishi Jagako, the largest coral area in Japan.

It is home to more than 400 species of colorful corals and tropical fish.

If you are lucky, you can even meet sea turtles and manta rays, and enjoy a real dragon's palace.

You can enjoy the activity safely as you dive at a depth of about 3 to 4 meters.

After diving, if you have time, you can go snorkeling, so please consult with your guide.

After diving, we will enjoy lunch.

It varies slightly depending on availability, but basically you can choose from Soki Soba set, Hu Chanpuru set meal, Goya Chanpuru set meal, Vegetable Curry, and Ishigaki Beef Croquette Curry.

After having lunch with such island ingredients in abundance, we will head for Taketomi Island.

Surrounded by crystal clear waters, Taketomi Island retains the good old original landscape of Okinawa with its red-tiled roofs and stone walls made of Ryukyu lime.

The island is so small that it can be circumnavigated in about an hour by renting a bicycle.

Since it is free time, you can freely explore Star Sand Beach, Kondoi Beach, West Pier, etc.

You can also take a buffalo cart ride around the island, so please come and visit us!

 

Enjoy colorful corals! Half Day Experience Diving Tour-PM Course

If you have plans in the morning but not in the afternoon, you can enjoy colorful corals! If you have plans in the morning, but not in the afternoon, please try our "Half-Day Experience Diving Tour - PM Course"!

Half-day experience diving in the coral sea where you have a high probability of encountering sea turtles.

The tour starts slowly in the afternoon, so you can join the tour on the same day you arrive in Ishigaki Island!

Explore the underwater world amidst colorful fish and coral.

You can take two shots with sea turtles and even swim with them.

Once you visit, you will definitely think that you will not be satisfied with any other ocean!

We hope you will repeat your Ishigaki diving experience again and again.

 

Full-scale Fishing & Diving Experience - 1 Day Course

Why don't you observe fish caught in the sea of Ishigaki Island, which has a high biomass of organisms, up close?

You can enjoy authentic boat fishing while taking a break on a cruiser equipped with air conditioning and a sofa.

Fishing on Ishigaki Island, where the variety and quantity of fish is abundant, is known as bomb fishing!

We can provide detailed support on everything from how to apply bait to the removal of fishing points fish.

Therefore, even beginners and small children can catch a lot of fish.

The fish you catch can be cooked for you at the tavern, so let them know in advance!

After 3 hours of gutsy fishing, lunch will be followed by a diving experience.

The sea of Ishigaki Island is home to some of the world's best diving spots.

You will experience the true essence of Ishigaki Island by observing colorful corals and colorful fish up close.

No license is required, so feel free to join!

 

1 Diving Experience & Manta Snorkeling & Phantom Island Landing Tour (with Lunch) - 1 Day Course

If you are not good at making plans, or if you only have one free day but are not sure if you will be able to enjoy it, we recommend this plan.

This plan includes snorkeling and diving with manta rays in the clear waters of Ishigaki Island, followed by lunch and landing on a fantastic island!

In the crystal clear water, you can swim leisurely through Japan's best coral with fish and sea turtles.

The diving experience lasts 40-50 minutes.

In the clear water, you can see corals and a wide variety of sea creatures that you can only see in Ishigaki Island.

After diving, snorkeling can be easily tried with careful lectures.

Because you will be observing living creatures while holding your breath, you can concentrate on each dive.

We have also added snorkels so that you can observe them while poking around in the ocean!

After enjoying such diving and snorkeling experiences, we will have lunch on the boat.

Taste dishes made with island ingredients while talking about your travels and tours.

After filling your stomach, you will land on Hamashima, a "phantom island.

The white sands surrounded by crystal clear water look very beautiful as the sunlight reflects off them.

There are pieces of coral and beautiful seashells on the island, perfect for beachcombing and taking pictures.

It is a spectacular spot used for commercial shoots and photo weddings, and is one of the places you must visit when you come to Ishigaki Island.

 

Full Day Package (Phantom Island Experience Diving & Snorkeling & a little fishing tour) (Lunch included)

This is a full day package that includes a full day of diving and snorkeling experience and a little bit of Ishigaki Island fishing!

After landing on the phantom island introduced above and enjoying the photogenic atmosphere, visitors can enjoy hands-on diving and snorkeling in the surrounding waters.

Visitors can observe colorful corals and popular tropical fishes such as the clownfish and the lurid spermfish popular in Finding Nemo.

After taking pictures and enjoying the natural aquarium, we will have lunch.

Take a leisurely break and savor your lunch.

After lunch, you can head to a spot where sea turtles and manta rays are abundant and explore the underwater world, enjoying a spectacular view that is different from the phantom sea.

You can experience Ishigaki Island with your whole body by swimming with hundreds of tropical fish, sea turtles and manta rays swimming gracefully.

After experiencing the popular Ishigaki Island activity of snorkeling and diving, we will do a little bit of Ishigaki Island fishing.

Let's hang them in the sea of Ishigaki Island where explosive fishing is inevitable!

Even if you are not familiar with fishing, you will receive detailed support on how to bait, fish, and catch fish.

The fish can be taken home and cooked at an izakaya (Japanese-style pub)!

Let's enjoy a full day with three popular activities in Ishigaki Island!

 

PADI Open Water Diver Course (minimum 2 days required)

You can also obtain a diving license on Ishigaki Island.

It can be taken in as little as two days, so it is a good idea to take a shikaku while traveling.

You can participate in experience diving without a license, but if you obtain an open diver's license for this plan, you can dive down to 18 meters, allowing you to observe a wide variety of creatures at a greater depth.

Open Water is a diving license issued by PADI, the world's most renowned diving instruction organization, and upon completion of the course, a license card called a C-Card is issued.

Of course, you can get a license in other areas, but we recommend you to get a license in the beautiful waters of Ishigaki Island, which has been ranked No. 1 as the best diving spot by various professional magazines for more than 20 years.

The course includes classroom lectures on diving, so you can learn about the ocean, and five ocean training sessions allow you to enjoy the diving itself.

 

PADI Advanced Open Water Course (2 days required)

For those who have obtained the C-card mentioned above, the next stage, obtaining an advanced license, is recommended!

This advanced license can also be obtained in as little as two days, and once licensed, you will be able to dive to a depth of 30 meters.

It makes diving so much more enjoyable as you will be able to encounter a richer biota.

This course also includes 5 ocean training sessions. Each of them is substantial so that you can fully enjoy the sea of Ishigaki Island. Specifically, we will have the following 5 ocean training sessions.

 

(1) Deep Diving

Deep diving, as the name implies, is diving beyond the depth of 18 meters that can be dived in an open course.

Learn about diving deeper than 18 meters.

(2) Underwater Navigation: Compasses and other devices are used to determine the correct position in the ocean.

(3) Boat Diving

This dive is designed to help divers dive safely from a boat and learn the correct procedures.

(4) Peak Performance Buoyancy

This is a practice dive to achieve easy neutral buoyancy in the ocean.

(5) Underwater Naturalist

Diving is a way to learn about marine life and nature.

Of course, there is classroom training, but as mentioned above, you can experience various types of diving and enjoy swimming with sea turtles, manta rays, and fish in the beautiful ocean of Ishigaki Island.

 

A little further afield, we joined a diving trip to Iriomote Island!

Iriomote Island is located about 40 to 50 minutes by ferry from Ishigaki Island.

The sea of Iriomote Island is also a diving spot as good as Ishigaki Island for those who dive.

The good thing about diving in Iriomote Island is that it is still an untouched area compared to Ishigaki Island, so you can encounter untouched corals and friendly tropical fish.

The clarity of the ocean is also high due to the lack of people, and is recommended for those who want to enjoy the ocean at a leisurely pace!

Diving in Iriomote Island is here↓.
Iriomote Island Diving

Click here to book a ferry to Iriomote Island.

 

summary

Would you like to try diving on your trip to Ishigaki Island?

If you are new to diving, please try diving in Ishigaki Island.

It will be a great memory.

For more information about Ishigaki Island diving tours and a list of plans, click here↓.

All the fun in Ishigaki Island is here↓.
Ishigaki Island Tours

Enjoy a luxurious and relaxing experience after a day of activities.