Ishigaki Island's Manta Scramble, near Kabira Bay, is consistently ranked among the world's top snorkelling and diving sites for reliable manta ray encounters. Between June and October, large numbers of reef and oceanic manta rays congregate at cleaning stations in the channel, allowing snorkellers to observe them at close range. Licensed tour operators run half-day boat trips from Ishigaki port, often combining the site with visits to the pristine coral gardens of Yaeyama Marine Park.
- Type
- Experience
- Category
- Nature
- Season
- Summer
- Month
- June–October (peak manta season)
- Region
- Okinawa
- Prefecture
- Okinawa
- City
- Ishigaki
Highlights
- ◆Near-guaranteed manta ray sightings during peak season
- ◆Crystalline Yaeyama waters with 30+ m visibility
- ◆Combined tours with Yaeyama Marine Park coral reefs
- ◆Beginner-friendly snorkel trips and advanced dive options
- ◆Kabira Bay glass-bottom boat tours also available