Home
Back

The entire prefecture of Okinawa is famous for its warm climate and beaches. While Okinawa Main Island (Okinawa Honto) is not considered to have the prefecture's very best beaches (these are found on smaller islands such as Miyako), it, nevertheless, has some attractive beaches where visitors can enjoy the sun, sand and sea. See the list below for some of the island's best beaches and snorkeling spots.

The best time to go swimming at the beach in Okinawa Honto is between May and October. From December to March the air temperatures can drop to levels below 20 degrees Celsius which many people will consider too cool for swimming. Water temperatures around Okinawa Honto never drop below 20 degrees and reach about 30 degrees during the summer months.

When using the beaches, beware of strong currents that can pull you out to sea and poisonous creatures such as Habu Jellyfish, a type of box jellyfish, which are most prevalent from June to October. Signs at the beaches inform about the dangers, while some beaches have netted off swimming areas. Although stings are rare, if stung you should pour vinegar over the sting, remove any tentacles, and seek medical help as it may become life threatening.

Manza Beach

Hours: 9:00 to 17:00 (until 19:00 in Jul and Aug; until 18:00 in Sep)
Admission: Free (visitors pay 500 yen for facilities during main season)

Moon Beach

Admission: 2000 yen
Parking: 1000 yen (free from November to March)

Okuma Beach

Hours: 9:00 to 18:00 (until 17:00 November to February)
Admission: 1500 yen

Emerald Beach (Ocean Expo Park)

Swimming season: April to October
Hours: 8:30 to 19:00 (closes earlier in Apr, Sep and Oct)
Admission and parking: Free

Mibaru Beach

Swimming season: late April to September
Admission: Free (use of facilities 500 yen from Jul to Sep)
Parking: 500 yen

Zampa Beach

Swimming season: April to October
Hours: 9:00 to 18:00
Admission and parking: Free (200 yen to use showers)

Sunset Beach

Swimming season: mid April to October
Hours: 9:00 to 17:30 (until 18:00 in July/August, 17:00 in October)
Admission and parking: Free

Snorkeling

The sea life along the shores of Okinawa Honto is not quite as colorful as around some of Okinawa's smaller islands. Nevertheless, there are a few nice snorkeling spots.

Cape Maeda

Hours: 7:00 to 19:00
Admission: Free
Parking: 100 yen per hour

Odo Kaigan

Admission and parking: Free

Getting there and around

Manza Beach

Manza Beach is connected directly with Naha by bus number 120 (120 minutes, 1420 yen from Naha Bus Terminal or 130 minutes, 1510 yen from Naha Airport; 2 buses/hour) and airport limousine bus (70 minutes, 1630 yen from Naha Bus Terminal or 80 minutes, 1730 yen from Naha Airport; every 1-2 hours). Get off at Manza Beach-mae (–œÀƒr[ƒ`‘O). By car, it takes about 50 minutes (more during rush hours) from Naha if using the expressway between Naha and Yaka IC (700 yen one way).

Moon Beach

Moon Beach is connected directly with Naha by bus number 120 (90 minutes, 1210 yen from Naha Bus Terminal, or 100 minutes, 1320 yen from Naha Airport; 2 buses/hour) and airport limousine bus (55 minutes, 1430 yen from Naha Bus Terminal or 65 minutes, 1530 yen from Naha Airport; every 1-2 hours). Get off at Moon Beach-mae (ƒ€[ƒ“ƒr[ƒ`‘O). By car, it takes about 50 minutes (more during rush hours) from Naha if using the expressway between Naha and Ishikawa IC (650 yen one way).

Okuma Beach

Take highway bus number 111 or 117 or the Yanbaru Express from Naha to Nago Bus Terminal (80 minutes, 1650-2140 yen from Naha Bus Center; 95 minutes, 1650-2240 yen from Naha Airport; 1-2 buses/hour) and transfer to bus number 67 to Okuma Beach Iriguchi (‰œŠÔƒr[ƒ`“üŒû, 60 minutes, 1030 yen, hourly). Note that between Naha and Nago the Yanbaru Express is cheaper than the other buses and that it stops at the Kencho Kitaguchi bus stop instead of the Naha Bus Center. By car, it takes about two hours from Naha if using the expressway between Naha and Nago (1040 yen one way).

Emerald Beach

Please see the Ocean Expo Park page for access details.

Mibaru Beach

Take bus number 50 or 51 from Naha Bus Terminal to Hyakuna Bus Terminal (•S–¼ƒoƒXƒ^[ƒ~ƒiƒ‹, 65 minutes, 730 yen, 1-2 buses/hour), from where the beach can be reached in a 15 minute walk. By car, it takes about 40 minutes from central Naha.

Zampa Beach

Take an airport limousine bus from Naha to Royal Hotel Okinawa Zanpamisaki next to the beach (ƒƒCƒ„ƒ‹ƒzƒeƒ‹Žc”g–¦; 75 minutes, 1430 yen from Naha Bus Terminal or 85 minutes, 1530 yen from Naha Airport; every 2 hours). Alternatively, take bus number 28 from Naha Bus Terminal to Yomitan Bus Terminal (“Ç’JƒoƒXƒ^[ƒ~ƒiƒ‹, 80 minutes, 1100 yen, 3-4 buses/hour) from where it is a 45 minute walk to the beach. By car it takes about 70 minutes from central Naha.

Sunset Beach

Please see the Mihama American Village page for access details.

Cape Maeda

Take bus 120 from Naha to Yamada (ŽR“c; 80 minutes, 1110 yen from Naha Bus Terminal, or 90 minutes, 1200 yen from Naha Airport; 2 buses/hour), from where Cape Maeda can be reached in a 20-30 minute walk. By car, it takes about 50 minutes (more during rush hours) from Naha if using the expressway between Naha and Ishikawa IC (650 yen one way).

Odo Kaigan

Take bus number 89 from Naha Bus Terminal to Itoman Bus Terminal (Ž…–žƒoƒXƒ^[ƒ~ƒiƒ‹, 60 minutes, 590 yen, departures every 10 minutes) and transfer to bus number 82. Get off at Seimei Byōin-mae (°–¾•a‰@‘O, 20 minutes, 390 yen, 1 bus/hour), from where the coast can be reached in a 10-15 minute walk. By car, it takes about 45 minutes from central Naha.

How to get to and around Okinawa Honto

Hotels around Okinawa Island

Top rated on Okinawa Island
Budget:
    • La Passione Boutique B&B
      Budget-friendly
      Featuring free WiFi and a terrace, La Passione is a secluded bed and breakfast in Naha. Guests can take a 10-minute walk to Naha Kokusai Dori or go to Jogaku Park, a 4-minute walk from the property. Bicycle hire is available upon reservation. All rooms have an electric kettle and a refrigerator, while some rooms are equipped with a private bathroom. A hairdryer is provided on site. Extra amenities include face tissues, cotton buds, hand soap, body soap, hair shampoo and conditioners. Guests can enjoy Western-style breakfast at La Passione. Luggage storage is available on site. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 500 meters away from La Passione, while Makishi Public Market and Yachimun Street are both a 10-minute walk away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, a 20-minute taxi ride from the property.
      View on Booking.com
      9.7Booking.com
    • Hotel Collective
      Luxury
      Set in Naha, 1.8 km from Naminoue Beach, Hotel Collective offers accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, private parking, a fitness centre and a restaurant. Each accommodation at the 5-star hotel has city views, and guests can enjoy access to a sauna and a hot tub. The accommodation provides a kids' club, a 24-hour front desk and currency exchange for guests. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel Collective every room has bed linen and towels. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 3.5 km from the accommodation, while Nakagusuku Castle is 19 km away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 5 km from Hotel Collective.
      View on Booking.com
      9.2Booking.com
    • Okinawa EXES Naha
      Luxury
      Set in Naha, 1.2 km from Naminoue Beach, Okinawa EXES Naha offers accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, private parking, a fitness centre and a restaurant. With free WiFi, this 5-star hotel offers room service and a 24-hour front desk. The property is 700 metres from the city centre and 4.9 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV, a terrace and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Okinawa EXES Naha all rooms come with bed linen and towels. Nakagusuku Castle is 20 km from the accommodation, while Sefa Utaki is 22 km away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from Okinawa EXES Naha.
      View on Booking.com
      9.1Booking.com
    • Hotel GrandConsort Naha
      Luxury
      Well set in the centre of Naha, Hotel GrandConsort Naha is within 1.5 km of Naminoue Beach and 4.2 km of Tamaudun Mausoleum. This 4-star hotel offers a shared lounge, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Hotel GrandConsort Naha every room comes with bed linen and towels. Sefa Utaki is 20 km from the accommodation, while Nakagusuku Castle is 21 km away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 5 km from Hotel GrandConsort Naha.
      View on Booking.com
      9.0Booking.com
    • JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha
      Luxury
      JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha offers accommodation in Naha. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant during their stay. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and private parking is available on site for an additional fee. JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha is completely non-smoking and fully equipped with barrier-free facilities. Each of the hotel's carpeted rooms is air-conditioned and soundproofed. The rooms have a flat-screen satellite TV. The bed is equipped with a Simmons pocket coil mattress. Rooms are equipped with an electric kettle, clothes rack and refrigerator. The rooms have a private bathroom with a bathtub. Towels, bathrobes, slippers, toothbrushes and free toiletries are also provided. There is also a safety deposit box and a laptop safe. Free luggage storage is available at the 24-hour front desk. Drinks vending machines and a free trouser press are available on site. Paid massages and meeting/banquet facilities can be arranged for an additional fee. JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Naha is a 1-minute walk from Naha Kokusai Dori Shopping District and a 5-minute walk from Miebashi Monorail Station. Naha Airport is within 30 minutes by train.
      View on Booking.com
      9.0Booking.com
    • Chura Gahna House Tsubogawa Naha
      Budget-friendly
      Chura Gahna House Tsubogawa Naha is located in Naha, 2.4 km from Naminoue Beach, 5.1 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum, as well as 21 km from Sefa Utaki. This 2-star apartment offers a lift and free WiFi. The apartment features family rooms. Every unit is equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, washing machine, kettle and kitchen. The units include a private bathroom, a hair dryer and bed linen. Nakagusuku Castle is 22 km from the apartment, while Zakimi Gusuku Castle is 31 km away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 3 km from Chura Gahna House Tsubogawa Naha.
      View on Booking.com
      9.0Booking.com
    • The Kitchen Hostel Ao
      Budget-friendly
      Ideally situated in the Naha City Centre district of Naha, The Kitchen Hostel Ao is situated 4.7 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum, 20 km from Nakagusuku Castle and 22 km from Sefa Utaki. The 1-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with a shared bathroom and free WiFi. The property is 700 metres from the city centre and 1.2 km from Naminoue Beach. All rooms will provide guests with a desk and a kettle. Guests at the hostel can enjoy an American breakfast. Speaking English and Japanese at the reception, staff are ready to help around the clock. Zakimi Gusuku Castle is 30 km from The Kitchen Hostel Ao, while Katsuren Castle is 31 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 4 km from the accommodation.
      View on Booking.com
      8.9Booking.com
    • Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha
      Luxury
      Attractively situated in the centre of Naha, Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha features air-conditioned rooms, a garden, free WiFi and a shared lounge. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and a concierge service. The property is non-smoking and is situated 1.9 km from Naminoue Beach. Certain rooms have a kitchen with a fridge. The rooms in the hotel are fitted with a TV and a hairdryer. At Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha you will find a restaurant serving Japanese, local and European cuisine. Tamaudun Mausoleum is 5 km from the accommodation, while Sefa Utaki is 21 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 3 km from Tokyu Stay Okinawa Naha.
      View on Booking.com
      8.8Booking.com
    • Cozy Stay in Naha
      Mid-range
      Located in Naha, 1.4 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum, Cozy Stay in Naha provides accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking. Built in 2018, this 3-star hotel is within 19 km of Sefa Utaki and 27 km of Zakimi Gusuku Castle. The property is non-smoking and is set 18 km from Nakagusuku Castle. All units are equipped with air conditioning, a fridge, a microwave, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. Every room has a private bathroom with a shower, a hairdryer and slippers. At the hotel every room is fitted with bed linen and towels. Katsuren Castle is 29 km from Cozy Stay in Naha, while Maeda Cape is 30 km away. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 8 km from the accommodation.
      View on Booking.com
      8.8Booking.com
    • Nest Hotel Naha Kumoji
      Luxury
      Situated in Naha, 1.4 km from Naminoue Beach, Nest Hotel Naha Kumoji features accommodation with a terrace, private parking and a restaurant. This 4-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The property is 100 metres from the city centre and 3.8 km from Tamaudun Mausoleum. All rooms at the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV and a safety deposit box. Featuring a private bathroom with a bidet and free toiletries, some rooms at Nest Hotel Naha Kumoji also feature a city view. At the accommodation the rooms have bed linen and towels. Nakagusuku Castle is 19 km from Nest Hotel Naha Kumoji, while Sefa Utaki is 21 km from the property. The nearest airport is Naha Airport, 5 km from the hotel.
      View on Booking.com
      8.8Booking.com

Experiences around Okinawa Island

Top rated in Okinawa