Zanpa Beach sits in Yomitan Village, in the central part of Okinawa’s main island.
With its white sand and blue water, it has the resort feel people picture when they think of Okinawa, and it draws large crowds of visitors every year.
The swimming facilities are excellent. Beyond simply going for a swim, you can try banana boats, snorkeling, wakeboarding and plenty of other activities, and there are well-equipped shower rooms and changing rooms too.
Nearby you will find these sights:
・Cape Zanpa
・Cape Zanpa Park
・Okashi Goten (souvenir shop)
・Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort
With so many attractions clustered around Zanpa Beach, there is plenty to keep everyone from kids to adults entertained.
Zanpa Beach ratings
*Ratings are the subjective assessment of the Okinawa Bookmark editor, compared with other beaches in Okinawa Prefecture.
Zanpa Beach essentials
| Swimming season | April–October, 10:00–18:00 |
| Hours | April–October 9:00–18:00 November–March 9:00–17:30 |
| Contact | 098-958-3833 |
| Swimming fee | Free |
| Safety net | Available |
| Lifeguard | Available |
| Shower room | Available |
| Lockers | Available |
| Swim gear rental | Available |
| Marine activities | Available |
| Shop | Available |
| Restroom | Available |
| Official website | None |
Zanpa Beach has extensive swimming facilities, with a wide range of rental services and activities.
The swimming area is enclosed by a safety net and staffed by lifeguards, so everyone from small children to adults can relax and enjoy it.
[Swim gear rental] ・Canoe ・Clear canoe ・Aqua bike ・Stand-up paddleboard ・Beach volleyball ・Swim ring ・Float mat ・Deck chair and parasol ・Life jacket *For prices and details, please check with Royal Hotel Okinawa Zanpamisaki
[Marine activities] ・Snorkeling *reservation required ・Clownfish snorkeling tour *reservation required ・Dragon boat ・Super marble ・Marine jet ・Extreme ・Wakeboarding *For prices and details, please check with Royal Hotel Okinawa Zanpamisaki
The Highlights
A wide, beautiful stretch of sand
The sand at Zanpa Beach is remarkably wide and soft underfoot.
Walking barefoot barely hurts at all, so children and adults alike can play comfortably.
Wonderfully clear water
The water is exceptionally clear and genuinely beautiful.
The emerald-green water stretches out before you, and simply looking at it is enough to unwind.
You can snorkel at Zanpa Beach
Snorkeling is on offer at Zanpa Beach.
You can also book diving, snorkeling, SUP and other activities.
If you would like to try diving or snorkeling, why not take a look at the activities available in Yomitan Village?
Well-Equipped for Swimming
There is a well-stocked shop, restrooms, locker rooms and more.
There is even a spot to quickly rinse off your feet, which is very handy.
A wide choice of rental gear
Because you can rent swim gear on site, you can turn up empty-handed and still have a great time.
There is also a shop, so if you get peckish you can pick up ice cream and other snacks.
For details on rental items, please check the official website below.
Official site: https://www.daiwaresort.jp/okinawa/activity/index.html
A rich lineup of activities
Zanpa Beach offers snorkeling, marine jet, wakeboarding and many other activities.
Some activities require advance booking, so please check the official website below for details.
Official site: https://www.daiwaresort.jp/okinawa/activity/index.html
Plenty of places to rest
Benches are dotted around, so you can take your time and relax.
There is also a BBQ area, though it sits a little way from Zanpa Beach itself.
Access
| Access | About 60 minutes by car from Naha Airport |
| Address | 1933 Uza, Yomitan Village, Nakagami District, Okinawa |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Restroom | Available |
Parking
Zanpa Beach has three parking lots, and all of them are free.
Please check the map below for the first entrance.
The second is the lot along the road.
The third is the lot on the Cape Zanpa Park side.
Around Zanpa Beach
Activities in Yomitan Village
Yomitan Village offers a whole range of activities, including diving, snorkeling and SUP.
You can browse plenty of options on Activity Japan and Jalan, so take a look if you are curious.
Cape Zanpa
Cape Zanpa is known for its roughly 30-metre cliffs running for about 2 kilometres, and the view from the top is spectacular.
We have written about Cape Zanpa in a separate article, so please give it a read.
The Zanpa Great Lion, the giant shisa at Cape Zanpa Park
The Zanpa Great Lion, very likely the largest shisa in Japan, stands in Cape Zanpa Park.
At 8.75 metres tall and 7.8 metres long, it is genuinely startling up close.
Grand Mercure Okinawa Cape Zanpa Resort
A resort where you can enjoy both the beautiful sands of Zanpa Beach and the sweeping views of Cape Zanpa.
Rooms come with ocean views, and the property has both a pool and a large public bath.
It is one of Yomitan Village’s leading resort hotels, so it is well worth considering if you are looking for somewhere to stay in the area.
A rental car is the way to go in Okinawa
For sightseeing on Okinawa’s main island, a rental car is by far the best option.
The places worth visiting are scattered across the island, from Shuri Castle in Naha to the beautiful beaches up north and American Village in Chatan, and with a car you can work through them at your own pace. Local buses are infrequent and rarely run to schedule, so having a rental car makes an enormous difference to how much you get out of 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
Zanpa Beach is a hugely popular spot that draws crowds of visitors every year, known for its white sand and blue water.
The swimming facilities are complete, with shower rooms and locker rooms as well as an ample choice of rental gear and activities, making it a great pick for anyone who wants to make the most of the Okinawan sea.
If you find yourself in Yomitan Village, do stop by Zanpa Beach for a swim and some time in the water.
Thank you for reading to the end.
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