ishigaki wildflower field coastal view about discover ishigaki MO

About Discover IshigakiLocal English-Speaking Guides

Discover Ishigaki Tours is a family owned and operated business located in Ishigaki Island, Okinawa, Japan.

Discover Ishigaki was created to offer small-group tours in Ishigaki led by experienced English-speaking guides. Our goal is simple — to help international visitors explore the island safely, comfortably, and in a personal way.

We specialize in beginner-friendly snorkeling and hiking tours designed for travelers who want to enjoy Ishigaki’s natural beauty without stress. Whether you are joining your first snorkeling experience or looking for a relaxed outdoor adventure, our team is here to support you every step of the way.

With 10 years of local experience, we know the best locations, seasonal conditions, and hidden spots that make Ishigaki Island truly special.

Founded and operated by a local guide who has spent years exploring Ishigaki’s reefs, beaches, and mountain trails.

Who are we? Meet Zohar and Sachi

About Discover Ishigaki family photo MO

We approach everything with a sense of humor, except when it comes to safety.

Zohar

Zohar Paz - Our Main Guide

Fluent languages: English and Hebrew
SCUBA Diving and Snorkeling instructor for more than 20 years.

Zohar is Originally from Israel (hence the weird sense of humor) but after living abroad for so many years he might not be considered Israeli anymore.
Lived and worked in Honduras, Mexico, Egypt, Thailand, Maldives, Philippines, Japan(obviously) and many more countries around the globe.

Zohar has been working in the Scuba diving industry for more than 20 years and has a lot of love for nature and especially the sea.
Due to his love of tinkering he is also a SCUBA equipment technician and a serial “lets see how it works” kind of guy.

Favorite phrase: “Only one way to find out!”

Credentials:

  • PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer
  • SSI Advanced Open Water Instructor
  • DAN Emergency First Responder Instructor
Sachi

Sachi Paz - "The Boss"

Fluent languages: Japanese and English
SCUBA Diving and Snorkeling instructor for more than 11 years.

If Zohar can be considered the muscle (covered with some fat) of Discover Ishigaki then Sachi is definitely the heart and brain of it all!

Sachi was born and raised in Japan but was working abroad for nearly a decade.
Sachi met Zohar while traveling in Thailand and fell in love with diving.
They have been working together in Thailand, Philippines, Maldives and Japan.

Sachi is definitely the voice of reason in Discover Ishigaki Tours!

Favorite phrase: “We’ll see…”

The Board of Directors

The ones who really pull the strings in this business / family.
All other details are classified.
(We could tell you but then we have to… see you melt from excessive cuteness!)

The Boss
the president

Our Story

Discover Ishigaki is the direct result of our passion for nature and our desire to share the love, peace, and serenity found both above and below the waters of Ishigaki Island through sustainable tourism.

Discover Ishigaki Tours was established in 2023, when we realized that the tourism industry had changed significantly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. With more than 20 years of experience in the tourism and water sports industry, and after working together in incredible destinations such as the Maldives, Thailand, and the Philippines, we decided to settle down and finally start our own company — Discover Ishigaki Tours.

We first arrived on Ishigaki Island in 2016 and quickly fell in love with the island, its nature, its culture, and its people.

Discover Ishigaki was created to bridge the gap between international travelers and local experiences. Many visitors to Ishigaki want to join outdoor activities but feel unsure about language barriers, safety, or choosing the right tour.

We built our tours around what travelers truly need:

  • Clear English communication
  • Small group sizes
  • Flexible locations based on weather and conditions
  • A relaxed and friendly atmosphere

Today, we welcome guests from around the world and focus on providing personal experiences rather than large, crowded tours.

We truly believe that excellent customer service begins with our first “Hello” and ends with “See you next time!”. We take pride in going the extra mile for every guest to ensure their experience becomes a memory that will last forever.

Together, we bring many years of experience as well as genuine enthusiasm for ensuring our customers leave with memories that will live on for years to come.

What We Specialize In

Our team offers carefully designed Ishigaki island activities that highlight the island’s natural environment:

  • Beach-entry snorkeling experiences
  • Sea turtle snorkeling tours
  • Blue Cave snorkeling
  • Mountain and river hiking tours
  • Private and family-friendly experiences

All tours are beginner-friendly and no previous experience is required. Safety, comfort, and personal attention are always our priorities.

Why Choose Discover Ishigaki?

Trusted by Travelers

Based on hundreds of 5-star reviews, guests consistently highlight our friendly English-speaking guides, small group atmosphere, and unforgettable experiences in Ishigaki.

EXCELLENT
Google star 1Google star 2Google star 3Google star 4Google star 5
Based on 9 reviews
Posted on Google Google
Judy Cheng profile picture
Judy Cheng
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I was taking my 4 year old with Zohar’s snorkel tour and he was very professional, incredibly patient and able to engage with my child very quickly. I was worried about the weather as there was an upcoming typhoon but Zohar was very professional and made sure we were in a safe calm spot and he was very understanding about our concerns. There were other snorkelling tours nearby and I definitely could see the professional difference between Zohar and the other local guides.
Posted on Google Google
Andrzej Bubula profile picture
Andrzej Bubula
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Rewelacja! Snorekling z żółwiami to była najlepsza wycieczka na jakiej byłem. Super zorganizowane. Przewodnik Zohar był bardzo pomocny, mega pozytywny i super miał to zorganizowane.
Posted on Google Google
Parker Lyons profile picture
Parker Lyons
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Zohar is a great guide and helped us navigate a tough weather and visibility day while teaching us how to respect and properly observe the beautiful reefs of Ishigaki. This was our first time snorkeling and he offered sound advice, a good sense of humor and some delicious pre-cut pineapple to top off our adventure with a friendly group. We would highly recommend!
Posted on Google Google
Daniel Scrinzi profile picture
Daniel Scrinzi
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The tour was really really awesome. We started before the masses do, so we had the beach to ourselves. Zohar was a great guide that made the whole group "work together". And that helped a lot for everyone. We saw so much life and energy in the ocean, can really recommend it.
Posted on Google Google
Nikita Ershov profile picture
Nikita Ershov
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ENG: I found the company online. The day before, I wrote, This morning, we're off to a snorkeling tour. There were only four people in the group. Zohar provided full gear, as well as foot and body pads. Zohar is an excellent guide. I recommend him. RUS: Нашел компанию в интернете. Накануне написал, утром отправились в тур на снорклинг. В группе было всего 4 человека. Гид Выдал полное снаряжение, также лайкру для ног и тела. За ар - отличный гид. Рекомендую
Posted on Google Google
Charles Sanchez-Wentworth profile picture
Charles Sanchez-Wentworth
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We had a great time with Zohar on the full day snorkelling and island tour. The smaller group size made for a much more personalised experience. Highly recommend!
Posted on Google Google
Darek Kay profile picture
Darek Kay
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Thank you Zohar for a wonderful trip. I've had tried snorkeling a few times before, but always struggled. Zohar gave me some great tips and made the experience so much better! I love how there's no fixed itinerary, so the tour is adjusted to the preferences of the participants.
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Alexis Mct profile picture
Alexis Mct
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Une superbe expérience que nous ne pouvons que recommander ! Zohar, notre guide, prend soin de ses clients et de la nature, avec un vrai sens de l'humour et beaucoup de sympathie 🙂
Posted on Google Google
Rogier Hendriks profile picture
Rogier Hendriks
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We had an amazing trip! The guide was very experienced, had a lot of knowledge and a good sense for humor.

Safety and Local Knowledge

Ishigaki’s ocean and nature conditions can change quickly. Our guides carefully check weather, tides, and sea conditions every day to choose the safest and most enjoyable locations.

We use high-quality equipment, provide clear safety briefings, and stay close to our guests during the activity. Our goal is to make every tour relaxed, safe, and enjoyable for travelers of all experience levels.

Our Most Popular Tours

If you’re planning your visit, explore our most popular guided tours in Ishigaki:

porcupine fish peeking to out to say hello
Ishigaki Snorkeling Tours
Sea turtle resting on a coral reef in Ishigaki.
Sea Turtle Snorkeling Tour
River hiking in Ishigaki Island
Mountain & River Hiking Tour
Children snorkeling in the shallow water
Private Family Tour
See our full range of guided tours in Ishigaki and find the experience that fits your trip.

Start Your Ishigaki Adventure

Whether you’re visiting Ishigaki for the first time or returning to explore more, our team is ready to help you experience the island in a safe, personal, and memorable way.

Contact us anytime if you need help choosing the right tour.