A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Yaeyama Islands vs. Wollongong for Beaches, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Yaeyama Islands and Wollongong. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Yaeyama Islands

Yaeyama Islands is a pristine, luxurious, and serene archipelago. Many visitors also come to Yaeyama Islands because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking. See Yaeyama Islands travel costs.

Wollongong

Wollongong is a trendy, vibrant, and student-friendly coastal city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for nightlife, food, and beaches. See Wollongong travel costs.

Yaeyama Islands and Wollongong: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Wollongong than Yaeyama Islands, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Wollongong is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Yaeyama Islands is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Yaeyama Islands is more touristy than Wollongong and is popular for its jungle, tropical setting, and pristine beaches. Wollongong is well known for its surrounding nature and urban beaches. Also, Wollongong is famous for Grand Pacific Drive.

How is Yaeyama Islands different from Wollongong?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Wollongong and Yaeyama Islands. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong?

Wollongong is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for its museums and history.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Wollongong. There are several museums like the Wollongong Science Centre and Wollongong Planetarium and the railway museum Trainworks. There's also the Illawarra Museum, which is housed in the former post and telegraph office.

While most people don't head to Yaeyama Islands specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. The islands are known for their beaches, snorkeling, and jungles, but don't expect much in the form of museums.

Is the Food Better in Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Wollongong is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Yaeyama Islands is not as famous, but is still a good archipelago to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Wollongong makes for a great culinary experience. In recent years a younger crowd of entrepreneurs and self-starters has moved into the city, and with them has come a growing food scene. You'll find local cafes, fine dining restaurants, and many great beachfront restaurants where you can dine.

Yaeyama Islands has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are many fruits and vegetables that are local to the region. Tropical fruits are common including pineapples, passionfruit, mango, shikuwasa, watermelon, papaya, and dragon fruit. You can try Yaeyama Soba (noodle soup) or any other local favorite at the restaurants in the area, most of which are usually concentrated around the villages on the island.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong Better for Nightlife?

Wollongong is a well-known place for nightlife. Also, Yaeyama Islands is not as famous, but is still a good archipelago to visit for nightlife and partying.

Wollongong offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife scene has seen a revitalization in recent years, and in addition to the standard bars and pubs, you'll find local venues that range from quirky to lively.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Yaeyama Islands. The nightlife is laid back and relaxed. You can sip a cocktail and enjoy the view from your resort's bar.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong Better for Resorts?

Yaeyama Islands is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Wollongong is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Yaeyama Islands is a great choice. There are luxury international resorts as well as smaller upscale hotels. Many resorts are found on the largest island, Ishigaki.

Wollongong is not a resort destination.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Yaeyama Islands is great for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Wollongong is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors partake in scuba diving or snorkeing while visiting Yaeyama Islands. The islands offer great scuba diving and snorkeling with coral reefs and tropical fish as well as manta rays and pelagic fish.

Wollongong is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong Better for Beaches?

Yaeyama Islands is an unbeatable place for the beach. Also, Wollongong is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its beaches.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Yaeyama Islands. This tropical paradise has white sand beaches and turquoise water. There are water sports, including snorkeling and diving, and the beaches on each island have their own atmosphere and vibe.

Wollongong is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are urban beaches, as well as more hidden coastal areas that attract locals and visitors alike. In the heart of the city you'll find North Wollongong Beach and Wollongong City Beach, both of which have picnic areas and are popular with locals.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong Better for Hiking?

Yaeyama Islands is great for hiking. Also, Wollongong is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Yaeyama Islands for the hiking trails. The islands offer relatively easy access to jungle hikes, which will quickly make you feel like you've been swept into a hidden paradise. There are waterfalls, wildlife, butterflies, and scenic spots to explore.

Many people include a hike when visiting Wollongong. The surrounding area has many great hikes that can be done as a day trip or even a half day trip. There are waterfalls, city views, and forest walks. Some of the most popular trails include Brokers Nose and Clover Hill Trail.

Is the Shopping Better in Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong?

Wollongong is a good destination for shopping. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Wollongong is a great destination for shopping. The most popular shopping area is Wollongong Central Shopping Centre, which has international brands and all of the big fashion names.

Yaeyama Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong More Beautiful?

Yaeyama Islands is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Wollongong is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Yaeyama Islands because of it's amazing beauty. White sand, blue water, tropical jungles and coral reefs make this a breathtakingly beautiful part of Japan.

Wollongong is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong Better for Families?

Both Yaeyama Islands and Wollongong are superb family-friendly destinations.

Yaeyama Islands is a very family-friendly place to visit. This island setting has blue waters and water sports that the whole family can enjoy. There are also family-friendly resorts with kids clubs and nearby nature.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Wollongong is very family-friendly. The beaches, nearby nature, and ubiquitous bike trails make this a fun coastal city to explore with kids. There are also interactive museums such as Discovery Space and plenty of playgrounds. Kid-friendly surf lessons as well as the Nan Tien Temple make this a fun and fascinating family destination.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong Better for Couples?

Yaeyama Islands is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Wollongong is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for romance.

Yaeyama Islands makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Beautiful blue water and fun water sports make this a wonderful destination for couples. There are nice resorts and fine dining opportunities that make this a great couple's retreat.

Wollongong is a very popular place to visit for couples. The scenic natural areas, including the Grand Pacific Drive or the many bush walks, make this a wonderful couples retreat. There are water sports like surfing as well as horseback riding and even helicopter rides. In the evening, enjoy a nice meal and a sunset view.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Wollongong is a good destination for backpackers. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Wollongong. There are a couple of hostels as well as many outdoor areas to explore, so backpackers who want to escape the traditional backpacker scene will appreciate some time here.

Yaeyama Islands is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Backpacking can be challenging as transportation is limited and accommodation can be expensive.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong Better for Students?

Wollongong is a good destination for students. However, Yaeyama Islands is not popular with students.

Wollongong is a good coastal city to visit for students. It's not too far from Sydney and has a smaller, more laid back coastal vibe that appeals to many students.

Yaeyama Islands is not popular with students.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Wollongong is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for times when you don't have a car.

Visitors to Wollongong can move around easily with public transportation. There's a free Gong shuttle bus that travels around the city center. It runs a loop from Wollongong Station to Wollongong University in both directions. There are also other bus services in town.

Public transit is mostly limited in Yaeyama Islands. There is very little in the form of public transit but you can get from the largest island, Ishigaki Island, to nearby islands by ferry.

Is Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong a more walkable city?

Wollongong is a well-known place for its walkability. However, Yaeyama Islands is not a good archipelago for its high level of walkability.

Wollongong is very walkable. There are walking paths in the city center so it's possible to walk to many tourist destinations.

Yaeyama Islands is generally not a very walkable archipelago. Some of the islands are small enough to get around on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Yaeyama Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Wollongong Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Wollongong or Yaeyama Islands?

How long in Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong?

It's fun to spend time in either Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Yaeyama Islands due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Yaeyama Islands, and 2-4 days is enough time in Wollongong.

Couples should spend more time in Yaeyama Islands than Wollongong. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Yaeyama Islands that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Wollongong than Yaeyama Islands if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Wollongong.

One day in Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong?

With scuba diving and snorkeling and nightlife around the tropical archipelago of Yaeyama Islands, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The student-friendly destination of Wollongong offers nightlife and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Yaeyama Islands, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

The coastal city of Wollongong offers food and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong?

Yaeyama Islands, a popular archipelago, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this archipelago. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Wollongong is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong?

Yaeyama Islands is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Wollongong. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Australia, and The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Yaeyama Islands and Wollongong, we can see that Wollongong is more expensive. And not only is Yaeyama Islands much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Yaeyama Islands is in Asia and Wollongong is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Yaeyama Islands would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Yaeyama Islands and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Wollongong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wollongong than you might in Yaeyama Islands.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Yaeyama Islands Expensive? and Is Wollongong Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wollongong is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Yaeyama Islands has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Yaeyama Islands as well as Wollongong. The beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Yaeyama Islands this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Wollongong for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Yaeyama Islands is generally a little warmer than Wollongongin January. Daily temperatures in Yaeyama Islands average around 29°C (85°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Wollongong. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Yaeyama Islands this time of the year. In the summer, Yaeyama Islands often gets more sunshine than Wollongongin January. Yaeyama Islands gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 236 hours of full sun.

Yaeyama Islands receives a lot of rain in the summer. Yaeyama Islands usually gets more rain in July than Wollongongin January. Yaeyama Islands gets 179 mm (7 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong in the Autumn?

Both Wollongong and Yaeyama Islands are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Yaeyama Islands for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Wollongong in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene.

Yaeyama Islands is a little warmer than Wollongong in the autumn. The daily temperature in Yaeyama Islands averages around 26°C (78°F) in October, and Wollongong fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in April.

Yaeyama Islands usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during autumn. Yaeyama Islands gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Yaeyama Islands. In October, Yaeyama Islands usually receives more rain than Wollongongin April. Yaeyama Islands gets 173 mm (6.8 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong in the Winter?

Both Wollongong and Yaeyama Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Yaeyama Islands in the winter for the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Wollongong for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Yaeyama Islands is much warmer than Wollongong. Typically, the winter temperatures in Yaeyama Islands in January average around 18°C (64°F), and Wollongong averages at about 10°C (50°F)in July.

In Wollongong, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Yaeyama Islands often gets less sunshine than Wollongongin July. Yaeyama Islands gets 97 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wollongong receives 208 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Yaeyama Islands. Yaeyama Islands usually gets more rain in January than Wollongongin July. Yaeyama Islands gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Yaeyama Islands or Wollongong in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Yaeyama Islands and Wollongong. Most visitors come to Yaeyama Islands for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Wollongong because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Yaeyama Islands is generally a little warmer than Wollongongin October. Daily temperatures in Yaeyama Islands average around 23°C (74°F), and Wollongong fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wollongong this time of the year. Yaeyama Islands usually receives less sunshine than Wollongong during spring. Yaeyama Islands gets 154 hours of sunny skies, while Wollongong receives 240 hours of full sun in the spring.

Yaeyama Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Yaeyama Islands usually receives more rain than Wollongongin October. Yaeyama Islands gets 147 mm (5.8 in) of rain, while Wollongong receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring. Also, May to June is the rainy season in Yaeyama Islands.

Typical Weather for Wollongong and Yaeyama Islands