Naha Beaches: Expectations vs Reality in Okinawa

When I flew to Okinawa, I expected the beaches in Naha to be tropical white sand paradises. While there is a beach in Naha called Naminoue Beach, it doesn't have the best view and is actually quite small. Turns out you have to travel either to another island or drive outside of Naha to find this kind of tropical beach paradise.
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[@bcruson8634]

Who goes to the beach in Naha, when you have so many other choices near Foster, or on the East side of the island? Tropical beach without traffic, is 40 minutes from there.

[@TreyCantSkate]

Maeda, Zanpa, Okuma, Onna, White Beach, hell even kadena marina. and that’s just the popular places, there’s sooo many little beach outlets everywhere

[@TonyFlorida]

Would have loved to check out these beaches! As a budget backpacker, I didn't have a car. I pretty much had to walk everywhere or take the bus. It was a bit of a struggle for me to get around Okinawa.

[@SuzanJafari]

Tony Florida you still could have taken a bus for maybe half an hour north and had access to lots of decent beaches where you can “gaze off into the sunset”... Also, most people don’t really live in Naha... Even locals don’t go to Naha unless they have to. It’s a shame you didn’t have a fuller experience

[@TonyFlorida]

@@SuzanJafari so I actually ended taking a bus after this to Nago and then Ogimi. Never made a video about it, but was definitely worth it

[@TreyCantSkate]

Tony Florida look man sorry if we came off as rude but your vid recently got posted to a fb group of people that used to live on Oki and a few of us got a little upset cause we felt like your video misrepresented the island, and we loved it there

[@TexasFurBabyMom]

We lived in Okinawa in late 60’s early 70’s. Dad was based at Naha AFB. That was our family’s favorite place to be stationed. Lots of really great memories!

[@ohjajohh]

Great video, I actually have to agree that Okinawa wasn't what I expected of it, but I still had a great time at Okinawa

[@TonyFlorida]

Thanks!

[@MermaidTreasureHunter]

Hi Tony, I think you did a great job on your iPhone! My suggestion for your audience planning a trip to Okinawa would be this: Go to Tripple A and get an international drivers license. Rent a car when you arrive. Why stay in Naha? It's like any other big city, super crowded. There are so many beaches to visit that are gorgeous. I treasure hunt them every day. The beach you walked on is actually one of my favorites though, Naminoue Beach. The ocean is calm, the water is clear and the corals are gorgeous!! Yes, you do have to look at the bridge and not the horizon, but like I said, rent a car and explore the many beautiful beaches the Ryukyu Islands have to offer. If you ever come back, let me know and I will be happy to show you around. cricket

[@TonyFlorida]

That's so kind of you, and thank you for your suggestion! I ended up taking the bus north to Ogimi and the surrounding areas. So beautiful. Will definitely be back at some point in the future.

[@David.5.6.7.8]

A car is a must. And someone who speaks the language

[@markmoreno7295]

The island is small. I used a “mamachari”from Yomitan to Nago daily. I tended to stop most often at Manza since they had a kurage net and I could cool off. However that resort charges. I discovered that if I came thru the pay-gate 45 minutes before closing they quit charging me after a day or two. Yet there are lots of nice beaches along the way. My favorite rest stop was near Yomitan. It is meant for cars but bikes have easy access. With a basket on the back you can place a small backpack in it. I also stopped at Lawson’s often enough. If you bring your own bike don’t forget to register it at the nearest Koban.

[@kamevlr]

I grew up in Okinawa and I haven’t been back in a few years so I can’t say how it is now but above kadena air base roughly there are some nice beaches and basically the further north the better in my experiences

[@TonyFlorida]

That's what I've noticed too

[@bluehabu]

During your long bus ride to Nago, you missed several beautiful beaches that are "worth visiting". Next time, give us a call/text. We've got your back.

[@TonyFlorida]

Next time for sure!

[@CicoinTokyo777]

Thank you! That beach in Naha with that bridge it’s very very bad ahah I’m going to Okinawa and wanted to arrive in Naha and visiting Chatan and then go to some beaches like zamami or ishigaki. Do you think it’s more convenient taking a bus or do rental car? Thanks 🙏

[@elvirageronimo2596]

Stayed in Onna Village last Nov yes you're right you have to take effort to get to the beach, we went to this hollywood version bar where you can see all hollywood artists from past to present,the water was so cold but did manage after awhile.

[@TonyFlorida]

That bar sounds like a nice place. Good for you for braving it and getting in the water!

[@danzena4059]

Okinawa is amazing but you're right, you have to work to get to the pristine beaches. So I think its important for people to know this. I love Naha but the beaches aren't impressive in Naha, Naha is more the "big city" of Okinawa. The "cultural hub" of Okinawa. If you want beautiful beaches you MUST have access to a car or take a bus ride if possible.

[@TonyFlorida]

Yes exactly and I agree with you 100%

[@ryanmccoy186]

cool vid, man

[@TonyFlorida]

Thanks Ryan!

[@blahblah12345940]

Naha was a port for goods to come in from mainland. No shit it’s not going to be as nice as the other ones

[@TonyFlorida]

Didn't know that. It was my first time visiting

[@mtwhatley3253]

My wife who is Okinawan taught me my error how I pronounced it...... she’s explained like this Oh key nah wa

[@TonyFlorida]

Yep that's what I learned too :)

[@eduardochavacano]

What’s in those islands, cute US Navy stores.... they are probably just in the Naha, lol.

[@TonyFlorida]

That's probably right :)

[@feliperobertodelima1]

hello brother how are you? My name is Felipe, I'm from Brazil, I'm looking for a realtor in Okinawa, I can't find any here in Brazil, could you help me? indicate any brokerage or realtor? thanks

[@Retrogame_world]

Did you leave the main island naha or are you too poor to explore miyako

[@fumifoficial8338]

HELLO MAN, I´M JUST A RANDOM GUY, I´LL BE IN ORLANDO IN SOME HOURS (LET ME CAPS off) so i wated to see beaches to exite myself abou that, i saw your video and really makes me wanna go to a beach right now XD, is like a little sad that your videos are not very popular to say but they are good, there are things to fix like the mic and etc but man, work hard hope you get big and become what you want to be, love from Honduras, maybe someday you could come and have fun here , its a great country, don´t let numbers define what your heart screams, make what you like, since it make you feel good it will transmit that to us. numbers are like a clock, the more you see it the more it stress you to grew, but when you dont mind it it runs after you could even relize it does, love from Honduras hope you read it

[@fumifoficial8338]

ps: i´m your first like

[@onnanodoro7634]

😍

[@TonyFlorida]

😛

[@F4nt4sia]

Anyone been to I think Ikei beach?

[@TonyFlorida]

No

[@anietaamagar2040]

Yes,me

[@_____J______]

I want to live here

[@TonyFlorida]

Island life is nice ;)

[@kcimsan1]

Here or there?

[@David.5.6.7.8]

You are very mistaken. Your video is misleading. It’s not that hard to find plenty of nice beaches to enjoy. It’s not that hard to get to. You look like you only have your running shoes and not a car. Do you know any locals who can show you around?

[@TonyFlorida]

Yep, just my two legs to get around. I ended up taking a bus up north to Ogimi and stayed with a wonderful family along the beach there :)

[@assordante2205]

Makes sense that a florida man is woefully uninformed about a travel destinations and then blames the island instead of his own short comings.

[@TonyFlorida]

No blame Vincent. Just my sharing what I thought before arriving for the first time vs what I saw in Naha. I really liked the island outside of the city especially up north. Btw, I'm not from Florida, that's my last name :)

[@c602]

🙄

[@SuperSaider]

Looks like a sewer

[@galacticreviewer]

Ur lips dry

[@TonyFlorida]

Lol yeah