Iriomote Hotel by Hoshino Resorts, aiming to be Japan's first "ecotourism resort" on Iriomote Island, a registered World Natural Heritage site, will hold the "Sea Turtle Discovery" activity from June 1 to September 30, 2025. This activity allows participants to observe wild sea turtles and gain a deep understanding of their ecology. Of the seven species of sea turtles inhabiting the world, three can be observed on Iriomote Island (*1). The journey begins with "Sea Turtle School," where you'll learn in detail about sea turtle ecology. Afterwards, you will join guide staff in investigating nesting traces and observe sea turtles swimming in the ocean, giving you a comprehensive understanding of these creatures.
*1 Ministry of the Environment "Sea Turtle Protection Handbook"
Background
Three species of sea turtles can be found around Iriomote Island: green sea turtles, hawksbill sea turtles, and loggerhead sea turtles. All of them are classified as endangered species. However, Iriomote Island boasts a rich natural environment with coral reefs, seagrass beds, and unarmored beaches, providing abundant habitats for sea turtles, making encounters with them common during marine activities. Sea turtles also consistently lay eggs on Iriomote Island, and in 2024, nine nesting traces were discovered on Tsukigahama Beach, directly in front of the hotel. While these species are endangered and face health issues from ingesting marine plastics, their numbers have rapidly increased in recent years, leading to problems such as damage to rare seagrasses (*2). This tour was organized with the hope that by learning about sea turtles and observing them in their natural habitat, participants will develop a deeper connection to the island's nature and an interest in their ecology.
*2 Be Kind OKINAWA "20% of sea turtles ingest garbage: plastic bags and fishing lines... some cases with 2 liters ingested"
Yomiuri Shimbun Online "No predators, a sea turtle paradise: rapid increase in green sea turtles causing ecological damage"
Features of "Sea Turtle Discovery"
Feature 1 : "Sea Turtle School" to Learn About Sea Turtle Ecology
Before heading out into the field, the "Sea Turtle School" will be held, where hotel guide staff will explain sea turtle ecology. This fun lecture covers how to distinguish between the three species of sea turtles inhabiting the waters around Iriomote Island, their diet, and nesting data from Tsukigahama Beach last year. Learning about sea turtles in advance will spark your interest in their ecology.
Feature 2 : Investigating Sea Turtle Nesting Traces with Hotel Guide Staff
Tsukigahama Beach, directly in front of the hotel, is a valuable natural environment where sea turtles actually come to lay their eggs. Guide staff regularly monitor the hotel surroundings, and during the active sea turtle nesting and hatching season from May to September, they investigate nesting trace every morning. On the tour, you'll explore the beach with guide staff who are intimately familiar with the area, searching for nesting traces. If a nesting trace is found, the species will be identified from the footprints, and the diameter of the nesting site and sand temperature will be measured to understand the nesting conditions.
Feature 3 : Observing Sea Turtles in Their Natural Habitat
First, you'll observe sea turtles gracefully swimming and feeding from a boat. By comparing what you observe with the characteristics learned in the prior lecture, such as how they use their flippers to swim and what they eat, you can gain a deeper understanding of sea turtle ecology. Afterwards, you'll observe the underwater world while snorkeling. If you're lucky, you might even be able to swim alongside a sea turtle while snorkeling.
Schedule
9:30 AM: Learn about sea turtle ecology at "Sea Turtle School"
10:30 AM: Depart for sea turtle survey with hotel guide staff
12:00 PM: Lunch break
1:30 PM: Depart from hotel
2:00 PM: Observe sea turtles from the boat
2:30 PM: Boat snorkeling (approx. 1.5 hours)
5:00 PM: Dismissal
"Sea Turtle Discovery" Overview
Period: June 1 to September 30, 2025 (Held only on Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays)
Price: 16,000 JPY per person (tax and service charge included)
Includes: Sea Turtle School, sea turtle nesting trace investigation, boat snorkeling, snorkeling rental set, lunch
Reservations: Book by 6:00 PM the day before on the Iriomote Hotel official website
Location: Tsukigahama Beach, Oku-Iriomote
Time: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Target Audience: Ages 10-65 (Children under 16 must be accompanied by a guardian)
Capacity: 8 participants
Notes: May be cancelled or content changed due to weather. Will proceed in light rain (subject to guide's discretion).
Iriomote Hotel by Hoshino Resorts
Iriomote Hotel aims to be Japan's first "ecotourism resort," offering nature tours throughout the year that allow guests to experience the charm and value of the World Heritage island while being environmentally conscious, such as lending out reusable water bottles and engaging in roadkill prevention activities.
Location: 2-2 Uehara, Taketomi-cho, Yaeyama-gun, Okinawa 907-1541, Japan
Phone: 050-3134-8094 (Hoshino Resorts Reservation Center)
Number of Rooms: 139 rooms
Check-in: 3:00 PM / Check-out: 11:00 AM
Price: From 24,000 yen per person for 2 nights (when using a room for 2 people, tax and service charge included)
Access: Approx. 45 minutes by ferry from Ishigaki Port Remote Island Terminal to Uehara Port, Iriomote Island; 10 minutes by car from Uehara Port.
URL: https://hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/iriomote/
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