*This post may contain affiliate links.*

One of the first things that come to mind when people think about Okinawa are the beaches in Okinawa. Known as the “Hawaii of Asia” the waters here are crystal clear and turquoise blue — much like what you would see in magazines and the movies picturing Caribbean islands.

Okinawa is known for it’s snorkeling and scuba diving, too, making it a great place to enjoy the waters away from the shoreline if that’s more your style. But if you’re more of a “enjoy the ocean breeze with a good book” type of person, then we have a comprehensive list of beaches in Okinawa to visit.

What are the beaches in Okinawa like?

The beaches in Okinawa do have some sand, but many are pretty rocky. The ones listed below generally have sand to sit in and a good place to relax, but some are very rocky and not super comfortable for lounging around.

The water is very warm in the summer, but pretty chilly in the winter. In fact, most beaches are closed for swimming in the winter. Almost all of the beaches have lifeguards and they “open” for the season sometime in April. They “close” each evening around 5pm or 6pm, which will be made by an announcement. This is when the lifeguards leave their stations.

The sun is much stronger here in Okinawa than most of the CONUS United States, so you will want to be prepared for that as well. In fact, you will see that most Okinawans wear full coverage when at the beaches, and you will rarely see bikinis worn by locals.

In addition, you’ll want footwear to wear into the water. Most of the shallow areas are rocky or made of coral rock, so water shoes are a must have as well.

Some beaches have additional items for rent like beach chairs and umbrellas, but most you will have to bring your own. Almost all beaches listed below have places to rinse off after you’re in the water. Many of them also have vending machines with drinks.

You may have to pay for parking at some of the beaches (yen only) so be sure to have additional yen with you for that.

What to bring with you to the beaches in Okinawa

Like it was mentioned above, the sun is much stronger here in Okinawa so you will want adequate sun protection. Luckily, many shops (even the Daiso, which is like a Japanese dollar store) have unique sun protection items for every day use that can double for beach use.

Here are some items you may want to have with you when you venture to the beaches in Okinawa:

• Beach chairs
• Beach umbrellas
• Sun hats with neck protection
• Sunscreen
• Sun tent for little ones
• Snacks (we love to go to Lawson’s, Family Mart, or 7-11 before heading to the beach)
• Yen coins for vending machines and yen for parking
• Rash guards
• Turkish beach towels (they dry super fast!)
• Beach toys– we love this eco-friendly and 100% compostable sand toy from fellow military spouse owned company, Rogue Wave Toys
• Lip balm with sunscreen
• Misting fan

A comprehensive list of beaches in Okinawa

Here is a comprehensive list of beaches in Okinawa:

• Toyosaki Chura-SUN Beach
• -Manza Beach
• -Zampa Beach
• -Sun Marina Beach
• -Nabee Beach
• -Bibi Beach
• -Igei Beach
• -Emerald Beach
• -Moon Beach
• -Okuma Beach
• -Mibaru Beach
• -Azama SanSan Beach
• -Onna Village Diamond Beach
• -“Heart Rock Beach” Kouri Island
• -Oodomari Beach
• -Ikei Beach
• -Uken Beach
• -Sunset Beach
• -Araha Beach
• -Torii Beach
• -Nirai Beach
• -Ginowan Tropical Beach
• -Nishihara Kirakira Beach
• -Sunabe-Baba Beach
• -Toguchi Beach
• -Kadena Marina Beach
• -Naminoue Beach
• -Maeda Flatts Snorkeling
• -Kayo Beach
• -Sand Dollar Beach
• -Sea Glass Beach
• – White beach

---

There are no shortages of beaches here in Okinawa, but remember that the sun is very strong here. Many people find that spending all day in the sun is really not an option, so prepare yourself with extra water, sun protection, and adequate snacks if you plan to spend extended time there.

If you want a comprehensive list of beaches in Okinawa, download our guide. The list of beaches above is found on page 49 of our Ultimate Guide to PCSing to Okinawa!