Green Beach (Ishara-hama) is a beach on Ie Island, an outlying island off northern Okinawa.
It sits along a farm road on the south side of the island, and because there is no sign, almost nobody finds their way here.
The sand is left as nature made it, and with coral colonies offshore you can snorkel here too.
There are no facilities at all, so it is worth preparing before you set off.
If you plan to swim or snorkel, take care when going into the water.
Rating for Green Beach (Ishara-hama)
*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.
Green Beach (Ishara-hama) at a Glance
| Swimming season | None in particular |
| Hours | None in particular |
| Admission | Free |
| Jellyfish net | No |
| Lifeguard | No |
| Showers | No |
| Lockers | No |
| Swim gear rental | No |
| Activities | No |
| Shop | No |
| Restroom | No |
| Official site | No |
Green Beach is not a managed beach, so there are no lifeguards and no jellyfish net.
There are no restrooms, showers, shops or vending machines either, so pick up drinks and anything else you need near Ie Port beforehand.
If you plan to swim or snorkel, take care when going into the water.
What Makes Watarūji Worth Visiting
Untouched natural sand
Green Beach has never had coastal engineering work done, so the sand is left exactly as nature made it.
It has never been developed for tourism, so there is almost nobody around — and with the right timing you may have the whole beach to yourself.
The right-hand side of the beach is a dead end, while the sand continues to the left.
A snorkeling spot with coral colonies
Offshore from Green Beach there are colonies of mound and branching coral, with tropical fish gathering around them.
It is a snorkeling spot known only to those in the know, and a quiet place to take in the underwater scenery.
That said, the water inside the reef can be cloudy in places, so clarity varies by day and by spot.
If any of that appeals, take a look on Viator or GetYourGuide.
About the name “Green Beach”
On April 16, 1945, the US Army’s 77th Infantry Division landed on Ie Island, and ground fighting continued for six days until the 21st. Many people were killed here, residents among them.
The name “Green Beach” is said to come from the code name given to the landing beach during that operation.
*There are various accounts of the origin, and this is not confirmed by official records.
Near Ie Port there is the Ie Island Hanikusuni Local History and Peace Museum, where you can learn about the island’s history free of charge. It is worth combining with a tour of the beaches.
No restrooms or showers
There are no restrooms, showers, changing rooms or lockers.
It is not a designated swimming beach, so there is no gear rental or shop either.
Things to know before you go
Green Beach looks shallow far out, but in places it is not, and there are currents even inside the reef.
There is no lifeguard, no jellyfish net and almost nobody around, so do not snorkel alone.
The sea also turns rough depending on the wind and weather. On days with high waves, do not push it — stay out of the water.
When swimming in summer, wearing a rash guard is recommended as protection against box jellyfish.
Access & Parking
| Access | About 10 minutes by car from Ie Port |
| Address | Ie Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Parking | Yes (free, a few spaces) *Unpaved area |
| Restroom | No |
Green Beach (Ishara-hama) is along a farm road, and with no sign it is easy to drive straight past.
There is a cleared area with room for a few cars.
See the Google Map below for details.
Getting around Ie Island
Once you arrive on Ie Island you can rent a car or a bicycle near Ie Port.
Green Beach (Ishara-hama) is about 10 minutes by car from Ie Port, so renting a car or a bicycle is the way to go.
Rental bicycle rates are shown in the photo below.
Getting to Ie Island from Okinawa’s Main Island & Ferry Fares
Ie Island is reached by ferry from Motobu Port on Okinawa’s main island to Ie Port.
The crossing takes about 30 minutes and there are four round trips a day, so a day trip is perfectly doable.
Fares are as follows.
| Adult | Child | |
| One way | 730 yen | 370 yen |
| Round trip (from Motobu Port) | 1,390 yen | 710 yen |
| Round trip (from Ie Port) | 1,250 yen | 630 yen |
| Group round trip (15+ people) | 1,320 yen | 670 yen |
The ferry timetable, vehicle shipping fares and parking at Motobu Port are covered in detail in the article below.
Nearby
Watarūji
Watarūji is another hidden beach on the south side of Ie Island, like Green Beach.
It is known for its soft white sand, and it too sees almost no visitors. The two are worth combining.
Marine activities on Ie Island
Ie Island offers plenty of marine activities such as diving and snorkeling.
Guided experiences mean even first-timers can take part with confidence.
They are a good fit for families and groups of friends too.
Hotel YYYCLUB Ie Resort
If you are thinking of staying overnight on Ie Island, Hotel YYYCLUB Ie Resort is a good choice.
It is a comfortable place to unwind while looking out over the beautiful sea.
The rooms are spacious, with the open, airy feel of a tropical resort.
There is also a pool, a restaurant and a bar on site, so there is plenty to enjoy during your stay.
Take in the nature of Ie Island and give yourself time to relax.
Summary
This article covered Green Beach (Ishara-hama).
Green Beach is an unmarked, hidden beach along a farm road on Ie Island.
Untouched sand and coral colonies offshore are the draw, but there are no facilities at all and there are currents in the water.
Come prepared, and enjoy it safely.
When you visit Ie Island, make time for Green Beach.
Thank you for reading to the end.
The other beaches and sights on Ie Island are all covered in the article below — take a look.
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