Hello everyone!

What do you imagine when you hear of Iriomote Island in winter?

Some of you may think, "Is it cold in winter in the southern islands?" Some people think, "It's a tropical country, so it must be warm even in the winter season! Some people may think, "Well, it's a tropical country, so it must be warm even in the winter season!

In fact, winters in Iriomote Island are indeed warmer than those in mainland Japan, but one point to note during the winter season is the strong northerly winds peculiar to the winter season in Okinawa Prefecture.

Some days the wind blows quite strongly and cold, which frequently results in cases where the temperature differs from the actual experience.

But even with this in mind, the temperature itself can definitely be described as warm.

In addition to clothing appropriate for the temperature, bringing another light jacket that can be worn at any time will help you stay comfortable without any problems.

For those who are sensitive to cold weather, it is recommended to have a windbreaker or other windproof material rather than the thickness of the fabric.

And there are many other things to look forward to in winter on Iriomote Island.

This article introduces such winter in Iriomote Island.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winter in Iriomote Island

Iriomote Island is located more than 400 km further southwest than the main island of Okinawa, and due to its location has a subtropical climate that differs from that of the mainland.

What a surprise! Even in winter, Iriomote Island rarely has a day when the minimum temperature falls below 15 degrees Celsius, and the maximum temperature often exceeds 20 degrees Celsius on a fine day.

Therefore, many days can be spent with only short sleeves during the day.

In addition, precipitation is low, and compared to August and September, when there are many typhoons, this is a season when you can enjoy sightseeing without being affected by the weather!

However, as mentioned above, Okinawa is known for its very strong northerly winds during the winter season.

To be more specific, on windy days, Iriomote Island can feel as much as minus 10 degrees Celsius below the air temperature.

Especially at night and early in the morning, you will feel the coldness of the bottom.

If you are only planning to visit during the day, you only need a light jacket, but if you are planning to join an early morning or late night tour, you may want to bring warmer clothing as well.

This is the season when the temperature difference between day and night is extreme, so it is best to keep this in mind when preparing for your trip.

The climate is surprisingly warmer than that of the mainland, so those who do not like cold weather may stay on Iriomote Island for a long time as a winter resort.

 

Advantages of Iriomote Island in winter

Now, I told you about the mildness of the climate at the beginning, but is that the only advantage of visiting Iriomote Island in winter?

In fact, there are many other advantages.

The first thing that can be mentioned is that marine activities and other activities can be enjoyed on Iriomote Island even in winter.

Many marine activities are performed wearing a wetsuit with high heat insulation, so you can enjoy the sea of Iriomote Island comfortably without freezing.

In fact, many people visit Iriomote Island for marine activities even in winter, although not as much as in summer, and they are active in their own way, so you can enjoy them without feeling lonely.

In addition, and this is not limited to Iriomote Island, the sea in winter is more transparent than in summer due to the decrease in the amount of plankton.

When the sea of Iriomote Island, originally known for its beautiful blue color, becomes more transparent, its beauty is truly exceptional!

Snorkeling underwater, you will be able to see far into the distance as if nothing is blocking your view, and you will be able to see coral and tropical fish full of vitality.

Jungle exploration, which is one of the greatest features of Iriomote Island tourism, can of course be enjoyed even in midwinter.

It is a fascinating spot to see the Iriomote wildcat, the island's endemic flora and fauna, and its magnificent natural environment, but walking through the jungle is hard work in its own right.

If you visit in the summer, you may end up sweating.

Such jungle exploration can be done quite comfortably in the cooler winter months.

It would be a good idea to join a tour that takes you to various spots for trekking, canoeing, mangrove colonies, and sightseeing at numerous waterfalls.

Another advantage is that it is easier to keep travel costs relatively low during the winter months.

In all regions, the price of transportation and lodging will most likely change between seasons when there are more travelers and other seasons.

Iriomote Island, likewise, is less expensive in terms of both transportation and lodging compared to the summer months, when many people visit.

If you can save money on travel expenses, you can use that money for other expenses during your trip, and you may be able to enjoy activities and food that you would hesitate to do on a summer trip because of the cost.

Another advantage is that there are fewer tourists, so you can enjoy the tropical atmosphere in a more relaxed manner, unlike traveling while worrying about other tourists.

 

Disadvantages of Iriomote Island in winter

In contrast, the only disadvantage of traveling to Iriomote Island in winter is the strong north wind.

As explained above, Iriomote Island in winter is often unexpectedly cold, which cannot be measured only by the numbers in the weather forecast.

With this in mind, it is necessary to take windbreak measures, such as bringing a windbreaker.

In addition, boat snorkeling and boat diving tours may be cancelled due to the inability to launch boats when winds are strong.

Therefore, caution should be exercised, especially in the latter half of December when winds are stronger!

 

Recommended Activities in Iriomote Island in Winter

Now, let me pick up a few activities that I would like to recommend in Iriomote Island in winter.

The trend is different from the summer season, but it is full of fun and games!

 

1) Yubu Island Sightseeing

Yubu Island sightseeing is one of the popular tours in Iriomote Island.

Yubu Island is a small island located about 10 minutes by boat from Iriomote Island, and is highly known as the No. 1 tourist spot in Iriomote Island.

This island was formed by piling up the sand of Iriomote Island carried by the ocean currents, and is very small, with a circumference of about 2 km and a population of about a dozen people.

The distance between Iriomote Island and Yubu Island is shallow, and transportation is by buffalo cart.

 

While being rocked across the sea by the leisurely steps of the buffalo, the driver plays the shamisen and sings folk songs.

The comfort will make you doze off.

You will definitely feel more Okinawa!

Each buffalo has its own personality, and you can see the cute side of them as you ride in a buffalo cart and look at their faces right next to you.

It is also very lovely to see them sleeping on the beach after crossing the island.

Yubu Island is home to many plants unique to the subtropical zone, and at the subtropical botanical garden on Yubu Island, visitors can see bougainvillea, coconut trees, adan trees, and other rare plants growing in vivid profusion.

The largest butterfly in Japan, the "Oogomadara" is also cultivated here, and you can see its chrysalis glistening with a divine golden color.

When you visit, be sure to take a commemorative photo!

 

 

(2) Glass Boat

Marine activities are a staple of trips to Okinawa, including Iriomote Island.

You can enjoy the beautiful blue ocean with your whole body.

However, there are many people who have difficulty with marine activities, such as those who are not comfortable with cooling their bodies during the winter season, those who are too lazy to remove their makeup, or those who cannot participate because they have small children.

For those people, I highly recommend the glass boat!

A glass boat is a boat with a glass bottom that allows visitors to enjoy the underwater world without going into the water.

Because it is safe and does not get wet, even the elderly and small children can enjoy underwater observation with peace of mind.

One of the main features of the sea of Iriomote Island is the largest coral reef in Japan, Ishinishi lagoon, which is located right next to the island.

Shihsi lagoon boasts a vast area of about 15 km from north to south and 20 km from east to west, and is a very rich spot with more than 400 types of coral.

From the glass boat, you can enjoy observing beautiful coral reefs and marine life without getting wet.

The glass boat can be taken at Ohara Port located in the south of Iriomote Island.

A glass boat with the familiar name "Jugong" is used.

Jugon has a structure with a diving room in the center, and you can look into the sea of Iriomote Island through the window of the diving room.

This marine activity is very popular and there are only a few flights a day, so getting there early is recommended.

 

 

 

(3) Diving

The waters of Iriomote Island, where Ishinishi lagoon is located, as described in the glass boat section, are considered one of the best diving spots in the world because of the scale of the coral reefs and the variety and condition of the coral.

For this reason, Iriomote Island is visited by people not only from Japan but also from overseas for the purpose of diving, and it is no exaggeration to say that Iriomote Island is truly a sacred place for diving.

Such diving can, of course, be fully enjoyed even in winter.

You may think that after a dip in the ocean, your wet body will be exposed to the wind and cold, but if you wear a wetsuit with excellent heat retention properties, you need not worry about this.

In addition, the sea of Iriomote Island is known for its higher water temperature in winter compared to other places, and you will even feel rather warm underwater.

One of the reasons for the high water temperature is that the area around Iriomote Island is located at the northern limit of the Kuroshio Current from the Philippines.

Because of the warm water currents brought in from the Kuroshio Current, the water temperature can be close to 20 degrees Celsius even on days when the temperature is 10 degrees Celsius.

Snorkeling is an activity that is often compared to diving, but the clear winter sea of Iriomote Island is very deep.

If you are willing to go through the trouble of obtaining a license, we encourage you to try diving, as it allows you to enjoy the underwater environment at greater depths and for longer periods of time.

As you dive deeper and deeper into the crystal clear waters of Iriomote Island, the light gradually disappears and your entire field of vision is enveloped in a deep, dark, fantastic blue.

The fish that were swimming around in the shallows can be seen swimming in a more relaxed and calm manner as the depth increases.

The ability to observe fish in their natural habitat is one of the attractions of diving.

Diving in the sea of Iriomote Island in winter is sure to fascinate you, so please give it a try!

 

 

 

 

in the end

We introduced how to spend winter in Iriomote Island.

How was it?

Summer is the best time to travel to the tropics!

It is easy to have such preconceptions, but as I have shown you, there are many advantages to removing the season.

Iriomote Island is relatively warmer than the mainland in winter, but the northerly winds can be very strong, and the temperature can feel much lower than it should.

In particular, be aware that cold northerly winds hitting a wet body due to marine activities will cause the body to lose heat due to vaporization heat.

For this reason, wear a wetsuit during marine activities, and wear long sleeves and windproof clothing at night and early in the morning.

However, this is the season when the transparency is the highest even throughout the year in Iriomote Island, so you can enjoy the even more beautiful sea of Iriomote Island.

Winter is the season when it is easier to visit Iriomote Island in terms of cost, so if you are not sure about winter travel, please consider visiting Iriomote Island!

 

Also, crossing from Ishigaki Island to Iriomote IslandFerry TicketsHa,Buy OnlineIt is convenient to do so.

Since you pay in advance, you only need to show your phone on the day of boarding. Ferry ticket booths during spring break and GW are so crowded that long lines form, but if you purchase tickets online in advance, you do not have to worry about being caught in a line at the ticket booth on the day of your trip. If you purchase tickets online in advance, you can enjoy a smooth and stress-free trip. Please take a look at this page for more information.

 

 

Thank you for reading to the end.