Okinawa surf is warm-water fun in the very south of Japan. There are some epic breaks and there’s swell virtually all year round. Barrels can go off on the reefs during typhoon surges. Other places have nice sandbar breaks for intermediates and learners. Lots to like. The best in Japan? Maybe. Just maybe.
An introduction to Okinawa surf
We say this is the ultimate guide to Okinawa surf. What we mean is that this is the best guide out there to Okinawa surf. Why the disclaimer? This subtropical corner of south Japan is spread over 161 islands and has nearly 300 degrees of swell channel to focus on. There’s too much to fit into a single article, unless you fancy settling in with cocoa for a tome a la War and Peace.
What we can do is home in on the spots that have helped to put Okinawa at the very forefront of the Japanese surf scene over the last few decades. They’ve got some serious quality over here, in the form of shallow reef breaks that are dead clean and hollow. Plus, the waters are warm and the weather is fine – it’s an all round great place to come surfing.
The largest island in the Okinawa chain, Naha, is the place to begin your wave hunting. That’s the home of the Sunabe Seawall, which is often compared to Waikiki thanks to its sections of peeling reef break separated by neat paddle channels. From there, you’ll need to be ready to travel east, west, and north to chase varying swell angles that can change suddenly as typhoons move around the Pacific and the East China Sea.
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This guide is just one part of our complete guide to surfing in Japan
Okinawa surf at a glance
The good…
The bad…
What’s in this guide to Okinawa surf?
Where is Okinawa?
Okinawa is the southernmost point in Japan. The very end of the island nation is marked here by the Haterumajima headland in Taketomi, a place that’s so far south that it’s actually closer to Taipei than to Tokyo.
The Okinawa Prefecture is actually a group of 150 islands that’s a part of the greater Ryukyu Island chain. Most surfers consider them altogether (hence the 161 we mentioned above). The main island of the group, and where you’re likely to arrive, is Naha, a great place to launch a surf trip.
How to get to Okinawa?
Despite how far-flung Okinawa might seem when you look at the map, the region isn’t actually that hard to get to. The subtropical airs, rich wartime history, and gorgeous beaches make it a favorite holiday destination, beloved of domestic Japanese travelers and US snowbirds alike.
There are now regular flights direct from bigger cities on the Japanese islands further north – Tokyo, Osaka. Our advice? BOOK EARLY! Tickets on those routes are notoriously pricy at the last minute and only really worth it if you catch them early, since prices can rocket from around $60 each to over $350!
Okinawa surf spots
Here’s the juicy bit: The top surf spots in Okinawa. Look – there are loads. Too many to mention. Anyway, a lot of the fun here is in chasing the swells around the islands’ various shores to learn what works and when. Here, we’ll detail the range of breaks that all surfers heading to Okinawa should know about pre-landing, to kick-start that trip with some quality scores. Our focus will largely be on Naha, the main island in the group.
Hedo Point
Also known as Ko-Chan, Hedo Point is the northernmost point on Naha island and a bona fide swell magnet because of it. Easterly typhoon swells in the summer will rip through here, bending against the rocks and peeling right into the bay. When it’s on and there’s a slight S element in the wind direction, those shoulders glass up beautifully and you’ll get bowly walls with some of the longest trimming rides in Japan. But you gotta’ earn that, because the initial take-off is nigh-vertical and there’s a backdoor barrel section when it’s 6-foot plus. Just a great all-round wave on its day.
Aha-yoko
Bombs will go off on Aha-yoko beach when big SE swells push through or heavy super-typhoon systems move up the eastern Pacific. They’re created by the unique combo of a very shallow outer reef and a deep ocean trench, which funnels all that power into four or five separate peaks which roar like monsters as they suck the water off the rocks when it’s low tide. They resemble something out of Hossegor to begin with, on the wildest of midwinter days. Then they’ll fan out and craft thigh-burning barrels to the left and right. It’s for very advanced surfers only here, and the locals are quite vocal too.
Ikei Island
Drive over the Kaichu Sea Road to enter Ikei Island, a place of crystal-clear waters and resplendent coral reefs that’s most famous for its sand-side resort hotels and sunflower fields. The waves on the eastern shoreline are great fun when it’s 5-7 foot and little wind. They’ll go choppy if the swell drops and the breeze picks up but are still a great option for intermediates looking to sample some tamer Okinawan reefs.
Kudaka Island
Not, strictly speaking, on the island of Naha, since it’s a whole separate island to the east, Kudaka is worth considering because it’s uber-consistent and very fun for intermediates. Getting there can be hard – the unpunctual Japan Post boat is the favored option, but there are also some tourist ferries in the high season. The main break is a fantastic left-hander that breaks on the reefs immediately east of the harbor wall. When the tide pushes up it can link the section together to get some of the longest rides in the country. That’s kinda’ rare, though, needing big NE typhoon swells. More likely, you’ll catch it broken into various spots, with a challenging barrel smashing the outside.
Suicide Cliffs
Don’t worry – the hauntingly named Suicide Cliffs didn’t get their moniker because of the waves. The spot was actually one of the last bastions of defense against the US marines in WWII, and loads of Japanese soldiers opted to throw themselves off the rocks instead of being captured. The story in the water is much better. You’re looking at multiple peaks spread along a well-protected beach. It’s good for all levels but really susceptible to N winds. The path down is tricky.
Sunabe Seawall
The Sunabe Seawall is the most hallowed ground for surfing in Okinawa. Taking a bit of Waikiki and adding in the very consistent typhoon and windswells that come from October all the way to March, it’s a cracking place to start. It’s also very close to the airport and has something for all surfers. The place is broken into about three or four distinct peaks, each of which occurs over a little bit of rock reef and has a dedicated paddle channel to the north or south. The best breaks here are:
- Bowls – As the name implies, this is a soft, bowly number that’s great fun for rippers on the hunt for airs.
- Sunabe II – A night right that breaks almost like a point at middle coming off the seawall itself.
- Typhoon Breaks – Long lefts for the longboard trimmers.
Turtles
This is one heavy left-hander, like an Uluwatu in the East China Sea, only with currents that continually try to rip you off the action zone and into no-man’s land somewhere between Japan and Taiwan. Only for real pros as it needs plenty of paddle power and is a frother of a wave, with overheads coming thick and fast as the swell approaches 10 foot.
Where to stay when surfing in Okinawa?
We’ve gone for a 2-1 hotel split between places to stay right by the Sunabe Seawall and on the way to Ikei Island…
- The Moana by DSH Resorts – With a name inspired by Hawaii, you can see how this well-rated stay might be a good pick down on the Sunabe Seawall. The waves are like 20 meters away and the rooms are pretty darn cool, with some options that have Jacuzzi baths on their balconies.
- Hotel Sunset American – Only a few steps off the seawall, this classic and comfy hotel has condo-style rooms with balconies and a sunny promenade out front.
- Premium Villa Miyagi Island – Those with deep pockets can enjoy the high life in this 5-person villa. It’s on the way to Ikei Island and has a stunning infinity pool overlooking the Pacific. Interior style = uber-cool.
Step-by-step guide to planning your okinawa surf trip right now
Step one: Book flights to the okinawa surf…Lately, we like Omio for searching flights. It’s a nice interface and has lots of airline options. We also use Skyscanner because that sometimes offers deals that even beat going direct to the carrier!
Step two: Book your surf camp Book Surf Camps is the numero uno online booking platform for fully-fledged surf-stay packages on the internet right now. Then there’s Booking.com. That has consistently unbeatable rates for hotels and a nifty map feature that lets you check EXACTLY how close your hotel is to a surf break.
Step three: Get insuranceThis is kinda’ important. Not just for surf trips but for any trips. SafetyWing is great for nomad travelers. They offer rolling contracts that cover amateur surfing.
Step four (optional): Rent a car If you’re surf camping then you might not need wheels. If you’re not then we’ll just say this: We’ve never been on a surf trip that wasn’t improved by having our own car. Use RentalCars – they’re the best.
Step five: Enjoy!
For paying for stuff when you’re traveling – Get a Wise borderless card/account. They charge NOTHING for POS payments in any country and have some of the best FX rates around in our humble opinion.
When to surf in Okinawa?
Okinawa has a really long swell window. You can surf here anytime between August and March, and even the low season of May-July has some waves, though they are generally better for beginners.
The great thing about Okinawa surf is that there are spots on the west coast, the north coast, the south coast, and the east coast, with the typhoon-ravaged East China Sea on one side and the wider Pacific on the other.
The autumn will send the cleanest S swells through that combine with NW winds to offer the cleanest conditions on the eastern side of the island – places like Kudaka Island and Ikei are perfect then. As the winter kicks in, windswell from the E is more common, and the west coast really comes into its own as winds tend to originate from the NE, keeping things cleaner.
Things to do in Okinawa (other than surf…)
One of the top things about heading down to Okinawa for a surf is that you’ll get to see one of the most beautiful parts of Japan. It’s not only for warm-water waves. There’s diving and snorkelling that will blow your mind, incredible bamboo forests, Shinto temples, and a whole load more.
We can’t do a full travel guide justice but some of the things we think should totally be on the itinerary are:
- Naha, Okinawa: Keramas Island Snorkeling Day Trip with Lunch – This guided tour of three of the most incredible dive sites in the region lets you get up close to coral gardens and even, potentially, sea turtles. It’s run by highly rated Marine House SEASIR and includes lunch and a hotel pickup.
- Okinawa: Full-Day Bus Tour to Yanbaru National Park – The simple way to see the spectacular Yanbaru National Park is on a guided tour. You’ll delve into the marvellous wooded mountains in the north and have lunch in a traditional Okinawan village.
We might use affiliate links in this post. Basically, you click em’ and we get a little something from your booking or purchase. They help us keep offering more and more in-depth surf guides to awesome places all around the globe. So, thanks for that!
