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sanji
Tue Feb 13, 2007 5:19 am

Re: Iriomote - hiking & camping
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You can rent snorkeling gear in many places, but be aware that it is really expensive. As a matter of fact, everything on the island is overpriced. To give you an idea, the diving equipment rental costs 5000 yens per day, after already paying 12000-13000 yens for 2 dives. I rented a canoe for 4 hours, it costed 8000 yens for 3 persons (but just one canoe)...

As a matter of fact, buying at least a mask and a snorkel before flying to Okinawa could be a good idea... you can always enjoy snorkeling without fins.

For Kanokawa beach, sorry, I do not have any information. It is located on the southern west coast, but I do not know if you can hike there from Shirahama, or if you need to first use a kayak/canoe. As a matter of fact, Kanokawa beach is a famous dive spot, and altought a little far, divers go there from time to time... by boat only. I guess... it is just too "off the beaten tracks"  :lol: 

There are two things campers should be aware of, especially when staying overnight in the jungle: there are many habu, a dangerous snake which hunts at night. It is recommended not to walk around in the jungle at night. Also, be aware of leeches... But I do not know if camping is restricted. So far, I have only seen campers on the field close to the Star Sand Beach (Hoshizuna beach), but I guess that there are many places where you can stay, even if it is not formally allowed.

Check this page : http://www.city.ishigaki.okinawa.jp/en/engnews/Fish/tips.html for tips on hiking in Iriomote (official web page in English).

For snorkeling, Funauki Beach (by boat from Shirahama) and Hoshizuna beach are excellent spots. Alternatively, you can book a tour that would bring you on more remote locations (not sure it is worth the money, except if you do not have time to try different spots).

sanji