In this article, we introduce 10 recommended beaches in the northern area of Okinawa’s main island.
The north has more beautiful beaches than anywhere else on the main island, from popular beaches full of visitors to hidden gems.
This time we focus on hidden beaches in the north and introduce the following 10.
- Zane Beach (Beach51)
- Tokei Beach
- Nagahama Beach
- Sakimotobu Beach (Gorilla Chop)
- Apogama Beach
- Minna Beach (Minna Island, Okinawa)
- Bise Coast
- Akabaka Beach
- Gesashi Uppama Beach
- Sonmin no Hama
We have also put together a guide to the best-known beaches in Onna Village, so take a look if you want to see those as well.
Zane Beach (Beach51)
Zane Beach (Beach51) is a beach in Onna Village.
It is a beautiful beach known for its soft white sand and clear water.
Cape Maeda, famous for the Blue Cave, is nearby, and people come to Zane Beach for all sorts of reasons: snorkeling, taking photos or simply relaxing on the sand.
It is a small beach and not especially well known.
These are the two spots Zane Beach is known for.
- The view from the cliff
- If you go to Zane Beach, both are worth seeing.
If you go to Zane Beach, both are worth seeing.
| Access | About 60 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Water sports |
| Marine activities | None (there are activities at Cape Maeda nearby) |
| Parking | Restroom |
| Restroom | None |
Fuchaku Beach
Tokei Beach
Tokei Beach is a beach on Kouri Island, a small island off Nakijin Village.
It is an outlying island, but a bridge connects it to the main island, so you can drive there.
Tokei Beach is a natural beach where you can take in the wilder side of Okinawa.
This natural beach is known for its clear water, beautiful sand and large natural limestone rocks.
Snorkeling is possible here, and although numbers are small, you will find people in the water with a mask on.
| Access | About 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Nakijin Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Activities | None |
| Parking | Yes (both paid and free) |
| Restroom | None |
Nagahama Beach
Nagahama Beach is a natural beach in Nakijin Village.
Roughly 300 meters of beautiful sand and nature left as it is are what define it.
It is not a busy place, which makes it a good choice if you want unhurried time on the sand.
There is no safety net and no lifeguard on duty, so take care when you go into the water.
| Access | About 80 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 744 Shoshi, Nakijin Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Activities | None |
| Parking | Yes (free, about 10 spaces) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Sakimotobu Beach (Gorilla Chop)
Sakimotobu Beach (Gorilla Chop) is a beach in Motobu Town.
This beach is known for a large rock called Gorilla Chop.
It is also a well-known snorkeling and diving spot — people were out snorkeling when we visited.
The swimming facilities are well kept, with restrooms and shower rooms on site.
There is no safety net and no lifeguard, so take real care when swimming, snorkeling, or diving.
| Access | About 90 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 5232 Sakimotobu, Motobu Town, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Apogama Beach
Apogama Beach is a popular spot for diving and snorkeling.
Cape Manzamo, Manza Beach, and a run of other Okinawan resort spots are all close by.
The land around Apogama Beach once belonged to the US military, so almost nothing has been built here, and the nature is as good as untouched.
The area around Apogama Beach was once owned by the US military, so it has seen almost no development, and you can fully enjoy Okinawa’s nature.
*The land has since been returned.
If you plan to dive or snorkel at Apogama, you will need to bring your own gear.
Take real care when you go into the water.
Please take great care when diving or snorkeling.
| Access | About 85 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Water sports |
| Marine activities | None |
| Parking | Restroom |
| Restroom | None |
Minna Beach (Minna Island, Okinawa)
Minna Beach is a beach on Minna Island, an outlying island in Motobu Town.
It is about 15 minutes by boat from Toguchi Port in Motobu Town to Minna Port.
Minna Beach is known for its clear blue water and pure white sand, and for drawing more than 60,000 visitors a year to an island of only about 40 residents.
There are facilities for swimming and marine activities that many visitors can enjoy, so it is a great choice if you want a beautiful beach.
| Access | About 75 minutes from Naha Airport to Toguchi Port About 15 minutes by boat from Toguchi Port to Minna Island |
| Address | 6229 Sesoko, Motobu Town, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Available at Toguchi Port |
| Restroom | Yes |
Bise Coast
Bise Beach (Bise Coast) is a beach in Motobu Town.
The name is read “Bise.”
Exceptionally clear water and roughly 300 meters of sand define it, and the view of Ie Island from Bise Beach is remarkable.
The Bise Fukugi Tree Lane, Emerald Beach, and the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium are among the many sights nearby.
Bise Beach is beautiful, but it has no swimming facilities, so it is best for relaxing on the sand.
| Access | About 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 411 Bise, Motobu Town, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Activities | None |
| Parking | Yes (free parking at the Bise Fukugi Tree Lane) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Akabaka Beach
Akabaka Beach is a beach in Nakijin Village.
Clear water and beautiful sand are what define it.
The clarity and color of the water stand out even against other beaches in Okinawa.
Akabaka Beach is known as a filming location for the Korean group TWICE — the video for “Dance the night away” was shot here.
The NHK morning drama “Chimudondon” also appears to have filmed on location at Akabaka Beach.
It is not a crowded spot, so it is ideal if you want to relax on the beach.
| Access | About 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Shoshi, Nakijin Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Activities | None |
| Parking | Yes (free, about 5 spaces) |
| Restroom | None |
Gesashi Uppama Beach
Kesashi Uppama Beach is a beach in Higashi Village in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.
It is a natural beach known for its beautiful sand, and there are almost no tourists.
When we visited, a few people were camping and relaxing in the shade; it looked like a wonderfully leisurely way to spend the day.
There are almost no swimming facilities, but the basics such as restrooms and showers are provided.
| Access | About 110 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Gesashi, Higashi Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Activities | None |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | None |
Sonmin no Hama
Sonmin no Hama is a beach in Nakijin Village, on the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.
Clear water and beautiful sand are what define this beach.
Because it is a man-made beach the water stays shallow and the waves are calm, so swimming here is relatively safe.
Even in the summer season it is not especially busy — almost everyone was a local family, and there were hardly any tourists.
| Access | About 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Nakasone, Nakijin Village, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Activities in Northern Okinawa
Northern Okinawa has more beautiful beaches than anywhere else in Okinawa, and offers all kinds of marine activities.
If you want to try diving, snorkeling, SUP and more, why not check out activities in the northern area?
In summary
In this article, we introduced 10 hidden beaches in the northern area of Okinawa’s main island.
The north has every kind of beach, from popular beaches full of visitors to hidden gems.
We also introduce “recommended beaches in the northern area” in another article, so take a look if you are interested.
We hope this article helps you choose a beach.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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