Best Time to Visit in Okinawa
Part of the Okinawa travel guide — see every topic in All Okinawa Guides.
Okinawa is warm all year, but the best month depends on what you want. Beach weather is from April to October; winter is mild and good for whales, walking and lower prices.
Winter (December to March)
Days are about 17–22°C and the sea about 21–22°C, too cool for most swimmers but fine in a wetsuit. Humpback whales are here from late December to early April. Japan's earliest cherry blossoms, the deep-pink hikan-zakura, bloom from late January to mid-February around Nago and Motobu. Hotel prices are lower, except at New Year.
Spring (April to mid-May)
April and early May are warm and sunny, about 22–27°C, and the sea warms up. It is a very good time to visit, but Golden Week, about 29 April to 5 May, is busy and expensive.
Rainy season and summer
The rainy season usually lasts from about mid-May to late June, with grey days and heavy showers. July to September is hot, about 29–32°C, with the warmest sea for snorkelling. This is also typhoon season: storms most often hit from July to September and can stop flights and ferries for 1–3 days.
Autumn (October to November)
October and November are still warm, about 23–28°C, with fewer crowds; the sea is still good for swimming in October. The Naha Great Tug-of-War, in October, uses one of the world's biggest ropes. It is a good time for diving, Yanbaru hikes and road trips.
Best Time to Visit at a glance
| Beach weather | April–mid-May and late June–October |
|---|---|
| Whale season | Late December to early April |
| Cherry blossom | Late January to mid-February |
| Rainy season | About mid-May to late June |
| Typhoons | Mainly July to September |
| Winter days | About 17–22°C |
| Busiest | Golden Week, mid-July to August, New Year |