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To enjoy Iriomote Island efficiently, join a tour!
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Let's enjoy the great nature of Iriomote Island with a tour!
Iriomote Island is located in the Yaeyama Islands in southern Okinawa Prefecture. This island is rich in pristine nature with subtropical jungles and mangroves, beautiful sea and sandy beaches, and limestone caves.
It is also famous for the Iriomote wildcat, a natural treasure.
This time, we would like to introduce various tours that allow you to fully enjoy the great nature of this Iriomote Island.
Climate of Iriomote Island
Iriomote Island belongs to the subtropical climate zone and is blessed with a mild climate all year round with an average annual temperature of about 24 degrees Celsius. Even in midwinter, the average maximum temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius and the average minimum temperature is about 16 degrees Celsius, which is considerably warmer than that of Honshu, and you will hardly feel cold.
It also receives a large amount of precipitation throughout the year, with an average annual precipitation of approximately 2300 mm.
These climates shape the magnificent nature of Iriomote Island.
How to get to Iriomote Island
The major ways to get to Iriomote Island are the following routes.
First, you will fly from Naha Airport in Okinawa to Shin-Ishigaki Airport.
This airport serves as the center of transportation to the islands of the Yaeyama Archipelago and is a relatively new airport, having opened in 2013.
From Shin-Ishigaki Airport, take a cab or local bus to Ishigaki Port Terminal.
From the terminal, take a ferry to Iriomote Island, which takes about 40 minutes.
Ferries are operated by two companies, Yasunaga Kanko and Yaeyama Kanko Ferry, with approximately 17 round trips per day.
Two entrances to Iriomote Island
Iriomote Island has two entrances: Uehara Port in the northern part of the island and Ohara Port in the southeastern part of the island.
Next, I would like to introduce each of the ports.
Uehara Port for active tours
Uehara Port is the main port of Iriomote Island, and nearby are attractive spots such as "Star Sand Beach" where you can literally see star sand, and "Tsukigahama Beach" where sea turtles visit.
It is also close to the famous Pinaisara Falls and Baras Island, making it a base port for active tours to these destinations.
There are also many restaurants, souvenir stores, lodging facilities, and car and motorcycle rental agencies in the vicinity, making it a convenient port for doing just about anything.
Please note that ferry service is often cancelled in winter due to the northwest monsoon. (In this case, you will need to take a bus or other means from Ohara Port to Uehara Port.)
Ohara Port for a relaxing tour
Ohara Port is adjacent to the Nakama River, making it convenient for those who wish to enjoy jungle cruises and other leisurely activities.
There are a few stores and restaurants around the port, but compared to Uehara Port, it has the atmosphere of a port where locals live.
Also near Ohara Port is Yubu Island, famous for its buffalo carts.
In winter, when ferries cannot call at Uehara Port due to the monsoon, they can often call at Ohara Port, making it a convenient port for winter sightseeing.
5 Tours of Iriomote Island
From here, we would like to introduce our selected Iriomote Island tours, which were especially carefully selected by our staff who know Iriomote Island well!
1) If you are lost, this is the one for you! Barasu Island Snorkeling & SUP/Canoe
The southern part of Barras Island is famous as a snorkeling spot.
The sight of colorful fish such as clownfish swimming among the coral reefs in the beautiful emerald green ocean is something you will never experience in everyday life.
Also, by cruising leisurely on a SUP or canoe surrounded by nature, you will forget the hustle and bustle of the city and the stresses of daily life, and relax your body and mind!
(2) Activity and sightseeing in one day! Canyoning & Yubu Island Sightseeing
Canyoning, simply put, is river rafting.
With one's body, one can move down the river at a brisk pace, letting the current flow through one's body.
You can enjoy the thrill and cool feeling and feel refreshed!
Yubu Island is a quiet island with about 15 islanders and is famous for its sightseeing buffalo bullock carts.
The island is home to about 50 buffaloes, all of which are named and cared for.
The entire island is also a botanical garden, known as a subtropical botanical paradise, and will have a bougainvillea garden, butterfly garden, and manta ray beach.
Transportation to Yubu Island is possible by buffalo cart or on foot.
SUP/Canoeing & Caving
This fascinating tour includes SUP or canoe cruising in the wilderness with no man-made structures as far as the eye can see, and an exploration of limestone caves, which are natural formations woven by nature.
Seeing the limestone caves that were created over a long period of time, you may lose track of time as well as be captivated by the greatness of nature.
④Enjoy the waterfront of Iriomote Island! Canyoning & SUP/Canoeing
This course allows you to enjoy all the river activities of Iriomote Island.
Canyoning and cruising by SUP or canoe allow you to fully enjoy the great nature of Iriomote Island!
Especially in summer, canyoning provides a cool and refreshing feeling!
5) "Miracle Island" and "Subtropical Paradise" Barasu Island Snorkeling & Yubu Island Sightseeing
Barasu Island is a small uninhabited island only a few dozen meters in diameter, made of coral reef fragments.
This island is also called the Island of Miracles.
It is a famous snorkeling spot with many colorful fish swimming in the coral reef waters.
Yubu Island, famous for its buffalo, is called a subtropical paradise.
This tour will allow you to enjoy two fascinating islands, Barasu and Yubu, at the same time.
summary
This time, we have introduced some recommended tours in Iriomote Island, how was it?
The charm of Iriomote Island is its pristine nature.
The vast jungles and mangrove forests, emerald green ocean, white sandy beaches, beautiful starry skies, and a variety of rare creatures.
In the tours introduced here, you can experience all the charms of Iriomote Island.
Why don't you join these tours in Iriomote Island and experience the great nature?
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