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 Manta Rays in Ishigaki Island What is the best season?
- 3 How to swim with manta rays in Ishigaki Island
- 4 Manta ray spots in Ishigaki Island
- 5 Highly probable encounter in Ishigaki Island!
Recommended Manta Diving Tours
- 5.1 1) Meet colorful coral reefs & manta rays Half-day Experience Diving in Kabira
- 5.2 (2) Manta Ray or Sea Turtle Encounter Rate: 90% or higher! Experience Diving & Snorkeling Tour
- 5.3 (3) A full day of fun in Kabira! Experience Diving Tour to see Manta Rays
- 5.4 4) November to April only! Held on Kuroshima & Aragusuku Island Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour
- 6 Note here when meeting manta rays!
- 7 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 main manta rays that can be seen on Ishigaki Island arecommon 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.
High probability of encounter!
Popular☆See the list of Manta Tour in Ishigaki Island
Meet Manta Rays in Ishigaki Island
What is the best season?
General,The best season to encounter manta rays is from the end of the rainy season to autumn.During the During this period, it is said that the seas are calm and clear, making it easy to see manta rays.
The sea can be rough and you may not be able to go to manta point.
◆March-June: △
Time for a change from northerly winds to warmer winds. Unstable.
◆July-October: ◎
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
◆September to November: Fat
Manta ray breeding season, large population.
High probability of encounter!
Popular☆See the list of Manta Tour in Ishigaki Island
How to swim with 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.
The history of manta ray diving in Ishigaki Island is long, and for many years guides have studied the seasons and locations where manta rays can be seen.
It is best to rely on such experienced guides! Enjoy a safe and secure encounter with manta rays.
High probability of encounter!
Popular☆See the list of Manta Tour in Ishigaki Island
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!
There are three manta areas in Ishigaki.
The famous manta areas in Ishigaki Island and the Yaeyama Islands can be roughly divided into three categories.
The most famous areas are around Kabira where "Kabira-Ishizaki Manta Scramble" and "Manta City Point" are located, "Panari Big Corner" at the southernmost tip of Japan's largest coral area, Ishi Nishi-Reef Lake, and "Yonara Channel" between Kohama Island and Iriomote.
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
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
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!
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
Kuroshima V-drop (Kuroshima)
The topography of Kuroshima V-drop 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
Highly probable encounter on Ishigaki Island!
Recommended Manta Diving Tours
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.
High probability of encounter!
Popular☆See the list of Manta Tour in 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.
Is it easier to see manta rays in the morning or afternoon?
If you want to see manta rays with as high a probability as possible, the morning is recommended! If you want to see manta rays, morning is the best time.
This is because the manta rays are more likely to escape when there is more presence of people during the on-season, and in case they are not seen in the morning, they can try again in the afternoon.
Can I see manta rays anytime?
Manta rays can be seen all year round on Ishigaki Island, but since they are wild creatures, it is not always possible to encounter 100% at any given time.
There is a high probability of seeing manta rays in the Kabira area from summer to fall and in the southern area from fall to spring.
If manta ray diving is your goal
Which area of Ishigaki Island do you recommend staying?
If you stay in Ishigaki Island for diving, staying in the city center is recommended as there are many dive stores and it is convenient for shopping and transportation.
If your tour is in the Kabira area, we recommend staying in the Kabira area. You can go sightseeing in Kabira Bay in your spare time, and there are many restaurants and souvenir shops.
Click here to read the article in conjunction with this one.
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.
