Nishihama Beach
Best for. Snorkellers and quiet seekers who want brilliant white sand, Kerama blue water and some of the most reliable turtle sightings in Okinawa, off a calmer island than busy Zamami.
Best spot. The reef toward the northern end in the morning, floating still and letting a grazing turtle come to you, rather than the midday shallows where snorkellers cluster.
Know this. Shade and facilities are thin, so bring sun cover and water, and remember the turtles are wild and protected, so keep your distance and never chase or touch them.
Nishihama, written Nishibama on many signs, is the main beach of little Aka island, and it is the one to choose when Furuzamami feels too busy. A ferry from Naha and a short climb over the hill from Aka port bring you to a long arc of brilliant white coral sand, so bright it almost hurts in full sun, fronting water of the deep clarity the Kerama are known for. Snorkel out and the reef holds hundreds of coral species and, more dependably than almost anywhere on these islands, turtles grazing the shallows. CNN once named it among the world's best beaches, and on a calm morning you understand why.
The honest catch is comfort and restraint. Facilities are basic and shade is thin, so without a hat, water and your own gear a long day here turns harsh, and the climb back to the port in the heat is real. The deeper catch is how people treat the turtles. Because they come so reliably close, snorkellers chase and crowd them, which is both stressful for a protected animal and the fastest way to ruin the encounter. The reef and its turtles are why Nishihama is special, and they are exactly what careless visitors degrade.
So come to Nishihama for the genuinely wild Kerama, and earn it by treading lightly. Float still and let a turtle drift to you rather than swimming it down, keep well back, never touch or feed it, use reef safe sunscreen and keep fins off the coral. Go early for calm water and the beach nearly to yourself, and pack everything out. Pair it with Furuzamami on neighbouring Zamami for a two island snorkel, and you have the finest reef days Okinawa offers.
Wild reef, not a club
Nishihama has no daybed club. It is a quiet national park beach with basic rental gear and a seasonal hut, and the serviced resort beaches are back on the main island. We name what is here honestly and mark anything we cannot verify as to be confirmed. To plan a resort style day, start with the Okinawa clubs guide.
Photo: 山本克彦 via GoogleNishihama Beach rental and hut
The serviced side of Nishihama is light, a seasonal hut with rental snorkel gear, lockers and showers near the sand, and a lifeguard in peak season. There is little shade and no private club, so bring your own sun cover and water. Gear, prices and hours are set by the operators, so treat any figure as to be confirmed.
Furuzamami and the Kerama
Neighbouring Zamami island holds Furuzamami, with a richer fringing reef right off the sand and fuller facilities, a short island hop away. Together the two beaches make the finest snorkel pairing in the Kerama. These are public national park beaches reached by boat rather than clubs, so there are no daybeds, only wild reef to swim gently.
Onna coast resort beaches
For a serviced resort day with daybeds and a marine menu, the Onna coast back on the main island is where to look, with resort beaches such as Manza running loungers, activities and seasonal day passes. It is a ferry and a drive from Aka but the place for a polished club style day. Operators, seasons and prices are set by the venues and are to be confirmed.
Aka Island, in the Kerama
Nishihama Beach sits on Aka Island in the Kerama group, about thirty five kilometres west of Naha and reached by ferry from Tomari port. The fast ferry takes around fifty minutes, often calling at Zamami, and from Aka port the beach is a short walk over the hill. Aka is small and quiet, with a handful of guesthouses for an overnight.
Bring a hat, water, reef safe sunscreen and your own snorkel, swim early before the heat and any day boats, and stay inside the marked area. Let the turtles come to you and keep well back. Booking the ferry ahead is wise in summer. Conditions are typical and never guaranteed.
Photo: cokeccoco via GoogleBook a beach club
Tell us your dates and party size and we will help arrange a daybed or resort day at a serviced beach back on the main island of Okinawa. We reply by email.
We are an independent editorial resource. Booking requests are passed to clubs and operators, and some may earn us a commission at no cost to you. Prices, availability and opening status are set by the venue and are to be confirmed at the time of booking.
Common questions about Nishihama Beach
Is Nishihama Beach worth visiting?
Yes, it is one of the finest beaches in the Kerama. Nishihama, also written Nishibama, on Aka island has brilliant white sand, crystal clear water and some of the most reliable turtle sightings in Okinawa, all quieter than busy Furuzamami. Facilities and shade are thin, so bring sun cover and water, and tread lightly around the wild, protected turtles.
Can you see turtles at Nishihama Beach?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable turtle spots in the Kerama, with green and hawksbill turtles grazing the shallow reef. They are wild and protected, so float still and let them approach, keep your distance, and never chase, touch or feed them. Early morning is the calmest and least crowded time to meet one.
How do you get to Nishihama Beach?
Nishihama is on Aka island, reached by ferry from Tomari port in Naha. The fast ferry takes around fifty minutes, often calling at Zamami on the way, and from Aka port the beach is a short walk over the hill. Aka is small and quiet, with a few guesthouses if you want an overnight.
Is Nishihama the same as Nishibama Beach?
Yes, the same beach is written both ways, Nishihama and Nishibama, on Aka island in the Kerama. The local pronunciation leans toward Nishibama, but both spellings point to the same long white sand beach known for clear water and turtles. Do not confuse it with the separate Nishihama on Hateruma island far to the south.
Does Nishihama Beach have facilities?
Only basic ones. There is a seasonal hut with rental gear, lockers and showers near the sand, and a lifeguard may be present in peak season, but shade is thin and there is no club. Bring a hat, water, reef safe sunscreen and your own snorkel. Prices are set by the operators and are to be confirmed.
When is the best time to visit Nishihama Beach?
About April to October gives the warmest, clearest water, with summer the warmest of all and early morning the calmest and quietest. From January to March humpback whales pass offshore. Always read the day and watch the current, as conditions are typical and never guaranteed.
