Yonara Channel
Protected Area
西表石垣
Why dive here
With 428+ marine species recorded in the area - including bull sharks, manta rays, mobula rays (devil rays), seahorses and sea turtles - Yonara Channel offers some of Ishigaki & Yaeyama's richest drift diving. Water ranges 23-30°C, warmest July, August, September.
Yonara Channel is a drift dive, best known for its manta ray cleaning stations. We’ve had some cracking encounters here, particularly in the later part of the year. It's a fairly straightforward dive, usually quite shallow, making it accessible for newer divers. Just follow the current and keep an eye out for the big wings.
Typical Yonara Channel Dive Profile
Illustrative profile based on site depth and type. Actual dive profiles vary - always follow your dive computer and training.
Safety Notes
Depth of 25m - Advanced Open Water certification recommended.
Drift dive - carry a surface marker buoy (SMB) and stay with your group. Brief the current direction before entry.
Always perform a 3-minute safety stop at 5m before surfacing.
Nearest Dive Centres to Yonara Channel
Dive shops near Yonara Channel
SEA LIGHT
BLUE SEASON IRIOMOTE
海講座
WAKE UP CALL
Blue Water
MOANA Diving College ISHIGAKIJIMA
Reviews for Yonara Channel
Conditions
Ocean conditions, forecast and tides for Yonara Channel
Yonara Channel Ocean Conditions
Monthly averages for Yonara Channel, sourced from Open-Meteo marine data - nearest station: Open-Meteo marine grid (24.6, 124.35) (10km away)
October Averages
Sea Temperature
29°C
84°F · Range: 27–30.4°C
Air Temperature
26°C
79°F
Wind Speed
7.74 m/s
15.0 knots
Atmospheric Pressure
1013.6 hPa
Based on 4 years of monitoring data · Data sources: Open-Meteo marine data
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