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Ohana Outfitters "Private Ohana (Family) Tour on Iriomote Island"

Eco-tours that are kind to both nature and families

This activity shop proposes local experiences and sensations, wanting you to feel Iriomote Island with all five senses. The "Ohana (Family) Tour" is recommended for families with children of elementary school age or younger.
They will arrange the optimal tour content according to your requests. It is because the guides know the local area inside and out that they can take into account not only the weather but also the tide level and wind direction. They can also suggest activities that suit your child's physical strength and age, so families participating for the first time can feel at ease. Private tours can also be accommodated upon prior consultation.

*If small children are participating, please understand that you will need to match the pace of other guests. Additionally, the guide may change the tour to a private tour at their discretion.

Packed with activities the whole family can enjoy

The activities you can request on an Ohana tour are varied, including mangrove canoeing, mangrove SUP, sea kayaking, jungle trekking, waterfall play, stream play, snorkeling, cave exploration, and tidal flat walking.
Of particular note is the 5-person "outrigger canoe play." It is a popular activity with high satisfaction from families, as riding together creates a sense of unity. There are also recommended plans for each season, so be sure to consult with them when booking.

Local
Supporter

If the weather is good, you can go out to the sea by canoe in any season. We recommend swimming in the sea, rivers, and waterfalls from around May to early October.

Ohana Outfitters

• 870-111 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
• About 8 minutes by car from Uehara Port
• 9:00-19:00
• Irregular holidays
• Ohana (Family) Sunrise
  Kayak & Trekking (approx. 6 hours)
  Adults 17,600 yen, Children 13,200 yen (children under 12)
  *Tours are held early in the morning, but during non-peak seasons, daytime tours are also available on days with openings.
• 090-9663-5351
• None
• 6 years old and up

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Iriomote Island WATERMAN "Parent-Child SUP Cruise"

Experience SUP unique to Iriomote Island with your children

This activity shop features guides who know the ocean inside and out. Aiming to be the most knowledgeable in the field, they enter the water almost every day, learning directly from the sea. A popular program at this shop is the "Parent-Child SUP Cruise," which can be enjoyed by both parents and children.
SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboarding) uses a board designed for standing and paddling, making it easy for anyone to enjoy water sports. Even if it is your first time, you can rest assured knowing the guides provide reliable gear. Riding a SUP together will be a precious experience for parents and children to feel the nature of Iriomote Island firsthand.

Snorkeling that you can enjoy with your children is also a highlight

In addition to SUP, snorkeling at "Barasu Island," known as the miraculous island, is also recommended. It is a small, uninhabited island made of coral fragments, surrounded by shallow waters. Since you can stand in the water, it is accessible not only to beginners but also to small children.
When you dive into the sea, an untouched underwater landscape unfolds, where you can encounter beautiful coral and schools of fish. The guides are all Iriomote Island specialists who undergo daily training in paddling, rescue techniques, and physical fitness. Even if you are a first-time snorkeler, you can feel at ease as they will thoroughly teach you the basic techniques.

Local
Supporter

While Iriomote Island is full of activities, there are not many places where parents and children can experience SUP together. Children of elementary school age and younger can enjoy it by riding in pairs with their mom or dad. There is also a great bonus where you can receive photos taken during the tour for free.

Iriomote Island WATERMAN

• 541-1 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 2 minutes by car from Uehara Port Densa Terminal
• 8:00–20:00
• Irregular holidays
• Parent-Child SUP Cruise from 8,500 yen per person
  Snorkeling Barasu Island Area Course (Half-day) 10,000 yen
• 0980-85-6005
• Free
• 6 years old and up

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Iriomote Kotsu "Underwater Sightseeing Boat Dugong"

Head to "Maibishi," one of the spots in the Sekisei Lagoon, Japan's largest coral reef area

The "Underwater Sightseeing Boat Dugong" is popular for allowing passengers to view the coral reefs and marine life of "Maibishi," one of the areas within the Sekisei Lagoon, the largest coral reef region in Japan, which stretches between Iriomote Island and Ishigaki Island. The emerald green sea spreading out before your eyes tells the story of the grandeur of nature.
Ohara Port, the departure port, is a popular photo spot for children, decorated with many pictures of dugongs. It is also fun to browse for souvenirs as a memory of your trip while waiting for the departure time.

An underwater stroll that you can easily enjoy with your children

This sightseeing boat is equipped with an underwater observation room. When it arrives at the coral and tropical fish spot, the observation room descends about 2 meters into the sea. It is highly rated for allowing you to observe the underwater world closely, as if you were taking a walk underwater. Since you do not actually get wet, it is safe even for small children who are not comfortable with water. They might even get excited seeing fish swimming right in front of their eyes.
Please note that operations may be canceled depending on weather and sea conditions, so it is a good idea to check the weather before booking. If you are prone to motion sickness, it is recommended to take precautions in advance.

Local
Supporter

It's as if you are snorkeling while still on the boat. This is the perfect activity for families with elderly people or small children.

Underwater Sightseeing Boat Dugong

• 201 Haemi, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
• Just a short walk from Ohara Port Terminal
• Late April to late September
  Meeting time 14:00 Departure time 14:20 Duration approx. 60 minutes
  (Reception hours 8:30–16:30)
• Operations currently suspended due to the spread of COVID-19
  (No date set for resumption)
• Adults 3,000 yen, Children (elementary school students) 1,500 yen
• 0980-84-7320
• Free

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Iriomote Island Canoe Tour Kazaguruma "Canoe Experience Course"

A simple canoeing experience is the main attraction

This activity shop operates under the motto of "improving safety and comfort" so that even small children can enjoy themselves safely and securely. Their "Canoe Experience Course," which can be enjoyed by three generations from ages 4 to 75, is popular. It is a course focused simply on paddling a canoe, so no special preparation is required.
The duration is just under 3 hours. The schedule is aligned with the ferry times departing from Ishigaki Island, which is a nice point that makes it easy to plan your itinerary before and after. At the turnaround point of the canoe trip, you can see "Pinaisara Falls," which boasts the highest drop in Okinawa.

In summer, we recommend a course that includes a waterfall tour

For summer, we recommend the "Kura River Jungle Exploration Course," which includes canoeing, stream trekking, and waterfall play.
Although it is a short trip of about 4 hours, this compact field, condensed with the natural beauty of Iriomote Island, allows you to enjoy an authentic jungle experience with ease.
Furthermore, it includes lunch despite being a half-day tour. It is an ideal course for a jungle debut, open to participants from 4 to 70 years old.

Local
Supporter

Both are short courses recommended for those with a little spare time. The summer waterfall basin experience is cool and refreshing.

Iriomote Island Canoe Tour Kazaguruma

• 521 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 2 minutes by car from Uehara Port Densa Terminal
• 10:00–18:00
• Irregular holidays
• Canoe Experience Course: 7,000–10,000 yen (ages 4–75), Kura River Jungle Exploration Course: 9,000–12,000 yen (ages 4–70)
  *Prices vary depending on the tour date and start time
• 090-8915-0931
• Free

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Subtropical Plant Paradise Yubu Island "Water Buffalo Cart"

Yubu Island, where the entire island is a tropical botanical garden

A very small island with a circumference of 2 km, located 400 meters east of Iriomote Island. It was once so populous that it even had a school, but following damage from a typhoon in 1969, many residents relocated to Iriomote Island. Amidst this, one couple who remained continued to plant tropical flora, and today the entire island has become a tropical botanical garden. Rare seashells can be found around the island, and you can see children enjoying activities like collecting shells and searching for hermit crabs everywhere.
We recommend taking a water buffalo cart from Iriomote Island to Yubu Island, which takes about 15 minutes. Children are sure to be delighted by the rare water buffalo cart ride.

Water buffalo carts are the quintessential scenery of Yubu Island

Water buffalo carts are essential for sightseeing on Yubu Island. The number of water buffalo living on Yubu Island far exceeds the human population, and each one has been given a name. They are generally calm and gentle toward people, but they do have sharp horns. Please be careful to keep small children away from their horns.
Another spot on Yubu Island you won't want to miss is the "Bougainvillea Garden." While the viewing season for bougainvillea is limited in some regions, you can see them all year round on Yubu Island. The best season is from late autumn through March.

Local
Supporter

The swaying of the water buffalo cart while feeling the gentle tropical breeze is incredibly comfortable. Each water buffalo has a different expression, so please take a look and compare them.

Subtropical Plant Garden Yubujima

• 689 Komi, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 15 minutes from the water buffalo carriage boarding area for Yubujima
• 9:15–16:30 *Opening time may be delayed depending on the tide level
• Open every day *May close due to typhoons or strong winds
• Round-trip buffalo cart & admission fee: Adults (junior high school students and older) 2,000 yen, Children (elementary school students) 1,000 yen
• 0980-85-5470
• Available (free, approx. 50 spaces)