Snorkeling" and "Diving" are the most popular activities to enjoy Ishigaki Island.

Snorkeling and Diving in Ishigaki Island

Ishigaki Island is a tropical resort! Tropical resort means beautiful sea!

I think that many people have the image that this is a good idea.

Ishigaki Island and the other Yaeyama Islands are famous for their beautiful ocean as you can imagine, and are considered one of the best tropical resorts in the world.

Snorkeling and diving are probably the most well-known activities in these beautiful waters, but some people may not be aware of the difference between the two. Some people are not aware of the difference between snorkeling and diving, so we would like to explain the difference.

 

snorkeling

Snorkeling is basically an activity in which people do not dive into the sea, but float on the surface and enjoy looking at the underwater world from above.

Floating on the surface of the sea, the snorkel is held in the mouth and pulled out of the water to breathe in the fresh air as you explore the ocean.

Those who are accustomed to swimming may occasionally dive into the sea, but they hold their breath when doing so.

Related columns are here↓.

 

Equipment used for snorkeling

Snorkeling can basically be enjoyed with only the equipment known as a "three-piece set!

Wetsuits may be required in winter and other cold weather.

• Mask...Underwater glasses used to see underwater
• Snorkel...a tube that is pulled out of the water to breathe air when looking underwater
• Fins...fins that are attached to the feet to help the swimmer move forward

Wetsuits or rash guards and life jackets are the usual style of clothing.

The snorkeling "3-piece set" is the most basic item for diving in the ocean, so it is important to use a snorkeling set of the right size and shape for your face! You can buy them at sporting goods stores or even at home centers, so many people prepare their own.

 

age limit

Snorkeling is an easy activity where you float on the surface of the ocean and enjoy the underwater scenery, so of course there are no age restrictions.

*However, we recommend ages 6 and up for snorkeling by boat.

Although preliminary explanations and initial practice are given in shallow water, a license is not required, so everyone from young children to the elderly can enjoy the experience.

Snorkeling is called "the window to the sea," and is an activity that people of all ages can easily enjoy!

For details and a list of snorkeling tours in Ishigaki Island, click here↓.

 

diving

Diving is an activity in which one dives deep into the ocean and explores the underwater world!

There are two types of diving: experience diving (to a maximum depth of 10 meters), which does not require a license, and diving that does require a license.

Since most of the people who dive in Ishigaki Island are tourists, there are many experience diving customers especially in summer.

Diving is a bit more serious than snorkeling because it also uses equipment necessary to stay underwater for long periods of time in deep water.
The charm of diving is that you can see up close fish and sea creatures that can only be seen in deep water, and you can enjoy the mysterious world view with your whole body to the fullest.

 

Diving equipment used

As mentioned above, diving requires more equipment than snorkeling because you are diving well and walking around underwater.

The "three-piece set" is worn in the same way as for snorkeling, but the following other equipment is also required.

• Tanks...carry air on their backs to breathe underwater
• Regulators...the lifeblood of diving, necessary to breathe the air in the tank
• Gauge...instrument that displays the amount of air in the tank

In total, about 10 items will be worn, including

Clothing will include a wetsuit or drysuit, depending on the season.

 

age limit

Diving is a more serious activity than snorkeling, and because it involves carrying equipment and going deep underwater where water pressure is high, age restrictions are set.

At Ishigaki Island Tours, you can enjoy it from ages 10 and up!

Although there is no age limit, a "C Card" license is required for serious diving.

There are many types of licenses, but generally the first one you will get will be the OWD (Open Water Diver) certification.

With an OWD, you can dive up to 18 meters with two or more other divers (there are some places you can't dive with just this certification because of the "dive within your own experience" rule...).

Of course, there is also "experience diving," where you can enjoy diving without a license.

This is a full-fledged experience of the marine world, where you can take a brief training course in advance and dive into the ocean with an instructor.

All equipment is free for experience diving

For details and a list of diving tours in Ishigaki Island, click here↓.

 

Difference between snorkeling and diving

Did you understand the difference between snorkeling and diving?

It is easy to think of snorkeling as a casual way to enjoy the ocean and diving as a full-fledged way to enjoy the ocean!

If you are not used to going into the ocean, you can start with snorkeling, and if you want to enjoy the ocean world more, you can try diving or get a diving certification!

I also recommend a course called â

The ocean of Ishigaki Island is really beautiful and completely different from beaches that can be reached in a short time from cities like Tokyo or Osaka!

Beginners and non-beginners alike will be impressed!

 

Snorkeling Spots on Ishigaki Island

There are numerous snorkeling spots on this fascinating Ishigaki Island.

Here are some recommended snorkeling spots on Ishigaki Island!

Blue Cave

The Blue Cave is famous on Okinawa Island and Capri Island in Italy, but there is also a "Blue Cave" on Ishigaki Island.

The Blue Cave is a very unusual spot formed by a combination of various geographical requirements, such as the way sunlight enters the cave and the shape of the cave.

The combination of the darkness of the limestone caves, the emerald blue sea, and the sunlight reflecting off the sea surface is very mysterious....

The snorkeling here is highly recommended among the snorkeling in Ishigaki Island.

There are many coral reefs and the water is not deep, so even beginners can enjoy this tour.

A cave that turns a fantastic blue awaits you.

Click here for details on snorkeling tours conducted in the Blue Cave.

 

Hamashima, the "Island of Illusions

measure of a Japanese-style boat's loading capacity (approx. 278.26 liters)Hamashima is the hottest "phantom island" in Kakijima.

It is a pure white island located about 30 minutes by boat from Ishigaki Island, and the island appears and disappears depending on the tide level.

Of course, no one lives there and not even a single plant grows.

Hama Island itself is popular, but the largest coral reef group in Japan, known as Ishinishi Jagako, located in this area, is a very popular snorkeling and diving spot.

If you come to Ishigaki Island for sightseeing, I would like to swim in this sea at least once.

Click here for details of the tour to the "Phantom Island" Hamashima.

 

Kabira Bay

Kabira Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches in Ishigaki Island, and has been awarded one of the top 100 scenic spots in Japan and three stars in the Michelin Green Guide Japon (other three-star tourist spots include Kiyomizu Temple, Himeji Castle, Sapporo Snow Festival, and other famous spots)!

Kabira Bay is a beach located 30 minutes north by car from Ishigaki Port Rito Terminal, with white sand beach and beautiful Kabira blue ocean!

Why don't you enjoy snorkeling at Kabira Bay, which is easily accessible and easy to enjoy?

Click here for more information about snorkeling tours in Kabira Bay.

For more information about Kabira Bay, click here↓.

 

Osaki Area

A snorkeling and experience diving spot famous for its colorful coral reefs and endangered sea turtles.

Depending on the location, the water is not deep, and this is a recommended spot for experience diving, which does not require a license.

In summer, many snorkeling boats line up at this spot, where even first-timers can enjoy the experience of diving.

 

Lake Shihshihshan

Ishinishi lagoon is said to be one of the largest colorful coral areas in Japan.

A large coral zone stretches about 20 km from east to west and 15 km from north to south across Ishigaki Island and Iriomote Island. It is said that there are more than 1,200 to 1,300 kinds of corals in the world, but here you can see about 400 kinds of colorful corals.

Be sure to see the colorful corals that stretch as far as the eye can see.

 

Creatures you can see while snorkeling in Ishigaki Island

One of the joys of snorkeling is watching colorful tropical fish floating on the surface of the sea!

Let us introduce you to the fish you can see on Ishigaki Island!

 

clownfish (Balistoides conspicillum)

The clownfish is the main character in everyone's favorite Disney movie, "Finding Nemo.

â- They are colorful and just what you would expect from a subtropical fish.â

They are relatively easy to spot, as they are small and often school around coral reefs.

The kids are sure to love it!

 

sapphire damselfish (Pomacentrus pavo, species of marine damselfish from the Indo-Pacific)

This fish is characterized by its dark blue body surface. It is a very common fish in the sea of Ishigaki Island.

 

peacock grouper (Cephalopholis argus)

Its eyes are blue, but it also has distinctive blue spots that spread throughout its body.

The chances of encountering them are lower than clownfish and bluefin tuna, but since they live near coral reefs, you may be lucky enough to see them!

It is a member of the grouper family and is said to be delicious when caught and eaten (please refrain from catching and eating it lol)!

You will never normally encounter tropical fish. Swim with them while being swayed by the tropical atmosphere and relaxing waves.

 

sea turtle

It is said that sea turtles live only in clean waters.

Moreover, as you know, sea turtles are designated as an endangered species, so they are usually rarely seen.

However, here on Ishigaki Island, there is a high probability of seeing sea turtles and swimming with them!

Please try swimming with sea turtles.

 

manta ray

In the direction of Kabira Bay (northwest) on Ishigaki Island, there is a spot where schools of manta rays can be seen in the world.

During the season, you can see several, sometimes as many as a dozen, in a school.

Manta ray spots are also famous for their fast ocean currents, so we often go there for experience diving when we judge that it is not dangerous based on the customer's level of experience when joining the tour.

After all, no matter how much you want to see manta rays, you don't want to take any risks on this fun trip.

 

summary

Did we convey the charm of snorkeling in Ishigaki Island?

We also have a variety of other plans waiting for you!

For details and a list of snorkeling tours in Ishigaki Island, click here↓.

For details and a list of diving tours in Ishigaki Island, click here↓.

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

⇒List of recommended snorkeling spots in Ishigaki Island