Enjoy marine sports on a trip to Okinawa in southern Itoman | Recommended spots
Let’s get into some of the most popular activities for travelers, such as surfing, stand up paddle boating (SUP), and snorkeling.
The best part of a trip to Okinawa, snorkeling!
Snorkeling is simple fun for anyone.
A popular snorkeling spot among locals is John Man Beach (Odo Beach). John Man Beach, which is also popular as a diving spot and surf spot, is a charming place where you can see colorful fish without even getting into the water.
In addition, the locals go fishing, sea lettuce picking, and relax on the beach as a part of everyday life. Some people even bring their own BBQ sets for beach cookout!
Here are some of the beaches that the locals hang out at.
[Active Okinawa Itoman Trip | Southern Beach](1) Shiozaki Beach Shiozaki Beach is a beach located on man-made land next to a developed residential area. Residents can be seen swimming with their families and listening to music or enjoying SUP.
* There is no habu jellyfish net at Shiozaki Beach. Please be careful, especially when you’re with your children
(2) Kitanashiro Beach This is a popular BBQ spot for the locals, with snorkeling, too. You can walk out to the floating “Ejina Island” during low tide.
(3) Komesu Coast (Yamashiro Coast) Komesu Coast is a mecca for surfers! It is also known as “Suicide Point”.
This area is popular among tourists because it has good waves for surfing all year round. There is a long lip along the coastline so surfers don’t have to compete for a good spot. It’s great for advanced surfers, but also easy for beginners to ride the waves, too.
In addition to SUP, beach yoga and SUP yoga sessions are held early in the morning at Shiozaki beach.
Shiozaki Beach also has the “Hawaiian Cafe Dining KOA”, a popular Hawaiian pancake restaurant on the second floor, right there on the shore.
I want to try surfing and SUP!
Did you know that many surfers come and stay in Okinawa Itoman for a long time during their trip? This is because “Suicide Point” is a world-renowned mecca for surfers.
In addition to this, John Man Beach, a popular snorkeling and diving spot, also turns into a sea of surfers during the hours between high and low tide, when the snorkelers and divers get out of the water at high tide.
On a surf trip to southern Okinawa, it’s nice to have a reliable store that can guide you to the best surf spots. And if you are a beginner, you may want to try out surfing or even take a class.
In Okinawa, you can also see people enjoying SUP on the calm sea at high tide. There are many surf stores that offer lessons and guides, so I’ll list a few here.
[Active Okinawa Itoman Trip | Surf Shop] (1) YES･SURFIn addition to surfing classes, they also offer bodyboarding and SUP guiding.
(2) PADOPADO OKINAWA
Padopado Okinawa is located in “Shiozaki Town,” on Shiozaki Beach that was mentioned earlier.
SUP stands for “stand up paddle boating,” and you balance yourself on a long board and paddle with an oar. You can surf when the waves are good, and SUP when the waves are calm.
The southern diving spots are also very charming!
Many divers who visit Okinawa on vacation are there for the northern area with its resort beaches, but the southern area is also a treasure trove of colorful fish and coral.
[Active Okinawa Itoman Trip | Diving Spots](1) Wench There are beautiful corals to see here. It is located near the beach, so it has easy access and is popular among local divers.
(2) Under the Cape Kiyan Lighthouse This cape is a favorite spot for cave lovers, and a wondrous ray of light pours down inside the cave.
(3) Sukakin-no-Ne This is a popular spot for those who want to see the beautiful fish. You might even be lucky enough to see some sea turtles.
So, what do you think? In this article, we talked about the snorkeling, surfing, SUP, and diving experiences that you can try when you come to Itoman on your trip to “Active Okinawa”.
In fact, Itoman is a popular area for surfers, divers, and other adventurous people. Since there are many long-stay travelers, Itoman serves as a home when you’re here touring the southern seas every day.
Bibi Beach is convenient for when you want to do some beach activities with your family during short- and medium-term stays.
In addition to the banana boat (10 minutes/1,650 JPY), sea kayak experience (30 minutes/2,200 JPY), and hands-on snorkeling (60 minutes/5,500 JPY) that are popular among Okinawan tourists, there is also an uninhabited island adventure tour (60 minutes/3,300 JPY) to Ukaha Island, which is famous for its whale fossils, for a limited time (April to June and September to October, 60 minutes/3,300 JPY).
Convenient for travelers, there is also a “no frills” course (3,300 JPY per person) where you can arrange for equipment rental and BBQ food all in one package, a perfect package for you and your family.
Summary
Marine activities in the southern area of Okinawa
･ John Man Beach is a popular snorkeling point in the southern area.
･ Shiozaki Beach and Kitanashiro Beach are popular for casual strolls along the beach.
･ “Suicide Point” is a mecca for surfers (Komesu Coast)
･ YES・SURF -> surfing and SUP
･ PADOPADO OKINAWA -> surfing
･ Itoman Diving Service -> Snorkeling and Diving
･ Bibi Beach offers a variety of BBQ and marine activities.
