Viking Scuba Kabira — Attraction in Ishigaki

Great dive center, extremely English friendly! Very detailed and thorough with the reservation process and pre-trip communications. Accommodated vegetarian lunches. Overall, recommend!!

Anna and Toyo took me and a group of friends diving. We were 2 fun divers and 4 discover divers. The fun divers explored nearby the boat on the first dive to stay by the discover divers, and for the second dive split off into a separate group to explore more. We were given the option to add on a 3rd dive after doing the first 2 dives (depending on how the divers felt), which was very kind! We ended up stopping at 2 dives but very much appreciate the flexibility. Since we hadn't explored Kabira yet, we were also given the option to walk around Kabira for ~2 hrs before being dropped off back at our hotel (basically the time it takes Viking Scuba to finish their post-dive work), which was very kind as we didn't have a car rental to come back and visit Kabira later!

Trip inclusions: hotel pick up photos (shared online after the dive) lunch (for 2 dives or 3 dives) dive "center" has showers (cold rinse and warm shower room), toilets, and changing rooms. we changed into wetsuits at the dive "center" and then were driven to the beach where we boarded the boat. We came back here for lunch. Personally belongings could be locked up at the dive "center"

For what it's worth, the fun divers did set up their own (rental) gear on this trip. We unfortunately didn't see mantas on this trip (in mid July), so maybe try going at a different time of the year if you want...

They cancelled our booking (reserved 6 months in advance) last minute due to "dangerous weather conditions". The forecast did not actually show that, they would not negotiate or reason with us.

On the actual day of the reservation, the weather was beautiful and the ocean was calm and flat, saw over 20+ diving boats at the dive locations. (the weather was actually excellent all week).

We decided to go to the locations on our own instead because it was so "dangerous" lol.

Go to Osaki beach (top snorkeling/diving spot on the island) to see your sea turtles, and go to HIrari island to see your manta rays at the outer reef. Free parking is here (24°28'50.4"N 124°06'58.0"E).

We went as far and deep as the paid divers with our own snorkeling gear, swam wherever we wanted to, and saw our sea turtles and manta rays.

We hung out with the other dive boats and they suspect Viking cancelled our reservations because we're foreigners and they went out with their local friends instead. Wouldn't be surprised if they were actually out on the beaches we went to.

Apparently that is common with the cheaper dive shops out there. Hence with Viking being the cheapest, you get what you pay for.

Our dive was supposed to be during the last week of September. This was also around the time Typhoon Klaton was approaching from Taiwan. However the weather conditions did not become dangerous on the island at least 7 days after our actual dive.

Wind was under 10km/hr and it was nice and sunny that every other diving shop were out on the water except for...

It was a fantastic experience diving with Viking Scuba. If you're looking to do fun dives while on vacation, please look for them! Anna and Toyo are responsible and safe dive instructors.

Having also tried another bigger dive shop in Kabira a few days prior, I prefer Viking Scuba more, despite it being a slightly smaller (cozier) setup. They don't rush like the other companies do and are patient with their divers. There's some independence expected in terms of preparing your equipment but help is provided if needed too.

The following are Viking Scuba's pros (in relation to our other experience): ✅ Rental dive equipment was sized well and we were allocated booties along with fins with adjustable straps - makes a world of difference in avoiding blisters on toes and feet! ✅ Really like the bento lunch 🤤 ✅ Thorough briefings and explanations of each dive site before we entered and explanation of creatures ✅ Photos taken during the dives were also sent afterwards ✅ Patient, kind English speaking instructors

If you're undecided, take this as your cue to go with them :) Thank you so much,...