ORIENTAL HOTEL OKINAWA RESORT ＆ SPA
Product & ServiceOkinawa's beach season starts in late March! 5 popular beaches
When does the beach open in Okinawa? A thorough explanation of the spring sea water temperature, beach information, and recommended hotels! Okinawa is famous for its crystal clear waters and white sand beaches, and every spring the beach opens. 2024 is no exception, and from late March, various beaches in Okinawa begin preparing to welcome visitors. In this article, we will introduce five of the most popular beaches in Okinawa. We will provide basic information about the beach opening in Okinawa, as well as the charms of each beach. In addition, at the end of the article, we will also introduce recommended hotels along popular beaches, so if you are planning a trip to Okinawa, please refer to this article.
When does beach season start in Okinawa? What is the sea temperature in spring?
Okinawa is known for its beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters, attracting many tourists every year. Spring in Okinawa is a particularly popular time when beaches open to the public, marking the start of a new season. So, when exactly does the beach open in Okinawa? Also, what is the sea water temperature in spring? Below, we will explain these points in detail for those who are planning to visit Okinawa in the future.
In Okinawa, the opening time for beaches varies slightly depending on the region, but generally it is said to be from late March at the earliest. The beaches of Okinawa's main island and the surrounding outlying islands open from late March, and people can enjoy swimming and marine sports. At the same time as the beaches open, safety prayers and opening events are sometimes held on the beach. However, Okinawa has many days with strong sunlight even in spring, so sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are essential.
The average sea water temperature in Okinawa in spring is around 21-24°C. The water temperature starts to gradually rise from late March, and by April it becomes more comfortable to enjoy swimming in the sea. In May the water temperature rises even further, and it is not uncommon for it to reach nearly 25°C. However, it can often feel chilly compared to summer in March and April, so we recommend wearing a wetsuit. It would also be fun to try marine activities such as snorkeling and diving.
The beach season in Okinawa starts in late March, but the period during which you can swim in the water varies depending on the region, with some beaches remaining open until the end of October. The warmest period is from July to September, during which time the sea water temperature can rise to around 30°C. However, as autumn approaches, the water temperature gradually starts to drop, and by November it can feel a bit chilly when swimming in the sea. Still, Okinawa is one of the few places where you can enjoy marine sports all year round.
Below, we will introduce five carefully selected popular beaches in Okinawa in more detail. We have picked out beaches on the main island of Okinawa as well as beaches on the surrounding islands that are accessible from the main island, so please use this as a reference.
In Okinawa, the opening time for beaches varies slightly depending on the region, but generally it is said to be from late March at the earliest. The beaches of Okinawa's main island and the surrounding outlying islands open from late March, and people can enjoy swimming and marine sports. At the same time as the beaches open, safety prayers and opening events are sometimes held on the beach. However, Okinawa has many days with strong sunlight even in spring, so sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats are essential.
The average sea water temperature in Okinawa in spring is around 21-24°C. The water temperature starts to gradually rise from late March, and by April it becomes more comfortable to enjoy swimming in the sea. In May the water temperature rises even further, and it is not uncommon for it to reach nearly 25°C. However, it can often feel chilly compared to summer in March and April, so we recommend wearing a wetsuit. It would also be fun to try marine activities such as snorkeling and diving.
The beach season in Okinawa starts in late March, but the period during which you can swim in the water varies depending on the region, with some beaches remaining open until the end of October. The warmest period is from July to September, during which time the sea water temperature can rise to around 30°C. However, as autumn approaches, the water temperature gradually starts to drop, and by November it can feel a bit chilly when swimming in the sea. Still, Okinawa is one of the few places where you can enjoy marine sports all year round.
Below, we will introduce five carefully selected popular beaches in Okinawa in more detail. We have picked out beaches on the main island of Okinawa as well as beaches on the surrounding islands that are accessible from the main island, so please use this as a reference.
1. Zanpa Beach
Zanpa Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Yomitan Village, located in the central part of Okinawa's main island, and is visited by many tourists every year. It is very popular with families and couples, as it has well-equipped swimming facilities and a wide range of activities such as banana boats, snorkeling, and wakeboarding. Swimming at Zanpa Beach is permitted from April 1st every year, and it is not possible to enter the water in March.
2. Nirai Beach
Nirai Beach, also located in Yomitan Village, is known for its cobalt blue waters and white sand, some of the clearest in Okinawa Prefecture, and is a popular private beach located right in front of the Hotel Nikko Alivila. Swimming is permitted at this beach all year round, so you can enjoy Okinawa's beautiful sea even in the spring. However, the water temperature is a little low from winter to March, so we recommend wearing a wetsuit to swim comfortably. In addition, Nirai Beach is also famous as a place where sea turtles lay their eggs, and if you're lucky, you may be able to see sea turtles on the beach between May and August.
3. Mission Beach
Mission Beach is located in Onna Village in the center of Okinawa's main island, and is an American-style private beach with a view that looks like a scene from a movie. This beach is a rare natural beach on Okinawa's main island, and is also a hidden spot where you can see beautiful sand and crystal clear water. Mission Beach is also popular for its good sand quality, and the pure white, smooth sand is comfortable to walk on, and you can enjoy the softness that makes you feel like you're sinking into it. It is closed in winter, and the beach opens in late April each year, but if you are planning to visit the Nago area, it is a beach that you should definitely stop by.
4. Kouri Beach
Kouri Beach is the only swimming beach on Kouri Island in the northern part of Okinawa's main island. This beach has shallow waters and is equipped with jellyfish protection nets for safety, so even families with small children can play safely. In addition, Kouri Beach is equipped with facilities such as restaurants, shops, marine equipment rental shops, showers, and toilets so that you can fully enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and other marine activities. Thanks to these facilities, you can spend the day comfortably, but it does get very crowded during the busy summer season. The beach usually opens around the end of April.
5. Sesoko Beach
Sesoko Beach is located on the west coast of Sesoko Island, which can be accessed from the main island by crossing the Sesoko Bridge. It is an attractive beach with a white sandy beach that stretches for about 700 meters. Sesoko Beach boasts extremely high transparency among the main island of Okinawa and the surrounding islands, and its beauty is among the best in Okinawa. From the beach, you can see Ie Island and Minna Island, and the beautiful view attracts visitors. It is also known as one of the best sunset spots in Okinawa Prefecture, so be sure to visit the beach in the evening. There are also plenty of marine activities to try. The beach opens around mid-April every year.
Zanpa Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Yomitan Village, located in the central part of Okinawa's main island, and is visited by many tourists every year. It is very popular with families and couples, as it has well-equipped swimming facilities and a wide range of activities such as banana boats, snorkeling, and wakeboarding. Swimming at Zanpa Beach is permitted from April 1st every year, and it is not possible to enter the water in March.
2. Nirai Beach
Nirai Beach, also located in Yomitan Village, is known for its cobalt blue waters and white sand, some of the clearest in Okinawa Prefecture, and is a popular private beach located right in front of the Hotel Nikko Alivila. Swimming is permitted at this beach all year round, so you can enjoy Okinawa's beautiful sea even in the spring. However, the water temperature is a little low from winter to March, so we recommend wearing a wetsuit to swim comfortably. In addition, Nirai Beach is also famous as a place where sea turtles lay their eggs, and if you're lucky, you may be able to see sea turtles on the beach between May and August.
3. Mission Beach
Mission Beach is located in Onna Village in the center of Okinawa's main island, and is an American-style private beach with a view that looks like a scene from a movie. This beach is a rare natural beach on Okinawa's main island, and is also a hidden spot where you can see beautiful sand and crystal clear water. Mission Beach is also popular for its good sand quality, and the pure white, smooth sand is comfortable to walk on, and you can enjoy the softness that makes you feel like you're sinking into it. It is closed in winter, and the beach opens in late April each year, but if you are planning to visit the Nago area, it is a beach that you should definitely stop by.
4. Kouri Beach
Kouri Beach is the only swimming beach on Kouri Island in the northern part of Okinawa's main island. This beach has shallow waters and is equipped with jellyfish protection nets for safety, so even families with small children can play safely. In addition, Kouri Beach is equipped with facilities such as restaurants, shops, marine equipment rental shops, showers, and toilets so that you can fully enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and other marine activities. Thanks to these facilities, you can spend the day comfortably, but it does get very crowded during the busy summer season. The beach usually opens around the end of April.
5. Sesoko Beach
Sesoko Beach is located on the west coast of Sesoko Island, which can be accessed from the main island by crossing the Sesoko Bridge. It is an attractive beach with a white sandy beach that stretches for about 700 meters. Sesoko Beach boasts extremely high transparency among the main island of Okinawa and the surrounding islands, and its beauty is among the best in Okinawa. From the beach, you can see Ie Island and Minna Island, and the beautiful view attracts visitors. It is also known as one of the best sunset spots in Okinawa Prefecture, so be sure to visit the beach in the evening. There are also plenty of marine activities to try. The beach opens around mid-April every year.
[Extra Edition] You can enjoy the heated Garden Pool comfortably even in spring!
At Oriental Hotel Okinawa Resort & Spa, you can enjoy the 170m-long Garden Pool, one of the largest in Okinawa Prefecture, the kids' pool, and the night pool, which is beautifully lit up at night. The popular Garden Pool, which opens every March, offers heated water in some areas, making it one of the earliest pools in Okinawa to enjoy swimming, even in the still slightly chilly early spring. The fact that you can use the pool even if you're not staying at the hotel is a nice plus, and there is also a restaurant on-site, so couples and families can enjoy themselves all day long.
https://www.okinawa.oriental-hotels.com/en/
https://www.okinawa.oriental-hotels.com/en/
