Iriomote Island and Yubu Island Tour with Optional Underwater Boat Tour
Ishigaki, Japan
Trip Type: Day Trips
Duration: 6 or 7 hours
Escape to the remote Iriomote and Yubu islands, both near Okinawa. A river cruise on Iriomote Island takes you past the mangrove-lined banks of the Nakama River while a buffalo cart transports you across shallow water to Yubu Island, where you’ll earn about local plant life at the botanical garden. You can upgrade your experience to include an enchanting ride aboard a boat equipped with a glass-enclosed bottom level. Lunch and round-trip transport by ferry from Ishigaki are included.
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Escape to the remote Iriomote and Yubu islands, both near Okinawa. A river cruise on Iriomote Island takes you past the mangrove-lined banks of the Nakama River while a buffalo cart transports you across shallow water to Yubu Island, where you’ll earn about local plant life at the botanical garden. You can upgrade your experience to include an enchanting ride aboard a boat equipped with a glass-enclosed bottom level. Lunch and round-trip transport by ferry from Ishigaki are included.
Once you arrive at Ohara port, you will join a guide on a Japanese-speaking tour bus. Throughout the day, different English-speaking assistants meet your group to provide limited translation. You can also refer to a provided booklet with descriptions of the attractions on your tour itinerary.
In the morning, meet at the tour office to receive your ferry tickets and hear a detailed introduction to the day’s itinerary. Departing the Ishigaki Port ferry terminal, it’s a 50-minute ride to Ohara Port on Iriomote Island.
Once you arrive at Ohara port, you will join a guide on a Japanese-speaking tour bus. Throughout the day, different English-speaking assistants meet your group to provide limited translation. You can also refer to a provided booklet with descriptions of the attractions on your tour itinerary.
Begin with a 70-minute boat cruise through Japan's largest mangrove forest. After your cruise on the Nakama River, board a bus for a 15-minute drive to Mihara, where you hop into a water buffalo cart for a fun 15-minute ride. Travel through shallow waters to Yubu Island, where you have about 1.5 hours to explore the botanical garden and enjoy a Japanese-style lunch at the island's only restaurant.
You'll return by water buffalo cart to Iriomote and ride the bus back to Ohara Port, then take the afternoon ferry back to Ishigaki Island, where your tour ends.
Optional Upgrade: Underwater Boat Cruise
If you choose to upgrade, return to Ohara Port to board a glass-bottom boat. The lower portion of the vessel is situated underwater, making it possible to get up close to the marine life without getting wet. Following your 1-hour tour, return by ferry to Ishigaki in the late afternoon. (Note: This boat tour only runs between April and September.)
Please note: A minimum of 2 people per booking is required.
Click on “View Additional Info” for the meeting locations.
Click on “View Additional Info” for the meeting locations.
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