White Beach is a beach in Katsuren Heshikiya, Uruma City, in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.
It lies on the southern side of the Katsuren Peninsula, facing Nakagusuku Bay, and is not a managed swimming beach but a stretch of entirely natural shore.
With no signboard and no car park, it is a genuine hidden gem, and even in summer the crowds never arrive.
Tsuken Island sits out on the water, which makes this a fine place to look at the sea in peace.
This article covers what makes White Beach worth the trip, along with access and parking.
Ratings for White Beach
*Ratings are the subjective view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in the prefecture
White Beach at a glance
| Swimming season | Year-round (no designated swimming area) |
| Hours | None in particular |
| Swimming fee | Free |
| Jellyfish net | None |
| Lifeguard | None |
| Showers | None |
| Lockers | None |
| Swim gear rental | None |
| Activities | None |
| Shop | None |
| Restroom | None |
| Official website | None |
White Beach is not a managed swimming beach but a natural shoreline.
There are no showers, restrooms or shops of any kind, so bring whatever you need with you.
Highlights
A hidden beach where the shore runs on untouched
White Beach has never been laid out as a swimming beach; the sand and rocks are simply as nature left them.
There is no designated swimming area and no lifeguard, but that is exactly why you get a sense of the Okinawan sea in its natural state.
At low tide, rock pools form among the rocks and you can go looking for small fish and hermit crabs.
Tsuken Island out on the water
White Beach faces Nakagusuku Bay, so you can look across the water to Tsuken Island.
Ferries and high-speed boats sometimes drift past, and the unhurried rhythm of island life comes through.
In the morning the sun comes in from the east and the surface of the sea glitters, which is lovely to watch.
Few visitors, so you can take it slow
Uruma City has no shortage of well-known beaches such as Ikei Beach and Tonnaha Beach, but this one barely appears in guidebooks.
Hardly anyone comes as a result, and the mood is calm, with locals out walking or fishing.
It is a welcome find if you would rather watch the sea in quiet than sit on a busy beach.
The name comes from the White Beach Area next door
The name White Beach is thought to come from the US Navy’s White Beach Area, which lies immediately to the east.
The public cannot enter the base, but this shore is open to anyone.
The two share a name but are entirely separate places, so do take care when setting a destination on a car navigation system or map.
Please note
- There is no lifeguard and no jellyfish net. If you swim, you do so at your own risk, so do not push your luck
- Dangerous creatures such as box jellyfish may be present, so keeping skin covered is advisable
- The rocks are slippery and coral fragments can cut your feet, so water shoes are a sensible precaution
- There is no parking, restroom or shop, so sort out drinks and a toilet stop beforehand
- The surrounding streets are residential and narrow, so please do not park on the road or in front of houses
- The US Navy facility lies immediately to the east. Never go inside the fence
- Please take all rubbish home with you
Access & Parking
| Access | About 60 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Katsuren Heshikiya, Uruma City, Okinawa |
| Parking | No dedicated car park |
| Restroom | None |
It is about 60 minutes by car from Naha Airport via the Okinawa Expressway.
Leave at Okinawa-kita IC, follow Prefectural Route 75 towards the tip of the Katsuren Peninsula, then turn seawards at the village of Heshikiya.
White Beach has no dedicated car park, but there is space to pull in, so parking is possible.
See the Google map below for details.
What’s nearby White Beach
Activities in Uruma City
Uruma City offers all kinds of marine activities.
You can book diving, snorkeling, SUP and more.
If you would like to enjoy diving or snorkeling, why not see what is available on Viator or GetYourGuide?
Heshikiya Port, where the ferry to Tsuken Island departs
A short drive from White Beach is Heshikiya Port, where the ferry and high-speed boat to Tsuken Island come and go.
Tsuken Island is a small island known for growing carrots, and a day trip is more than enough to enjoy it.
Katsuren Castle Ruins
The Katsuren Castle Ruins, at the base of the Katsuren Peninsula, are a World Heritage site.
The curving stone walls are beautiful, and from the heights you can see right across the sea around the Katsuren Peninsula.
A rental car is the way to go in Okinawa
A rental car is by far the best way to get around the main island of Okinawa.
Shuri Castle in Naha, the beautiful beaches up north, American Village in Chatan and the rest are scattered all over the island, so having a car lets you explore at your own pace. Buses are infrequent and rarely run to time, so whether or not you have a car makes a real difference to the trip.
Popular seasons book up quickly, so reserve early once your dates are set.
In summary
This article introduced White Beach.
It is an entirely natural beach in Katsuren Heshikiya, Uruma City, that tourism has passed by.
There are no facilities at all, but that is exactly why so few people come, and why the view of Tsuken Island out at sea can feel like yours alone.
Do pair it with the Katsuren Castle Ruins, Heshikiya Takinoo and Heshikiya Port.
Thank you for reading to the end.
Comments