In this article, we introduce 10 recommended beaches in the southern area of Okinawa’s main island.
The southern area is close to Naha Airport, so it is easy to reach even for visitors with little time.
The south has every kind of beach, from resort beaches full of visitors to hidden gems.
Here are the 10 beaches we introduce this time.
- Churasun Beach
- Azama Sun Sun Beach
- Naminoue Beach
- Odo Beach (John Mung Beach)
- Nashiro Beach
- Mibaru Beach
- Bibi Beach Itoman
- Hyakuna Beach
- Hanashiro Beach
Those are the ten.
Churasun Beach
Churasun Beach is a beach in Tomigusuku City.
It is a man-made beach with about 700 meters of sand, and that long stretch is its defining feature.
The facilities are well set up, so you can swim and try water activities.
It also has plenty of facilities, including a barbecue area, a cafe and a basketball court.
It is about 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport, and it draws large crowds every year.
| Access | About 15 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 5-1 Toyosaki, Tomigusuku City, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (paid) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Azama Sun Sun Beach
Azama Sun Sun Beach is a beach in Nanjo City, in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island.
This beach draws many visitors every year; the water is very clear and the long stretch of white sand is beautiful.
Beyond swimming there is plenty to do, from banana boats and snorkelling to wakeboarding, and facilities such as showers and changing rooms are well provided.
With hotels and restaurants nearby, it is a beach where everyone from watersports fans to families with young children can relax.
| Access | About 45 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 1141-3 Chinen Azama, Nanjo City, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (paid: 500 yen) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Naminoue Beach
Naminoue Beach is a beach in Naha City in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island.
Naminoue Beach is man-made, but its beautiful white sand, blue sea and well-maintained facilities make it very appealing.
It is the only sandy beach in Naha City and is loved by tourists and locals alike.
Showers, restrooms and other facilities are all in place, and there is plenty to do in the water, from diving and snorkeling to SUP.
| Access | About 10 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 1-25-9 Wakasa, Naha, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (paid) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Nishihara Kirakira Beach
Nishihara Kirakira Beach is a beach in Nishihara Town in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island.
It draws a crowd every year, and it is known for clear water and white sand.
Beyond swimming there is plenty to do: banana boats, SUP, beach volleyball and more.
It is a beach where tourists and locals alike can swim with peace of mind.
| Access | About 30 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 17 Agarizaki, Nishihara, Nakagami District, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Available (free, about 1,100 spaces) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Odo Beach (John Mung Beach)
Odo Beach (John Mung Beach) is a beach in Itoman City in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island.
This natural beach is famous as a popular snorkeling spot, and also as a place where sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.
The Japanese name is read Oodo-kaigan.
It is also nicknamed “John Mung Beach”, apparently because John Manjiro landed at Odo when he returned from America.
| Access | About 35 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Odo, Itoman City, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (both paid and free lots) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Nashiro Beach
Nashiro Beach is a beach in Itoman City in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island.
It is almost a private beach for Ryukyu Hotel & Resort, and it is very well kept.
The swimming area is enclosed by a safety net, so both adults and kids can swim with peace of mind.
Ryukyu Hotel & Resort next to the beach also has pools, so guests can enjoy both the pools and the sea.
| Access | About 25 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 963 Nashiro, Itoman City, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Available (paid) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Mibaru Beach
Mibaru Beach is a beach in Nanjo City in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island.
It is a natural beach known for its very clear water and, together with Hyakuna Beach, a two-kilometre stretch of sand.
In summer a safety net is put up and lifeguards are on duty, making it a beach that adults and children alike can enjoy.
| Access | About 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 1599-6 Tamagusuku Hyakuna, Nanjo City, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (paid) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Bibi Beach Itoman
Bibi Beach Itoman is a beach in Itoman City in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island.
The Japanese name is read Bibi Beach Itoman.
It is a clean beach where you can swim safely and with peace of mind.
The swimming area is enclosed by a breakwater and a jellyfish net, so the water stays relatively calm.
The breakwater keeps the waves down, which makes it an area where small children can swim safely.
| Access | About 20 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 1-6-15 Nishizaki-cho, Itoman City, Okinawa |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (paid, standard car: 500 yen) |
| Restroom | Yes |
Hyakuna Beach
Hyakuna Beach is a beach in Nanjo City, in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island.
It is a natural beach known for its very clear water and, together with Mibaru Beach, a two-kilometre stretch of sand.
Hyakuna Beach has no safety net and no lifeguards, which gives it something of the feel of a private beach.
It is also famous as a power spot, and it is a place of Ryukyu Kingdom myth.
Tradition holds that this is the sacred spot where the goddess Amamikiyo first set foot on land after crossing from beyond the sea.
| Access | About 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Nanjo City, Okinawa |
| Activities | None |
| Parking | None |
| Restroom | None |
Hanashiro Beach
Hanashiro Beach is a beach in Yaese Town in the southern part of Okinawa’s main island.
It is a hidden gem where you can snorkel, camp and barbecue.
The waves are relatively calm, and you can see lots of fish in the shallows.
Hardly any tourists come here, so it is also a great choice if you want to relax on the beach.
| Access | About 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | Hanashiro, Yaese Town, Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Activities | Yes |
| Parking | Yes (free) |
| Restroom | Yes |
More Information on Southern Okinawa
Activities in southern Okinawa
Southern Okinawa offers plenty of activities such as diving and snorkeling.
You can book through GetYourGuide or Viator, so do take a look at what is on offer.
A rental car is the way to go in Okinawa
A rental car is by far the best way to get around the main island of Okinawa.
Sights such as Shuri Castle in Naha, the beautiful beaches of the north and American Village in Chatan are spread across the island, so with a car you can explore freely at your own pace. Buses are infrequent and often late, so having a rental car makes a big difference to how much you get out of your trip.
Bookings fill up quickly in peak season, so we recommend reserving early once your travel dates are set.
In summary
In this article, we introduced 10 recommended beaches in the southern area of Okinawa’s main island!
Based on our personal impressions, we have split them into popular beaches and hidden beaches.
[Popular beaches]
・Churasun Beach
・Azama Sun Sun Beach
・Naminoue Beach
・Nishihara Kirakira Beach
・Nashiro Beach
・Bibi Beach Itoman
[Hidden beaches]
・Odo Beach (John Mung Beach)
・Mibaru Beach
・Hyakuna Beach
・Hanashiro Beach
*Popular… beaches with plenty of visitors or locals
*Quiet… beaches with almost nobody there
I hope this article helps you pick a beach.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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