The 5 Best Beaches in Okinawa (2024)

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The best thing about Okinawa is that it’s a year-round destination. However, if you’re visiting specifically for the beaches, make sure to come between March and October, when they’re officially open. If you’re planning on only visiting the main island, up to five days is enough time to see the main attractions in Okinawa and have some well-earned rest and recuperation on the beach too.

Some other things to note: March and April are a good time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds. Temperatures are pleasant, but the water can be a little cold! If you want to celebrate the festivities of Japan’s Golden Week, visit in May; this is one of the busiest times of the year. It can also be more expensive, so it’s not a good time for budget travellers.

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Snorkellers or divers may not mind the rain of May and June, but sunbathers might miss out on beach time due to the rainy season. Visit from July to August for the hottest weather and high season, but do be aware that from July to October, Okinawa can be hit by typhoons. This often leads to flight and ferry cancellations.

You can fly to Okinawa from most major Japanese cities. There are also international flights from Taipei, Seoul, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

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• Who It’s For: Families and friends who are looking for adventure will love all that’s going on at Manza Beach in Okinawa.
• Don’t Miss: The stunning nearby lookout point of Cape Manzamo. Seeing the waves crash into the rocks at sunset is quite the sight.

Although it’s part of the InterContinental Manza Beach Resort, anyone can visit this beach freely. There’s a 300 meter stretch of sand where you can lay your towel down before going for a dip in the calm blue waters.

Several activities are on offer here, including parasailing and diving, so it’s no surprise that people come from all across the island to get a taste of this fabulous beach.

• Who It’s For: This one ticks a lot of boxes since it’s divided into three parts. There are areas for playing, resting, and viewing. Families will enjoy the beach and nearby activities.
• Don’t Miss: Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium, one of the best aquariums in Asia.

If you can get past the fact that this place isn’t a natural beach, you’ll have a wonderful time in some of Okinawa’s clearest waters. You’ll also see why the beach gets its name, with the turquoise and emerald waves lapping against the shore.

Emerald Beach was created as part of the Ocean Expo Park on the tip of the Motobu Peninsula. There’s a direct shuttle from Naha Bus Terminal.

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• Who It’s For: Day trippers to Zamami Island looking to try snorkelling, diving, and kayaking.
• Don’t Miss: Panoramic views of the East China Sea from one of the islands many viewpoints and miradors.

For those who want to get off Okinawa’s main island, Furuzamami Beach is a great option and is one of our favourite beaches in Okinawa. This stunning stretch of sand is around an hour from Naha (which is one of the best places to stay in Okinawa) by a high-speed jetfoil.

On the southwest corner of Zamami Island, you’re able to snorkel, dive, and kayak. You can swim in some areas, but others are off-limits due to coral conservation. Want more than a day trip? You can camp here or stay in one of the accommodations listed below.

• Who It’s For: Tourists who want to escape the crowds without straying too far from capital Naha.
• Don’t Miss: Capital Naha. It may not boast the best beaches in Okinawa, but its historic attractions are a must for history buffs.

On the southeastern shore of Okinawa’s main island, this is one of the easiest beaches to get to from Naha and nearby Nanjo. While many of Okinawa’s beaches offer the same white sands and turquoise waters of Mibaru, they haven’t got the unusual rock formations that stand in the water.

Why not take a glass-bottomed boat to see the nearby reefs – they’re filled with bright coral and are a hive of activity.

• Who It’s For: Anyone looking to explore the Yaeyama Islands and has dreamed of having a tropical beach all to themselves.
• Don’t Miss: Sunsets from Yonahamaehama Beach. They’re absolutely stunning!

Miyakojima is the most easterly of the Yaeyama Islands and it’s one of the best beaches in Japan. It’s here you’ll find Yonahamaehama Beach, one of the best beaches in Okinawa. This paradise beach stretches for 7km and is said to have the whitest sand in the Pacific. Well worth the flight to Miyako Airport from Naha!

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1. Travel Water Bottle: Always travel with a water bottle – it’ll save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl geopress is a true behemoth amongst water bottles acting as a purifier AND temperature regulator – so you can enjoy a cold red bull, or a hot coffee, no matter where you are.

2. Microfibre Towel: It’s always worth packing a proper towel. Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

3. Security Belt with Hidden Pocket: I never hit the road without my security belt. This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off. This is hands down the best way to hide your cash.

4. Camera or Cell Phone Camera Accessories: One thing’s for sure – Okinawa is a picturesque destination! Get perfect shots from your phone using clip-on-lenses with wide-angle, close-up and optical zoom. With the ability to turn travel pictures from basic to professional, this universal lens sits neatly over any phone camera and comes with a durable, travel-friendly case!

5. International Adapter: Okinawa outlets accommodate typical US two-pronged plugs, but for electronics that have three prongs or if your plugs are of a different variety, you’ll need an adapter. Save yourself the hassle of trying to track down an adapter at your destination and paying twice as much than planning ahead by buying one online.

Now that you know more about the best beaches in Okinawa, you can start to plan your trip. Though the islands might look small on a map, some of the beaches are quite far apart – even those on the main island! However, if you’ve got plenty of time, that shouldn’t be a problem – and it’s well worth fitting as many as you can into your trip.

Whether it’s the family-friendly atmosphere of Manza Beach with its scores of activities, the seclusion of Mibaru Beach, or having an enormous stretch of sand to yourself at Yonahamaehama Beach, you’re sure to find a place that you’ll love in Okinawa.

While you’re on the islands, make sure to enjoy the unique cuisine here and historical sites like Shuri-Jo Castle. This stunning archipelago is one of Japan’s must-visit destinations – especially while it’s still a bit of a secret. We hope you have a great trip!

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