#MANTA RAY BIG ISLAND NOVEMBER FULL#

There isn’t much you need to bring on a Big Island manta ray snorkel tour. Most tours will provide you with a wetsuit and snorkel gear.

#MANTA RAY BIG ISLAND NOVEMBER FULL#

Renting a full set of dive equipment is about 50 USD a day.Book Kona Style Now! What to Bring on a Manta Ray Night Snorkel in Kona Unfortunately it was raining most of the day, definitely a tropical island but not good for the diving conditions.Įast Chinese Sea / Philippine Sea, Yaeyama islands, North-West Ishigaki islandĪbout 175 USD for a 3-tank day trip without dive equipment including lunch, coffee/tea/water, small towel. There are plenty of English speaking dive shops on Ishigaki.Īs with accommodations, last-minute bookings are not common in Japan so I booked this dive trip well in advance hoping for good weather.Īs my accommodation was close to Ishigaki City the company that was recommended to me, Prime Scuba Ishigaki, offered a pick-up. Ishigaki city is like the little sister of Naha.įrom Ishigaki you can also take a ferry to Yonaguni Island for the hammerhead sharks (during the season).Īlso there is a strange underwater structure that looks like the remains of a lost civilization. Just like on Okinawa Honso transportation, accommodation and all the comforts you need are easy to find and English is not a big problem. Ishigaki is one of the Southernmost islands of Japan, laying next to Taiwan. Location of Ishigaki island - Okinawa, Japan Organizing SCUBA Diving Ishigaki - Manta Islandįrom Naha, Okinawa Honso, it's a one hour flight to Ishigaki (石垣島). With all the lovely recommendations I eventually selected Ishigaki island in Okinawa.įamous for the Reef manta rays (Manta alfredi) and coral reef diving. If there is one thing I want to avoid while diving it is crowds. The outer islands of Okinawa are often mentioned for better diving, healthier reefs and less crowds. It's just that the circumstances where not right and my diving budget is limited. The idea of people standing on corals and chasing marine life with GoPros did not appeal to me at all.ĭiving around Okinawa Honso and especially the Kerama Islands must be beautiful. It looked like the typical El Nido Island Hopping Tours in The Philippines, more life jackets than fish. When asking around for fun diving around Okinawa Honso I has happy I didn't book anything in advance.ĭue to the weather conditions the only dive spot possible was the famous Blue Grotto of Okinawa (Cape Maeda).Įven the dive centers warned me about the crowds I would encounter, including photos. About the worse combination for diving, I know. Taxis are also really affordable in my opinion and more honest and reliable than I have seen in any other country.Įnough about Okinawa, let's talk about SCUBA DIVING!Īs I was traveling during peak typhoon as well as peak holiday season (Obon) it was busy, rainy and windy. Get the Japan Travel – Route, Map, JR app and plan your trip, it's super easy and make sure to be on time for the bus because it won't be late. Okinawa Honso is widespread so renting a car/scooter or using the public bus system is recommended unless you stay in Naha and book tours only. Some major differences between Hawaii and Okinawa? No tipping (maybe a cover charge) and the Japanese hospitality omotenashi. Nature around the islands is truly amazing! Of course, if you leave the tourist areas you will get a whole different and more 'local' experience. You might even feel overwhelmed by it's commerce, especially the down town areas. You can literally can find anything in the shape of a whale shark, manta ray, dolphin, anemone fish (Nemo) and garden eels (yes, garden eel pens / key chains / towels / t-shirts, you name it). Souvenirs shops are aligned along the major shopping areas. The nickname 'The Hawaii of Japan' is spot on, the tropical flowery beach vibe is all around.įrom colorful Kariyushi shirts (Aloha shirts) worn even for business to ukuleles, cocktails in coconut shells and huge themed restaurants with people luring you in. If you love the boulevards of Waikiki, Cancun/Play del Carmen and Fiji you will love Naha on Okinawa's main island Okinawa Honto (沖縄本島).

The Okinawa prefecture is quite remote in itself as well yet it is a popular holiday and dive destination.

The Okinawa region aka tropical Japan contains of over 150 islands and it a beautifully diverse region.įrom the South almost touching the top of the coral triangle to the far East where the Ogasawara Islands lay as remotely as Guam.

Manta ray big island november