5 Activities to enjoy with children in Iriomote Island
More than 90% of the island is subtropical jungle, and Iriomote Island is a national park. Iriomote Island is the second largest island in Okinawa Prefecture after the main island, and its unique remote nature is spread throughout the island. You may encounter the Iriomote wild cat, a protected species, during your Activity Experience in the mountains and the sea. We have carefully selected five activities that you can enjoy with your children while experiencing nature in Iriomote Island. Please refer to them for making memories with your family.
1Ohana Outfitters "Private Ohana (Family) Tour in Iriomote Island
Eco-tour that is friendly to nature and family
Activity store proposing local experiences and sensory experiences to experience Iriomote Island with all five senses. We recommend the "Private Ohana (Family) Tour in Iriomote Island" for families with children under elementary school age.
It is limited to one family per day, and they will arrange the most suitable tour contents according to your request. Not only the weather, but also the tide level and wind direction are taken into consideration by the guide who knows the local area very well. They can also suggest activities that are appropriate for children's physical fitness and age, so first-time families can rest assured that they are in good hands.
Plenty of Activities for Families to Enjoy
Activities that can be requested through Ohana Tours include mangrove canoeing, mangrove SUP, sea kayaking, jungle trekking, playing with waterfalls and streams, snorkeling, exploring limestone caves, and walking on mud flats, among many others.
Of particular note is the five-person "outrigger canoeing. This is a popular activity that is highly popular among families, as it provides a sense of togetherness when everyone is in the canoe together. There are also other recommended plans for each season, so please consult with us when making a reservation.
- Ohana Outfitters
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870-111 Uehara, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama County, Okinawa MAP
Approximately 8 minutes drive from Uehara Port
Open 9:00-19:00
Closed on weekends and holidays
Private Ohana (family) tour in Iriomote Island Adults 12,000 yen, children (elementary school students and under) 8,000 yen
*For children under 3 years old, one infant per adult is included.
090-9663-5351
None
Ages 6 and up
2Iriomotejima WATERMAN "SUP Cruise for Parents and Children
Experience SUP unique to Iriomote Island with parents and children.
Activity store with guides who know the ocean inside out. They go into the ocean almost every day to learn from the sea in order to become more skilled guides in the field. One of the most popular programs at the store is the "SUP Cruise for Parents and Children," a program for parents and children to enjoy together.
SUP (stand-up paddle surfing) is a boat designed to be paddled standing up, making it easy for anyone to enjoy water sports. Even if it is your first time, you can rest assured that our guides have reliable gear for you. It will be a valuable Experience for parents and children to feel the nature of Iriomote Island firsthand while riding SUP.
Snorkeling with children is also attractive
In addition to SUP, snorkeling at "Barasu Island" called "Miracle Island" is also recommended. It is a small uninhabited island made of coral fragments, and the surrounding area is shallow. Because it is accessible, the experience is suitable not only for beginners but also for small children.
Once underwater, the pristine underwater landscape is unspoiled, with beautiful coral reefs and schools of fish. The guides are all specialists in Iriomote Island who are constantly trained in paddle and rescue techniques and physical strength. Even if it is your first time to snorkel, you can rest assured that you will be taught from the basic techniques.
- Iriomote Island WATERMAN
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- 531-1 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa MAP
- 2 minutes drive from Uehara Port Densa Terminal
- 8:00-20:00
- Closed on weekends and holidays
- SUP cruise for parents and children from 7,000 yen per person
Snorkeling around Barasu Island (half-day course) 8,000 yen - 0980-85-6005
- Free of charge
- Ages 6 and up
3Iriomotejima Kotsu "Underwater Sightseeing Boat Jugon
Visit "Maibishi", one of Japan's largest coral reef area "Ishinishi lagoon
The largest coral reef area in Japan, "Seokuseijoko", stretches between Iriomote Island and Ishigaki Island. The "Underwater Sightseeing Boat Jugon" is popular because you can see coral reefs and underwater creatures of "Maibishi", one of these areas, from the boat. The emerald green sea spreading out before your eyes tells of the grandeur of nature.
Ohara Port, the port of embarkation, is a popular photo spot for children, decorated with many Jugon pictures. While waiting for the ship to depart, it is fun to shop for souvenirs as a memento of your trip.
Underwater walk that can be easily enjoyed with children
This sightseeing boat has a diving room. When the boat arrives at the point of coral reefs and tropical fish, the submersible dives about 2 meters into the sea. It is well known that visitors can closely observe the ocean as if they were taking a walk underwater. Since there is no actual immersion in the water, even small children who are not comfortable in the water can enjoy the experience. They may even get excited when they see fish swimming right in front of them.
It is advisable to make reservations based on weather conditions, as the operation may be cancelled depending on weather and sea conditions. If you have the possibility of motion sickness, it is recommended to take precautions in advance.
- Underwater Sightseeing Boat Jugon
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- 201 Minami Kazami, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama County, Okinawa MAP
- A short walk from Ohara Port Terminal
- Late April - Late September
Meeting time: 14:00 Departure time: 14:20 Travel time: approx. 60 min.
(Reception time: 8:30-16:30) - Due to the spread of the new coronavirus, the company is refraining from operating flights.
(There is no indication of resumption of service.) - Adults 3,000 yen, children (elementary school students) 1,500 yen
- 0980-84-7320
- Free of charge
4Iriomotejima Canoe Tour Kazaguruma "Canoe Experience Course
Simple Canoe Experience is attractive
The activity store's motto is to "improve safety and comfort" so that even small children can enjoy activities safely and securely. The course focuses on simple canoeing and requires no special preparation.
The time required is less than 3 hours. The schedule is scheduled according to the time of the ferry departing from Ishigaki Island, so it is easy to make a plan before and after the tour. At the turnaround point of the canoe, you can see "Pinaisara Falls," which boasts the highest drop in Okinawa.
In summer, a course that includes a visit to a waterfall is recommended.
In summer, we recommend a course that combines canoeing on the "Kula River" with a visit to the waterfall. It is a compact tour that takes only 20 minutes one way, but it is full of natural beauty condensed into a spectacular sight. You can easily Experience the jungle of Iriomote Island.
Koola Falls," which can be captured in a frame even at a short distance, is a popular photo spot for photography enthusiasts. We recommend you to take a family photo with the beautifully flowing waterfall in the background.
- Iriomote Island Canoe Tour Windmill
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- 521 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa MAP
- 2 minutes drive from Uehara Port Densa Terminal
- 10:00 - 18:00 (phone reception)
- Open all year round
- Canoe Experience Course: 7,000-8,000 yen (4-60 years old), Kula River Canoeing & Waterfall Exploration Course: 8,000-9,000 yen (4-60 years old)
*Prices vary depending on tour start time. - 090-8915-0931
- Free of charge
5Subtropical Botanical Paradise Yubujima "Buffalo Cart
Yubu Island, where the entire island is a tropical botanical garden
Located 400m east of Iriomote Island, it is a very small island with a circumference of 2km. The island used to be so populated that a school was opened there, but due to the damage caused by a typhoon in 1969, many residents moved to Iriomote Island. However, one couple of residents continued to plant tropical plants, and now the entire island is a tropical botanical garden. Rare shells can be seen around the island, and children can be seen everywhere enjoying themselves by picking up shells and looking for hermit crabs.
It is recommended to cross from Iriomote Island to Yubu Island by a buffalo cart, which takes about 15 minutes. Children will surely be delighted by the unusual buffalo cart.
A buffalo cart is a typical scenery of Yubu Island.
A buffalo cart is indispensable for sightseeing in Yubu Island. The number of buffaloes living on Yubu Island is much larger than the population, and each buffalo is given a name. They are basically gentle and kind to humans, but they have sharp horns. Small children should be careful to stay away from their horns.
Another spot on Yubu Island that should not be missed is the Bougainvillea Garden. The bougainvillea can be seen year-round on Yubu Island, although the season is limited in some areas. The best season is from late fall through March.
- Subtropical Botanical Paradise Yubujima Island
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- 689 Aza-Komi, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama County, Okinawa MAP
- 15 min. from the buffalo boarding point to Yubu Island
- 9:30-16:00 *Opening may be delayed depending on the height of the tide.
- Open daily, but may be closed due to typhoons or strong winds.
- Round-trip buffalo cart & park entrance fee: Adults (junior high school students and older): 1,760 yen, children (elementary school students): 880 yen
- 0980-85-5470
- None
