10 recommended tours for kayaking in Iriomote Island

Hello everyone!

Iriomote Island is a small island with more than 40 rivers of various sizes flowing through it. The dense mangrove jungle is formed near the rivers, forming a unique ecosystem, which is a treasure house of subtropical creatures. Many people may know that there are rare creatures such as the Iriomote Cat, a famous special natural treasure, and the Urauchi Snappers. In addition, there are several unexplored spots in Iriomote Island that can be reached only by boat. Wouldn't you like to enjoy and feel such great nature of Iriomote Island?

I would like to recommend a kayak tour to you. In the kayak tour, you can explore the rivers and mangrove jungle of Iriomote Island, or go out to the open sea by sea kayak to places where you cannot go in a regular tour. You can enjoy nature to the fullest, and since all equipment rentals are included in the plan, you can participate in the kayak tours without any equipment.

This article introduces kayaking in Iriomote Island.

 

Click here for ferry reservations to Iriomote Island.

 

The difference between a canoe and a kayak

Did you know that canoeing and kayaking are similar activities? The difference between a canoe and a kayak is that a canoe has a single paddle on one end and a kayak has a double paddle on both ends.

Some of the tours we recommend here are titled "canoeing," but many of them offer the option of double paddling, so those who want to try kayaking need not worry.

 

10 recommended tours for kayaking in Iriomote Island

Standard canoeing at a World Natural Heritage candidate site

This tour is a standard canoe or kayak cruising tour on Iriomote Island, which is a candidate for registration as a World Natural Heritage site. The guide will carefully select the best field from the best condition on that day, so you can go on a real cruise in the primeval forest of the great nature. In addition to cruising, trekking and playing with waterfalls are also available, making this a very satisfying tour.

 

Silent sunset...Sunset kayak tour in Iriomote Island

Iriomote Island is located at the western edge of Japan, so you can see the late sunset even in Japan. Also, since it is surrounded by the sea, it is an island where you can enjoy the fantastic twilight time surrounded by the sun going down to the horizon and the darkness of the evening. You can see the most fantastic and beautiful sunset view of Iriomote Island on the Iriomote Island Sunset Kayak Tour.

As you kayak out into the sea of Iriomote Island, the sight of the sun setting after a day's work is somewhat divine, and you can feel a mysterious atmosphere that is a little bit fascinating. The sky and the sea are dyed from blue to golden and then to madder red, a sight that can only be seen here. Please try sunset kayaking when you visit Iriomote Island.

 

Let's go to the unexplored land! Mizu Ochiri Waterfall & Ida Beach Sea Kayak - 1 Day Course

This tour allows you to explore "Ida no Hama" and "Mizu Ochino Waterfall", which are called "the most unexplored region of the unexplored region" in Iriomote Island, by sea kayak and mangrove canoe.

At first, we will paddle oars to the Waterfall. Cruise alongside the emerald green ocean and mangrove jungle. Along the way, there is a cave with a hole big enough for a kayak to enter, which is a popular spot for taking pictures. Take pictures with your friends and family.

Mizu Ochino Waterfall is a waterfall located in the unexplored Funauki area, which can only be reached by boat. The waterfall pours directly into the surface of the water, and kayaks and canoes can be used to go behind the waterfall or plunge straight into it, a fun experience not possible at other waterfalls.

If you go further, you will arrive at the beach of Ida. You have to take a boat to reach this beach, so it is one of the most natural beaches in Iriomote. You can enjoy snorkeling and looking for shells on the beach.

This tour is filled with the best of caving, exploring unexplored areas.

 

Ida Beach Sea Kayak & Picnic Snorkel 1 Day Tour - Lunch Included

This tour will also take you to the beach of Ida. This tour is different from the "To the unexplored land! Unlike "Mizu Ochiri Waterfall & Ida no Hama Sea Kayak - 1 Day Course", this tour is mainly for beach fun at Ida no Hama and return trip by kayak.

Cruising to Ida beach takes about one hour one way. You can enjoy the emerald green sea, primary green mangroves and mountains, and other scenery typical of Iriomote Island using all your senses.

Once you arrive at Ida beach, you can enjoy snorkeling in the pristine, crystal clear water that remains almost untouched by humans. Ida beach is a shallow beach where colorful corals and tropical fish can be observed without diving.

After snorkeling, it is time for lunch. The lunch surrounded by the great nature will give you a sense of freedom and will be an unforgettable memory of Iriomote Island.

 

This is a very popular set! Pinaisara Falls & Mangrove Canoeing & Yubu Island Buffalo Car Tour (with lunch)

This is a special set plan that includes cruising to Pinaisara Falls, one of the most famous waterfalls in the unexplored Iriomote Island, where great nature spreads out, and sightseeing in Yubu Island, a remote island 15 minutes from Iriomote Island by buffalo car.

The most famous waterfall in Iriomote Island is this Pinaisara Falls. Pinaisara Falls has a drop of about 55 meters and is the largest waterfall in Okinawa Prefecture.

The standard itinerary is to kayak along the mangrove river and then trek up the jungle to the Pinaisara waterfall basin. In the mangrove river, you will be able to canoe through the "jungle trees" and encounter rare species of plants and animals during the trekking.

Trekking to the top of Pinaisara Falls provides a panoramic view of the surrounding area. The islands of Barasu and Hatoma, the tropical rainforest that covers the islands, and the beautiful ocean all come into view.

Yubu Island is a small island made only of sand deposited by ocean currents, and the entire island is a botanical garden called "Subtropical Botanical Paradise.

Yubu Island offers a variety of indoor activities, such as a building called "Shell House" where many shellfish living in the sea around Iriomote Island, such as coconut crabs and sea turtles are displayed, and "Butterfly Garden" where the largest butterfly in Japan, the giant sesame butterfly, is mainly kept. The buffalo cart ride from Iriomote Island to Yubu Island is also a highlight of sightseeing, and it will be a precious experience that you can only have here.

 

Jungle Canoeing & Trekking to Sangala Falls & Waterfall Pool Water Play - Half Day Course

This is a half-day tour to play in the jungle of Iriomote, including kayaking, jungle trekking, and playing in a waterfall pot. You will cruise through mangrove by kayak on Nishida River (Sangara) which is a famous hidden spot.

Compared to other spots, there are fewer tourists and you can concentrate on observing the vegetation and experiencing kayaking. After that, trekking. The undulating land of Iriomote is truly athletic. At the end, please refresh your mind and body with plenty of negative ions at Sangara Falls.

 

Family-friendly Sangala Falls Mangrove Canoeing - 1 Day Course

This tour is also a tour of Sangala Falls. However, this is a one-day plan. It is a plan that allows you to fully enjoy the unexplored area. It is also a plan that everyone from small children to the elderly can enjoy, so it is a great activity for a family trip.

 

Easy cruising in the mangroves! You will be very satisfied in a little time! Urauchi River Experience Canoeing

Urauchi River, the field, is the longest river not only in Iriomote Island but also in Okinawa Prefecture. Upstream, there are Kanpire Falls, which has the meaning of the seat of God, and Mariyudu Falls, which is selected as one of the 100 best waterfalls in Japan.

The Urauchi River is famous for sightseeing on a cruise ship, but in this tour, you can enjoy cruising on your own kayak. The Urauchi River is a treasure house of nature with many rare creatures as well as mangroves. The Urauchi River is also known as a habitat for fish designated as natural treasures, such as the Urauchi snapper, making this the perfect tour for those who wish to observe rare creatures in detail.

 

SUP (canoeing) & snorkeling to "miracle island" Barasu Island

This plan includes SUP (canoe) cruising to a waterfall, then landing at Barasu Island, a miraculous island, and snorkeling. This plan is recommended for those who want to visit Iriomote Island in one day.

 

summary

How was it? Iriomote Island is truly an island full of untouched nature. Kayaking is one of the means of transportation, but it is also very interesting as an activity. Kayaking is also popular because it is very stable and can be experienced by people of all ages, from small children to the elderly. Kayaks are a great way to enjoy and interact with nature, and we encourage you to try them.

Thank you for reading to the end.

 

Click here for ferry reservations to Iriomote Island.