Ishigaki Climate
The climate of Ishigaki and the Yaeyama archipelago as a whole is classed as being semi-tropical, which is distinct from mainland Japan's climate which is temperate. Consequently, visitors can enjoy warm weather virtually all year round. UV exposure is high, so taking the precaution to apply high-factor sunblock is advisable, even on cloudier days. The tables below detail the average recorded temperatures for Ishigaki island.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Average | 17.7 | 18.3 | 20.2 | 23.0 | 25.7 | 27.7 | 29.2 | 28.8 | 27.7 | 25.3 | 22.5 | 19.4 |
| Average High | 20.5 | 21.0 | 22.8 | 25.8 | 28.3 | 30.1 | 31.8 | 31.5 | 30.5 | 28.2 | 25.1 | 22.1 |
| Average Low | 15.4 | 16.0 | 17.8 | 20.7 | 23.5 | 25.7 | 27.1 | 26.5 | 25.3 | 23.0 | 20.3 | 17.2 |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Average | 63.9 | 64.9 | 68.4 | 73.4 | 78.3 | 81.9 | 84.6 | 83.8 | 81.9 | 77.5 | 72.5 | 66.9 |
| Average High | 68.9 | 69.8 | 73.0 | 78.4 | 82.9 | 86.2 | 89.2 | 88.7 | 86.9 | 82.8 | 77.2 | 71.8 |
| Average Low | 59.7 | 60.8 | 64.0 | 69.3 | 74.3 | 78.3 | 80.8 | 79.7 | 77.5 | 73.4 | 68.5 | 63.0 |
Long summers
To somebody who lives in a cooler, temperate climate, Ishigaki's summers can appear to be never ending. By the end of May temperatures are reaching 30°C and the warm weather can continue on until December.
During a one or two week break you can expect to enjoy many dry, warm days on the island with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the many sights and beaches. The length of the day varies little during the year with daylight hours being between around 6.00am and 8.00pm in the summer.
In measurement terms the island gets a lot of rain, however, it tends to arrive in the form of short heavy showers rather than days of persistent rain, hence, travellers shouldn't worry too much about it interfering with plans.
Short winters
Ishigaki's winters are short and mild with temperatures reaching the mid twenties on the warmest days. Even on the coldest days the temperatures rarely drop below 16°C, hence, the standard image of winter is definitely not one which really applies to Ishigaki (if you imagine a British summer you're more likely to be on the right lines). January and February are considered to be the most wintery months, consisting of a mix of dull, rainy days, and clear, sunny days.
Rainy season
The rainy season begins in the middle of May and lasts for between two and four weeks. Although a lot of rain falls during this period it will be intermingled with days of dry, sunny weather, and those who do decide to travel to Ishigaki during this time may be pleasantly surprised. However, be warned that this is one of the most humid periods of the year.
Typhoon season
Ishigaki's typhoon season runs from July through to October during which time there is the possibility of typhoons hitting the island. However, the number and severity of typhoons varies from year to year. If you are unlucky enough to be on the island when a large typhoon hits then you can expect to be stuck indoors for a few days.
Warm waters
The temperature of Ishigaki's costal waters range from around 21°C in winter to about 29°C in the summer. This makes diving and snorkeling activities which can be comfortably enjoyed throughout the year. It is these warm waters along with the opportunity to view manta ray throughout the year have made Ishigaki a prime dive destination.
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