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How to spend summer in Iriomote Island

2025-01-09 09:40

How to spend summer in Iriomote Island

Hello everyone!

How are you doing during the hot summer months?

Eating ice cream in an air-conditioned room is fine, but why not spend an elegant and luxurious time at a tropical resort this summer?

This time we would like to recommend Iriomote Island.

The emerald green sea with its outstanding transparency, the clear blue wide sky, and the white shining beaches are all most attractive.

In recent years, starry sky tours (night tours) and photo tours where visitors can have their pictures taken by professional photographers have become popular for their social networking appeal.

This time, we will introduce how to spend summer in Iriomote Island, which is full of such attractions.

 

Summer in Iriomote Island

バラス島

Summer in Iriomote Island can be said to be fairly everlasting.

The average temperature is 28 degrees Celsius, with a high of 31 degrees Celsius and a low of 25 degrees Celsius, and there is little difference in temperature, with midsummer heat prevailing both during the day and at night.

Since the number of heat stroke patients has been on the rise in recent years, it is important to take care of your health by taking measures against heat, UV rays, and hydration.

In Iriomote Island, the opening of the sea is held in March.

It is known as the earliest sea opening in Japan.

And since the weather in April is similar to summer on the mainland, please be careful what you wear if you are traveling at this time of year.

From early May to early June is the rainy season.

ビーチ

The rainy season in Iriomote Island brings squalls characteristic of subtropical climates, so if you are traveling during this time, do not forget to prepare rain gear.

In June, maximum temperatures are even higher, changing to a hot and humid tropical environment.

June is the end of the rainy season, so there are still few tourists, and travel and transportation costs are inexpensive, making it a good time to visit.

If you don't mind the rain, consider a trip.

Marine activities can be experienced year-round on Iriomote Island, but once the rainy season ends, the season for full-fledged enjoyment begins.

In addition, a variety of tours will be offered, expanding the scope of play.

Here are two tours that you must experience this time of year.

The best season for both is June to early July, and we hope you will find this information useful.

 

The first is the Sagaribana tour.

The sagaribana is an overnight blooming flower that grows along riversides in swampy areas of subtropical climates, and is characterized by buds that open overnight and flowers that fall in a flurry.

サガリバナ

The petals of the sagaribana flower that adorn the surface of the water in the morning are so beautiful, fleeting, and illusory.

When it is in bloom, it has a sweet vanilla-like fragrance, and you can feel its beauty with your eyes and its fragrance with your nose, creating a truly elegant and bewitching mood.

 

The second is a tour to view Yaeyama fireflies.

Yaeyama fireflies are endemic to the Yaeyama Islands, and are smaller than the genji and heike fireflies that inhabit the mainland, and are characterized by their fluttering, blinking appearance.

They have been known to gather and fly in hundreds or even thousands, making for a spectacular sight.

You will experience such beauty that it will remain vivid in your memory.

Both can only be experienced on Iriomote Island for a limited time, so if you are going on a trip, please enjoy them.

We have already introduced you to the many attractions of this limited time of year, such as the sagaribana and the Yaeyama fireflies, but in fact, the best thing about this time of year is the star-filled night sky.

星空

Iriomote Island was the first place in Japan to be designated as a starry sky reserve.

You can capture the stars clearly with your eyes, and the vividness of the stars will inevitably astonish you.

The Southern Cross, which cannot be seen on the mainland, can also be seen.

 

As the rainy season ends, summer is finally in full swing.

Marine activities as well as sightseeing in remote islands that can be reached quickly from Iriomote Island are also recommended.

Yubu Island, where you can go sightseeing on a buffalo, is famous.

Those interested should consider this as a great way to enjoy the tropical atmosphere to the fullest.

Iriomote Island has a subtropical marine climate with much untouched nature, and a unique culture has developed.

Activities that allow you to enjoy the powerful mangrove forests are particularly popular, and there are a variety of tours to choose from.

 

Advantages of Iriomote Island in Summer

We have introduced many attractions of Iriomote Island in summer.

The merit of Iriomote Island in summer is that the conditions are the best in all fields: sky, sea, mountains, and rivers.

The climate is very stable, and the clear blue sky and sea and sparkling white beaches are truly beautiful.

The mountains are also lush with trees and very full of life.

Another merit of Iriomote Island is that you can participate in a wide variety of activities while viewing such spectacular scenery.

In summer, the starry sky is very clear, and the Milky Way and the Southern Cross, which cannot be seen on the mainland, can be seen.

The season when the weather is more stable makes it possible to enjoy the starry sky even more spectacular.

This is also the time of year to view the Yaeyama fireflies on a limited time tour, so please join us.

 

Disadvantages of Iriomote Island in summer

The only disadvantage is that typhoons tend to approach the area.

Iriomote Island is often in the path of typhoons due to its geographical features, and when they approach, strong winds and torrential rainfall are often encountered, so caution is required.

Typhoons tend to occur between July and September, right in the height of summer, and when typhoons approach, it is impossible to go out, let alone cancel activities.

Ferry and airplane operations may also be suspended, so those planning a trip should check the weather forecast in advance and consider countermeasures in advance.

Summer in Iriomote Island is the peak season, so there are many tourists, and hotel and air ticket prices are inevitably high.

Although it is said to be the best season, it is important to understand that there is a possibility of typhoons changing plans when going during this time, and that travel and transportation expenses are more expensive.

 

Recommended Activities in Iriomote Island in Summer

The activities are a must-do because they offer the ultimate resort-like experience.

Here are four of them.

 

1) Walking on water! New sensation activity "SUP

SUPクルージング

SUP, a new standard in Iriomote Island, is recommended during this time of summer.

As many of you may know, SUP is a marine activity that originated in Hawaii, where you get on a board and paddle through the water.

The instructor will teach you how to operate the machine in detail, so you can experience it with peace of mind. Furthermore, it is easy to operate, so it can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from small children to the elderly, so it is highly recommended.

It is also a great place for the whole family to enjoy.

SUP yoga" combined with yoga is also popular among women because of its high exercise effect, and many celebrities have experienced it.

Please enjoy walking on the water in the beautiful summer sea.

 

(2) Miracle Island Snorkeling

バラス島

Have you ever heard of Barras Island?

It is a small uninhabited island located about 10 minutes by boat from Uehara Port on Iriomote Island.

It is an island formed by the accumulation of coral reef fragments and is also called "Miracle Island.

Barras Island is only visible for a few hours a day due to fluctuations in tidal levels, and the shape of the island varies from day to day.

Barras is the only such island in the northern hemisphere and one of only two in the entire world.

シュノーケリング

Since the island is made of coral reef fragments, there are many coral reefs surrounding Barasu Island.

You will be able to see many colorful coral reefs at the bottom of the ocean and experience impressive scenery.

In addition, the coral reefs make the sea quite clear, and colorful tropical fish can be observed.

Many fish from famous movies can be observed, so it is fun to look for them.

If you are lucky, you may even see sea turtles.

 

(3) Night Tour

ナイトSUP

Iriomote Island offers a wide variety of activities to enjoy the great nature at night.

The first one I would like to introduce is the Jungle Night Tour.

Iriomote Island is home to many nocturnal creatures.

Iriomote wildcat" and "coconut crab" are representative creatures.

Among them, coconut crabs are listed as an endangered species, and their numbers have been decreasing in recent years.

ヤシガニ

In fact, the coconut crab is a member of the hermit crab family, and its most distinctive feature is that it has a huge body and large scissors.

During the day, they are often hidden in their burrows and are rarely seen, but at night they come out of their burrows and become active in search of food.

Some large individuals weigh nearly 5 kg, and the force with which they pinch with their mighty scissors is said to rival the strength of a lion's jaws.

I would like to see it when I join the night jungle tour.

ヤシガニ

Other visitors can also see Yaeyama fireflies at this time of the year.

Yaeyama fireflies are endemic to the Yaeyama Islands and are characterized by being smaller than fireflies on the mainland and glowing in a flashing manner.

The sight of the flashing lights, numbering close to several hundred, is breathtaking.

It can only be viewed during the summer months, so pinpointing the time to visit is recommended.

Thus, as you plunge into the jungle at night in the pitch black, the sounds of creatures chirping and rustling improve your sense of adventure.

Another attraction of this tour is that the night tour staff will guide you to secret places known only to the locals, such as sea turtle spawning sites and scenic points with beautiful starry skies.

Also, check out the seasonal sagaribana tours, which are very popular.

The night jungle tour is like hiking, only you walk through mangrove forests at night, so you can enjoy it without getting tired.

 

4) Night SUP/Canoe Experience

Next up is the night SUP/canoe experience.

It is a nice feature of Iriomote Island activities that marine activities can be enjoyed even at night.

Listening to the quiet sound of the ocean waves at night while swaying and swaying with the waves is a soothing space for both body and soul.

Lying down on a SUP board and stargazing will be an exquisite experience.

We hope you will enjoy this impressive and luxurious experience.

 

in the end

We introduced how to spend summer in Iriomote Island.

Summer is the hottest season in Iriomote Island, when the natural beauty of the island is most beautiful and activities are most active.

All in all, this is the best time to visit, except that plans are more likely to be changed due to the typhoon and that travel and transportation costs are higher than usual.

Please visit us during the best season in Iriomote Island.

Forget about everyday life and enjoy the great outdoors to the fullest.

Finally, be sure to keep the following two points in mind for a better trip to Iriomote Island.

 

1. check typhoon information carefully and take measures to cope with any changes in plans.

2. save a little on lodging and transportation costs by booking early, and upgrade your meals and tours accordingly.

 

Well, thank you for reading to the end.

This article was written by.
にわちゃん
young Japanese amberjack (Seriola quinqueradiata)