If you have kids, chances are someone has told you about the “pirate ship park”. This park is officially known as Araha Park and, yes, the playground is an amazing life-sized pirate ship. Next to Araha Park is Araha Beach, one of the few netted beaches on the island.

What is a “Netted Beach”?

Netted beaches are great for families with little kids because you have less worry about some of the more ominous creatures that lurk in the Okinawan waters. The nets provide great security from certain sea creatures that can harm you. Some of these creatures include rockfish, lionfish, sea snakes, box jellyfish, and cone snails. On occasion, typically after big storms, netted beaches will post signs and even close if they believe any of these venomous creatures have infiltrated the nets in place. They will perform checks to the nets and monitor the waters until it is safe to open again.

Netted beaches also have lifeguards. This is a great layer of safety for families. The lifeguards help keep people from doing anything crazy or getting out of hand. They are known to keep the rowdiness at bay and make sure everyone is having a safe and fun time.

Araha Beach Hours

With lifeguards comes set hours of operation. Araha Beach opens at 9am and the closing hour varies based on the season. Nets are pulled out and the beach is officially closed in December. Nets are replaced in early spring and lifeguards return in April. Outside of the posted lifeguarded operating hours, swimming is highly discouraged and is a swim at your own risk situation.

Araha Beach Amenities and Activities

Araha Beach has many amenities besides the park and the beach. Beach umbrellas, chairs, and mats are available at the beach shop located next to the park. There is also a beach side restaurant nearby that offers a few basic food options and drinks. There is a beautiful deck area overlooking the beach and a great place to enjoy some shaved ice with a view.

There are picnic areas available for reservation on the south side of the beach. Reservations can be made at the Araha Beach Management Office or inquiring at the restaurant stand at the beach. BBQ is available through the restaurant as well with multiple kinds of packages for your gathering.

If you prefer more adrenaline, marine sports of all kinds are available through the Araha Beach Management Office. There is a building near the park that you can inquire through. They have jet skis with pull behind tubes of all sizes depending on your group. You can also take a glass bottom boat tour of the coral reef just offshore. Parasailing is also an option if you want a Birds Eye view of the beach.

The north end of the beach provides ample area for some beach soccer games and courts for a heated game of beach volleyball. There is a space for basketball with 4 half courts and two smaller kid sized hoops and shooting areas.

After you’ve had your fill of activities for the day, showers and changing rooms are available for a small fee. There are water spouts outside the bathrooms for an easy way to wash off some of the sand you collected during your day at Araha Beach.

Other than the obvious water activities and playground time, Araha beach offers a large grassy area great for picnicking, lounging, or gathering. Sunday is a day for families to gather here in Okinawa and, without a doubt, the grassy areas around Araha fill up fast with families eating dinner, playing soccer, or tossing a ball around. There are several options for food along the beach ranging from burgers at The Beach Boys to açaí bowls at Happy Bowls, along with convenience stores nearby as well.

Araha Beach Access and Parking

Access to Araha Beach is free and there are 3 separate parking lots available with a total of around 150 spots. These spots tend to fill up fast on weekends and at sunset and there is often a line extending into the main road. Catching the sunset is a very popular activity for the locals and you can find many securing a good spot to watch the sunset as early as an hour before. If you plan to visit Araha Beach for sunset or on a weekend, be sure to plan ahead with backup options or arrive early enough you aren’t fighting for a spot.

Araha Beach is located in the central area of Okinawa and easily accessible from Kadena, Torii Station, Camp Foster, Camp Lester, Air Station Futenma, or Camp Kinser. So the next time your kids are bored, grab a blanket and head to Araha Beach where the kids can pretend to be pirate ship captains while you catch the beautiful sunset views.

More Information:

Google Pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/PG2Gpq2iBqGy6e8DA?g_st=ic

Address: 2-21 Chatan Chatan-cho
Telephone: 098-926-2680（Araha Beach management office）
098-936-9442（for inquires about BBQ）

Business hours: 9:00am-6:00pm (During summer break period 6:30pm）
Business period: Second Friday in April-end of October
［Note］
・Beach umbrella, lounger, beach mat, etc. are available for rent at shops.
・See below for details on BBQ:
http://ccdc.jp/araha-beach/

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