Minna Beach is a beach on Minna Island, an outlying island in Motobu Town in the north of Okinawa’s main island.
It is about 15 minutes by boat from Toguchi Port in Motobu Town to Minna Port.
Minna Beach is defined by exceptionally clear blue water and pure white sand, and the island is well known for drawing more than 60,000 visitors a year to a population of around 40.
There are facilities for swimming and marine activities as well, which makes it a good choice if you want a genuinely beautiful beach.
Ratings for Minna Beach
*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.
Minna Beach at a Glance
| Swimming season | April – October 8:00–17:00 |
| Opening hours | April – October 8:00–17:00 |
| Swimming fee | Free |
| Safety net | Yes |
| Lifeguard | Yes |
| Showers | Yes |
| Lockers | Yes |
| Equipment rental | Yes |
| Activities | Yes |
| Shop | Yes |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Official website | https://www.minnajima.com/ |
Minna Beach has lifeguards and a safety net, so adults and children alike can swim with confidence.
Rentals, marine activities, and shops are all well covered, which makes it a particularly good choice if activities are what you are after.
[Equipment rentals] ・Swim rings ・Goggles ・Parasols ・Beach mats ・Deck chairs ・Life jackets ・Barbecue (advance booking required) *See here for details.
[Marine activities] ・Banana boat ・Marble ・Jet ski ・Boat snorkeling ・Parasailing ・Intro diving ・Wakeboarding ・SUP ・Kayaking ・Glass-bottom boat, and more *See here for details.
[Tours] ・Minna Island tour ・Parasailing ・Full-day diving ・Diving certification (2 days), and more *See here for details.
The Highlights
Water and Sand That Are Almost Too Beautiful
As the photos show, the emerald-green water and white sand are genuinely appealing.
Snorkeling and Diving Too
You can dive and snorkel at Minna Beach as well.
The clarity here ranks among the best of any beach in Okinawa, and there is a great deal of beautiful coral to see.
Well-equipped for swimming
There were shower rooms and changing rooms on site.
There were also notices about using the facilities, so please follow the rules.
Plenty of Rentals and Marine Activities
There was a desk on site for rentals and marine activities.
Jet skis and banana boats are available at the beach, and parasailing is on offer too.
Bookings can be made on Viator or GetYourGuide, so it is worth taking a look.
Emerald-Green Water of Remarkable Clarity
The clarity of the water at Minna Beach is among the best in Okinawa.
You can tell from the photos that it is lovely, but in person it feels about ten times better.
The Island Scenery Is Beautiful Too
Ie Island is close by, and you can see it on a clear day.
About two minutes on foot from Minna Beach there is also a small kiosk-style shop.
A Short Video of Minna Island
Do take a look at the short video of Minna Island as well.
The Sound of the Waves at Minna Beach
We also publish a video on YouTube of nothing but the sound of the waves at Minna Beach.
Try listening to the natural sound of the sea in place of background music.
Access and How to Get to Minna Island
As the image above shows, the route is Naha Airport → Toguchi Port → Minna Island.
Naha Airport to Toguchi Port takes about 1 hour 40 minutes by car, and Toguchi Port to Minna Island about 15 minutes by boat.
Boats from Toguchi Port to Minna Island depend on the weather, and the number of sailings changes with the season, so check the URL below for details.
Reference: http://www7b.biglobe.ne.jp/~minna/
Toguchi Port
| Access | To Toguchi Port: about 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 29 Yacha, Motobu Town, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Parking | Yes |
| Restroom | Yes |
Minna Island
| Access | About 15 minutes by boat from Toguchi Port to Minna Island |
| Address | 6229 Sesoko, Motobu Town, Kunigami District, Okinawa |
| Parking | No |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Notes | For fares and departure times, see here |
Around Minna Beach
Activities on Minna Island
Jet skis and banana boats are available at the beach, and parasailing is on offer too.
Bookings can be made on Viator or GetYourGuide, so it is worth taking a look.
Hilton Okinawa Sesoko Resort
The Hilton Okinawa Sesoko Resort needs little introduction.
It has indoor and outdoor pools and a fitness gym, Sesoko Beach is about two minutes away on foot, and Sesoko Beach is every bit as beautiful as Minna Beach.
The Hilton Okinawa Sesoko Resort is not on Minna Island, but it is about 10 minutes by car from Toguchi Port where the boats depart, which makes it a particularly good choice for a day trip.
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 Minna Beach.
There are many beautiful beaches on Okinawa’s main island, but the one on Minna Island stands out.
The clarity of the water and the white sand are genuinely appealing.
Minna Island is small, but 60,000 people visit every year — so when you come to Motobu Town, be sure to make time for Minna Beach.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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