Watarūji (Watarūji-hama) is a beach on Ie Island, an outlying island off northern Okinawa.
It sits along the southernmost farm road on the island’s southwest side, and locals know it as “the beach where the reservoir is.”
Soft white sand stretches along the shore, and because almost nobody comes here, it feels like your own private beach.
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 Watarūji
Watarūji 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 |
Watarūji 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
Soft, powder-white sand
Watarūji is a genuinely beautiful beach, with fine white sand running along the shore.
It has never been developed for tourism, so there is nobody around and you can take your time in what feels like a private beach.
A ramp leads down from the sand to the water, so you can get in from there.
Seeing coral means swimming out
The seabed close to shore is sandy, with scattered mounds of coral here and there.
Swim out and you will reach a rubble zone, with coral colonies beyond it. The reef edge is a long way out, though, so getting a proper look at the coral means a fair bit of swimming.
If you are not a confident swimmer, do not push it — watching the sand and the fish near the shore is plenty.
If any of that appeals, take a look on Viator or GetYourGuide.
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
At low tide the rocky reef at Watarūji is exposed. If the tide goes out while you are offshore it becomes hard to get back in, so always check the tide table before entering the water.
There are currents in places even inside the reef. Swimming through a current without fins is dangerous, so get properly equipped first.
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 | Nishie-mae 1858, Ie Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Parking | No dedicated parking *Roadside space for 2–3 cars only |
| Restroom | No |
Watarūji has no dedicated parking area.
There is space for two or three cars at the roadside, but the lane is narrow, so take care not to block it.
See the Google Map below for the location of Watarūji.
Getting around Ie Island
Once you arrive on Ie Island you can rent a car or a bicycle near Ie Port.
Watarūji 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
Green Beach (Ishara-hama)
Green Beach (Ishara-hama) is another hidden beach on the south side of Ie Island, like Watarūji.
It has no sign either and almost no visitors, with coral colonies offshore. It is worth combining the two.
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.
Summary
This article covered Watarūji.
Watarūji is a hidden beach on the southwest side of Ie Island, with soft white sand along the shore.
Almost nobody comes here, so it feels private — but there are no facilities at all, and parking space is very limited.
Just keep an eye on the currents and the tide, and enjoy it safely.
When you visit Ie Island, make time for Watarūji.
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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