A beautiful sandbank in Sekisei Shoko

In the south, there are many dive sites in Sekisei Shoko, a large lagoon between Kohama Island and Iriomote Island. In 1972, it was designated as the Iriomote National park. Sekisei Shoko is about 20 km wide from east to west, 15 km long from north to south. It was said that there were about 400 kinds of coral in this area.

South of Taketomi Island

However, in recent years, due to higher water temperatures, the corals suffered very severe damage according to a government survey in 2016. But after a new survey in 2017, the Ministry of the Environment announced that the corals are slowly recovering.

View from Hirakubozaki

The dive sites in the North Area are nearly untouched. There are many dive sites such as an impressively large drop-off with a large number of pyramid butterflyfish, small and big bommies covered by different species of colorful fish, caves, etc.

1 Kabira Ishizaki Manta Scramble

Skill level: all levels
Maximum depth: 25 m
Currents: nearly none
Distance: 10 min. from Kabira Area / 50 min. from Ishigaki port
This area is about 600 m wide from east to west, 200 m long from north to south. There are many cleaning stations for manta rays. During the manta mating season from the beginning of September to the middle of November, you may have the chance to see schools of manta rays. Turtles are seen all year round.

2 Manta City Point

Skill level: all levels
Maximum depth: 25 m
Currents: nearly none
Distance: 10 min. from Kabira Area / 50 min. from Ishigaki port
At 400 m west of “Manta Scramble”, there are cleaning stations for manta rays on the reef about 10 m deep. From April to November, if you are lucky, 5 to 10 manta rays may be hovering around the reef. In accordance with the local rules for manta protection, there cannot be more than 5 dive boats at this place at the same time.

3 Yonehara W reef, West

Skill level: all levels
Maximum depth: 26 m
Currents: nearly none
Distance: 15 min. from Kabira Area
It is located to the west of the big coral reef called “W reef” or in Okinawan language “Pukapi”. When you dive in the reef faults, you may find whitetip reef sharks sleeping under the overhangs. Yonehara is also good for snorkeling to enjoy corals and small colorful fish.

4 Osaki Hanagoi Reef

Skill level: all levels
Maximum depth: 30 m
Currents: nearly none
Distance: 10 min. from Kabira Area / 25 min. from Ishigaki port
In the south of the Sakieda peninsula, there are lots of basslets on this reef. In Japanese, hanagoi is the name of a kind of basslet fish. You may find the yellow head jawfish, harlequin shrimp and, in the spring time, the broadclub cuttlefish laying eggs in shallow water.

5 Tokakin-no-ne

Skill level: all levels
Maximum depth: 30 m
Currents : sometimes strong
Distance: 40 min. from Ishigaki port
Tokakin means dogtooth tuna in the Okinawan language, and ne means coral bommie in Japanese. So, this is a dive site where you might be able to see pelagic fish including schools of dogtooth tuna, hammerheads, and mantas. At the depth of 13 m, there are square-spot fairy basslets.

6 Yonara Channel

Skill level: advanced
Maximum depth: 30 m
Currents: sometimes very strong
Distance: 45 min. from Ishigaki port
This is a channel between Kohama Island and Iriomote Island, 500 m to 750 m wide and 5 km long. A recently discovered manta ray site, different from the “Yonara Channel Mantaway”, is on a sandy bottom at the depth of 26 m. While waiting for the manta rays, you can observe garden eels on the sandy bottom.

7 “Taketomi Island Minami Jagaimo-no-ne”, south of Taketomi Island. Jagaimo means potato. The coral head looks like a giant potato

8 “Itona Dorm”, an underwater cave in the North Area

9 “Taketomi Island middle book” (named after a Japanese instructor, Mr.Nakamoto. naka=middle, moto＝book). A yellow prawn goby and a shrimp

10 Oganzaki lighthouse on the west of Ishigaki Island. There are many dive sites here

11 “Yarabuzaki Corner” in the West Area

12 “Shrimp Garden”, Kabira Area. Shrimps cleaning a coral grouper

There is a bus transportation system on the island. But taxis might be more convenient.
Transportation times:

20 to 30 minutes from the airport to the south urban district

30 to 40 minutes from the airport to the Kabira Area

20 minutes from the airport to the North Area

Diving boats based in the South Area are often fairly large. There is enough room to bring with you all you need for the day

Fusaki Resort Village on the west coast is a beach front hotel, and is a great location to watch the sunset

Pottery inspired by mantas, dolphins, etc.