Best Beaches in Okinawa
Part of the Okinawa travel guide — see every topic in All Okinawa Guides.
Okinawa has many white-sand beaches with clear, warm water. The official swimming season is about April to October, when many beaches have lifeguards and jellyfish nets. Some resort beaches charge a small fee for parking or facilities.
The north and Motobu
Emerald Beach, in Ocean Expo Park next to Churaumi Aquarium, is free, with calm water and showers. Sesoko Beach, across a bridge from Motobu, has very clear water and sunsets. Kouri Island, reached by the 2 km Kouri Bridge, has turquoise shallows and the heart-shaped rocks of Tinu Beach.
The Onna coast
The west coast around Onna has resort beaches and Cape Manzamo, a cliff shaped like an elephant's trunk (about ¥100 entry). Nearby Cape Maeda is the base for snorkel trips to the Blue Cave. Many beaches here belong to hotels but let day visitors in for a fee.
Near Naha
Naminoue Beach is the city's own small beach, 15 minutes' walk from Kokusai-dori. Sunset Beach in Chatan, beside the Mihama American Village shopping area, is popular at dusk. Both are busy but easy without a car.
Kerama Islands and safety
For the clearest water, take a ferry to the Kerama Islands: Furuzamami Beach on Zamami and Aharen Beach on Tokashiki are among the best in Japan. Swim inside the nets where there are nets: box jellyfish (habu-kurage) appear from about June to September, and many beaches keep vinegar for stings. Use reef-safe sunscreen and never stand on coral.
Best Beaches at a glance
| Swimming season | About April–October |
|---|---|
| From Naha | Naminoue 15 min on foot from Kokusai-dori; Onna coast about 1 h and Motobu 1.5–2 h by car; Zamami 50 min by fast boat |
| Easy from Naha | Naminoue Beach; Sunset Beach in Chatan |
| The north | Emerald Beach, Sesoko Beach, Kouri Island |
| Cape Manzamo | About ¥100 |
| Clearest water | Furuzamami (Zamami), Aharen (Tokashiki) |
| Jellyfish | About June–September; swim inside nets |