Scuba

What It Feels Like

Two real but separate dive bases. Ishigaki supports accessible certified fun dives and beginner introductions through shops such as Viking Scuba Kabira, with Manta Scramble and Osaki Hanagoi Reef as signature names. Across the ferry, Diving Team Unarizaki operates Iriomote-certified day boats from the Uehara area, with reef, macro and selected advanced drift options. Wildlife is wild and offshore routes depend on wind, swell, boat and crew judgement. Unarizaki currently says it does not run introductory dives or snorkeling.

Signature Sites

Start Here

Manta Scramble (Kabira)
Ishigaki boat-accessed manta cleaning area cited by JNTO, best treated as a conditional wildlife opportunity, not a guaranteed encounter.
Osaki Hanagoi Reef
JNTO-cited reef with anthias/sea goldies and other reef fauna, a credible alternative to manta-dependent planning.
Yonehara reef area
Coral-rich Ishigaki shore-facing reef region; access for scuba is guided and sea-state dependent, not an invitation to self-dive from beach.

Level Up

Sakiyama west Iriomote sector
Iriomote operator describes west-side Sakiyama dives and occasional pelagic drift when northern winds relax; route and skill checks required.

Advanced

Ogan (Nakanokamishima), East Root
Exceptional exposed drop-off area on a conditional, tightly screened Iriomote day-boat expedition; not a beginner or a routine scheduled trip.

Planning Playbook

Operator Checklist

Reserve each island operator separately and identify the actual meeting port or pickup district. A certified scuba boat is not automatically a snorkel or introductory dive product. Choose a multi-day weather window so north winds and typhoons can redirect visits, and allow time before flying per your dive computer and accepted no-fly guidance. For Ogan, verify the current minimum experience, assessment dive and weather window before booking accommodation; no route or depth is promised.

Conditions Fallback

Reserve each island operator separately and identify the actual meeting port or pickup district. A certified scuba boat is not automatically a snorkel or introductory dive product. Choose a multi-day weather window so north winds and typhoons can redirect visits, and allow time before flying per your dive computer and accepted no-fly guidance. For Ogan, verify the current minimum experience, assessment dive and weather window before booking accommodation; no route or depth is promised.

Avoid

Do not ignore typhoons and boat cancellations advisories from local operators.

Scuba In 30 Seconds

Best Window: May-Oct for Kabira manta-site opportunities; local Ishigaki diving possible year-round
Typical Level: Beginner introduction with a qualified instructor or Open Water for sheltered Ishigaki sites; certified divers for Iriomote; experienced advanced drift divers only for Ogan. - Operator-assigned recreational reef depths; Ogan has steep terrain extending beyond normal recreational limits. No single destination-wide safe depth can be assigned.
Start Here: Manta Scramble (Kabira), Osaki Hanagoi Reef, Yonehara reef area
Risk To Watch: Typhoons and boat cancellations

Bring List

Bring

SMB
Current-capable fin setup for qualified drift divers
Sun protection and a warm layer for winter boat intervals
Certification proof and current medical questionnaire

Optional

Personal dive computer

Ishigaki and Iriomote Activity Planning