Yaeyama Islands, Okinawa dive sites

Kabira Manta Point and Manta Scramble are distinct dive sites within the broader Kabira area of Ishigaki. Manta Point sits closer to the outer reef edge where mantas travel along the reef wall, while Manta Scramble is located at an inner cleaning station where mantas circle repeatedly. Both offer excellent manta encounters, but Manta Point tends to see mantas in transit, providing more dynamic fly-by sightings rather than the stationary hovering behaviour seen at the Scramble.

The peak manta season runs from late August through October, when encounter rates climb above 90 percent. From June through November the site is regularly accessible, with water temperatures between 26 and 30 degrees Celsius. During winter months the prevailing north wind closes access to the Kabira area entirely, making the site unavailable from roughly December through March.

No, the shallow depth of 10 to 12 metres makes Kabira Manta Point accessible to Open Water certified divers and even some guided discovery dives for beginners. The currents are generally mild, and dive operators provide thorough briefings on manta etiquette. The main requirement is the ability to maintain neutral buoyancy and stay calm near the cleaning station without disturbing the mantas.