Safety first — a pool-style swimming area, and a place Okinawans come to relax
A beach with a pool-style swimming area. It is not as large as Chura SUN Beach, but there is a grassy park beside it, barbecues are allowed, and it is close to Naha — so at weekends it fills with Okinawans cooking out.
The swimming area is firmly enclosed by breakwaters, so it is less affected by the open sea than neighbouring Chura SUN Beach. Even when the waves are somewhat high, even small children can swim here with confidence.
It is not as large as at neighbouring Chura SUN Beach, but there is a lawn beside the beach where you can play freely.
Aircraft on their approach to Naha Airport pass directly over the beachside, close enough to cast a shadow.
The right-hand side of the beach, photographed from the upper floor of the management building. The sand in front of the swimming area is broad. The area is so firmly enclosed by breakwaters that you wonder whether the floats marking it are needed at all; it is thoroughly safe.
A photograph of the beach straight ahead.
A photograph of the left-hand side of the beach. Swimming is not allowed on this side. The sand is broad and you can play freely.
The grains of sand at Bibi Beach are as fine as mud and easily stirred up, so the clarity tends to be low. Being enclosed by breakwaters also slows the tidal flow, so the water is little exchanged, which lowers the clarity further. The gradation of the sea is barely visible from the beach. From the upper floor of the management building, though, you can see a reasonably pretty gradation — see the photograph under The size of the beach (straight ahead).
There are pavilions and tents beside the beach. They are free to rest in, but they are also for barbecues, so when there are many barbecue parties they are a little hard to use.
The ground floor of the management building is shaded as well.
A photograph of the whole swimming area. It is wide, but not deep. Snorkels may not be used.
Bibi Beach is well equipped for swimmers — toilets, showers, changing rooms, coin lockers and a foot rinse are all there. The showers are cold, at ¥200 for five minutes, and the coin lockers are ¥200.
A photograph of the shower room, which doubles as a changing room. It is kept clean.
The reception counter for water sports and marine activities. The prices are exactly the same as at neighbouring Chura SUN Beach.
On the right of the photograph is the hire menu. Not listed there, but also available, were goggles at ¥500, a hotplate at ¥500 and a lantern at ¥600. (* The photograph can be enlarged.)
In the foreground is the beach volleyball court; the small shape at the back is a beach football goal. Both are the real thing, and I would like to try them next time I come with friends. They cost ¥700 per court per hour including ball hire. One thing a very helpful member of staff told me: unlike in town, on the beach the wind from November to March is often strong enough to stop a ball flying straight.
The counter at the Bibi Beach parlour. There are no tables inside. (* The photograph can be enlarged.)
The shop is in the same building as the parlour. It sells what you need for a day in the sea.
Bibi Beach is a barbecue spot for people who live in Okinawa, and at lunchtime on a summer weekend you hear cries of kampai from every direction. There are tents and pavilions large and small; the biggest pavilion is the one in this photograph, where a hundred people can barbecue under the same roof. There is a stage as well, which makes it ideal for a large group. Barbecues can be booked through the official website. There is also a hands-free BBQ plan you can sign up for on the day.
Camping is not allowed at Bibi Beach. The tents on the hire menu are for barbecues.
We do not run beach yoga at Bibi Beach. The nearest beach where we do is Senaga Beach, about 15 minutes away by car.
The facilities for swimmers are good and the sand is broad and clean, but the swimming area has low clarity and shallow water, so it does not suit anyone whose aim is to swim.
In Japanese (for maps, taxis and car navigation): 美々ビーチいとまん 沖縄県糸満市西崎町１丁目6番1
We run beach yoga here too. Check availability and book in a few steps.