Ishigakie/Okinawa

[marpacifica]

Hi, this is my first post to the Zen Divers forum.

I will be diving Ishigaki June 13-17, but have a one-night stopover in Okinawa.

1) Can someone recommend a hotel, nothing fancy, near the Okinawa airport. I get in late the 12th, and my flight for Ishigaki leaves early on the 13th, so I just need a place to crash.

2) Any sites not to miss? I read that Manta Scramble is on the top of the list for most divers. Other islands near Ishigaki worth going to? I won't have time to go to Yonomumi, unfortunately.

3) Suggestions on restaurants and bars?

Thanks so much for your help.

Mar

 

[japan-diver]

Super Hotel just five minutes from the airport is cheap as Naha hotel goes. Its just a Japanese business hotel so nothing fancy but close by.

Hi, this is my first post to the Zen Divers forum.

I will be diving Ishigaki June 13-17, but have a one-night stopover in Okinawa.

1) Can someone recommend a hotel, nothing fancy, near the Okinawa airport. I get in late the 12th, and my flight for Ishigaki leaves early on the 13th, so I just need a place to crash.

2) Any sites not to miss? I read that Manta Scramble is on the top of the list for most divers. Other islands near Ishigaki worth going to? I won't have time to go to Yonomumi, unfortunately.

3) Suggestions on restaurants and bars?

Thanks so much for your help.

Mar

 

[marpacifica]

Thanks, J-D!

I'll check that one out.

 

[nori1841]

2) Any sites not to miss? I read that Manta Scramble is on the top of the list for most divers. Other islands near Ishigaki worth going to? I won't have time to go to Yonomumi, unfortunately.

Hi, welcome to Zen Divers

Iriomete Is. has very good sites as well. It will take 40 min. from Ishigaki by regular boat lines.
You could dive there by Ishigaki dive services if your reqeust would be accepted. I don't have enough info to deploy it so please contact the on-site services in Ishigaki or make a plan to trip Iriomote.

Around 10 dive services in Iriomote and more the 50 in Ishigaki.

http://diver.to/link/shop/kokunai/sakishima.html

 

[ken chung ar]

hi marpacifica,

u are comin' down to ishigaki from SFO, right?
i miss the city 'cause i grew up near lake merced in the
sunset district!

the most awesome spot in ishigaki is "manta scramble",
as u say. I dove my dolphin (draeger's rebreather) last
month there. (p/s see my previous post in this forum).

however, there are other sites, such as "minokasago
palace", "underwater spa", "hanagoi reef", etc. unlike
yonaguni, ishigaki is known for its "take-it-easy" kinda
diving style.

by the way, are u fluent in japanese? or have u already
found an english-speaking divemaster? if u need to find
one, i may be able to help u 'cause i have a close friend
who runs a dive shop there.

after dive, do not forget to taste the local booze called
awamori (the most popular brand is yaesen) and beef
(ishigakigyuu). also remember to visit taketomi island,
as it's known well for its well-conserved traditional
houses.

ciao,
ken chung ar

 

[marpacifica]

Thanks for the info/links, Nori and Ken (yes, I did read your rebreather post, thanks)!

I'll check them out.

Yes, I'll be coming from SFO via Osaka and Okinawa, leaving the morning of the 11th, arriving morning of the 13th, and won't be diving until the 14th! What a marathon.

I know very little Japanese, buy my dive partner has lived in Tokyo for the past two years so I'll be looking to her for help.