When does the sea open in Iriomote Island?
Table of Contents
Hello everyone. Do you have any activities you would like to try when you visit Iriomote Island? There are many activities such as trekking in mangrove jungle, SUP, canoeing, caving, etc. in Iriomote Island, and you can enjoy them.
Among them, swimming in the sea is an activity that should not be forgotten in Iriomote Island. Without the white sandy beach, emerald green sea, shallow water for easy swimming, and colorful coral reefs and tropical fishes that fill your eyes as you go out to sea, you cannot talk about the activities of Iriomote Island, can you?
When will the opening of the sea of Iriomote Island take place, and when can we enter the sea? Don't you wonder how long you can enter? This article introduces the opening of the sea of Iriomote Island.
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Iriomote Island Sea Opening Dates for 2020
It is said that Okinawa is the earliest place in Japan to enjoy the sea, and many people may know that the sea opens early. Many people may know that the sea opens earlier than others in Japan.
Well, the sea opening of Iriomote Island is held jointly by the Yaeyama Islands including Iriomote Island. That is, not only Iriomote Island but also Ishigaki Island and Kohama Island open the sea at the same time.
The date and time for the sea opening in 2020 is March 14, 2020, at Sukuji Beach on Ishigaki Island. The event is held at Sukuji Beach on Ishigaki Island and is a big event that attracts many people from all over the Yaeyama Islands. However, the Shinto rituals went off without a hitch and the sea-opening was completed without incident.
The end of the beach season is usually at the end of October. However, some beaches close earlier than others, so if you are planning to visit at the last minute, it is recommended that you check before you go.
The height of the ocean season in Iriomote Island is from May to the middle of September. The rainy season begins in May in the Yaeyama Islands and lasts until the beginning of July, but from this time on, the temperature gradually rises and summer is in full swing from July to September. During this season, many tourists and locals visit the sea to enjoy marine activities such as swimming, beachcombing, and snorkeling.
Please refer to the following schedule from the opening of the sea in Iriomote Island.
Schedule from the opening of the sea in Iriomote Island
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2020
Yaeyama Islands Joint Sea Opening "Japan's Southernmost Point! Yaeyama Sea Opening 2020 in Ishigaki Island".
Location: Sukuji Beach, Ishigaki Island
Address: 185-1 Aza-Kabira, Ishigaki City
Around May 10, 2020
beginning of the rainy season
Around June 12, 2020
the end of the rainy season
season's height
October 31, 2020
the last day of the year in the sea
5 ocean recommendations for Iriomote Island
1. nettling
Amitori is a remote and already abandoned village in the most remote area of Iriomote Island. Tsunatori is the most secluded area in Oku-Iriomote Island, which is difficult to visit without renting a boat by yourself or with a professional tour guide. Therefore, there is no sign of human presence, and the sea is remarkably clear and beautiful, which can be called "Tsunatori blue" compared to other seas in Iriomote Island. There is a beach where you can enjoy the feeling of a private beach, and sometimes it becomes a completely private space depending on the day.
Offshore, you will frequently encounter colorful coral reefs and schools of tropical fish. You can attack from the beach, so you can both enjoy the sea by snorkeling and diving to walk on the bottom of the sea. It is the most unexplored region of Iriomote Island, and the best place to enjoy the still pristine sea surrounded by the great nature.
Location: Aza Iriomote, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa
Access: 30 minutes by boat from Shirahama Port to Funauki Port. 20 minutes by boat from Funauki Port.
Parking: None
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: None
Shower: No
2. Ida Beach
Ida-no-hama, which is called "the best-kept secret of the best-kept secrets" in Iriomote Island, is a beach in Funauki district that can only be reached by boat, so it is one of the most natural beaches in Iriomote Island. It is said to be the cleanest beach in Iriomote Island, and is one of the best in Iriomote Island in terms of transparency of the sea and polished blue. When the wind stops suddenly, the shimmering surface of the water becomes like a mirror, and you will be impressed by the beautiful scenery. Especially when the evening calm stops during the sunset time, you will be lost for words.
You can enjoy snorkeling in the crystal clear waters that remain in their natural state. Ida beach is a shallow beach where you can observe colorful corals and tropical fish without diving.
Location: Aza Iriomote, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa
Access: 30 minutes by boat from Shirahama Port to Funauki Port. 10 minutes on foot from Funauki Port.
Parking: None
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: None
Shower: No
3. Sakiyama
Sakiyama is the sea where you can enjoy diving especially in Iriomote Island. This Sakiyama, like Amitori and Funauki where Ida beach is located, is a district called Oku-Nishimote, where you can enjoy especially beautiful sea in Ishinishi lagoon, which is designated as Iriomote Ishigaki National Park. The corals, designated as the only marine natural environment conservation area in Japan, are like a dragon's palace. In the bay of Sakiyama, you can snorkel and enjoy the flora and fauna of the sea, such as a colony of branch corals and an area where sea squirts grow, and you can also meet fish such as clownfish and barracudas familiar to you from "Finding Nemo.
Also offshore, there is a point where you can enjoy diving. It is the area called "Sakiyama Offshore Root". It is said to be a point where you can target especially big fish in Iriomote Island, and it is said that you can encounter schools of dogtooth tuna at a relatively shallow depth of 10 to 15 meters. The fact that it can be enjoyed even at shallow depths means that even if you don't have a diving license, you can still enjoy the authentic schools of fish when you dive without a license.
It is said that the best time to see big fish is when cold air comes in, so it would be interesting to visit in early summer (April to early June) or late summer (September to October).
Location: Aza Sakiyama, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa
Access: 30 minutes by boat from Shirahama Port to Funauki Port. 40 minutes by boat from Funauki.
Parking: None
Meals (nearby): None
Toilet: None
Shower: No
4. Maruma Beach
It is a relatively small beach located just outside of Uehara Harbor. Although the water is clear and the quality of the water is clean, it is not well known and is a popular hidden spot with few tourists. The waves are not too big due to the reef, and the shallow water makes it safe for children to swim. A short swim out to sea and you can see colorful coral reefs, and because there are few people, you can enjoy the feeling of a private beach. It is also the ocean where the TV show "Wednesday" filmed snorkeling and trying to catch fish.
Snorkeling and sunbathing are popular at Maruma Beach. Maruma Beach is also close to the Uehara area, making it a very convenient beach to go out and have fun. There are no toilets or showers at Maruma Beach, but after swimming or snorkeling at the beach, you can go to the Uehara area to take a shower, so you will not feel inconvenienced even if you are on a remote island beach. There are also convenience stores and restaurants nearby, so you will have no trouble finding lunch and dinner.
Location: Aza-Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa
Access: 3 minutes walk from Uehara Port
Parking: Available (parking lot of the remote island terminal)
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
Shower: Available
5. Star Sand Beach
It is a highly transparent and shallow beach, and is a popular beach in Iriomote Island. The famous "star sand" from Kaiji beach in Taketomi Island is washed ashore, and you can enjoy collecting star sand. Hoshi-suna beach is located on the west side of Iriomote Island, and you can see the whole scene until the sun hides its face in the horizon as far as the eye can see. The contrast between the rocks offshore and the evening view is exceptional. Also, because there is a large rock a little further offshore, the waves are small even when the wind is strong, and the water temperature is high on the shallow beach, making it a highly recommended place for families.
Beaches in Iriomote Island do not have many facilities around them, and it is often difficult to prepare meals, etc. However, Hoshisuna Beach is very conveniently located with restaurants and hotels nearby. It is a good plan to play beachcombing, swimming, and snorkeling while the sun is high in the sky, and watch the sunset before returning home.
Location: Aza Sakiyama, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa
Access: 10 minutes by car from Uehara Port
Parking: Available
Meals (nearby): Available
Toilet: Yes
Shower: Available
summary
How was it? The ocean of Iriomote Island has various kinds of beaches, from those conveniently located near villages to those hidden in the middle of nowhere, which are called unexplored areas with hidden and spectacular views. Each beach has its own characteristics and suitable activities. However, it is common that the sea of Iriomote Island is very clear and deep blue, and you can enjoy the sea at any beach. Please choose the beach that suits your taste and visit there. Please enjoy the sea which is the pride of Iriomote Island.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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