Iriomote Island: Mangrove SUP or Canoeing, Buffalo Cart Ride & Yubu Island Sightseeing with Uehara Area Hotel Transfers & Free Photos | Okinawa
Explore Iriomote Island’s mangrove forest on a SUP or canoe ride. Discover subtropical plants and wildlife unique to Yubu Island, and trek through the mangroves to experience its exceptional ecosystem.
- Enjoy exclusive participant benefits, including restaurant coupons and information on hidden spots
- Capture moments with a special waterproof camera and receive the photos for free
- Travel with a Japanese/English-speaking guide, insurance, and hotel pick-up and drop-off within the Uehara area only
Package Options
Product Info
Purchase Notice
- If you would like a hotel pick-up within the Uehara area, please enter your hotel name and address in the "Notes" field when making your reservation. The local tour operator will provide your pick-up time
- Please note that hotels outside the Uehara area, such as Jungle Hotel Painu Maya, Eco Village, and Latida Iriomote, are not within the pick-up zone. If you are staying at one of these hotels, please arrange transportation by bus or taxi to Uehara Port
- For safety reasons, we kindly ask that guests meeting any of the following criteria refrain from participating
- Pregnant women
- Those under the influence of alcohol or experiencing a hangover
- Those with pacemakers or heart conditions
- Those with mental health conditions, including epilepsy, dementia, developmental disorders, or panic disorders
- Those with cardiovascular or cerebrovascular conditions
- Those with physical disabilities
- Those with diabetes
- Those weighing over 100 kg
- Participants with hearing or visual impairments may join, but we request they be accompanied by a helper or interpreter and consult with us in advance
- Guests with other chronic conditions, fevers, injuries, or minor symptoms inform us in advance for further guidance on participation
Reminders
The meeting and disbanding times may vary depending on the season and field conditions on the day. The shop will contact you the day before the tour with details such as the meeting place and time.
The tour will proceed even in rainy weather. However, if we determine that the safety of the field cannot be guaranteed, we reserve the right to cancel the tour.
Please come dressed in clothes that you don't mind getting wet.
Please use the restroom beforehand. (There are no restrooms near the venue.)
The target age range is 12-59 years old for SUP and 3-65 years old for canoeing.
We will guide you to the best location based on the wind direction, tide level, and crowd situation on the day. *Please note that we may guide you to the sea instead of the mangroves.
Tours can be conducted in Japanese or English.
We will contact you the day before with details such as the meeting place. If you do not receive a call by 6:00 PM the day before the tour, please contact "IRIOMOTE ADVENTURE PiPi" using one of the following methods: (Phone: 0980-85-7240) (WhatsApp: +81 80-3630-4256) (Email: info@iriomote-pipi.com)
FAQ
Yes, Iriomote Island offers various accommodation options, including hotels, guesthouses, and eco-lodges, allowing visitors to enjoy multi-day trips. Staying overnight provides ample time to explore the island's natural beauty, such as its mangrove forests, waterfalls, and diverse wildlife, beyond a single day tour. It's recommended to book accommodation in advance, especially during peak seasons.
Iriomote Island is primarily accessed by ferry from Ishigaki Island. Regular ferry services operate between Ishigaki Port and two ports on Iriomote Island: Ohara Port (south) and Uehara Port (north). The journey typically takes about 35-45 minutes. Uehara Port is often preferred for accessing the northern part of the island, where many tours and accommodations are located.
To reach Iriomote Island from Okinawa Main Island, you first need to fly from Naha Airport (OKA) to Ishigaki Airport (ISG). Several airlines operate direct flights, with a flight duration of about one hour. Upon arrival at Ishigaki Airport, take a bus or taxi to Ishigaki Port. From Ishigaki Port, regular ferries depart for Iriomote Island's Ohara and Uehara ports.
The most common and efficient way to travel from Naha to Iriomote Island involves two main steps. First, take a domestic flight from Naha Airport to Ishigaki Airport, which is roughly a one-hour journey. From Ishigaki Airport, take a local bus or taxi to Ishigaki Port. At Ishigaki Port, board a high-speed ferry to either Ohara Port or Uehara Port on Iriomote Island.
In Iriomote Island's mangrove forest, you can enjoy unique activities like SUP (stand-up paddleboarding) or canoeing, navigating through the intricate waterways. These tours often involve trekking through the mangroves to explore the exceptional ecosystem firsthand, observing subtropical plants and various wildlife. Guides typically accompany participants, providing insights into the local environment.
The Buffalo Cart Ride on Yubu Island offers a charming and traditional way to explore. Water buffalo pull open-sided carts across a shallow tidal strait connecting Iriomote Island to Yubu Island. During the ride, a driver often plays traditional Okinawan music and shares stories about the islands. Yubu Island itself is a botanical garden, featuring subtropical plants and butterfly houses.
Yes, for certain activities and tours on Iriomote Island, hotel pick-up and drop-off services are provided. Specifically, for activities like mangrove SUP or canoeing and Yubu Island sightseeing, transfers are often available for hotels located within the Uehara area. This service enhances convenience for participants staying in that region.
Yes, when exploring Iriomote Island's mangrove forest with certain tours, complimentary photos are often included. A special waterproof camera is typically used by the guide to capture moments during your SUP or canoeing experience, and these photos are provided to participants free of charge. This allows you to fully enjoy the activity without worrying about taking your own pictures.
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