Outstanding clarity for a beach in the south
Azama Sunsun Beach has overwhelmingly the best clarity of any artificial beach in the south. As well as playing on the beach and barbecuing, you can enjoy a proper swim here.
BeachSouthern Okinawa (Nanjo)
Azama Sunsun Beach
The clearest water of the southern beaches with swimming facilities
The clearest water among the southern beaches that have swimming facilities. There is shade for picnics and barbecue shelters set at generous intervals, so you can enjoy both swimming and simply relaxing beside the sea.
Clarity
3/5
Colour
2/5
Views
3/5
Shade
5/5
Facilities
4/5
Unspoilt
1/5
Highlights
The roof terrace is the finest picnic spot
The upper floor of the management office is a roof terrace. It is laid with grass, it is shaded and it has a good view, which makes it an excellent place for a picnic. It is free to use.
Good to Know
The size of the beach (left)
Azama Sunsun Beach has two beaches. The one on the left as you face the sea is the one you can swim at. The sand is reasonably broad.
The size of the beach (right)
The beach on the right as you face the sea. Swimming is not allowed here; it is the area for water sports and beach volleyball.
Water clarity and gradation
Whether it is because the tidal flow was carefully considered in the design I do not know, but for an artificial beach in the south the clarity is remarkably high. The gradation of the sea also looks good for a southern beach, though by the standards of Okinawan beaches as a whole it is a little below average. I would like a little more emerald green.
Shade (benches and the roof terrace)
The roof terrace described among the things to recommend is the best shade there is, but it is not large, so when it is busy the benches on the lawn are the answer. There are many benches on the lawn about 100 m back from the beach, with trees planted beside them that cast just the right amount of shade.
Shade (beach parasols)
Beach parasols are ¥500 to hire, the cheapest of any beach in the prefecture, so if you are going to swim they are worth taking without question.
Swimming and snorkelling
The swimming area is a little small next to other beaches in the prefecture, and about average for a southern beach — some 60 m wide and 30–40 m deep. Snorkels may not be used in the swimming area. If you want to snorkel, sign up for the beach snorkelling experience on the water sports and marine activities menu below.
Toilets, showers, changing rooms, coin lockers and foot rinse
Azama Sunsun Beach is well equipped for swimmers — toilets, showers, changing rooms, coin lockers and a foot rinse are all there. The coin lockers are ¥200 and the showers ¥200 for five minutes.
The shower rooms
The showers, which double as changing rooms. The water is cold and it is coin-operated at ¥200 for five minutes. The building is not especially new, but it was clean enough.
Water sports and marine activities
The menu of water sports and marine activities. The prices are about average compared with other beaches. * The photograph can be enlarged.
Equipment hire
The hire menu. The beach volleyball court can be seen under The size of the beach (right). I could not find the football pitch when I went, so if it matters to you, ring the Azama Sunsun Beach office and ask.
The parlour
The parlour is in the shade. You can have a drink or something to eat while looking out at the sea.
The parlour menu
The parlour's menu. The food is mostly light meals.
Shop
The entrance to the shop. It had snacks, light food such as pot noodles, drinks including canned beer, things for the sea such as inflatable rings, and barbecue consumables. Both the shop and the parlour are run by Beach Shop KANALOA, and I was told they open only in summer, from the end of April to the end of October.
Barbecues and camping
A photograph of the barbecue pavilions at Azama Sunsun Beach. They stand beside the beach so you can look at the sea, they are widely spaced and unhurried, and the prices are set for local people rather than for tourists — all of which makes them well worth recommending. You can book through the official website. You may not bring your own equipment or food. There is also a hands-free barbecue plan, a little more expensive, that can be booked on the day — worth a look if it appeals.
Beach yoga
We do not run beach yoga at Azama Sunsun Beach. The nearest beach where we do is Senaga Beach, about 40 minutes away by car.
Note
In winter you can barbecue, but there are no water sports or marine activities. Beyond that, for a beach in the south of the prefecture the water is clean and I can find no fault. Measured against beaches across the whole prefecture, I would like the gradation of the sea to be a little prettier.
Information
View on Google Maps →
Last checked: September 2018
In Japanese (for maps, taxis and car navigation): あざまサンサンビーチ 沖縄県南城市知念安座真１１４１−３
Morning and evening yoga
at Azama Sunsun Beach
We run beach yoga here too. Check availability and book in a few steps.