Clarity, gradation and openness, all three
A natural beach with all three: clarity, gradation and openness. Sesoko is joined to the main island by a bridge, so an outer-island feel is within easy reach. The sun sets beautifully into the sea, which makes it a good detour on the way back from the Churaumi Aquarium.
The sand grains are large, so sand and seawater do not mix and the clarity is high. At low tide the reef edge is exposed and acts as a wall against ocean swell, stopping the water moving — which makes it look clearer still. (You can also see every bit of drifting seaweed, mind.)
The water is shallow and coral grows here, so on a clear day the emerald green is lovely. Clear blue at the water's edge, emerald green out to the reef edge and deep blue further out weave a gradation that feels thoroughly tropical.
The first photograph on this page shows the view to the right as you face the sea; the second and this one show the left. Sesoko Beach sits on a slight promontory at the western tip of Sesoko Island, so the sea opens out widely to both sides. The beach itself runs about 700 metres. Minna and Ie islands are visible nearby so it is not pure horizon, but it has the openness of an outer island.
As described above, the clarity and the gradation are both first rate.
There is little shade beside the beach. The one spot is the rock shade immediately to the right as you come down onto the sand — first come, first served. In summer (mid-April to mid-October) parasols are available to hire, ¥3,000 as a set with a chair.
A prefab with toilets (free) and showers (¥300) opens in summer only. There is no foot rinse, so if you are not using the showers it is worth keeping a 2-litre bottle of water per person in the car. Note that the toilets close in winter as well.
A beach house opens in summer. Taco rice, yakisoba, curry and goya champuru are all ¥600 — see the menu here. The eat-in space is small, just two tables and a counter, so in practice you take your food back to your own parasol.
There are signs at the beach entrance saying barbecues and camping are not permitted.
In summer only, you can hire various things at the beach house hire corner. A parasol and chair set is ¥3,000.
Marine activities run year-round, with different menus in summer and winter. In summer, banana boat is ¥2,100 and jet ski ¥3,100. Nothing unusual on the menu and prices are about the going rate, but the scenery is lovely, so it is enjoyable. In summer you sign up at the beach house counter; in winter the menu shrinks but you can book on the Ocean Style site.
You can snorkel inside the swimming area when lifeguards are on duty. Outside it there are notices saying it is not permitted, and announcements to the same effect. There are a fair number of small fish, so children should enjoy it, and the kiosk sells fish food. In winter you can snorkel out from shore, but the larger fish are only near the reef edge, so making snorkelling the main event needs the experience and technique to get out that far.
The water is so shallow that at low tide it becomes very shallow indeed — no more than adult hip depth even at the deepest point of the swimming zone. In winter, with the swimming zone removed, it stays knee to hip deep all the way to the reef edge at low tide.
Parking is on the expensive side in summer at ¥1,000, and cones are put out to stop people parking on the road nearby. Think of it as thanks for keeping the beach clean. In winter the car park is closed and only street parking is available.
In winter the toilets close as well as the showers and changing rooms, which makes a long stay difficult.
In Japanese (for maps, taxis and car navigation): 瀬底ビーチ（瀬底島） 沖縄県国頭郡本部町瀬底５７５０
We run beach yoga here too. Check availability and book in a few steps.