Iriomotejima manta ray
Table of Contents
Manta rays, the "Queen of the Sea," swim gracefully in the Yaeyama Sea.
In the sea around Iriomote Island and its surrounding remote islands, there are some of the best spots to encounter manta rays in Japan.
Mantas are the world's largest rays, ranging from 4 to 6 meters in length. As they are called the queens of the sea, manta rays swim gracefully across the vastness of the ocean, flapping their large wings. They are very curious and playful. There are many spots where you have a high chance of encountering manta rays, so snorkel and dive with them and swim in the beautiful ocean!
Click here for ferry reservations to Iriomote Island.
What kind of creature is a manta ray?
Do you know what manta rays are? As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, manta ray is a kind of ray, and is a generic name for the Japanese common manta ray and the manta ray. Most of the manta rays seen in the sea around Iriomote Island are Nanta rays.
Mantas are a type of ray, so they both share a flat, wing-like fin. However, rays belong to the same class of fish as sharks, the Banded Gill Class, and their gills are attached to the lower part of their abdomen. They are carnivores that eat crabs, shrimps, shellfish, etc., so their mouths are attached to the bottom of their bodies.
On the other hand, manta rays feed on plankton floating on the surface of the ocean, so they have their mouths forward and swim close to the surface of the ocean with their mouths wide open, taking in plankton as they swim. While rays have venom in their tails, manta rays do not.
Snorkeling to see manta rays? Diving?
Manta rays inhabiting the sea around Iriomote Island can be observed by snorkeling because they sometimes appear even in not so deep water. However, to have a high probability of encountering manta rays, you need to go to a spot called "manta spot". Many of these spots are too deep to dive by snorkeling.
It is also better to use experience diving because of the fast currents in some areas. Diving is also a safe way to get close to manta rays.
Manta Season and What to Bring
Iriomote Island has a mild climate all year round, so snorkeling and diving can be enjoyed throughout the year. Even in the winter season when the north wind is strong, you can fully enjoy the activity if you wear a wet suit. However, on days with strong northerly winds, it may not be possible to launch boats.
Here is information on manta rays for each season, as well as what to wear and what to bring.
Spring: April - May
From April to May, the strong northerly winds of the winter season weaken and are replaced by gentle southerly winds. The opening of the sea is over and many tourists visit the area. As the water temperature rises, the number of living creatures increases. The same is true for manta rays, which can be seen swimming actively.
Summer: June to September
Summer in Iriomote Island is the most frequent typhoon season, but other than that, it is the best condition for marine activities. You have a high probability of encountering manta rays at any manta ray spots. Manta ray tours are very popular, so be sure to book early!
Autumn: October - November
During the fall season, the ocean is still warm, so conditions are favorable for snorkeling and diving. This is also the breeding season for manta rays, so it is possible to see the rare sight of several males chasing a single female. It is a good time to see more than 10 manta rays at a time.
Winter: December - March
During the winter season, the boat snorkeling and boat diving manta ray tours may be cancelled because of the inevitably strong north winds. The waves and tides are also faster than in other seasons, so the tours are a bit more demanding. This tour is suitable for intermediate to advanced snorkelers and divers.
Clothing and personal belongings
During the winter season, wetsuits are worn, but in the summer and other seasons, participants often wear swimsuits, so it is essential to bring sunscreen. It is also advisable to bring a towel and flip-flops. Those who are prone to seasickness are advised to take anti-sickness medication as the boat ride to the spot is very short.
Wetsuits, masks, fins, and other equipment can be rented free of charge, so it is better to use a tour.
Activities to see manta rays
snorkeling
As mentioned above, diving is the best way to observe manta rays, but snorkeling is also possible. However, it is also possible to see manta rays by snorkeling!
The manta ray snorkeling tour allows you to observe giant manta rays swimming leisurely while floating on the surface of the ocean in the deepest part of the ocean. Manta rays in the waters around Yaeyama can be up to 6 meters in length! There is a plan that you can go together with Phantom Island, so please join the tour.
Experience Diving
Experience diving is recommended for those who want to take their time to see manta rays. Even beginner divers can participate in the experience diving, and with one diver for every two divers, you can enjoy manta ray diving with peace of mind. In addition to manta rays, you can also see large migratory fish swimming together.
Swim in the crystal clear emerald green waters and get a closer look at the queen of the sea!
5 manta ray spots in and around Iriomote Island
1. Yonara Channel (Iriomote Island, Kohama Island)
The first manta spot we will introduce is Yonara Channel located between Iriomote Island and Kohama Island. Manta rays have been passing through this spot for a long time, and it is known as the original manta ray spot as a manta ray's path. This spot is not only for manta rays, but also for black manta rays, schools of mudfish, longnose hawksbill sharks, sea turtles, and isogulls.
Since the cleaning station is 26 meters deep and the maximum depth is 30 meters, it would be difficult to go there by snorkeling. It is also difficult to go there with a diver's license unless you have an advanced diving license or higher, so it is not possible to go there for a trial dive. If you want to try it, you can get a license. You can get an open in as little as 3 days and an advanced in another 3 days, so please try!
2. Manta City (Ishigaki Island)
Manta City is a recently discovered manta spot located near Manta Scramble in the Kabira area of Ishigaki Island. Manta City has almost no tidal current and the maximum depth is about 20 meters, shallower than Yonara Channel. It is a popular manta spot and is visited by many tour companies. Therefore, from the viewpoint of reducing crowding and protecting manta rays, the number of boats allowed to dock at the spot is limited to five. During the summer diving season, several boats are anchored at the site, so it is easy to find.
The cleaning station is relatively shallow at 7 to 9 meters, making it a good place for beginners to view manta rays.
3. Manta Scramble (Ishigaki Island)
Manta Scramble is a manta ray spot located in the Kabira area that was briefly introduced in Manta City. Like Manta City, the current is weak and the maximum depth is not so deep (15m), making it a recommended dive spot for beginners. It also has a manta cleaning station root that stretches approximately 600 meters from east to west and 200 meters from north to south.
Manta encounters are most likely during the summer months, and during the breeding season from September to October, several male manta rays can be seen chasing females.
4. Kuroshima V-shape (Kuroshima)
Kuroshima V-shape is a manta ray spot where the seabed of Kuroshima has a rough V-shaped cut. The dynamic topography, which cannot be seen at other spots, is attractive and popular among many divers. However, the current is very fast, so beginners are advised to refrain from visiting this spot.
Like Yonara Channel, this spot offers the chance to see a variety of other creatures swimming in addition to manta rays, such as isomargin tuna, napoleons, butterflyfish, and schools of bearskin clownfish.
5. Panari Big Corner (Aragusuku Island, Kuroshima)
The last spot we will introduce is Panari Big Corner. This manta ray spot is located in the southern part of Aragusuku Island, near Kuroshima. Like Manta City, this manta ray spot was discovered in recent years, and is recommended for beginners as well, with white sand on the seabed and a shallow cleaning station between 5 and 10 meters.
However, it is best to avoid diving in winter because of the susceptibility to northerly winds.
summary
We introduced manta rays in Iriomote Island. How was it? Manta rays are a member of stingrays and called the queen of the sea, and their graceful swimming figure is very beautiful. You found out that there are many unique manta spots not only in Iriomote Island but also in nearby islands. Some spots require a license, so please check in advance and try manta ray snorkeling/diving challenge.
Thank you for reading to the end.
