Kabira Ishigaki Japan

We happened to visit during Typhoon Barbie, and the AC was out for a few days, so conditions were far from ideal. However, the bright and friendly energy of the G.O. staff turned this into a trip we'll never forget.
A special shoutout to the Mini Club team — especially the head manager, Dorothy, and the trapeze team — for their attentive care. Thanks to them, even my 5-year-old was able to get through the challenging typhoon days without any trouble.
We were disappointed that our room wasn't cleaned even once for the first three days after check-in, and we also spotted a few cockroaches in our room.
That said, the resort's one-of-a-kind G.O. culture — something you just don't find at other resorts — more than made up for it. We're already looking forward to coming back.

We were incredibly lucky to fly into Ishigaki on June 30 right after a typhoon. Despite arriving in heavy rain and doubting our timing, the weather completely turned around, giving us beautiful, sunny days for the rest of our stay!

The Highlights: Incredible Marine Life & Diving
As scuba divers, one of the main reasons we chose Club Med Kabira is its close proximity to Manta Point.

Diving & Snorkeling: We did three days of morning dives with Euro-Divers and had a fantastic time seeing giant manta rays. The schedule is highly convenient—you only need to be at the dive center by 8:00 AM, avoiding any early morning commute. The boat ride is a quick 15 minutes from the Club Med beach. Tip: Book early, as they get very full during the summer!

Beach & Wildlife: This might be one of the best snorkeling sites around. Even during high tide, the water remains shallow up to 100 meters out, and the area near the shore is teeming with fish. We stayed in Suite K, which was ideally located close to the east side of the beach. On my very first ocean swim, a small sea turtle swam right beside me! We were also thrilled to spot manta rays right from the boat during a snorkeling trip. We joined the complimentary snorkeling to the Club Med Reef which was a lot of fun also.

The Heart of the Resort: Phenomenal Staff & Entertainment
While the facilities are aged, the dedication of the staff and GOs completely made up for it.

Entertainment: The GOs were incredibly friendly, engaging, and energetic. I attended the evening shows every single night, and they are honestly the best resort shows I can remember. A huge shoutout to Kaila, the choreographer, who is not only a fantastic dancer herself but put together incredible performances.

Dining & F&B: There is only one restaurant on-site, but the team works tirelessly to deliver a great selection of dishes every night. Dastan, our friendly F&B GO, always greeted us with a warm smile, great attitude, and went out of his way to fulfill every need. We also noticed the incredible dedication of the elderly Japanese sushi chef, as well as Vuyo, who treated every serving plate like an artistic creation under Chef Sergio’s guidance. Of course, enjoying a few glasses of local Orion beer each day was a perfect bonus!

Hangout Spots: When the afternoon heat got too intense, the open bar next to the theater was a great place to wind down. We also loved the White Pearl beach bar, which served up great music and excellent vibes.

Areas for Improvement
To help future travelers manage expectations, it is worth noting that the resort is due for a full revamp (online records suggest the last major renovation was back in 2012). Compared to newer properties like Club Med Bali (which boasts fantastic beach bars and padel tennis courts), Kabira feels a bit tired.

The Pool: The existing swimming pool is a bit too shallow for proper swimming and desperately needs a renovation. Furthermore, closing at 7:00 PM feels a bit too early in the summer when the sun hasn't even fully set.

Room & Housekeeping: Inside the room, the bathroom basin is exceptionally low by modern standards, and the room could benefit from a larger-capacity dehumidifier. Housekeeping timing could also be improved; we requested our room to be made up at 1:00 PM, but it wasn't serviced until 5:00 PM.

Facilities & Grounds: The resort needs more outdoor shaded seating areas to escape the hot summer sun. Crows can also be a bit of a nuisance around the grounds. Lastly, the rental bikes are due for an upgrade, and there should be more foot-washing stations to rinse off sand near the beach to prevent wasting water.

Final Verdict
If you are looking for top-tier modern luxury hardware, this might feel dated. But if you are coming for world-class diving, incredible marine life, and a warm, dedicated team of GOs who make you feel like family, you will have an unforgettable stay.

The accommodation environment is highly comfortable, and the G.O.s are exceptionally welcoming. Having a buffet for every meal means you'll always leave fully satisfied. Highly recommend everyone to join yoga class. Lou is excellent teacher.
Fanta provided detailed travel information in Chinese and chatted a lot with us.
Dastan provided very thoughtful restaurant service.

We are from Hong Kong, and we stayed at Club Med Kabira - Ishigaki from June 25 to June 28 and had an absolutely wonderful time. This was, by far, the most active and energizing vacation we have ever experienced. From the fantastic land and water sports to the genuine warmth of the entire team, every moment felt special. The staff are not only incredibly talented but also remarkably kind and encouraging. Here are a few outstanding team members we’d like to highlight for their exceptional service and positive impact on our stay:

Rachel
Rachel was our tennis instructor. We first met her at the squash court, where she hosted a lively and fun squash tournament. Her tennis lessons were excellent — she offered clear, practical feedback and valuable insights that really helped us improve. Rachel is a genuinely warm and encouraging person. Thanks to her support, I even found the courage to try the trapeze for the first time — an experience I’m so glad I didn’t miss! We thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent with her.

Lou
Lou, our yoga instructor, is a wonderfully kind and calming presence. Her yoga sessions were outstanding, but what truly stood out was her deeply inspiring personal story, which she generously shared with us. Thank you so much, Lou — it meant a great deal.

Anya
We first met Anya at the beach house and had the pleasure of chatting with her on several other occasions. She is bright, cheerful, and radiates such positive energy that being around her instantly lifts your spirits.

Dastan
We met Dastan at the restaurant, where he consistently provided warm, attentive, and proactive service. He always seemed to anticipate our needs before we even asked. In addition to being fun and engaging, he is remarkably talented — we were impressed by how fluently he speaks multiple languages. His help throughout our stay made everything smoother and more enjoyable.

Saya & Kun
Saya and Kun delivered outstanding, highly professional circus performances during the evening shows. We also had the unforgettable opportunity to try the trapeze at the theater under their expert supervision. Their professionalism, patience, and encouragement turned this into a truly unique and valuable Club Med experience we’ll always remember.

Thank you to the entire Club Med Kabira team for your exceptional hospitality, warmth, and professionalism. You made our stay truly memorable!