Ari-hama is a beach on Ie Island, an outlying island off northern Okinawa.
It is an untouched stretch of coast where small sandy coves alternate with Ryukyu limestone rock.
It has never been developed for tourism, so almost nobody comes here — the sea in front of you and the view across to the Motobu Peninsula are yours alone.
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 Ari-hama
Ari-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 |
Ari-hama 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
Small sandy coves and Ryukyu limestone
Ari-hama is a coastline where pale sand and weathered Ryukyu limestone alternate along the shore.
The sand itself is modest in size, but the rocks form a series of small cove-like inlets, and it is interesting how the view shifts as you walk.
Precisely because it has not been tidied up like a tourist beach, you get to see Ie Island’s coast exactly as it is.
A wide, shallow reef
In front of the beach lies a broad, shallow reef lagoon, and at low tide the rock and seaweed break the surface.
Further out you can see white water breaking on the reef edge, so it is easy to tell at a glance how far the shallows run.
The shallows are full of rock and seaweed, so this is not a place for an easy swim like a sandy beach. Water shoes are a good idea if you plan to go in.
If any of that appeals, take a look on Viator or GetYourGuide.
A view across to the Motobu Peninsula
From Ari-hama you can look out across the water to the mountains of the Motobu Peninsula on Okinawa’s main island.
The gradient from the pale blue inside the reef to the deep blue offshore, set against the silhouette of the mountains opposite, makes for a beautiful scene.
With nobody around, you can sit and watch the sea for as long as you like.
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
Driftwood and washed-up litter sometimes collect on the sand. Walking barefoot is risky, so water shoes or sneakers are a better choice than sandals.
Where you enter the water there is a lot of rocky reef, and at low tide the rock is exposed. Check the tide table before going in.
There is no lifeguard, no jellyfish net, and almost nobody around. Do not snorkel alone.
The sea also turns rough depending on the wind and weather, so stay out of the water on days with high waves.
Access & Parking
| Access | About 10 minutes by car from Ie Port |
| Address | Ie Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Parking | No dedicated parking |
| Restroom | No |
Ari-hama has no dedicated parking area and no signage.
Some stretches of the lane are narrow, so take care not to block it when you park.
See the Google Map below for the location of Ari-hama.
Getting around Ie Island
Once you arrive on Ie Island you can rent a car or a bicycle near Ie Port.
Ari-hama is about 10 minutes by car from Ie Port, so renting a car or a bicycle is the way to go.
Even the farm roads on Ie Island are paved, so it is easy going by car or by bicycle. The island is not flat, though, so allow for some hills if you plan to cycle around it.
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 a hidden beach on the southwest side of Ie Island.
It has soft white sand along the shore and, like Ari-hama, 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 Ari-hama.
Ari-hama is an untouched stretch of coast where small sandy coves run into Ryukyu limestone.
Almost nobody comes here, so it is a quiet place to spend time — but there are no facilities at all, and the ground underfoot is largely rock and broken coral.
Just watch the tide and your footing, and enjoy it safely.
When you visit Ie Island, make time for Ari-hama.
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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