Apogama Beach sits in Onna Village, on the northern half of Okinawa’s main island.
Cape Manzamo, Manza Beach, and a run of other Okinawan resort spots are all close by.
What defines Apogama Beach above all is the natural cave known as Apogama.
In the Okinawan dialect, “gama” means cave.
The land around Apogama Beach once belonged to the US military, so almost nothing has been built here, and the nature is as good as untouched.
*The land has since been returned.
It is also a favorite spot for diving and snorkeling, and there were several people in the water when I visited.
Reference: On the former Onna Communication Site
Ratings for Apogama Beach
*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.
Key facts about Apogama Beach
| Swimming season | None in particular |
| Hours | None in particular |
| Swimming fee | Free |
| Jellyfish net | None |
| Lifeguard | None |
| Showers | None |
| Lockers | None |
| Swim gear rental | None |
| Rentals | None |
| Activities | None |
| Shop | None |
| Restroom | None |
| Official website | None |
Apogama Beach has no jellyfish net and no lifeguard, so it is not a place we would recommend swimming.
The footing is rough and rocky as well, so take care not to hurt yourself.
The Highlights
The natural cave, Apogama
A photograph struggles to convey the scale, but in person it is enormous and genuinely imposing.
The inside is hollow.
A favorite for diving and snorkeling
Apogama is a very popular spot for diving and snorkeling.
There were several people in the water when I visited.
Diving and snorkeling can both be booked, so it is worth a look if that appeals.
*Accidents are not uncommon at Apogama, so going with an operator is the sensible approach.
Clear water
The water here is clear and lovely.
There is none of the fine sand you get at other Okinawan beaches, but the untouched feel of the place is its own draw.
Attractive Rocky Areas
The rocks are beautiful, but they are rough underfoot and easy to trip on, so take real care.
Greenery all around
The entrance looks like the image above.
Follow the unmade path through and Apogama is on the other side.
A spot for couples
There is a rock with a heart-shaped hollow in it, and putting two pairs of feet into it makes a fine photograph.
Some people had pitched tents along the shore to rest.
Please note
There are notices near the entrance for anyone using Apogama Beach.
There have been drownings near Apogama, so take real care before you go into the water.
Access
| Access | About 80 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 4484 Onna, Onna Village, Kunigami District, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Parking | None (a lot of cars park on the roadside) |
| Restroom | None |
There is no parking, but plenty of cars were parked on the roadside near the entrance to Apogama Beach.
Most of them belong to people visiting Apogama.
Around Apogama Beach
Things to do in Onna Village
Onna Village has a great deal to do on the water.
You can book diving, snorkeling, SUP, and more.
If diving or snorkeling appeals, it is worth seeing what is on offer in Onna Village.
Cape Manzamo
Cape Manzamo needs no introduction as a sight in Okinawa.
The name comes from a phrase meaning “a field where ten thousand could sit”, and it is designated a natural monument by the prefecture.
Reference: Cape Manzamo
ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort
The ANA InterContinental Manza Beach Resort is a full resort hotel.
There is a Garden Pool for hotel guests only, and a beachside pool open to everyone.
There is a chapel for weddings too, and the facilities are as complete as a resort hotel gets.
Manza Beach, Cape Manzamo, and Apogama Beach are all close by, so this hotel makes a fine base for taking Okinawa slowly.
Rental cars in Okinawa
A rental car is by far the best way to get around the main island of Okinawa.
The places worth seeing are scattered across the island, from Shuri Castle in Naha to the beautiful beaches of the north and American Village in Chatan, and with a car you can take them at your own pace. Buses are infrequent and do not always run on time, so having a car or not 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.
In summary
This article looked at Apogama Beach.
Relatively few visitors come here, so it suits anyone who wants a slow day by the water, or who is here to dive or snorkel.
There is no jellyfish net and no lifeguard, though, so we would not recommend swimming, and the footing is rough and rocky, so watch your step.
The Ryukyu Shimpo has also reported that the luxury hotel brand Four Seasons is coming to Okinawa for the first time, so as development moves in, Apogama Beach may draw far more visitors and look quite different from how it does now.
The opening was reported as planned for 2024, so there is still time, but it is worth seeing Apogama Beach before that happens.
Thank you for reading to the end.
Reference: Ryukyu Shimpo
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