A thorough guide to manta ray diving and snorkeling in Ishigaki Island! Introducing the recommended season and spots to see the manta rays of your dreams in Ishigaki Island!
Table of Contents
- 1 Swim in the beautiful ocean of Ishigaki Island Let's go see the queen of the sea, "Manta"!
- 2 When you can see manta rays in Ishigaki Island
- 3 Probability of seeing manta rays on Ishigaki Island
- 4 Manta ray spots in Ishigaki Island
- 5 How to Meet Manta Rays in Ishigaki Island
- 6 Recommended tours to see manta rays in Ishigaki Island
- 6.1 1) Meet colorful coral reefs & manta rays Half-day Experience Diving in Kabira
- 6.2 (2) Manta Ray or Sea Turtle Encounter Rate: 90% or higher! Experience Diving & Snorkeling Tour
- 6.3 (3) A full day of fun in Kabira! Experience Diving Tour to see Manta Rays
- 6.4 4) November to April only! Held on Kuroshima & Aragusuku Island Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour
- 7 Note here when meeting manta rays!
- 8 summary
⬇︎Click here for a special feature on the popular manta ray tours of the sea☆.
Swim in the beautiful ocean of Ishigaki Island
Let's go see the queen of the sea, the manta ray!
Ishigaki Island is surrounded by rich nature and coral and is a popular diving spot,The island where you can see manta rays.It's also attracting worldwide attention as a
Ishigaki Island is where the dream of "once diving with manta rays" comes true. This time, we will introduce the points where you can see manta rays and recommended tours☆.
Those who want to swim with manta ray at least once
◆Love diving and snorkeling
◆If you want to know information about manta spots in Ishigaki Island
Manta rays are the world's largest ray species with a total length of 4 to 6 meters, and the official name of the manta rays that can be seen on Ishigaki Island is "common sandeel (Actinidia arguta)It is the largest in the world with a width of 6.8 meters and a weight of 2 tons. It is the largest in the world with a record of 6.8m in width and 2t in weight.
Also known as the queen of the sea, they are very popular with divers because of their curious and playful nature.
Manta City and Manta Scramble are located off Kabira in Ishigaki Island.manta pointand there is a "Kabira Manta PointIt is world-renowned as a "one of a kind" product.
Depending on the time of year, it is easy to see manta rays even if it is your first time snorkeling or diving!
High probability of encounter!
Popular☆See the list of Manta Tour in Ishigaki Island
When you can see manta rays in Ishigaki Island
General,The best season to encounter manta rays is from May to September.During the During this period, it is said that the seas are calm and clear, making it easy to see manta rays.
On the other hand, in winter, the sea can be rough and boats cannot be launched.
This is the time of year when the cold northerly winds of winter gradually change to warmer winds. In addition to manta rays, big fish can also be seen.
◆June-September: Kabira,Iriomote Island, Kohama Island (Yonara)
During the year.The time when you have the highest probability of seeing manta rays.The following is a list of the most common problems with the
◆Oct-Nov: Kabira,Iriomote Island, Kohama Island (Yonara)
It is the breeding season for manta rays, so you can see more than 10 of them.
Recommended if you want to see many manta rays at once!
◆December-March:Kurushima
This is the time of year when the probability of getting to North Manta Point is low.
It is recommended to dive to the point instead of snorkeling!
High probability of encounter!
Popular☆See the list of Manta Tour in Ishigaki Island
Probability of seeing manta rays on Ishigaki Island
The probability of actually seeing manta rays on Ishigaki Island varies greatly depending on the season, weather, and ocean conditions.
Best SeasonManta encounter rate at Manta Scramble is about 70-80%.It is also said to be the highest in the world. This is a very high figure even by global standards, but it is not 100% because we are dealing with nature.
Manta ray spots in Ishigaki Island
In Ishigaki Island, if you change the spotYou can encounter manta rays in all seasons.The following is a list of the most common problems with the
We will introduce you to the manta ray spots on Ishigaki Island that are attracting attention around the world!
(1) Kabira-Ishizaki Manta Scramble
Kabira-Ishizaki Manta Scramble is a manta ray spot in the Kabira area, where there is almost no current and the maximum depth is not so deep, about 15 meters.Recommended for beginnersThis is a diving spot in the
During the breeding season from September to October, multiple male manta rays can be seen chasing a female manta ray.
Average depth: 10-15 m
Flow: Gentle to moderate
Point: Recommended for beginners.
↓Kawapyeong held! Recommended Manta Tours
(2) Manta City Point (MCP)
Manta City Point is located not far from Manta Scramble,New manta ray spots recently identifiedIt is.
Like the Manta Scramble, there is little tidal current and the maximum depth is approximately 20 meters.
The number of boats allowed to anchor is limited to five in order to reduce congestion and protect manta rays.
Average depth: 10-15 m
Current: Moderate, can be difficult for beginners on days with strong current
Point: Coral reefs dot the sandy expanse
(3) Yonara Channel (Iriomote Island, Kohama Island)
Yonara Channel is located just between Iriomote Island and Kohama Island, and has a very high encounter rate with manta rays.
In addition to manta raysBlack manta rays, schools of mudfish, longnose hawksbill sharks, sea turtles, and dogtooth tunaYou can also encounter migratory fish such as
However, because the maximum depth is 30 meters and the current is fast, a diver's license is required to be advanced 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!
↓Held in Ishigaki Island! Click here to see the list of Fun Diving Tours!
(4) Panari Big Corner (Aragusuku Island, Kuroshima)
Panari Big Corner is a manta ray spot located in the southern part of Aragusuku (Panari) Island, near Kuroshima.
In recent years, it has been known to be visited by manta rays,New manta ray spot attracting attentionand is a place where beginners can challenge themselves.
In addition to manta rays, this spot is also a good place to see large marine fish such as sharks and iso-tuna, but be aware that the tides are faster during the winter months.
Average depth: 15 to 20 meters
Current: moderate to strong
Point: Manta rays, Napoleon fish, barracuda, isomargin tuna, and sometimes sharks can be seen.
↓Ashijo Island is held! Click here for recommended Manta Tours
↓Panari Island is a great place to enjoy the island to the fullest! Click here for recommended tours
(5) Kuroshima V (Kuroshima)
The topography of Kuroshima V-shape is a bit unusual, with a powerful drop-off and a rough V-shaped cut.
Manta ray encounters are also highly probable,Dogtooth tuna, Napoleon, butterflyfish, and bearskin sunfishYou can also encounter flocks of
Average depth: 15-25m
Current: Slow to moderate
Point: Mantas are often seen swimming in the middle and upper layers of the V-shaped terrain
↓Kuroshima Island! Click here for recommended Manta Tours
↓Enjoy Kuroshima to the fullest! Click here for recommended related plans
How to Meet Manta Rays in Ishigaki Island
How to increase the chances of encountering manta rays on Ishigaki Island,Take a tour with an experienced guide.Things to do.
Guides know the ocean conditions and the behavior of manta rays and are indispensable in choosing the right points.
There are also snorkeling tours that can be enjoyed by beginners, so choose according to your level.
High probability of encounter!
Popular☆See the list of Manta Tour in Ishigaki Island
Recommended tours to see manta rays in Ishigaki Island
Let me introduce 4 recommended tours where you can see manta rays with high probability! Please enjoy and join them with the beautiful ocean of Ishigaki Island.
(1) Colorful coral reefs and manta rays
Half-day Experience Diving in Kabira
This tour is an experience diving tour for beginners. Since this tour is held in Kabira where there is manta scramble, you can see manta rays with high probability even if you plan for half a day.
The small number of students means that you can be assured of a thorough lecture.
(2) Manta ray or sea turtle encounter rate: 901 TP3T or higher!
Experience Diving & Snorkeling Tour
This is a greedy plan that allows you to enjoy both diving and snorkeling on "Phantom Island," an uninhabited island with a spectacular view that appears only at low tide. This is a full day of fun, and the small group size makes it perfect for family trips.
Learn more about ↓ sea turtle snorkeling
↓Learn more about "Phantom Island".
(iii) You can enjoy a full day at Kabira!
Experience Diving Tour to Meet Manta Rays
This is a full-day experience diving tour held in Kabira, where there is also a Manta Scramble.
Upon successful completion of the experience, you will receive a certificate of completion that will partially exempt you from the licensing course!
This tour is recommended for those who want to continue diving and experience various types of diving.
4) November to April only! Kuroshima & Aragusuku Island
Manta ray snorkeling tour
This is a manta ray snorkeling tour held on Kuroshima and Aragusuku (Panari) Island for those considering a winter or spring trip.
In winter, manta rays come up to the very surface of the water to feed on the plankton that accumulates on the surface.This tour has one of the highest encounter rates in Ishigaki Island.
Note here when meeting manta rays!
If you act in a way that manta rays do not like, you may lose manta rays in a great manta ray spot. Please follow the rules.
If you take a tour, follow the guide's instructions.
I'm not going to chase you.
○○ Not too close.
Do not cross in front of the ○○.
○○Air should not hit the manta ray.
summary
If you have always dreamed of swimming with manta rays, why don't you make it come true in the beautiful ocean of Ishigaki Island?
Besides manta rays, you can also enjoy the underwater world of sea turtles, colorful corals, and large tropical fish that you cannot find in other seas. Please come and experience the unforgettable underwater world of Ishigaki Island!
↓Click here to read the article.
