15 Hidden Beaches on Okinawa’s Main Island

This article contains advertisements.
Okinawa Beaches

In this article, we introduce a carefully chosen selection of hidden beaches on Okinawa’s main island.

Okinawa’s main island has every kind of beach, from resort beaches full of visitors to hidden gems.

This time we picked 15 hidden beaches.

  • Zane Beach (Beach51)
  • Toguchi Beach
  • Nagahama Beach
  • Hyakuna Beach
  • Muruku Beach
  • Akabaka Beach
  • Minna Beach (Minna Island, Okinawa)
  • Tokei Beach
  • Sakimotobu Beach (Gorilla Chop)
  • Kanai Beach
  • Sunabe Beach (Sunabe Coast)
  • Apogama Beach
  • Melody Beach
  • Tonnaha Beach
  • Hanashiro Beach

We have also put together a guide to the best-known beaches in Onna Village, so take a look if you want to see those as well.

We also introduce “the 20 most popular and recommended beaches on Okinawa’s main island“, so take a look if you are interested.

Advertisement

Zane Beach (Beach51), Onna Village

  • Water clarity・・・・・5.0
  • Beach beauty・・・・4.5
  • Rest areas・・・・・3.0
  • Swimming facilities・・1.0
  • Openness・・・・・・4.5
  • Natural feel・・・・・5.0

*Ratings are the personal view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, based on comparison with other beaches in the prefecture

Zane Beach (Beach51) is a beach in Onna Village in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.

It is a beautiful beach known for its soft white sand and clear water.

Cape Maeda, famous for the Blue Cave, is nearby, and people come to Zane Beach for all sorts of reasons: snorkeling, taking photos or simply relaxing on the sand.

It is a small beach and not especially well known.

These are the two spots Zane Beach is known for.

  • The view from the cliff
  • If you go to Zane Beach, both are worth seeing.

If you go to Zane Beach, both are worth seeing.

AccessAbout 60 minutes by car from Naha Airport
AddressWater sports
Marine activitiesNone
(there are activities at Cape Maeda nearby)
ParkingRestroom
RestroomNone

Fuchaku Beach

Toguchi Beach

  • Water clarity・・・・・4.5
  • Beach beauty・・・・4.5
  • Rest areas・・・・・5.0
  • Swimming facilities・・5.0
  • Openness・・・・・・4.0
  • Natural feel・・・・・4.0

*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.

Toguchi Beach is a beach in Yomitan Village in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.

Rather than drawing crowds of tourists, it is a beach loved by locals.

You can barbecue here and snorkel here, and the swimming facilities are well provided for.

It is known for its soft white sand and blue water, with large rocks scattered across the shore that let you feel Okinawa’s natural side at the same time.

There are restaurants and a park close by, making it a good spot for a day out with children — do stop by Toguchi Beach.

AccessAbout 50 minutes by car from Naha Airport
AddressToguchi, Yomitan Village, Nakagami District, Okinawa
ActivitiesYes
ParkingYes (free)
RestroomYes

Nagahama Beach

  • Water clarity・・・・・5.0
  • Beach beauty・・・・4.7
  • Rest areas・・・・・2.0
  • Swimming facilities・・2.0
  • Openness・・・・・・4.5
  • Natural feel・・・・・4.5

*Ratings are the personal view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, based on comparison with other beaches in the prefecture

Nagahama Beach is a natural beach in Nakijin Village in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.

Roughly 300 meters of beautiful sand and nature left as it is are what define it.

It is not a busy place, which makes it a good choice if you want unhurried time on the sand.

There is no safety net and no lifeguard on duty, so take care when you go into the water.

AccessAbout 80 minutes by car from Naha Airport
Address744 Shoshi, Nakijin Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa
ActivitiesNone
ParkingYes (free, about 10 spaces)
RestroomYes

Hyakuna Beach

  • Water clarity・・・・・4.5
  • Beach beauty・・・・4.7
  • Rest areas・・・・・1.0
  • Swimming facilities・・1.0
  • Openness・・・・・・4.5
  • Natural feel・・・・・4.5

*Ratings are the personal view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, based on comparison with other beaches in the prefecture

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.

AccessAbout 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport
AddressNanjo City, Okinawa
ActivitiesNone
ParkingAvailable (paid)
RestroomNone

Muruku Beach

  • Water clarity・・・・・5.0
  • Beach beauty・・・・4.3
  • Rest areas・・・・・3.0
  • Swimming facilities・・3.0
  • Openness・・・・・・4.5
  • Natural feel・・・・・4.5

*Ratings are the personal view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, based on comparison with other beaches in the prefecture

Muruku Beach is a beach on Hamahiga Island in Uruma City, in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.

It is an outlying island, but a bridge connects it to the main island, so you can drive there.

This beach is known for its clear water and unspoiled nature.

Large slabs of Ryukyu limestone lie across the sand and shallows, which gives the place a distinctly Okinawan feel.

There is a good range of marine activities, from snorkeling to jet skis.

Muruku Beach is never especially busy, so it works whether you want to get out on the water or simply sit on the sand.

AccessAbout 75 minutes by car from Naha Airport
Address202 Katsuren Higa, Uruma City
ActivitiesYes
ParkingYes (paid: 500 yen)
RestroomYes

Akabaka Beach

  • Water clarity・・・・・5.0
  • Beach beauty・・・・4.7
  • Rest areas・・・・・2.0
  • Swimming facilities・・1.0
  • Openness・・・・・・4.5
  • Natural feel・・・・・5.0

*Ratings are the personal view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, based on comparison with other beaches in the prefecture

Akabaka Beach is a beach in Nakijin Village in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.

Clear water and beautiful sand are what define it.

The clarity and color of the water stand out even against other beaches in Okinawa.

Akabaka Beach is known as a filming location for the Korean group TWICE — the video for “Dance the night away” was shot here.

The NHK morning drama “Chimudondon” also appears to have filmed on location at Akabaka Beach.

It is not a crowded spot, so it is ideal if you want to relax on the beach.

AccessAbout 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport
AddressShoshi, Nakijin Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa
ActivitiesNone
ParkingYes (free, about 5 spaces)
RestroomNone

Minna Beach (Minna Island, Okinawa)

  • Water clarity・・・・・5.0
  • Beach beauty・・・・5.0
  • Rest areas・・・・・4.5
  • Swimming facilities・・4.5
  • Openness・・・・・・4.5
  • Natural feel・・・・・4.5

*Ratings are the personal view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, based on comparison with other beaches in the prefecture

Minna Beach is a beach on Minna Island, an outlying island in Motobu Town.

It is about 15 minutes by boat from Toguchi Port in Motobu Town to Minna Port.

Minna Beach is known for its clear blue water and pure white sand, and for drawing more than 60,000 visitors a year to an island of only about 40 residents.

There are facilities for swimming and marine activities that many visitors can enjoy, so it is a great choice if you want a beautiful beach.

AccessAbout 75 minutes from Naha Airport to Toguchi Port
About 15 minutes by boat from Toguchi Port to Minna Island
Address6229 Sesoko, Motobu Town, Kunigami District, Okinawa
ActivitiesYes
ParkingAvailable at Toguchi Port
RestroomYes

Tokei Beach

  • Water clarity・・・・・5.0
  • Beach beauty・・・・4.3
  • Rest areas・・・・・2.0
  • Swimming facilities・・1.0
  • Openness・・・・・・4.5
  • Natural feel・・・・・5.0

*Ratings are the personal view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, based on comparison with other beaches in the prefecture

Tokei Beach is a beach on Kouri Island, a small island off Nakijin Village.

It is an outlying island, but a bridge connects it to the main island, so you can drive there.

Tokei Beach is a natural beach where you can take in the wilder side of Okinawa.

This natural beach is known for its clear water, beautiful sand and large natural limestone rocks.

Snorkeling is possible here, and although numbers are small, you will find people in the water with a mask on.

AccessAbout 100 minutes by car from Naha Airport
AddressNakijin Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa
ActivitiesNone
ParkingYes
(both paid and free)
RestroomNone

Sakimotobu Beach (Gorilla Chop), Motobu Town

  • Water clarity・・・・・4.5
  • Beach beauty・・・・4.5
  • Rest areas・・・・・4.0
  • Swimming facilities・・2.0
  • Openness・・・・・・4.5
  • Natural feel・・・・・4.0

*Ratings are the personal view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, based on comparison with other beaches in the prefecture

Sakimotobu Beach (Gorilla Chop) is a beach in Motobu Town in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.

This beach is known for a large rock called Gorilla Chop.

It is also a well-known snorkeling and diving spot — people were out snorkeling when we visited.

The swimming facilities are well kept, with restrooms and shower rooms on site.

There is no safety net and no lifeguard, so take real care when swimming, snorkeling, or diving.

AccessAbout 90 minutes by car from Naha Airport
Address5232 Sakimotobu, Motobu Town, Kunigami District, Okinawa
ActivitiesYes
ParkingYes (free)
RestroomYes

Kanai Beach

  • Water clarity・・・・・4.5
  • Beach beauty・・・・4.5
  • Rest areas・・・・・2.0
  • Swimming facilities・・1.0
  • Openness・・・・・・5.0
  • Natural feel・・・・・4.5

*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.

Kanai Beach is a beach in Yomitan Village in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.

The Christia Church is next to the beach, making it a perfect place for weddings and sunsets.

With white sand and clear water, it is also a popular spot for wedding and sunset photos.

Only a handful of people go in the water here. Rather than a place for swimming, it suits visitors who want to relax on the sand and take their time.

There are many other beautiful beaches nearby, such as Nirai Beach and Tokeshi Beach.

AccessAbout 60 minutes by car from Naha Airport
Address614 Gima, Yomitan Village, Nakagami District, Okinawa
ActivitiesNone
ParkingNo dedicated parking
(available at nearby Nirai Beach)
RestroomNone
(available at nearby Nirai Beach)

Sunabe Beach (Sunabe Coast), Chatan Town

  • Water clarity・・・・・4.0
  • Beach beauty・・・・4.0
  • Rest areas・・・・・2.5
  • Swimming facilities・・3.0
  • Openness・・・・・・4.0
  • Natural feel・・・・・4.0

*Ratings are the personal view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, based on comparison with other beaches in the prefecture

Sunabe Beach is a beach in Chatan Town in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.

This beach is known for its white sand and clear water.

The area around Sunabe Beach sits close to Kadena Air Base and is home to many foreign residents; you will often see them walking along the shore or taking their children to nearby Sunabe Baba Park.

It feels less like a tourist site and more like somewhere the local community comes to unwind.

AccessAbout 45 minutes by car from Naha Airport
Address247-5 Sunabe, Chatan, Nakagami District, Okinawa
ActivitiesNone
ParkingYes (free)
RestroomYes

Apogama Beach (Mermaid’s Grotto)

  • Water clarity・・・・・4.7
  • Beach beauty・・・・2.0
  • Rest areas・・・・・2.0
  • Swimming facilities・・1.0
  • Openness・・・・・・5.0
  • Natural feel・・・・・5.0

*Ratings are the personal view of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, based on comparison with other beaches in the prefecture

Apogama Beach is a beach in Onna Village in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island.

It is famous as a diving and snorkeling spot.

Cape Manzamo, Manza Beach, and a run of other Okinawan resort spots are all close by.

Please take care with safety when you go diving or snorkeling.

AccessAbout 85 minutes by car from Naha Airport
AddressWater sports
Marine activitiesNone
ParkingRestroom
RestroomNone

Melody Beach

  • Water clarity・・・・・4.5
  • Beach beauty・・・・4.5
  • Rest areas・・・・・2.0
  • Swimming facilities・・1.0
  • Openness・・・・・・4.5
  • Natural feel・・・・・4.5

*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.

Melody Beach is a beach in Yomitan Village in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.

This beach is known for its clear water, white sand and countless beautiful rocks.

Nearby are well-known attractions such as Murasaki Mura, Gala Aoi Umi and Nirai Beach.

It does not draw many tourists, but the beach is beautiful and the Ryukyu limestone rocks are overwhelmingly large.

It is a hidden gem we recommend for anyone who wants to feel Okinawa’s nature or relax on an empty beach.

AccessAbout 1 hour by car from Naha Airport
Address1020-1 Takashiho, Yomitan Village, Nakagami District, Okinawa
ActivitiesNone
ParkingNone
Free parking is available at Murasakimura
RestroomNone

Tonnaha Beach

Tonnaha Beach is a beach on Miyagi Island, an outlying island of Uruma City in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.

It may be on an outlying island, but it is linked to the main island by a bridge, so you can drive there.

This beach is known for its clear water and natural white sand.

It is a well-equipped beach with plenty of marine activities such as snorkeling and banana boats, plus a shop, BBQ equipment and swimming gear for rent.

Plenty of greenery surrounds it too, which gives the place a distinctly Okinawan feel.

AccessAbout 70 minutes by car from Naha Airport
Address8203 Yonashiro Uehara, Uruma City, Okinawa
ActivitiesYes
AdmissionAdults (15 and over): 500 yen
Children (elementary school age and up): 300 yen
ParkingYes (paid)
RestroomYes

Hanashiro Beach

  • Water clarity・・・・・4.0
  • Beach beauty・・・・4.0
  • Rest areas・・・・・3.0
  • Swimming facilities・・2.0
  • Openness・・・・・・4.0
  • Natural feel・・・・・4.5

*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.

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.

AccessAbout 40 minutes by car from Naha Airport
AddressHanashiro, Yaese Town, Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture
ActivitiesNone
ParkingYes
RestroomYes

Activities on Okinawa’s Main Island

Okinawa’s main island has many beautiful beaches where you can try all kinds of marine activities.

If you want to try diving, snorkeling, SUP and more, why not check out the activities on Viator or GetYourGuide?

In summary

In this article, we introduced a carefully chosen selection of hidden beaches on Okinawa’s main island.

Okinawa’s main island has every kind of beach, from popular beaches full of visitors to hidden gems.

We also introduce “the 20 most popular and recommended beaches on Okinawa’s main island” in another article, so take a look if you are interested.

We hope this article helps you choose a beach.

Thank you for reading to the end.

Comments