Open, with the horizon filling your whole field of view
An open beach with the horizon filling your whole field of view, well known for how beautifully the sun sets into the sea. Water sports run all year.
The right-hand side as you face the beach is a headland, and on the left the coastline runs straight off into the distance, which gives one of the finest panoramas of any beach on the main island of Okinawa.
Nothing blocks the view and the horizon is long, so wherever the sun happens to sit at that time of year, on a clear day you can always watch the moment it drops into the sea. Cape Zanpa, next to the beach, is also known for its sunsets.
The menu of marine activities is remarkably wide. Among the banana-boat type rides alone there are the dragon boat, ski biscuit, super marble, U-slalom and U-tube. Beyond that there are canoes, stand-up paddleboards, snorkelling, flyboats, parasailing and beach volleyball court hire — anything you could want. Prices are average to slightly cheap. The best value is the dragon boat: ¥1,200 for ten minutes for ages 12 and over is only a little under the going rate (¥2,000 for fifteen minutes), but ¥600 for ages 3 to 11 is extremely cheap. Marine activities can be booked at the Zanpa Royal Hotel all year round. In summer (April to October) you can also sign up at the beach house in front of the beach.
About 400 m from the beach there is a park called Ikoi no Hiroba Ti-da33. It has playground equipment and a petting-animal corner, so children who have had enough of the sea still have plenty to do.
The clarity is about average compared with other beaches, and the gradation is a little better than average.
There are no large trees to cast shade. There is a pavilion near the beach, but it is for barbecues only (paid), and the chairs and tables are set out only when a barbecue has been booked.
To take it easy on the beach, hiring a parasol is the best option. The parasol and deckchair set is in the right foreground of the photograph, the parasol and float mat set in the left foreground. For a short visit, ordering something at the beach house and enjoying it on the terrace is a good idea.
The terrace on a fine summer's day. Sorting through the photographs I noticed a drinks vending machine at the back and a Blue Seal flag on the right, so they may well let you use the terrace even if all you buy is a canned drink or an ice cream.
This one was taken in December. In winter (November to March) there is no one working at the beach house, but they still put the parasols up for you. Make the most of it.
The toilets and the showers (paid) are at the beach house, and they are clean. There are lockers (paid) as well. The toilets are open in winter too.
The foot rinse can be used all year round. It is at the beach house.
In summer (April to October) the restaurant inside the beach house opens. Taco rice is ¥900 — prices that clearly include something for the setting, but that is only to be expected at a tourist spot.
You can barbecue in the pavilions on the lawn by the beach, looking out at the sea. They are sold as a set with the food and the equipment hire, so you cannot bring your own. There is nothing to prepare and nothing to clear away, which makes it easy. Prices start at ¥2,000 per person. Set against hiring a parasol and a chair and then eating in the restaurant, it is good value. Ikoi no Hiroba Ti-da33
Hire items include a parasol and deckchair set at ¥3,500, a parasol and float mat set at ¥2,000, and large animal-shaped rings at ¥1,800.
Snorkelling from the beach is not allowed. In any case there are few fish in the swimming area. If you do not know Okinawan waters well, going out with an instructor is the way to enjoy it.
You can practise yoga on the beach at Zanpa all year round. The scent of the sea breeze, the sound of the waves, the warmth of the sun, the gradations of the sea, the changing sky — yoga is a way of taking in the nature of Okinawa with your whole body. Book beach yoga here.
The lack of shade is a little disappointing, but the views more than make up for it.
In Japanese (for maps, taxis and car navigation): 残波ビーチ 沖縄県中頭郡読谷村宇座１９３３
We run beach yoga here too. Check availability and book in a few steps.