Pictures of Okinawa Beaches

Photos from Okinawa's Best Beaches

Okinawa offers plenty of beaches to enjoy and take pictures of. Here are some pictures of beautiful Okinawa beaches.

If you want to learn more about the beaches on Okinawa, check out our Beach Reviews.

Okinawa's beaches tend to have beautiful, clear water that is great for snorkeling or swimming in. The water is very comfortable in the summer, and stays relatively warm even in the winter. The sand on most Okinawa beaches is a made up of crushed coral and limestone rock. It can sometimes be a little rough, although some beaches, like Okuma, smooth their beaches to make it very comfortable underfoot.

Below are a selection of beaches on Okinawa with a short description of the beach.

Tropical Beach on Okinawa

Tropical beach is located in Ginowan area, near the middle of the island. It is a little south of Kadena AFB and Camp Foster. Tropical beach is popular because of its nice swimming area, vending machines, picnic areas and convenient location.

Zamami Island, off the coast of Okinawa

Exploring beyond Okinawa's beaches is a great opportunity. Many small islands are within a short ferry ride from Okinawa and offer pristine beaches with wonderful snorkeling opportunities. You can also camp out on many of them.

Another photo from Zamami Island

 Zamami Island offers some of the best Diving and Snorkeling in the world - so don't miss out!

Araha Beach near Jusco and the Ferris Wheel (in the background)

 Araha beach is another popular beach centrally located near Kadena AFB. This beach has nice wide sandy beaches, and a park with playground equipment. A wonderful beach for an afternoon beach trip. Read our review of Araha Beach.

Kadena Marina Beach on Okinawa

 Kadena Marina is one of the closest beaches to Kadena AFB and offers a small but family (and American) friendly beach for taking a beach trip to. There are lots of other things to do at Kadena Marina including boat rentals, so read our Review of Kadena Marina to learn more.

'Okinawa' written in Kanji in the sand

Okinawa truly has wonderful beaches just waiting to be explored. If you enjoy more deserted beaches, take a trip to the northern parts of Okinawa where you can find a beach all to yourself.

We hope you enjoyed these pictures of Okinawa's beaches, and leave a comment with any thoughts or questions.

You might also enjoy reading our recent post with the 7 Basic Words in Japanese. Or our most popular post is Top 10 Things to do in Okinawa.

Pictures from Okinawa - Beaches and Ocean

Amazing Pictures of Okinawa

Okinawa Beach

These are a collection of pictures from various places around Okinawa, mostly of the beach or ocean. There truly is plenty to do and see on Okinawa, it just takes an adventurous spirit.

Check out our Things to do on Okinawa page, if your looking for some ideas!

While there are beaches almost anywhere you look, some of the best beaches and coral formations are on the small island around Okinawa such as Zamami and Ikei.

Some of these islands you can drive across bridges to, while others require a ride on a ferry.

It is certainly worthwhile to explore the many beaches on Okinawa to discover some of the hidden gems the island has to offer.

Hope you enjoy these pictures, and that they offer inspiration to take an adventure of your own.

Fishing boat in the calm ocean near Kadena AFB

Beautiful coral and blue ocean on Ikei Island

A view of the amazing water around Okinawa. This is at Zamami Island

Engrish - When technically it is English, but it still doesn't make sense

Perfectly Blue Ocean off the coast of Okinawa

Okinawa in Japanese Kanji Characters written in the sand

Looking for more on the beaches around Okinawa? View all posts related to Beaches on Okinawa

Okuma Resort and Beach

Okuma Beach Okinawa

Okuma - A Perfect Summer Vacation Destination

If you're looking for a summer vacation beach, look no further than Okuma Recreation Facility on the northern end of Okinawa.

Okuma provides military service members, retirees and dependents with a beautiful tropical island vacation resort on a small peninsula jetting out into the East China Sea.

The purpose of Okuma is to provide recreation and relaxation for the US military stationed on Okinawa.

Brief History of Okuma

Okuma resort comes from a very humble beginning when it was first envisioned in 1947. After a few years, and significant help from the local Okinawan Farmers, the resort was finished using mostly second hand construction materials.

More on the History of Okuma Here

Today, the Okuma Peninsula contains not only the Military Okuma Resort, but also a Japanese Okuma Resort.

Jet Ski Rental at Okuma

All the Activities You Could Want!

Okuma provides all the water and vacation related actives one could want. Here is a list of the water activities available at Okuma. Note, activities do change based on the season and availability of boats.

Water Activities:

• Jet Ski
• Wake Boarding
• Water Skiing
• Ski Tubing - 1, 2, 3 or 4 people at a time!
• Banana Boat Ride
• Paddle Boat
• Glass Bottom Boat
• Coral Connection Snorkel Trip
• Scuba Diving Boat Trip
• Kayaks
• Skimboards
• Snorkeling, Scuba gear rentals

For Prices, visit the Official Okuma Recreation Page

There are also plenty land activities for those who don't like the water, or want to try something different. Most activities have a small rental fee, but some are also free!

Sunset on Okuma Beach 

Land Activities:

• Bikes
• Buggy Bikes
• Pedal Cars
• Habu Links 9-hole Golf Course
• Putt-Putt Golf Course
• Go-Kart Race Track
• Tennis Courts
• DVD Movie and Video Game rentals
• Kids Game Room with Air Hockey, Ping Pong, Board Games, and Video Games
• Batting Cages
• Basketball Court
• Garden Maze
• Volleyball Court
• SurfSide Restaurant, Cafe, and Waverunner Lounge 

With this huge list of activities, a full week can blow by in no time! Other activities in the Area include hiking Hiji Falls, Traveling to Hedo Point, and exploring the tiny Okinawan villages in the area.

Accommodations at Okuma Resort

Okuma Offers three basic options for accommodations: Camping, Cabins and Suites.

There are plenty of camping places just a few steps away from the beach that have picnic tables, BBQ pits, and a Bathroom/shower building.

The Log Cabins offer Air Conditioning a refrigerator and three beds all tucked into a small log cabin. Parking, fire pit and picnic table are also just outside the cabin.

The Suites at Okuma are best for those planning to stay more than a quick weekend, and would prefer a relaxing environment. Complete with TV's, Queen size beds, bathroom/shower and all the furnishings of a regular hotel.

A local Skimboarder at Okuma Beach

Okuma Beach - Perfect Sandy Beach!

Okuma boasts two beautiful beaches on each side of the peninsula. Each offers water activities, while the North Beach is best for swimming, and has a roped swimming area with lifeguards.

So whether you want a quick weekend taste of a tropical island resort, or are looking for a full week getaway, Okuma has almost anything one could want in a tropical vacation.

Got questions or thoughts? Leave them in the comments below.

Check out more Beach Reviews or other Things to do on Okinawa

Kadena Marina Beach Review - Okinawa

Review of the Kadena Marina Beach in Okinawa

Kadena Marina is a small beach tucked in with a fully operating marina on the western coast of Okinawa. The marina is operated by the US Air Force out of Kadena Air Force Base located just a few minutes south on HWY 58.

The Beach:

Kadena Marina with restaurant and marina in background

The beach itself at Kadena Marina is somewhat small, but does offer smooth sand and swimming area for those looking for a much more american feeling beach and atmosphere. The beach and surrounding area is rather picturesque with a small island located barley 50 yards off shore.

The best thing about Kadena Marina is the proximity to Kadena AFB as well as a large shopping area just down the road a little.

The Marina and Dive Shop:

The marina itself offers a wide variety of options including a restaurant overlooking the beach and boats, as well as charter fishing trips, sailboat rentals, and scuba and snorkeling rentals.

Kadena Marina has Options:

The Kadena Marina is a one stop shop for many water activities but it also offers space for summer BBQ's and get together's. Several pavilions and grills are just yards from the beach area and make for perfect summer gatherings for all different situations.

The Kadena Marina offers a great, easy access beach with plenty of amenities for those who might be less inclined to travel the island.

Check out 10 Things to do in Okinawa an also our Beach Reviews page.

Okinawa Beach Review: Araha Beach

Review of Araha Beach in Okinawa

Araha Beach

Araha Beach covers a long stretch of sand in the heart of central Okinawa. Located between Kadena AFB and Camp Foster in Hamby town, it is a few miles north of tropical beach. Araha beach has bathrooms, covered picnic tables, vending machines, basketball courts, and a large playground complete with a pirate ship. This beach provides activities for everyone to enjoy a day at the beach.

Araha Beach has the largest flat sandy area of the beaches I have been to in Okinawa. It provides plenty of room for ultimate Frisbee, volleyball, football and soccer. If you are looking for plenty of room to spread out, this beach has it.

Just like tropical beach, Araha beach has Japanese lifeguards on duty during the summer as well as an enclosed swimming area. Additionally, water activities such as tubing and jet ski rentals are available.

Araha Beach

The location of Araha beach could not be much better for accessibility to shops and restaurants. Just outside the park area is a large San-A grocery store and several convenience stores. There are also a wide variety of restaurants.

Araha beach is one of my favorite beaches to visit anytime throughout the year. It is an easy walk from Araha to shops in the area and the beach area offers lots of options and activities.

Araha Beach

Get more beach reviews or check out the Top 10 Things to Do in Okinawa.

Okinawa Beach Review: Tropical Beach

A Review of Tropical Beach on Okinawa

Tropical Beach

Tropical Beach is located a little south of Kadena Air Force Base, in Ginowan behind the Ginowan Convention Center. It is a touristy beach where lots of Japanese enjoy visiting. It offers most amenities such as bathrooms, water fountains, vending machines and even covered areas to have a BBQ (these must be rented though).

The beach is flat and sandy providing a great area for beach activities such as frisbee, volleyball, soccer, or anything else. Just be aware, if it is a busy summer day, the beach might be a little crowded.

There are Japanese lifeguards on duty during the summer as well as an enclosed swimming area to keep out jelly fish and anything else.

Tropical Beach

The great thing about this beach is its accessibility. Located near the middle of the island, it makes for a very short drive if you get the desire to visit the beach. 

To get to Tropical beach, go south on Highway 58 from Camp Foster's commissary gate and take the right fork at the light before Highway 81. The Convention Center will be on the right, look for the large, oval buildings and the torii gate entrance.

Check out more Beach Reviews.