Emerald Beach is a beach in Motobu Town, in the north of Okinawa’s main island.
Exceptionally clear water and beautiful white sand are what make this beach so appealing.
The view of Ie Island from Emerald Beach is genuinely beautiful, too.
Emerald Beach is part of Ocean Expo Park, and the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium is close by, which makes this a spot large numbers of visitors come to every year.
The swimming facilities are well kept, and it is a popular beach that adults and children alike can enjoy.
Ratings for Emerald Beach
*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.
Emerald Beach at a Glance
| Swimming season | April 1 – September 30 8:30-19:00 October 1 – October 31 8:30-17:30 |
| Opening hours | April 1 – September 30 8:30-19:00 October 1 – October 31 8:30-17:30 |
| Swimming fee | Free |
| Safety net | Yes |
| Lifeguard | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Lockers | Yes |
| Equipment rental | Yes |
| Marine activities | No |
| Shop | Yes |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Official website | – |
Emerald Beach has lifeguards and a safety net, so adults and children alike can get in the water with confidence.
There are no marine activities on offer, but parasols, swim rings, and similar gear can be rented.
[Rentals] ・Parasols ・Swim rings ・Chairs ・Life jackets ・Beach volleyball equipment *For prices and details, see the Ocean Expo Park official website
The Highlights
Clear Water
The water is beautiful and exceptionally clear.
Beautiful Sand
The sand is spotlessly clean and wonderfully soft.
The sand is divided into three areas — the Play Beach, the View Beach, and the Rest Beach — and all three are lovely.
A Beautiful View
The view of Ie Island from Emerald Beach is remarkable.
A Well-Stocked Shop and Vending Machines
There is a shop where you can buy food and drinks during opening hours.
Vending machines are on site too, so you will never be short of something to drink.
Showers and Lockers
The showers are free to use.
Coin lockers are available as well, at 100 yen.
Plenty of Places to Rest
Several rest areas are in place, so you can sit on a bench and take in the view at your own pace.
Beautiful Sunsets
The sunset from Emerald Beach is remarkable.
Map of Ocean Expo Park
The image above shows the map of Ocean Expo Park.
Points to Note
Emerald Beach has a sign listing the rules, so please follow them when you visit.
Access & Parking
| Access | About 2 hours by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 424 Ishikawa, Motobu Town, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Parking
Emerald Beach can be reached from Ocean Expo Park’s own parking lots, and parking is free.
There are several multi-storey lots and it is easy to end up in the wrong one, so here is the one closest to Emerald Beach.
As the map below shows, P9 Ocean Expo Park (Emerald Gate) is the closest lot to Emerald Beach.
Around Emerald Beach
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium
The Churaumi Aquarium needs little introduction, and large numbers of visitors and locals come here every year.
From the vast main tank where whale sharks and manta rays swim — one of the largest in the world — to the many creatures native to Okinawa, there is a great deal to see.
Activities in Motobu Town
Motobu Town offers a range 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?
Hotel Orion Motobu Resort & Spa
Hotel Orion Motobu Resort & Spa is a resort hotel with a genuinely stylish feel to it.
Emerald Beach is right nearby, and you can take in the ocean view from your room.
An outdoor pool and hot spring baths are in place as well, making for a space where guests can properly unwind.
The ocean view from the hotel is beautiful too.
A rental car is the way to see Okinawa
For getting around Okinawa’s main island, a rental car is by far the best option.
Shuri Castle in Naha, the beautiful beaches of the north, American Village in Chatan — the sights are scattered across the island, and with a car you can take them in at your own pace. Local buses are infrequent and rarely run to time, so having a car 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.
Summary
This guide has covered Emerald Beach.
Emerald Beach is a well-known destination, and large numbers of people visit every year.
It is within walking distance of the Churaumi Aquarium, so it is well worth making time for.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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