Encountering the Manta Rays of Ishigaki

A true encounter with wild animals offers an experience on a different level from that of a zoo—an experience where we are briefly invited into their world without any artificial devices. Off the coast of Ishigaki Island, Japan, there is a world-class stage where you can experience such a moment. It is where you can meet the giant Manta Ray, which gracefully flies through the sea.


Manta Scramble, Why is it Special?

'Manta Scramble,' located off the coast of Ishigaki's Kabira Bay, is known to divers worldwide as a 'cleaning station' where manta rays gather to have their bodies cleaned. Thanks to this unique ecological feature, you can encounter manta rays here with a very high probability. The period from August to October is especially the peak season for sightings, making Manta Scramble the number one bucket-list destination for divers from all over the world during this time.


Confronting a Moment of Wonder

The tour begins by arriving at the point by boat and entering the quiet sea. A time of waiting with bated breath. Soon, a giant shadow appears before your eyes. The moment a manta ray, with a wingspan of several meters, glides past overhead with unbelievably elegant movements. The experience of feeling the flow of water created by the giant creature's swim with your whole body—that will become the most overwhelming memory of your Ishigaki trip.

You can have this experience through an Ishigaki Manta Tour. You can choose between a Manta Ray Snorkeling Tour and a Manta Ray Introductory Diving Tour. The editor recommends experiencing this wondrous moment through an introductory dive.

We hope you will add a moment of reverence to your Ishigaki trip.