Boat Tours

Urauchigawa Cruises (浦内川観光). 浦内川観光 The Urauchi River, Iriomote's Amazon, is the reason many day-trippers come to the island. Boats navigate up the broad, coffee-colored water that is lined by mangroves and ferns. It's a pretty magical place, almost as if you're about to enter Jurassic World. Rather than just float up and down on the river, get of the boat at the lower reaches station and then hike for an hour up to the Mariyudu and Kanbire waterfalls. Trek for another hour from the waterfalls and you are at the upper reaches station from where you can catch the boat back down the river. Kayak rentals are available if you want to go it on your own, or you can opt for a guided kayak tour. Some companies tow the kayaks upstream so you can enjoy a leisurely paddle back down. 0980/85–6154; www.urauchigawa.com. ¥1,800 round-trip.