About Ishigaki Island

Destination: Ishigaki Island, Yaeyama Archipelago, Okinawa

Dive Site: Kabira Ishizaki (Manta Scramble / Manta City), Sekisei Lagoon, Yonehara Reef

Overview: Celebrated as one of the world's premier manta ray sanctuaries, Ishigaki Island boasts extraordinarily high encounter rates with resident reef mantas. Hover calmly alongside coral pinnacles as these ocean giants glide effortlessly overhead at natural cleaning stations. Surrounding reefs in the Sekisei Lagoon showcase miles of colorful branching corals, sea turtles, and thousands of subtropical reef fish.

How to get there

Direct Flights from Tokyo:

Fly direct from Tokyo (Haneda HND or Narita NRT) to Painushima Ishigaki Airport (ISG) on Japan Airlines (JAL) or partner airlines. Flight time: approx. 3 hours 30 minutes.

Via Naha (Okinawa Main Island):

Frequent daily domestic flights connect Naha Airport (OKA) to Ishigaki Airport (ISG). Flight time: approx. 55 minutes.

Diving shop

Diving with Prime Scuba Ishigaki

A premier PADI 5-Star Dive Center known for gold-standard international hospitality and multilingual guides. Their large custom dive cruiser features spacious decks and warm showers, timed to tidal windows for optimal manta encounters at Kabira. Full rental gear and computers available.

Diving with Pushynushima

One of Ishigaki’s most established local operators, based right by Ishigaki Port. Operating ultra-stable catamaran cruisers with indoor cabins, they offer comfortable access to Sekisei Lagoon and manta cleaning stations for divers of all levels. Full gear rentals and prescription masks available.

Free Pick-Up & Drop-Off Service

Complimentary round-trip transfers between your accommodation and the marina are provided for both operators across central Ishigaki City and southern resort areas:

- ANA InterContinental Ishigaki Resort

- Fusaki Beach Resort Hotel & Villas

- Art Hotel Ishigaki Island

- Grandvrio Resort Ishigaki

- Hotels and guesthouses around Ishigaki Port / Southern Gate area

*Notes: Free shuttle service covers central Ishigaki City and southern resort districts only. Accommodations in northern districts (e.g., Kabira, Ibaruma, Hirakubo) are outside the pick-up zone; guests staying in the north must arrive directly at the port by rental car or taxi. Advance reservation required.