Araha Beach is a beach in Chatan, in central Okinawa.
Its calling cards are roughly 600 metres of sand and remarkably clear water.
Crowds of visitors come every year, but it is loved by locals too: people walk the promenade along the shore, and Araha Park is always full of children.
The swimming facilities are well set up and there are activities as well as ordinary bathing, so it is a good pick if you want to make the most of Okinawa’s sea.
Araha Beach ratings
*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.
Araha Beach at a glance
| Swimming season | April to October |
| Hours | 9:00-19:00 *Varies with the season and weather |
| Swimming fee | Free |
| Jellyfish net | Yes |
| Lifeguard | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Lockers | Yes |
| Swim gear rental | Yes |
| Activities | Yes |
| Shop | Yes |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Official website | None |
Araha Beach is large, and although the netted area covers only part of it, you can swim in the stretch protected by a jellyfish net.
There is a charge, but showers and lockers are available and the swimming facilities are well equipped.
Rentals and activities are plentiful too, as listed below.
[Swim gear rental] ・Swim ring (large) 600 yen ・Swim ring (small) 400 yen ・Parasol 800 yen ・Mat 800 yen ・Sun bed 800 yen ・Chair 350 yen
[Activities] ・Banana boat ・Parasailing ・Glass-bottom boat ・Jet ski ・Snorkeling ・Kayaking ・Fishing *For prices, please check with the Chatan Uminchu Association.
The Highlights
Roughly 600 metres of sand
A long stretch of white sand is hard to resist.
The sand itself is beautifully fine.
Water sports are on offer
You can also try water sports at Araha Beach.
Chatan offers snorkeling, diving and much more, so take a look on GetYourGuide or Viator.
Clear Water
The photos show how lovely it is, but the water looks even better once you are standing there.
Well equipped
Restrooms, coin lockers and showers are all in place.
There is a shop and vending machines too, which makes things very easy.
A beautiful promenade along the shore
A promenade runs beside the beach, lined with neatly spaced palm trees that give the view a distinctly Okinawan feel.
We saw people out walking and children playing along it.
A stroll with the sea in view is about as good as it gets.
You can barbecue here
You will need to book, but barbecues are possible here.
The barbecue area and the beach-gear rental area are separate, which keeps things easy to follow.
The Indian Oak at Araha Park
Araha Park has plenty to keep you busy, including the Indian Oak ship and a basketball court.
Plenty of gear to rent and activities to try
As mentioned above, Araha Beach has a good range of rentals and activities.
For rentals there are swim rings, parasols and the like.
Activities range from snorkeling to banana boat rides.
For details on the activities, please check with the Chatan Uminchu Association.
Plenty of space to rest
The rest area has a covered pavilion.
There are lots of palm trees as well, so you can take a break in the shade.
Access & Parking
| Access | About 45 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 2-21 Chatan, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (free, about 120 spaces) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Araha Beach has two parking lots.
Please check the map below for the parking lots.
[Parking lot 1]
[Parking lot 2]
Around Araha Beach
Activities in Chatan
Chatan offers a wide range of water sports.
You can book diving, snorkeling, SUP and more.
If you are interested in diving or snorkeling, why not take a look at what is on offer in Chatan?
American Village
American Village is exactly what the name suggests: rows of American-themed buildings housing fashion brands, homeware shops and restaurants aimed at a younger crowd.
It is especially popular with young visitors and is a great place for photos.
DoubleTree by Hilton Okinawa Chatan Resort
DoubleTree by Hilton Okinawa Chatan Resort is a resort hotel.
It is a smart, recently opened resort, and guests can use two outdoor pools as well as the indoor pool at the adjoining Hilton.
American Village is within walking distance, and Mihama Coast is right next door.
It is a good choice if you want to slow down and enjoy a resort stay in Okinawa.
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.
The places worth seeing are scattered across the island, from Shuri Castle in Naha to the beautiful beaches of the north and American Village in Chatan, and with a car you can take them at your own pace. Buses are infrequent and do not always run on time, so having a car or not 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.
In summary
This article introduced Araha Beach.
Araha Beach is a lovely spot with Araha Park beside it, and with so many people out walking it is clearly a favorite among locals.
Personally, while the sand and the beach itself are beautiful, I found the water clearer at the beaches in Onna and Yomitan.
If you are heading to Chatan, be sure to visit Araha Beach.
Chatan has plenty of other beaches besides Araha Beach, from busy favorites to quieter hidden gems.
We have also put together a guide to every beach in Chatan, so please take a look if you would like to know more.
We hope this article was of some help.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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