Plenty of pavilions beside the beach
Beside the beach is a vast park with pavilions dotted all through it, so even on a hot summer's day you can relax in the shade.
BeachSouthern Okinawa (Tomigusuku)
Chura SUN Beach
Roomy beachside, and a favourite of Okinawa residents
Fifteen minutes by car from Naha Airport — in the city, yet unhurried, with a wide park beside the beach. Beyond the sea, you can relax in the park's shelters or on the lawn. It is also a barbecue spot that Okinawa residents rely on.
Clarity
2/5
Colour
2/5
Views
4/5
Shade
5/5
Facilities
5/5
Unspoilt
2/5
Highlights
Very large lawn areas
Chura SUN Beach has around four lawn areas the size of the one in this photograph — ample room for children to play with a frisbee or a ball.
Aircraft passing overhead
Aircraft on their approach to Naha Airport pass directly over the beachside, close enough to cast a shadow.
Good to Know
The size of the beach (right as you face the sea)
The beach on the right as you face the sea. The swimming area is set up here. The sand is broad and it feels open.
The size of the beach (left as you face the sea)
A photograph of the beach on the left as you face the sea. Swimming is not allowed on this side. A beach volleyball net is up.
Water clarity and gradation
The water at Chura SUN Beach clouds easily. The beach faces the open sea and has no reef edge, so it takes the full force of the waves. The gradation, too, is monotonous and a little unsatisfying, perhaps because there is little coral nearby. For a sea in southern Okinawa — that is, one affected by urban development — it is about average.
Shade (pavilions and trees)
Beside the beach there are pavilions with orange roofs and plenty of tree shade. There are enough of them that even when it is busy there is no scramble for a place. You can settle where you like and watch the sea or eat a packed lunch.
Swimming and snorkelling
The swimming area at Chura SUN Beach is about as large as it appears in this photograph — a little under 100 m wide and 30–40 m deep, which is wide by the standards of Okinawan beaches. For the number of people swimming, it does not get crowded.
Toilets, showers, changing rooms, coin lockers and foot rinse
Chura SUN Beach is well equipped for swimmers — toilets, showers, changing rooms, coin lockers and a foot rinse are all there. The showers are ¥100 for two minutes and, rare for a public beach, the water is hot. The coin lockers are ¥200.
Water sports and equipment hire
The menu of water sports, marine activities and hire equipment. The prices are much the same as at other beaches.
Basketball and beach volleyball courts
Chura SUN Beach has a basketball court and a beach volleyball court (see the photograph of the left-hand side as you face the sea). The official website says beach football is possible too, but I could not find the goals the last time I went. I forgot to ask what each court costs, but balls can be hired at the management building for ¥200 an hour.
Shop
Chura SUN Beach has a shop stocking what you need not only for the sea but for playing on the park lawn, along with snacks and drinks. It opens every day in summer; in winter (November to March) they decide whether to open according to how many people are about.
The parlour and the café
The benches and tables on the right of the photograph are the parlour's seating; the terrace at the back belongs to Resort Café KAI.
The parlour menu
The parlour's drinks and food menu. (* The photograph can be enlarged.)
The café menu
The takeaway menu at Resort Café KAI. For the rest of the menu see Gurunavi.
Barbecues and camping
Chura SUN Beach is also a barbecue spot much used by people who live in Okinawa. Barbecues are possible all year round, and the barbecue tents are especially busy on summer weekends. Depending on numbers, equipment, tent and food come to around ¥2,000 per person. For how to book, see the official website. Camping is not possible at Chura SUN Beach.
Beach yoga
We do not run beach yoga at Chura SUN Beach. The nearest beach where we do is Senaga Beach, about 12 minutes away by car.
Note
The atmosphere of the beach is excellent, and so are the facilities for swimmers and the beachside park, but the clarity of the water and the beauty of the gradation are unremarkable.
Information
View on Google Maps →
Last checked: September 2018
In Japanese (for maps, taxis and car navigation): 美らSUN（ちゅらさん）ビーチ 沖縄県豊見城市豊崎５−１
Morning and evening yoga
at Chura SUN Beach
We run beach yoga here too. Check availability and book in a few steps.