Okinawa's Best Beaches: 13 Beautiful Spots and How to Get There

Okinawan Beaches, Highly-Regarded for their Beauty

Spend your vacation on a sandy beach in Okinawa Prefecture

Okinawa is a top resort destination in Japan, blessed with a warm climate year-round and home to some of the world's most beautiful, renowned beaches.

In March and April, peak temperatures average around 20–25°C (68–77°F), and even in October, some days can still heat up to 30°C (86°F). Because beach opening dates vary across the islands, it is best to check the schedules in advance for peace of mind.

Read on to discover 13 of the best beaches in Okinawa, along with tips on how to enjoy them and how to reach them by car or public transportation.

• Table of Contents
• 1. Manza Beach: Great for Marine Activities in Northern Okinawa
• 2. Emerald Beach: Near the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
• 3. Okuma Beach: Famous White-Sand Beach
• 4. Zanpa Beach: Cobalt-Blue Water in Central Okinawa
• 5. Moon Beach: A Resort with Tropical Ambiance
• 6. Sunset Beach: Popular among Locals
• 7. Bibi Beach Itoman: Easy to Access from Naha Airport
• 8. Azama Sansan Beach: Full of Exciting Marine Activities
• 9. Furuzamami Beach on Zamami Island: Great for Diving
• 10. Yonaha Maehama Beach on Miyakojima: Famous for White Sand
• 11. Ishigakijima Sunset Beach: Explore Untouched Nature
• 12. Kondoi Beach on Taketomi Island: Great Choice for Family Relaxation
• 13. Nishihama Beach: On Hateruma, Japan's Southernmost Island

1. Manza Beach: Great for Marine Activities in Northern Okinawa

Manza Beach

Manza Beach, one of Okinawa's most famous coastal destinations, is located at the ANA Intercontinental Manza Beach Resort and is celebrated for its crystal-clear blue waters.

Offering a wide range of activities—including parasailing and scuba diving—this popular beach attracts a vibrant crowd of visitors year-round.

Manza Beach
Address: Okinawa, Kunigami, Onna-son, Serakaki 2260
Google Map
Access: From Naha Airport, 80 minutes by car. 100 minutes via airport limousine bus (1700 yen).
Homepage: ANA Intercontinental

2. Emerald Beach: Near the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium

Picture courtesy of OCVB

Emerald Beach is located within Ocean Expo Park, right next to the popular Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium. True to its name, the beach features pristine white sands that give way to a stunning emerald-green sea stretching across the horizon.

For your convenience, beachfront shops offer rentals for essentials like parasols and life jackets.

The beach provides complimentary shower facilities for visitors. While it is a perfect spot for a swim, the view alone makes it worth a visit just to relax and gaze at the ocean. Be sure to drop by and take in the scenery after exploring the aquarium!

Emerald Beach
Address: Okinawa, Motobucho, Ishikawa 424 (inside Kaiyohaku Park)　Google Map
Access: From Naha Airport, two hours by car (on the highway). Two hours and 15 minutes via airport limousine bus (2500 yen), get off at the Kinen Koen bus stop.
Homepage: Kaiyohaku

3. Okuma Beach: Famous White-Sand Beach

Picture courtesy of OCVB

Okuma Beach is a beach with natural white sand stretching for one kilometer. This is a beach where you can spend the day playing in the sand with family and take in a gorgeous sunset in the evening.

Okuma
Address: Okinawa, Motobu, Kunimura, Okuma 913　Google Map
Access: From Naha Airport, 100 minutes by car (on the highway). Highway Bus [111] bound for the Nago Bus Terminal, and switch at the Nago Bus Terminal. Okinawa Bus [67] Hentona Line bound for Hentona Bus Terminal, get off at Okuma Beach stop. Three and a half hours (3,140 yen).
Homepage: Okuma

4. Zanpa Beach: Cobalt-Blue Water in Central Okinawa

Picture courtesy of OCVB

Zanpa Beach is situated near Cape Zanpa, a dramatic 30-meter cliff located in the central region of Okinawa Island. The beach offers a striking contrast with its impressive, deep cobalt-blue sea.

Although the beach itself is relatively small, it is packed with excitement, offering a variety of marine sports including jet skiing.

Zanpa Beach
Address: Okinawa, Nakagami, Yomitanson, Uza 1933　Google Map
Access: From Naha Bus Terminal to Yomitan Bus Terminal, 90 minutes by bus (1080 yen), 30 minutes from Yomitan Bus Terminal on foot
Homepage: Yomitan

5. Moon Beach: A Resort with Tropical Ambiance

Picture courtesy of OCVB

Moon Beach gets its name from its beautiful, crescent-shaped shoreline. Framed by roughly 350 swaying palm trees and pristine white sand, the area offers a perfectly serene tropical atmosphere.

Visitors can also book a private picnic tour through The Moon Beach Museum Resort to visit the nearby uninhabited island of Yo Island. There, you can spend the day snorkeling, enjoying a beach barbecue, or simply relaxing in a swaying hammock.

Moon Beach
Address: Okinawa, Motobu, Onnason, Maeganeku 1203 Google Map
Access: From Naha Airport, 50 minutes by car. 65 minutes by airport limousine bus (1,500 yen), get off at Hotel Moon Beach.
Homepage: Moon Beach

6. Sunset Beach: Popular among Locals

Picture courtesy of OCVB

Sunset Beach at Chatanchoumihama, bustling with young people, is a popular hangout for locals. As the name implies, the sight of the setting sun is quite romantic.

The nearby shopping mall and onsen facility let you enjoy more than just the beach. The Ferris wheel at the shopping mall is also famous.

Sunset Beach
Address: Okinawa, Nakagami, Chatanchoumihama 2 Google Map
Access: From Naha Airport, one hour via airport limousine bus (800 yen), get off at The Beach Tower Okinawa
Homepage: Sunset Beach

7. Bibi Beach Itoman: Easy to Access from Naha Airport

Picture courtesy of OCVB

Bibi Beach Itoman, located directly in front of the Southern Beach Hotel & Resort Okinawa, offers excellent, convenient access from Naha Airport.

The beach features a dedicated seaside barbecue area with convenient services that provide all the necessary equipment and fresh ingredients.

For those seeking a bit of exploration, you can join a guided adventure tour to the nearby uninhabited island of Okahajima, where you can discover ancient whale fossils and untouched nature.

Bibi Beach Itoman
Address: Okinawa, Itoman, Nishizaki 1-6-15　Google Map
Access: From the Naha Bus Terminal Yui Rail Akamine Ekimae stop, take Okinawa Bus 89 on the Itoman Line (25 minutes, 450 yen). Get off at Itoman and take a taxi for five minutes or walk for 40 minutes.
Homepage: Bibi Beach Itoman

8. Azama Sansan Beach: Full of Exciting Marine Activities

Picture courtesy of OCVB

Azama Sansan Beach, located right next to Azama Port in Nanjo City, is a favorite among locals and tourists alike for its crystal-clear waters and pristine white sand.

The beach is fully equipped for excitement, offering a thrilling lineup of marine sports including banana boating, wakeboarding, and Big Mable tubing. There is nothing quite like the rush of skimming across the beautiful, high-speed waters.

Azama Sansan Beach
Address: Okinawa, Nanjo, Chinen Azama 1141-3　Google Map
Access: From Naha Airport, 50 minutes by car. From Naha Bus Terminal, one hour on Toyo Bus 38, get off at the Azama Sansan Beach stop (780 yen).
Homepage: Azama

9. Furuzamami Beach on Zamami Island: Great for Diving

Picture courtesy of Zamami

Furuzamami Beach boasts breathtakingly clear blue waters and is accessible via a scenic 50-to-70-minute high-speed ferry ride from Naha.

While the beach is excellent for snorkeling and scuba diving, sea kayaking is also highly recommended for a closer look at the vibrant coral and tropical fish just beneath the surface.

To protect the local marine ecosystem, certain areas are designated as off-limits for swimming due to ongoing coral conservation efforts; be sure to check the current swimming zones upon arrival.

For travelers looking to fully immerse themselves in nature, the island also offers beachfront camping facilities and cozy cottages for overnight stays.

Furuzamami Beach
Address: Okinawa, Shimajiri, Zamami, Zamami 1743 Google Map
Access: From Naha Tomari port, take the high-speed Queen Zamami ferry for 50-70 minutes (3,140 yen). The Ferry Zamami is 90-120 minutes (2,120 yen). Click for details.
Homepage: http://www.vill.zamami.okinawa.jp/

10. Yonaha Maehama Beach on Miyakojima: Famous for White Sand

Picture courtesy of Miyakojima Library

Yonaha Maehama Beach on Miyakojima stretches for seven kilometers and is widely celebrated for having the whitest sand in the Pacific.

The beach’s shallow waters are beautifully transparent, offering stunning views across the sea to Kurima Island, which spans nine kilometers in circumference.

Spanning the water to connect the two islands is the 1,690-meter Kurima Bridge, one of Miyakojima's major bridges and one of the longest agricultural road bridges in Japan.

Yonaha Maehama Beach
Address: Okinawa, Miyakojima, Shimojiyonaha 1199 Google Map
Access: 15 minutes from Miyako Airport by car
Homepage: Miyako

11. Ishigakijima Sunset Beach: Explore Untouched Nature

Picture courtesy of OCVB

At Ishigakijima Sunset Beach, you can fully immerse yourself in untouched nature. The crystal-clear waters are teeming with marine life like fish and squid, making it a fantastic spot for snorkeling.

Convenient beach facilities—including showers, restrooms, and changing rooms—are available for a small fee of 500 yen for adults and 250 yen for children. There are also plenty of rental shops and dining options nearby to complete your day at the beach.

Ishigakijima Sunset Beach
Address: Okinawa, Ishigaki, Hirakubo 234-323　Google Map
Access: 40 minutes from Shin-Ishigaki Airport by car
Homepage: https://www.i-sb.jp/?lang=en

12. Kondoi Beach on Taketomi Island: Great Choice for Family Relaxation

Kondoi Beach, Taketomi Island

Taketomi Island beautifully preserves the historic charm of old Okinawa, characterized by white-sand lanes, coral stone walls, and traditional homes topped with iconic red-tiled roofs.

On the island's west side, Kondoi Beach features exceptionally calm, shallow waves and crystal-clear waters, making it an absolute favorite for families with young children.

Just a five-minute drive away lies Kaiji Beach, famous for its unique, star-shaped sand grains formed by the tiny shells of marine organisms. After a refreshing dip in the ocean at Kondoi, be sure to head over to Kaiji to search for a few star-sand keepsakes!

Kondoi Beach
Address: Okinawa, Yaeyama, Taketomi, Taketomi Google Map
Access: 43 minutes on foot from Taketomi Higashi Port, 12 minutes by rental cycle. 10-20 minutes from Taketomi to Ishigaki by high-speed ferry (600 yen)

13. Nishihama Beach: On Hateruma, Japan's Southernmost Island

Picture courtesy of Taketomi Tourist Association

Located on Hateruma Island—Japan’s southernmost inhabited island—Nishihama Beach is legendary for its breathtaking, turquoise waters known as "Hateruma Blue."

Accessible via a one-hour high-speed ferry ride from Ishigaki Island, this remote paradise offers unforgettable views as the brilliant crimson sun sinks into the sea at sunset, giving way to a spectacular, star-filled night sky.

To fully take in this incredible natural scenery, staying overnight on the island is highly recommended.

Nishihama Beach (Hateruma Beach)
Address: Okinawa, Shimajiri, Zamami, Aka Google Map
Access: 15 minutes from Hateruma Port on foot. One hour from Ishigaki Island to Hateruma by high-speed ferry (3,550 yen)
Homepage: http://www.painusima.com/haterumajima

Enjoy the Best of Okinawa

Okinawa has a unique culture, traditions and food, in addition to its magnificent beaches. Plan to spend a day on the beach or go sightseeing, and enjoy Okinawa to the fullest.