Beaches!

[Trail]

It’s almost that time of year and I was curious where everyone's favorite beach was and why they enjoy that particular beach so much.

Rules and regs for the beach you list would be nice as well if you know them. :old:

I myself have only been to 2-3 beaches so far but I am scoping out new places. I can’t wait until it warms up!!! :thumbup:

[Sex Wax]

Inbu Beach. It has campgrounds, a glass bottom boat ride, a liquor shop on site, and not alot of drunk @ssholes running around (unless we are there).:thumbup1:
http://okinawa-re.com/image/inbu-beach.jpg

[Trail]

I knew you'd jumped on this thread Wax! Where in Inbu located please?

[proudtobnotpc]

Ginoza village has some really nice unregulated beaches. great for fishing and camping, one even has electricity and plenty of parking

[Sex Wax]

I knew you'd jumped on this thread Wax! Where in Inbu located please?

North of Onna, right off 58. It is actually faster to get on the expressway, get off at Nago, then go back south down 58. If you are in a hurry to get there. If no hurry, just head north on 58, past Seragaki beach. There is a gate and a conveince store.

[Trail]

We have been up that way and I always though it'd be nice to camp up there Wax. We are going to try and camp as much as possible this summer, didn't get a chance at all last year.

[Sex Wax]

Arahen Beach is not really on Okinawa, but it is my second fav beach. It is on Tokashiki Island. Has a FREE campground as well a a few little resturants and pubs. There is a free bus service to the port and the beach, but stops at like 9 pm. There used to not be taxis there, but now there is a couple. Great get-a-way.:thumbup1:
http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/1229/1d/images.world66.com/ah/ar/en/aharen_beachtokas_web

[Sif: wife of Thor]

I usually go to Meada flats during the week...there's a small sandy beach...private enough that I normally go topless there...

[Trail]

I have to break out my maps and start highlighting beaches. lol :D I love it!

[Sex Wax]

I usually go to Meada flats during the week...there's a small sandy beach...private enough that I normally go topless there...

Nice. When do you go there? LOL :thumbup1:

[Sif: wife of Thor]

if the weather keeps nice..I might go on Monday...<3

[Sex Wax]

Araha Beach in Hamby Town is my favorite beach to take the kids. Has nice netted swimming area, fairly clean restrooms / showers, a little park and playground for the kiddies. :thumbup1:
http://bp1.blogger.com/_C0N9K-m3gvI/Rn0VMlD0oyI/AAAAAAAAATw/0kK6xfcD0JQ/s320/P1050403.JPG

[Trail]

Araha Beach in Hamby Town is my favorite beach to take the kids. Has nice netted swimming area, fairly clean restrooms / showers, a little park and playground for the kiddies. :thumbup1:
http://bp1.blogger.com/_C0N9K-m3gvI/Rn0VMlD0oyI/AAAAAAAAATw/0kK6xfcD0JQ/s320/P1050403.JPG

We've been to Araha, but went during low tide. LOL it was no fun during low tide!

[Sex Wax]

We've been to Araha, but went during low tide. LOL it was no fun during low tide!

lol...thats right. not alot of water in the swimming area at low tide. Sunset beach is the same. Plan for high tides. Here is the site i use for tides.
http://www.sailwx.info/tides/tidemap.phtml
Pick the area (pink dot) and when you reach Okinawa, Scroll down the page and look for the area you want to know about. That link is great for Diving, Fishing or Surfing :thumbup1:

[proudtobnotpc]

Araha Beach in Hamby Town is my favorite beach to take the kids. Has nice netted swimming area, fairly clean restrooms / showers, a little park and playground for the kiddies. :thumbup1:
http://bp1.blogger.com/_C0N9K-m3gvI/Rn0VMlD0oyI/AAAAAAAAATw/0kK6xfcD0JQ/s320/P1050403.JPG
and real close to sea side jet city burgers, nothing like a Corona and an awesome burger on the beach

[Trail]

Awesome site Wax, thank you! We have always gone through Kadena Weather for tide perdictions. We went to Araha and Sunset before understanding the tidial system. Sunset Beach was nothing but tidal pools during low tide.

[nana24]

in nago as well that i go tanning naked...everytime me and my hubby go there,is always empty so i get to tan naked all the time

[Sex Wax]

in nago as well that i go tanning naked...everytime me and my hubby go there,is always empty so i get to tan naked all the time

:thumbup1::thumbup: The only time i lay out nekid is when i pass out drunk and someone yanks my shorts off...lol

[Trail]

in nago as well that i go tanning naked...everytime me and my hubby go there,is always empty so i get to tan naked all the time

Isn't that illegal on a public beach? (public property at least)
You Rack a Disciprine! Attention wh0res...... :rolleyes:

[Cerebus]

I find that some of the best beaches are at the hotels up north,they are much cleaner than in the southern parts of the island and a great place to meet hotties from mainland :thumbup:
unless you are happily married like I am:crying:
sun marina is one of the best i've seen,parking is not free unless you tell the attendant you are going to the restaurant:thumbup1:

[P_chan]

Minna island beach is nice. Good for snorkeling and spending a nice day relaxing on a beach. Once I went there were very few people on the island, so it was nice. They'll also let you set up a tent and camp there overnight. Of course you don't have a toilet, can't make a camp fire, and have to wait till 10am the next day to get back.

[watzitoou]

Nashiro Beach (Itoman City)
Direction: Go south on Hwy331 after passing Naha Airport. There will be a sign for Nashiro Beach and turn right when you see the sign and proceed 2km.

Yagaji Beach (Nago City)
Direction: Getting off Expressway Exit 10, go North on Hwy58. Turn left at Makiya Intersection.

Inbu Beach (Onna Village)
Direction: Getting off Expressway Exit 10, go North on Hwy58. Proceed 6km and you will see the sign on your left.

[DoctorP]

We use Uken beach quite often in Gushikawa. Nice grills and pavilions, but it closes at sunset. We also use a lot of private beaches up in the Higashi area that are still undeveloped and a beach about 1/2 mile from my house.

We also use the beach at Renassance (sp) hotel quite often.

[Courtney]

speeking of beaches...are there many beaches that are not to crowded? Or once the sun shines bright does everyone run out to the beach like crazy!?

[P_chan]

speeking of beaches...are there many beaches that are not to crowded? Or once the sun shines bright does everyone run out to the beach like crazy!?

I think it depends on what beach you go to. Once I was on Minna island there was only a few other people there.

[Sex Wax]

I'm off to the beach now !! :thumbup1:

[Trail]

I'm off to the beach now !! :thumbup1:

I'm jealous Wax. The beach is no fun for me hubby-less. Damn ORI....:cursing:

[shawncot]

I guess I need to make it out to the beaches here a little more often!

[Trail]

Definately Shawn.....

[wenjam]

Zampa Beach is pretty nice...clean bathrooms, little snack bar...can go snorkeling off rocks in front of picnic area. Great place if you have kids too..plent of sand, and not coral. Roped off in the water for swimming area...kids can't get away to fast or far...very nice. There is a lighthouse out there too you can pay to walk up into, and the view is breathtaking...trails you can walk, and awesome cliff views.

[Sex Wax]

Zanpa Beach / Light house

http://www.time2pcs.com/images/zanpa%20beach%20okinawa.jpg

http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/lighthouse/photos/Japan/ZanpaNS.jpg

:thumbup1:

[Sex Wax]

Emerald Beach at Ocean Expo Park

http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~hiroshin/pictures/japan/okinawa/okinawa70.jpg

[Courtney]

Is it ZaMpa orZaNpa beach? Ot two diffrent places?

[Sex Wax]

I belive that beach / area is spelled Zanpa, i could be wrong on the romanji. Zampa is a type of Awamori.

[okisurf]

I always find the best beaches are the ones that I stumble into while cruising around with my family. We just load up the car and head in whatever direction feels right for that day. Theres tons of different beaches here in Okinawa. Depending on what your mood is that day you can surf, lay out undisturbed, dive, beach comb, fish, picnic, BBQ, have a few beers with the boys and after reading a couple posts above show off your birthday suit! Im from Hawaii so I need the ocean to keep my gills wet.

[okisteve]

Is it ZaMpa orZaNpa beach? Ot two diffrent places?

Both are correct. There is only one letter (_n) that can follow a vowel syllable without another vowel and it is pronounced both _n and _m, and the most correct is something in between.

[TheLastDon]

I always had a thing for mission beach but during the summer months it get crowded as hell. It's best to go in the off months like April, May, September, and October.

[Trail]

Zampa and Emerald beach look very nice.

[gunny8511]

I'm with Doc P. Uken beach is nice (now that it's been cleaned up a bit). It does stink that it closes at sundown. Not a tragedy though...

[mikersoft]

I spent many weekends at Ikei Beach back in the the early '90s. How is it these days??

-Mike

[okisteve]

I spent many weekends at Ikei Beach back in the the early '90s. How is it these days??

-Mike

I went once last summer and wasn't impressed. Privately run and they don't allow snorkeling.

[Trail]

Bumping this thread to get more input

[OCanadaOurHomeAndNativeLand]

I'm with okisteve here. Went to Ikei Beach a couple years back. Completely underwhelmed. Way out-of-the-way, overpriced, and no fun allowed.

[P_chan]

There is a beach on the north side of kouri island that is nice. Water is really warm right now and once the tide is down kids will have fun playing in the tide pools. Make sure you bring booties though because there are urchin everywhere. There is also another nice (but more crowded) beach on kouri island right under the bridge.

:edit: You have to drive though the uji fields to find the beach on the north side of kouri island. But it isn't too hard, the island is only about the size of a city block or two.

[thistle]

I like Toguch Beach, it is between Kadena Marina and Yomitan, a road veers off to the left hand side.
It is usually quite quiet and there is a great playground for kids.

Don't know much about the rules and regs though - haven't been swimming there for a long time, but am pretty sure they have showers.

[thistle]

.........that was supposed to read 'Toguchi beach'

[P_chan]

Toguchi beach isn't too bad. But there is way too much seaweed in the water there for me. But it's nice to have a shower right by the beach. If it's free it's even better:thumbup:

[billhilly]

[QUOTE=P_chan;126736] There is also another nice (but more crowded) beach on kouri island right under the bridge.

I was there all of last weekend. Only went for the day (Friday), but even with a little rain, I had the best time. Came home sunday night. Sat. morning, I was in the water at 5:30 am. Only one on the beach til after 10. Mostly tourists. Tons of sea critters to play with. I would pole spear for about 1/2 hour and back to the beach to hang with the old men drinking at the pic-nic bench. No monsters caught because I had my little spear (5') Next time the big stick. Drunk hogen if fun. By 1800, I could hardly stand. One of the old fellows took me back to his house for dinner with the family. He grilled a couple of fish I got and tons of fresh veggies. At the beach, Orion is yen 200 a can (ice cold) and the grilled yakitori is delicious. Off the bridge to the right is limited paking in a small field. To the right is a nice park and a small shopping center...with blueseal. Toilets are yen 100 at the park. The water is incrediblly clear and there is plenty of fish and life to see. No nets and I did see a few sea snakes. Other than that, well worth the drive.

[dndkt]

One of the many on Ikei. Really nice, away from cars and big buildings and not many people. You just need to drive up there and find one you like. Some have small parking fees, so take yen with you just in case. Have fun!

[Courtney]

many of my favorite beaches are ones that im not willing to share directions to on such a public board ...ya i know, that was mean...

[ks4985]

Arahen Beach is not really on Okinawa, but it is my second fav beach. It is on Tokashiki Island. Has a FREE campground as well a a few little resturants and pubs. There is a free bus service to the port and the beach, but stops at like 9 pm. There used to not be taxis there, but now there is a couple. Great get-a-way.:thumbup1:
http://a248.e.akamai.net/f/248/1229/1d/images.world66.com/ah/ar/en/aharen_beachtokas_web

Arahen Beach is beautiful...i would say that i my favorite so far. What is your first fav?

[ks4985]

I think it depends on what beach you go to. Once I was on Minna island there was only a few other people there.

Where is Minna Island? Directions if you have them?

[ks4985]

I belive that beach / area is spelled Zanpa, i could be wrong on the romanji. Zampa is a type of Awamori.

Thanks for putting pictures up...that helps a bunch!

[jthizz]

Whats a good starter beach for new snorklers

[ks4985]

Whats a good starter beach for new snorklers

My first snorkeling expierence here was at maeda...but sometimes it can be a bit dangerou there. You can find a map of okinawa...i believe they have one in the July Okinawa Living Magazine...that has all the dive spots on it...and it gives you the danger rating for each one. I think you can find it online as well...i believe kadena marina website might have it...or just the scuba store on foster or torii station.

[P_chan]

Minna island is near Ie island. You catch the ferry in motobu, but I suck with route names. Take 58 all the way up to Nago and turn left once you see route 449. Continue along route 449 until you get to where it splits off and you can go left for 449 (towards ocean expo park) and right for 84. Go right on 84 and you'll only be on this road for about two minutes and you'll turn right after you cross a small bridge and this is the port where you catch the ferry. Not sure what building it is exactly except for that it's small and there is a small souviner/bento shop right next door. The dock you'll actually catch the ferry from has blue support posts and a white awning. Ferry costs around 1,300 and the last ferry home leaves about 5:30ish. You can spend the night on minna island but you'll have to camp on the beach and no fires.

Here is a map of the general area, minna island is the small crescent shaped island.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=okinawa&ie=UTF8&ll=26.658965,127.862492&spn=0.067962,0.150375&z=13

This is a close up of the wharf area.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=okinawa&ie=UTF8&ll=26.660729,127.894056&spn=0.008495,0.018797&z=16

Notice that while on 84 you cross over the inlet on a small bridge. Immediatly after crossing over this bridge you make a right and you'll be in the right spot.

Sorry I suck with directions.

[Sex Wax]

Whats a good starter beach for new snorklers

Sunabe is pretty tame. Go on a flat day when the Surfers arent out. There are steps down to the reef at various spots along the seawall.

[ks4985]

Minna island is near Ie island. You catch the ferry in motobu, but I suck with route names. Take 58 all the way up to Nago and turn left once you see route 449. Continue along route 449 until you get to where it splits off and you can go left for 449 (towards ocean expo park) and right for 84. Go right on 84 and you'll only be on this road for about two minutes and you'll turn right after you cross a small bridge and this is the port where you catch the ferry. Not sure what building it is exactly except for that it's small and there is a small souviner/bento shop right next door. The dock you'll actually catch the ferry from has blue support posts and a white awning. Ferry costs around 1,300 and the last ferry home leaves about 5:30ish. You can spend the night on minna island but you'll have to camp on the beach and no fires.

Here is a map of the general area, minna island is the small crescent shaped island.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=okinawa&ie=UTF8&ll=26.658965,127.862492&spn=0.067962,0.150375&z=13

This is a close up of the wharf area.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=okinawa&ie=UTF8&ll=26.660729,127.894056&spn=0.008495,0.018797&z=16

Notice that while on 84 you cross over the inlet on a small bridge. Immediatly after crossing over this bridge you make a right and you'll be in the right spot.

Sorry I suck with directions.

No that's perfect...thank you so much for your help! My sister is coming in tomorrow and im trying to think of some places to take her. I want to take her everywhere but she is only here for a week and a half. Are there any places that you recommend...a place that is a necessity to see while you are here? It's hard for me to judge...im still too new to the island.

[jthizz]

Yea been thinking about trying the Maeda flats, was just curious to know if there was any other ones to start with

Think one of my coworkers went up to the spot PChan is talking about a few weeks ago, from the pics, it looked very nice

[P_chan]

If you don't mind hiking then I'd suggest Taa Taki. It's easy to get too but I have a hard time finding it on google maps because the map is in japanese. To get there just take 58 all the way north as if you were going to okuma. Go though nago and past the turn for kouri island until you reach the village of ogimi. Pay attention and watch for the sign that says "ogimi village" above the road. Soon after you enter ogimi village you'll cross the Henan (sp) bridge. It's easy to recognize because the bridge curves and has a okinawan flower hat on the four corners of the bridge. As soon as you get on this bridge be ready to take the immediate right as soon as the bridge ends. Follow this road until it forks and then go right. But be careful because if you take a right too soon you'll end up in a junk yard and if you go left you'll start going up the mountian. There is a sign, but it's not in english. The sign has some blue kanji on it and and arrow pointing the way. But the signs tend to have some overgrowth on them so keep a sharp eye out for them. After the road forks and you take a right stay on this road. You'll pass a house or two and you'll eventually come to a very small gravel parking lot on your right hand side (small house on your left) with a river running next to it. Park your car and start hiking up the river until you reach the waterfall. Nice little spot to cool off in the summer, but make sure you wear some swim shoes (I use scuba booties) since you will be in the water most of the time. This is one of my favorite spots on the island so please don't trash it!

Here is a picture of what a flower hat looks like. Look for them on the four corner posts of the bridge!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/4/5757206_d849905b9c.jpg?v=1109787492

This is what Taa taki actually looks like, the second and thrid pics were taken from the top of the falls. I wouldn't suggest hiking to the top of the falls unless you like to be bitten by giant horse flys and possibly fall off the narrow trail to your death. Oh and let's not forget the giant spiders!

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/1597/taataki1di1.jpg

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/4229/taataki2qc2.jpg

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/1139/taataki3qm7.jpg

[jthizz]

I dont mind a good hike, not sure out the wifey though. Sounds like a really nice outta the way (non-americanized) place to check out though.

[Oki alumni]

GREAT pictures P-Chan! Thanx from Oki Alumni for showing me something I never saw while I was there!

-Oki Alumni:old:

[pandalvr2003]

Gushikami has a relly cool beach! There are tide pools along with a nice sandy beach.

[Trail]

P-
I wish I could have went! :(

[Sex Wax]

Go to Sunset Beach NOW !!!!....there are fireworks later tonight !!!!!!!

[Carl]

Go to Sunset Beach NOW !!!!....there are fireworks later tonight !!!!!!!

I went out last night and saw the fireworks. I've never seen sunset beach that packed! The show was a little short, but pretty good. Me and my wife couldn't decide whether or not that one firework was a butterfly or hibiscus. Hibiscus seems more likely. I got some pictures of the event sitting on my camera. I'll post them after I get home and touch them up a little bit.

Oh, and there were a few J-girls in bikinis there! My wife didn't seem to like them as much as I did ;) I don't see them too often any more since they all seem to want to avoid the sun as much as possible.

[Asshat]

Follow this road until it forks and then go right. But be careful because if you take a right too soon you'll end up in a junk yard and if you go left you'll start going up the mountian.

And in a hidden location off of "that" road is a real cool mountain hut for use by members of a club from RU. Beautiful place with a crystal clear stream going through it amongst some bamboo.

[P_chan]

And in a hidden location off of "that" road is a real cool mountain hut for use by members of a club from RU. Beautiful place with a crystal clear stream going through it amongst some bamboo.

There are a few houses on that road. I know if you keep going past the parking lot for the river you'll hit a fence that closes off the road.

[Asshat]

There are a few houses on that road. I know if you keep going past the parking lot for the river you'll hit a fence that closes off the road.

Fence might be new. It's nine years since I visited the place with a club member. Spoda be a secret for club members only. Damn hard to find though, since you park on the road and hike down about 1000 meters. Definitely no parking lot, and you don't see the river.

I'm guessing the fence is past the trail.

[Carl]

Pictures from the Chatan event:
http://picasaweb.google.com/EatTheApple/ChatanFestival2008/photo?authkey=Vf5kB6LEZNw#5228046097109123810
http://picasaweb.google.com/EatTheApple/ChatanFestival2008/photo?authkey=Vf5kB6LEZNw#5228046120214967234
http://picasaweb.google.com/EatTheApple/ChatanFestival2008/photo?authkey=Vf5kB6LEZNw#5228046140786003474
http://picasaweb.google.com/EatTheApple/ChatanFestival2008/photo?authkey=Vf5kB6LEZNw#5228046183035985506
http://picasaweb.google.com/EatTheApple/ChatanFestival2008/photo?authkey=Vf5kB6LEZNw#5228046216906306914

Hmm..if the pictures don't show up right, here's a link to the album: http://picasaweb.google.com/EatTheApple/ChatanFestival2008?authkey=Vf5kB6LEZNw

[P_chan]

Fence might be new. It's nine years since I visited the place with a club member. Spoda be a secret for club members only. Damn hard to find though, since you park on the road and hike down about 1000 meters. Definitely no parking lot, and you don't see the river.

I'm guessing the fence is past the trail.

Well I made it to the top of the water fall so I'd imagine if I kept following the stream I might find the hut.

[Trail]

I'm looking for a nice quiet beach in central Okinawa to have a birthday party at. I would preferably like a beach that you can grill on but it's not a necessity. Any suggestions other than Sunset, Araha, or Kadena Marina?

[gtlm2000]

I miss Okinawa's beach, but I don't swim. I only watch girls :D

[gtlm2000]

I'm looking for a nice quiet beach in central Okinawa to have a birthday party at. I would preferably like a beach that you can grill on but it's not a necessity. Any suggestions other that Sunset, Araha, or Kadena Marina?

Not Onna village? I know good beach in there, but most of beach is a lot of people in summer.

[gtlm2000]

Trail, Have you been Nirai beach in Yomitan? It's near hotel nikkou alivila.
It's good beach.

[Trail]

Trail, Have you been Nirai beach in Yomitan? It's near hotel nikkou alivila.
It's good beach.

Not yet. We plan on going there this weekend to see what it is like. When I've been in Yomitan, I've been at Torii Station. It one we are thinking about going to. Unfortunately, there are a few people down in Naha that would have to make quite a trip to get there.

[gtlm2000]

Not yet. We plan on going there this weekend to see what it is like. When I've been in Yomitan, I've been at Torii Station. It one we are thinking about going to. Unfortunately, there are a few people down in Naha that would have to make quite a trip to get there.

I remember there are a lot of small beach in Yomitan, but I don't know
all of name.

I just know beach in Naha which is Naminoue beach.
I think Itoman area is too far for you, but Nashiro beach is also nice.

[Trail]

thread bump