Snorkeling in Ishigaki island
In Ishigaki there are sea accidents every year. Here are few safety guidelines.
※ Do not go snorkeling if you are in bad physical state or if you drank a lot of alcohol
※ Check the weather warnings from the Japan meteorological agency (High wave, thunder storm, strong wind, typhoon...)
※ Do not swim during, before and after a typhon, when it's too windy and too wavy. Waves = current
※ At spring tide and at high tide be twice more carefuly
※ Do not go snorkeling alone
※ Wear a snorkeling life jacket / use a life jacket as a float / take a buoy with you
※Use fins
※ Look well the signboards or the information mentioning possible dangers at the beach
※ Be careful with rip currents. If you can't come back, do not swim against the current, try to swim out by the side.
※ Take your phone with you using a waterproof case (checked earlier) and/or a dry bag
※ CALL 118 IN CASE OF A SEA ACCIDENT
The most common currents in Ishigaki are occuring:
◆ During high tide and spring tide. There is more flow moving, so a higher risk of current.
◆ When there are stong wind and waves.
Generally wind brings waves, and waves create current as rip current.
If you swim while there are waves, you have to be very prudent.
Rip current - Yonehara coast, Ishigaki
What is rip current?
It's when a sea water flow (created by a spring tide or waves) is moving from a shallow area to a deep area, moving out to the ocean (reef gap)
If you are swimming/snorkeling in a deep area surrounded by shallow reef areas - while sea conditions are not good - then you may be pushed away to the ocean by a strong rip current.
What to do if it happens?
First, keep calm, and understand the situation.
Fins may not be enough to swim back against the current, so just cut the current by the side, find a shallower area to come back to the shore.
Reef gaps are frequent in Ishigaki.
1. CORAL
What is coral ?
Not a plant, neither a rock...
Corals might look like plants or rocks but they are actually a type of invertebrate – and alive! - marine animals and part of the same group as jellyfish and sea anemones.
Some tourists in Ishigaki are not conscious of it and walk on the coral, hit it with their fins, break it, destroy it. It’s sad to see sometimes snorkeling guides standing on the reef with their group just to have a rest, or walk on the reef just to take a shortcut.
What to do if I got coral scrapes?
This marine animal releases toxin capsules upon contact with human skin, causing burns, itching and rashes.
Apply lemon or vinegar to the wound for several days. The acidic compounds inhibit the action of toxins and soothe the injury. Do not rub the wound, do not rinse with fresh water. Get medecine from the drug store if it's bad.
How can I avoid injuries from corals?
◆ Do not touch any coral or anemone
◆ Avoid snorkeling at low tide. Check if it's ebb tide (fallling tide) or rising tide, small or big tide
◆ While snorkeling, if you take a rest having the head out of the water, be sure the current is not pushing you to a coral area
◆ Be equipped: use fins, gloves, full rash guard (top and pants)
The full rash guard will also protect you from other venomous animals like jellly fish, and sunrays.
A group of snorkelers, leaded by a snorkeling guide, are walking on the reef, destroying the coral, unconsciously.
A FEW SPECIES OF CORAL COMMON TO OBSERVE IN ISHGAKI
Long branching coral (acropora)
Siderastrea (stony coral)
Lettuce leaf coral
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Short branching coral (acropora)
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Diploria (brain coral)
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Porites cylindrica
Round porites (stony coral)
Leather coral (soft coral)
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Blue coral (Heliopora coerulea)
2. BOX JELLYFISH
From June to October, when sea waters are warm, it's necessary to be aware of the box jellyfish risk in Ishigaki. They are transparent and very hard to detect (picture below). Get stung is very painful and can leave scars on the skin. The venom attacks the heart and respiratory muscles, which can cause shortness of breath and, in the most severe cases, cardiac arrest.
How to prevent injuries from the box jellyfish?
◆ Avoid going to beaches where the sea water is very warm: bays (Kabira bay, Sukuji bay)..., shallow water beaches where the reef is far away
◆ Swim at the beaches with a protection net. Main of them are hotel beaches (not very fun but safe): Maezato beach, Fusaki beach, Sukuji beach, Moramora beach, Club med beach, Sunset beach
◆ Use gloves, wear water shoes and summer full rash guard (top and pants).
◆ Check the signs at the beach and ask the hotel you are staying at if the closest beach has box jellyfish or not. Normally locals know.
◆ Bring vinegar with you
Beaches with a protection net in Ishigaki island
Source: Ishigaki city web site
Original picture of what you can see from above
Redrawn picture
What to do if you got stung by a box jellyfish?
1. Get out of the water and seek help from others nearby without making any large or sudden movements.
2. Do not scratch the affected area. Pour vinegar liberally over the sting, and cool the affected area using ice or cold water after removing any tentacles.
3. After applying first aid, seek medical help at a hospital or clinic.
Source: Okinawa prefecture Department of Public health
3. OTHER VENOMOUS OCEAN WILDLIFE
First of all, please check the picture chart below to have an overview of the most common venomous species.
While snorkeling you may be able to see:
◆ Sea snake (banded sea snake)
Frequent and easy to observe, it is very venomous, but not dangerous because non-agressive. This sea snake measure between 70 and 150 cm. You may be surprised by its sudden rise to the surface in order to breathe. Longitudinal, its stripes are black and white or black and blue. In theory the mouth is so small that it can't bite a human.
◆ Lion fish
Not frequent. It usually swims near or under the rocks. Its spines deliver a venomous sting causing strong pain, and even more. Lion fish moves very slowly so it is easy to observe.
◆ A last word
For a safe snorkeling just do not touch anything in the ocean, do not put your hand or fingers under the rocks or under the coral. There can be urchin, eel, stone fish, cone snail like conus geographus (picture below), the most venomous cone snail in the world, danger of death for humans.
