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Afternoon Activities in Iriomote Island
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Enjoy Iriomote Island in the afternoon only!
Iriomote Island is a great destination because the entire island is designated as a national park with so much nature and so many activities.
This time, we will enjoy Iriomote Island, which is packed with natural attractions, in the afternoon only! I will introduce the information and points necessary for this purpose.
Is only the afternoon honestly not enough?
Iriomote Island is full of attractions such as marine sports, river activities, and walks in the rich natural environment.
To be honest, you may think it is difficult to enjoy such Iriomote Island only in the afternoon.
However, it is not difficult to enjoy Iriomote Island and its charms to the fullest in just an afternoon by making an efficient plan focusing on your purpose and setting access points accordingly.
Here we will provide you with the information you need to do so, essential points for preparation, and typical activities and spots you should definitely experience.
Access to Iriomote Island
First of all, it is necessary to know where and how to cross to Iriomote Island, and how to access the island.
You should also know where to aim as the entrance to Iriomote Island.
Decide how you want to spend your time and then decide where you want to disembark.
A few dozen minutes by ferry from Ishigaki Island
Iriomote Island is reached by ferry from Ishigaki Island. The time required is about 40 minutes. To fully enjoy Iriomote Island in just an afternoon, pay attention to the time of the ferry departing from Ishigaki Island.
To spend as much time as possible in the afternoon on Iriomote Island, it is recommended to take a ferry leaving Ishigaki Island at 11:00 at the latest.
Two entrances to Iriomote Island
When crossing from Ishigaki Island to Iriomote Island by ferry, there are two ports that serve as the entrance to Iriomote Island. One is Ohara Port located in the southeast of Iriomote Island, and the other is Uehara Port located in the north of Iriomote Island. The distance between Ohara Port and Uehara Port is about 50 minutes by car.
In other words, depending on which port you choose as your starting point, there will be a difference of about 50 minutes in travel within Iriomote Island.
Therefore, you can make the most efficient use of your time by deciding which port to go to depending on the location of your main activities and sightseeing you want to do in Iriomote Island.
Uehara Port for activities
If activities are your main interest, Uehara Port is the place for you. From Uehara Port, there are many activity spots that are conveniently accessible. The "Hoshi-suna-no-hama" beach, famous for its star-shaped sand, has fine sand, so it is not difficult to walk barefoot, and is recommended for children.
A 10-minute drive from Uehara Port will take you to the Urauchi River. Urauchi River also offers jungle cruises and trekking, so visitors can experience a variety of activities while saving travel time.
Enjoy Ohara Port at a leisurely pace
Near Ohara Port, there is the Iriomote Wildlife Conservation Center, where you can see Iriomote wild cat and rare plants and animals of Iriomote Island in the exhibition room. Also, Yubu Island, famous for crossing by a buffalo cart, is located near Ohara Port.
Ohara Port is located in a suitable position to enjoy the natural environment of Iriomote Island more leisurely than activities.
You only have time in the afternoon! Recommended Activities
Now, if you decide to enjoy Iriomote Island only in the afternoon, it is important to select your activities carefully.
So, here are some recommended activities that you should not miss in Iriomote Island.
Enjoy nature in half a day! Barasu Island Snorkeling
To reach Barasu Island, take a boat from Uehara Port. Barasu Island is a small island made of coral. As you approach the island by boat, you can see Barasu Island floating in the emerald green sea, which makes you feel excited even before you go ashore.
The waters surrounding the island of Barras are much clearer than one might imagine, and the coral reefs and tropical fish that can be seen underwater seem almost within reach.
The most recommended activity in the crystal clear waters is snorkeling.
Floating on the emerald green surface of the sea and moving slowly through the water, you can easily see a variety of brightly colored tropical fish swimming about.
The sun's rays penetrating into the sea and combining with the colors of the tropical fish will make you feel as if the whole sea is a natural museum.
If you are lucky, you may even see sea turtles migrating in peace.
This is a standard activity in Iriomote Island!
SUP/Canoe
SUP or canoeing is recommended as an activity to enjoy the great nature of Iriomote Island with a sense of exploration.
SUP, or stand-up paddle surfing boat, is a relatively new water sport that involves standing on a surfboard and paddling forward.
Riding SUP while standing up is like walking on water.
On the other hand, a canoe is a seated canoe ride, so your line of sight is closer to the water's surface, giving you a stronger sense of adventure.
Exhilarating experience! Canyoning
Canyoning is one of the outdoor sports that can be enjoyed while rafting in canyons and rivers.
You can slide down rock faces in their natural state, jump into the river from rock walls, and enjoy the river in a dynamic way. Canyoning is characterized by the fact that you can enjoy the canyons and rivers in their natural state with just your body, basically without using any tools. Because of this, canyoning is sometimes referred to as the ultimate river experience.
Canyoning can be enjoyed elsewhere in Japan, but canyoning on Iriomote Island, with its abundance of untouched wilderness, is exceptional. You will feel as if you were a character in an adventure movie as you descend through the characteristic streams, encountering the unique flora and fauna of Iriomote Island.
Not only is it dynamic, but it also offers a relaxing and healing experience as you slowly make your way down the stream.
PiPi is equipped with showers, so you don't have to worry after your activities!
In order to enjoy the full afternoon with activities, it is important to be able to prepare well in advance for the departure time of the ferry on the return trip.
In order to make the trip home as time-saving as possible, it is a good idea to have showers available so that you can remove sweat and dirt from your body after the activities and change your clothes immediately.
PiPi, which offers many attractive activity tours in Iriomote Island and has a good reputation among tourists, is equipped with showers, so you do not need to worry about finding a shower after the activity is over.
We recommend using these activity tours when using your time efficiently, even after the activity is considered.
summary
Iriomote Island is attractive for its pristine wilderness and the unique flora and fauna that inhabit it, but if you plan in advance and consider how to spend your time efficiently, you can fully enjoy the island even in the afternoon.
To do so, it is first necessary to check the arrival and departure times of the ferry, the means of transportation to Iriomote Island.
Then, narrowing down what you must do in Iriomote Island and selecting a port that is close and convenient to move to a destination where you can do it is an important choice for an efficient way to spend your time.
Another important point to remember is the time to prepare for the return trip home in time for the ferry.
If you want to make your return preparation smooth, make sure that showers are readily available.
PiPi, which offers a wide variety of activity tours popular among tourists, is equipped with showers, so it is very easy to get ready for the return trip after enjoying plenty of activities, allowing you to use your limited time efficiently.
However, it is important to note that the weather is a factor.
If the ship is cancelled in bad weather, or if you cannot participate in activities due to rain, there is no point in going to the trouble of traveling.
Check the weather ahead of time to maximize your time in a meaningful way.
If you want to fully enjoy the experience in just one afternoon, prepare carefully.
If you are unsure, you may want to inquire with your guide or travel agency.
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