Kondoi Beach is a beach on the small island of Taketomi.
Kondoi Beach is known for its exceptionally clear water and beautiful sand.
Okinawa has no shortage of beautiful beaches, but this one stands head and shoulders above the rest.
With showers, restrooms and activities all on site, it draws large crowds through the summer season.
Kondoi Beach Ratings
*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.
Kondoi Beach Essentials
| Swimming season | None in particular |
| Hours | None in particular |
| Swimming fee | Free |
| Jellyfish net | None |
| Lifeguard | None |
| Showers | Yes |
| Lockers | Yes |
| Swimming gear rental | Yes |
| Activities | Yes |
| Shop | Yes |
| Restroom | Yes |
| Official site | Taketomi Town Tourism Association official site |
The shallows at Kondoi Beach stretch a long way out, so it is less a place to swim than a place to wade and play.
Restrooms, showers and a shop are all available.
The Highlights
Beautiful white sand
The sand is spotlessly clean and wonderfully soft.
Walking barefoot, I felt almost no discomfort at all.
Plenty of visitors were relaxing under beach umbrellas, taking in the view.
Exceptionally clear water
Even compared with other beaches in Okinawa, the water here ranks among the clearest.
Photos struggle to do it justice — in person, the clarity is genuinely startling.
The phantom sandbar
The phantom sandbar emerges as the tide goes out at Kondoi Beach.
Because the shallows run so far out, you can walk all the way to it.
Snorkeling on Taketomi Island
Snorkeling is also on offer on Taketomi Island.
Join a tour and you may spot clownfish and beautiful coral reefs!
Tours can be booked online, so take a look if you are interested!
Restrooms and showers on site
Restrooms and showers are provided, and a shop on site sells food and drinks.
Bicycle parking available
Bicycles can be rented on Taketomi Island, so the beach has bicycle parking.
There is also a shuttle bus, though it comes at a charge.
Surrounded by greenery
The area around the beach is lush with greenery.
The trees form a natural tunnel, and stepping out the other side reveals the beach in all its beauty.
Information board
There is also an information board put up by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment.
Access & Getting to Kondoi Beach
| Access: Ishigaki Port → Taketomi Port | Adults: 790 yen one-way, 1,520 yen round trip Children: 410 yen one-way, 790 yen round trip Disability discount: 490 yen one-way, 980 yen round trip |
| Access: Taketomi Port → Kondoi Beach | Bus: about 5 min Bicycle: about 15 min On foot: about 30 min |
| Address | Taketomi, Taketomi Town, Yaeyama District, Okinawa Prefecture |
| Bicycle parking | Yes |
| Restroom | Yes |
Getting around Taketomi Island comes down to the following options.
- Bus
- Rental bicycle
- On foot
Taketomi Port to Kondoi Beach is about 2.2 km, so a bus or rental bicycle is recommended.
Both buses and rental bicycles can be arranged on the island, so ask a local guide for details.
Nearby Information
Activities & Snorkeling on Taketomi Island
Taketomi Island also offers activities such as snorkeling.
Join a tour and you may spot clownfish and beautiful coral reefs!
Tours can be booked online, so take a look if you are interested!
The village streets of Taketomi
The village streets of Taketomi are lovely, with hibiscus, deigo and bougainvillea in bloom.
The lanes through the village centre are made of white sand — coral fragments carried up from the shore, which is what gives them their striking white colour.
Water buffalo cart tour
The water buffalo cart tour is the quintessential Taketomi Island experience.
You can book ahead or on the day, but booking ahead means far less waiting, so we recommend it.
Hoshinoya Taketomi Island
Hoshinoya Taketomi Island is a luxury resort offering a complete escape from everyday life.
The guest rooms have red-tiled roofs in keeping with the island’s character, and outside there is a beautiful pool.
It is our pick for anyone wanting to experience something out of the ordinary on Taketomi Island.
Summary
This article introduced Kondoi Beach.
Even set against Okinawa’s other beaches, this one ranks among the very finest.
The clarity of the water and the soft, brilliant white of the sand are beautiful enough to leave you lost for words.
If you are heading to Taketomi Island, do make time for Kondoi Beach.
Thank you for reading to the end.
Comments