Kouki Beach is located in Nago, in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.
It is a natural beach known for exceptionally clear water and roughly 1,500 m of unbroken sand.
It is well equipped for a day at the beach, with restrooms, showers and coin lockers, and barbecues are permitted too.
There is no jellyfish net and no lifeguard on duty, but plenty of families were enjoying the shallows when we visited.
Kouki Beach Ratings
*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.
Kouki Beach Essentials
| Swimming season | None in particular |
| Hours | April–September 9:00–20:00 October–March 9:00–18:00 |
| Swimming fee | Free |
| Jellyfish net | None |
| Lifeguard | None |
| Showers | Yes |
| Lockers | Yes |
| Rentals | Yes |
| Activities | None |
| Shop | None (vending machines on site, FamilyMart nearby) |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Official site | None |
Kouki Beach has no jellyfish net, but the shallows are fine for a swim.
Please keep safety in mind when you go into the water.
Highlights
Snorkeling at Kouki Beach
Snorkeling is possible at Kouki Beach.
Snorkeling experiences are available at a range of spots beyond Kouki Beach too — take a look on Viator or GetYourGuide!
About 1,500 m of beautiful sand
The sand runs a long way — roughly 1,500 m in all.
Kise Beach, Kouki Beach and Nago Citizen Beach all run into one another, and while we could not make out a clear boundary, the long, clean sweep of sand is a real draw.
Exceptionally clear water
The clarity of the water is genuinely surprising.
Seen with your own eyes, it is far lovelier than any photograph suggests.
Well-equipped facilities
Restrooms, showers and other facilities are all provided.
- Restroom hours: 9:00–20:00
- Shower hours: 9:00–17:30
- Shower fee: 100 yen (3 minutes)
- Coin locker fee: 200 yen
There are vending machines for drinks.
Beyond the vending machines, there is also a FamilyMart nearby.
Barbecues welcome
Barbecues require a reservation, so we recommend booking on the number below before you set off.
Kouki Park Office (0980-54-2567)
There are cooking facilities on site as well.
Points to note
Kouki Beach is managed by Nago City Hall, so please follow the posted rules.
Jet skis, SUP and surfing are not permitted, so do check before you go.
Access & Parking
| Access | About 90 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Kouki, Nago City, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Kouki Beach has a free car park with space for around 50 cars.
A sign marked “P” makes the car park easy to find.
Around Kouki Beach
Best Western Okinawa Kouki Beach
Best Western Okinawa Kouki Beach is a hotel where every room has an ocean view.
It stands right on the Kouki Beach shoreline, so a beautiful beach opens up directly in front of the hotel.
It is our pick for anyone wanting an ocean view and a taste of the Okinawan atmosphere.
Activities in Nago
In Nago, marine sports such as snorkeling, diving and SUP in the clear water are hugely popular.
There are plenty of tours beyond marine sports too, so take a look on Viator or GetYourGuide.
A rental car is the way to see Okinawa
For getting around Okinawa’s main island, a rental car is by far the best option.
Shuri Castle in Naha, the beautiful beaches of the north, American Village in Chatan — the sights are scattered across the island, and with a car you can take them in at your own pace. Local buses are infrequent and rarely run to time, so having a car makes a real difference to the trip.
Cars fill up quickly in the peak season, so we recommend booking early once your travel dates are set. One important note for overseas visitors: to drive in Japan you must obtain an International Driving Permit (Geneva Convention) in your home country before you depart, and remember that traffic in Japan drives on the left.
Summary
This article introduced Kouki Beach.
It is a natural beach known for exceptionally clear water and roughly 1,500 m of unbroken sand.
It is well equipped for a day at the beach, with restrooms, showers and coin lockers, and barbecues are permitted too.
It is our pick for anyone planning a barbecue, or for families looking to spend a day in the water.
If you are heading to Nago, do make time for Kouki Beach.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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