Ishigaki

[floyd2466]

Hi all!!

I'm currently taking my PADI OW licence before heading off to Ishigaki in May.

Was wondering if anyone could tell me a bit about the water conditions round Ishigaki and the likely depths I'll be diving to.

Also, got a bit worried about some of the threads regarding Japanese attitudes towards safety and equipment condition!! Anyone recommend a safe and reliable diving company on Ishigaki? (Including contact details, please).

Cheers!

 

[TJO]

Hi and lucky you! You will like Ishigaki. You will probably be more comfortable in a 5mm. Ishigaki should not be that deep, normally 10-20m, and no strong currents. Not so difficult diving, nice visibility, lots of stuff to see. I am sure the Okinawa based SB members will fill in and make recommendations.

Thomas

 

[ken chung ar]

hi floyd2466,

as TJO wrote, diving in ishigaki is easy-going with warm water, good vis and almost no currents. some excellent spots, like the lionfish temple, are as deep as -30m. if you are interested in manta rays, you will get excited to see many hovering mantas at the manta scramble in kabira.

i would recommend OCEAN BLUE if you can communicate to some extent in japanese. it's run by mr TOCHIGI, an excellent guide and owner. their email address is ocean-blue@k6.dion.ne.jp. tell him that you got a contact info from ARASAKI-san.

i'm leaving for COCOS ISLAND the day after tomorrow and won't be back until the 25th. therefore, i will not be able to assist you till then. sorry about that.

ken chung ar