Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Swimmers, Animals, Currents, Reefs, Corals, Wave breaker
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Flat to choppy water. Shallow area. Further out small to medium waves. With big swell (not often) perfect waves form on a reef about 1km offshore.
Beach type & size: Grass, Sand - Medium
Infos: Sand and grass. Medium sized beach.
Identified hazards: Rocks, Trees, Concrete, Bystanders, Road, Cars, Fence
Beachgoer: April, May, June, July, August, September, October
Weather specificities: Only during summer no wetsuit needed.
Wind type: Thermal, Frontal
Wind specificities: Best winds from May to September.
Best months: May, June, July, August, September, October, November
Access description: by Car - Located on Torii Station Army base on the beautiful Yomitan Peninsula. Only 4 kms North from Kadena AB's Gate 1 (~15 minute drive).
Specific rules: Zones, Other
Extra: This beach is located on a military base and is restricted access. Common knowledge rule - Kitesurfers stay on the north end of the beach; adjacent to the northern gravel parking lot to avoid swimmers.
Accommodations: Rooms, Camping, Rental, Shower, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Flat, Chop
Water hazards: Stakes
Infos: Flat water with little chop. In the water there are some wooden stick used by local fishermen.
Beach type & size: Grass - Medium
Infos: Hard sand with some grass. Some shells. Enough place to launch and land a kite.
Identified hazards: Shells
Weather specificities: Cold in winter (6 mm wetsuit or drysuit mandatory). Hot in summer (bodysuit recommended).
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: Good spot for NNE and N wind.
Best months: January, February, March, April, November, December
Access description: by Car - Its easiest to go by car. From Tokyo, drive to Kawasaki-Shi. Take the "Tokyo-Wan Aqua line". This is a tunnel under the Tokyo Bay that goes directly to Chiba at "Kisarazu-Kanada". Once at "Kisarazu-Kanada" drive south to "Kisarazu" and then continue southwest to "Aohori". From "Aohori" drive west to "Futtsumisaki" and park on the beach. By train go to Kisarazu on the JR Keiyo or Uchibo line. From there go by bus or Taxi.
Specific rules: Zones
Extra: The west part of the beach is for the windsurfers and the east part for the kitesurfers. South wind is also OK if you go on the south side of the peninsula.
Accommodations: Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave, Medium wave
Water quality: Cloudy
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Best months: January, February, March, November, December
Access description: by Car -
Accommodations: Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Medium wave
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Wind type: Frontal
Best months: January, February, March, April, November, December
Access description: by Car -
Accommodations: Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop
Water hazards: Jetskis, Reefs, Bridge, Rocks, Stones, Shells, Stakes
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Usually clear water and the island is ringed by a lagoon, so it looks turquoise.
Beach type & size: Sand - Tidal
Infos: Coral reefs and coral sand, you need to wear boots or you shred your soles.
Identified hazards: Rocks, Shells, Trees, Concrete, Road
Weather specificities: Hot, sunny and humid in summer, max 34C, min 30C. Winter excellent, usually dry and minimum daytime temperature is about 17C, though it can get down to 14C on some occasions, but only lasts a short time. Rainy season is May and June and it rains a lot. Typhoon season starts in August through October, and sometimes gives great conditions! Summer temp is about 28C, rash guard and shorts is fine. Winter down to about 16C in January, feels chilly then and full wetsuit is recommended. 3mm shorty fine for spring and autumn.
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: Summer wind is usually light, fickle and southerly. Not much more than a sea breeze so huge kites are a necessity. Better go diving in summer. Winter rocks, northerly wind regularly blows and can reach 30 knots. Wind feels denser too. This is definitely the best time, starts off around mid October and carries on through March usually. The winds are a little offshore. Can be sailed even at low tide. Wind from Northwest clockwise to East is best, but NW is likely to be gusty.
Best months: January, February, March, April, November, December
Access description: by Car - You will need to hire a car from the airport. East shore of Naha. Park at the parking lot of the town hall, and walk across the road to the beach.
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: There is plenty in Naha and around Okinawa city, but lots of bars are full of US military and get rowdy. Other bars won't let you in if you're a foreigner because they think all of us are military.
Accommodations: Shop, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Swimmers
Water quality: Clean
Infos: Hundreds of surfers on a good surfing day.
Beach type & size: Sand - Tidal
Identified hazards: Concrete
Beachgoer: July, August
Wind type: Frontal
Best months: January, February, March, April, November, December
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: Time
Accommodations: Rooms, Toilet, Food, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave, Medium wave
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Trade
Best months: January, February, March, April, November, December
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: Zones
Extra: Don't kite in front of the runway.
Accommodations: Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Swimmers, Buoys
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: From chop to medium sized waves.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: Big, sandy beach. Tourists during summer.
Identified hazards: Concrete, Bystanders
Beachgoer: June, July
Weather specificities: Cold air during winter, -5C or worse plus the wind chill. Summer is warm enough for just shorts.
Wind type: Trade
Wind specificities: Best winds during summer.
Best months: July, August, September
Access description: by Car, Train - The main beach in Kujukuri. The train is hell to actually get to the beach so you might need a taxi or your own car.
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop, Small wave
Water hazards: Rocks
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Tidal
Wind type: Trade
Best months: January, February, March, April, November, December
Access description: by Car -
Accommodations: Rooms, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Flat, Chop
Water hazards: Swimmers, Ships
Infos: The water is flat to choppy. No tide. No waves. At 500 meters from the beach in the water there is a rope to anchor boats so be careful.
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Infos: Long sandy beach. Soft and no rocks. Very safe to launch and land. To best place to kite is in the middle of the beach in from of the public toilet (kind of small pyramid shaped building). There is also a kite shop in front.
Identified hazards: None
Weather specificities: Warm in summer, chilly in winter. A wetsuit is recommended.
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: The wind in generally has between 8 and 15 knots. It can be up to 30 knots in gust, so be careful. Further south on the beach the wind may become turbulent due to the hills.
Best months: January, February, March, April, November, December
Access description: by Car, Train - From Tokyo station, take the Yamamote line to Shinagawa station (12 minutes). Then from Shinagawa station take the Keikyi line (direction Misakigushi). Stop at the Miurakaigan station (this is the one stop before the end of the line. This is 1 hour ride from Shinagawa station. At Miurakaigan station walk 5 minutes to the beach.
Specific rules: None
Extra: Keep distance from the swimmers. At 500 meters from the beach in the water there is a rope to anchor boats so be careful. It is recommended to talk to locals before you go out here.
Nightlife: Go to Tokyo and you will have more nightlife than you can dream of.
Accommodations: Shop, Toilet, Food
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop
Water hazards: Currents, Reefs, Corals
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: Reef outside. Sometimes wave on the reef.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: Long stretch of white sand beach.
Identified hazards: Trees
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Frontal, Trade
Best months: January, February, March, July, December
Access description: by Car - The beach is right beside the Harbour, no problem for parking. A smaller access road is by the old crematorium in the middle of the beach.
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: Small bars in town.
Accommodations: Shower, Toilet, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Chop
Water hazards: Wave breaker
Water quality: Cloudy
Infos: The water is the north end of Tokyo Bay, surrounded on either side by steel and chemical plants, hence the nickname, `Chemicalgawahama`. But it is the closest beach to downtown Tokyo, so it is used frequently. The riding area is enclosed between two breakwaters and part of the beach is concrete embankment (wear a helmet).
Beach type & size: Grass, Sand - Medium
Infos: There is grass to rig up on, beach is wide enough for launch, though there are a fair amount of rocks, sticks to get in your lines. Beach can get somewhat crowded with kites, so rig up, launch and get out in the water.
Identified hazards: Rocks, Other
Weather specificities: Cold in November to February, but riding possible. Nice from June to September. Warm water, no wetsuit needed in summer.
Wind type: Thermal
Wind specificities: Frequently 5-12 m/s afternoon thermals out of the S, SW. Gusty on anything with any north or much east to it. One of the more consistent spots in summer due to thermals out of the SW off of Tokyo Bay. Almost guaranteed afternoon wind on a sunny summer day. Prevailing thermal is almost directly onshore, so you need to be competent at staying upwind to have fun here.
Access description: by Car, Train - Higashi-Kanto expressway east from Tokyo, exit at Wangan-Makuhari. Take the 1st right after exiting, drive straight through the Makuhari-Messe towards the bay and take a left. Go about 2km, immediately after crossing the river is the launch, you will see kites up if there is wind. Alternatively, take the JR Keiyo line from Hatchobori or Shin-Kiba to Kemigawahama station, then about 1km cab ride to the beach.
Specific rules: Zones
Extra: Theoretically, windsurfing is prohibited at this beach, but there are usually plenty of them here. Stay outside of the yellow/orange floats if you are not taking a lesson. It is usually straight onshore or close to it, so stay upwind to get and stay outside the traffic. No jumping inside.
Nightlife: Tokyo is an hour away with more nightlife than you could ever want.
Accommodations: Shop
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean, Lagoon
Water type: Chop, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Ships, Reefs, Corals
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: Usually clear water and the island is ringed by a lagoon, so it looks turquoise. Coral reefs with nice waves, which can get pretty shallow.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: Coral reefs and coral sand, you need to wear boots or you shred your soles. Watch out for paragliders.
Identified hazards: Other
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Hot, sunny and humid in summer, max 34C, min 30C. Winter excellent, usually dry and minimum daytime temperature is about 17C, though it can get down to 14C on some occasions, but only lasts a short time. Rainy season is May, June and it rains a lot. Typhoon season starts in August through to October, and sometimes gives great conditions! Summer temp is about 28C, rash guard and shorts is fine. Winter down to about 16C in January, feels chilly then and full wetsuit is recommended. 3mm shorty fine for spring and autumn.
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: Works for East to Southwest winds! Summer wind is usually light, fickle and southerly. Not much more than a sea breeze so big gear is a necessity. Better go diving in summer (around 10 knots). Winter rocks, northerly wind regularly blows and can reach 30 knots. Wind feels denser too. This is definitely the best time, starts off around mid October and carries on through March usually.
Best months: January, February, March, November, December
Access description: by Car - You will need to hire a car from the airport. From Naha Airport, go south on Route 331, heading toward Itoman. Cross the Hyakua Bridge, then turn left at the sign saying Miibaru. The road will come to a "T" turn right, then you'll come to a variety of signs, take a sharp left.
Specific rules: None
Nightlife: There is plenty in Naha and around Okinawa city, but lots of bars are full of US military and get rowdy. Other bars won't let you in if you're a foreigner because they think all of us are military.
Accommodations: Toilet, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Mole
Water quality: Cloudy
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Best months: January, February, March, November, December
Access description: by Car -
Specific rules: None
Accommodations: Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Wave breaker, Mole
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Access description: by Car -
Accommodations: Parking
View spot
Level: Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Reefs, Rocks
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: The reef and its wave is close to shore, just about 50m. To the right some big rocks in the water, which are very visible.
Beach type & size: Sand - Medium
Infos: Wide, sandy beach with lots of space. Rocks at both ends of the beach.
Identified hazards: Rocks
Weather specificities: Hot, sunny and humid in summer, max 34C, min 30C. Winter excellent, usually dry and minimum daytime temperature is about 17C, though it can get down to 14C on some occasions, but only lasts a short time. Rainy season is May and June and it rains a lot. Typhoon season starts in August through October, and sometimes gives great conditions! Summer temp is about 28C, rash guard and shorts is fine. Winter down to about 16C in January, feels chilly then and full wetsuit is recommended. 3mm shorty fine for spring and autumn.
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: Summer wind is usually light, fickle and southerly. Not much more than a sea breeze so huge kites are a necessity. Better go diving in summer. Winter rocks, northerly wind regularly blows and can reach 30 knots. Wind feels denser too. This is definitely the best time, starts off around mid October and carries on through March usually.
Best months: January, February, March, April, October, November, December
Access description: by Car - Take the 58 to Onna-Son and then further along the coast to Miyuki Beach.
Specific rules: None
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Mole
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Big
Identified hazards: None
Wind type: Frontal
Best months: January, February, March, April, November, December
Access description: by Car -
Accommodations: Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Infos: Small sandy beach.
Weather specificities: The air temperature in winter is 21-25C. A shorty is good for long sessions and wind chill factor. The water has about 14C in winter. The summer is warm.
Wind type: Thermal, Frontal
Wind specificities: The wind strength is anywhere from 10-30mph and can change on a daily basis. You can change location depending on wind direction, with almost all wind directions. Winter season is the best time.
Best months: January, February, March, April, October, November, December
Access description: by Car - Take a plane from Naha on Okinawa to Hirara on Miyakojima Island, the flight takes 35 minutes. Drive south for about 10km to Sugama and then to Sanitu Beach.
Nightlife: This is a small island, so night life is very limited.
Accommodations: Rooms, Parking
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Shallow, Flat, Chop
Water hazards: Rocks
Water quality: Crystal clear
Infos: Flat to choppy water. To the east many rocks close to shore.
Beach type & size: Sand - Small
Infos: Small sandy beach. Further east many rocks on the beach with almost no space. Trees along the beach.
Identified hazards: Trees
Beachgoer: None
Weather specificities: Hot, sunny and humid in summer, max 34C, min 30C. Winter excellent, usually dry and minimum daytime temperature is about 17C, though it can get down to 14C on some occasions, but only lasts a short time. Rainy season is May and June and it rains a lot. Typhoon season starts in August through October, and sometimes gives great conditions! Summer temp is about 28C, rash guard and shorts is fine. Winter down to about 16C in January, feels chilly then and full wetsuit is recommended. 3mm shorty fine for spring and autumn.
Wind type: Frontal
Wind specificities: Summer wind is usually light, fickle and southerly. Not much more than a sea breeze so huge kites are a necessity. Better go diving in summer. Winter rocks, northerly wind regularly blows and can reach 30 knots.
Access description: by Car - From Uruma take the 329 northeast along the coast until you get to Igei.
Specific rules: None
View spot
Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
Type: Ocean
Water type: Small wave, Medium wave
Water hazards: Wave breaker, Mole
Water quality: Clean
Beach type & size: Sand - Tidal
Identified hazards: None
Beachgoer: None
Wind type: Trade
Best months: January, February, March, November, December
Access description: by Car -
Accommodations: Parking
View spot