Emerald beach
Emerald Beach, often referred to as the Emerald, has a unique "Y" shape. It is located in the northern part of the Ocean Expo, which is famous not only in Okinawa for its Churaumi aquarium. The beach occupies a rather large area and is divided into 3 zones where you can engage in outdoor games and sports, just bask in the sun or watch nature.
Photos
Beach description
The coastal section allocated for active pastime has convenient approaches to the water, lifeguards are always here. In the area that is intended for relaxation, you can stretch out in a sun lounge in the shadow of an umbrella or just on a towel or in the pavilions, which obscure significant parts of dazzling white land. Curious travelers explore the egg-laying places of turtles swiming here, study marine life off the coast of Motobu, visiting Turaumi.
The esplanade stretching out into the sea makes it possible to see the islands on the horizon better and to look into the blue waters of the sea.
Despite the popularity of one of the best beaches in Japan, it is never packed to capacity due to its size. Each of the vacationers finds something to do, for example, takes part in beach activities or does nothing at all, contemplating white clouds over a cobalt tide. Here "Ki" of any individual weakened by civilization returns to normal.
Every year during the summer festival, you can see 10,000 fireworks on the background of a wonderful sunset. The country's only lagoon coastline has the capacity of more than 3,000 tourists. It is the perfect place for a wedding or another important event. The calm waters and the proximity to Ocean Expo attract family vacationers.
Beach facilities:
- Works from April 1 to the end of October.
- There is a beach shop and rental service.
- Showers and everything for beach volleyball is free of charge.
- Lifeguards and nurses are on their duty.
- There is a toilet for the physically challenged.
- Cafes are open.
- Protected by a special net from jellyfish.
- The bathing area is covered with coral sand for greater safety.
- Maintenance is based on the the environment and lives of marine creatures.
- A small bus routes through the park.
When is the best time to go?
If in the north of Japan, in Hokkaido, the weather in January-February is quite wintery, in the southern islands the temperature rarely drops below 20 degrees even in the cold season. In summer, the rainy season comes in Japan, when the humidity becomes almost one hundred percent, and the thermometer is at 30 to 40 degrees. Therefore, the best time to travel to Japan – is late spring or early autumn.
Video: Beach Emerald
Infrastructure
Really close to the beach and to the park and aquarium is a nice budget hotel Yugafu Inn Bise, 2,5*. Beautiful view of the sea and a large parking area. The rooms are spacious and clean. For those who are hungry in the evening, a free bus is available, it takes you to a buffet in a friendly restaurant. Only breakfast is served at the hotel. For active travelers there are several baseball and soccer courts nearby and an outdoor pool on site. You can use the vouchers for the hot spa.
For tourists, vacation in Okinawa is a complete enjoyment. The infrastructure is well developed, there are many interesting sights. The resort complexes have modern equipment, a lot of entertainment, and all kinds of water sports are developed.
After walking, it's nice to dine in a luxurious restaurant, serving not only Asian cuisine. Night life goes on in clubs and bars. Diving centers provide the opportunity for spectacular diving. The favorite tourists' pastime is swimming with dolphins, feeding fish with special food from water-soluble packages or diving with whale sharks.
You should have the whole day to the park: to study the exhibits of the Museum of Oceanic Culture, the national features of the Okinawan village, walk through the tropic garden, listen to recommendations on how to care for home plants.
You should be careful on the beach. Although it is protected with a net, you can encounter a sea serpent, a sea-urchin, or a jellyfish. The information about these creatures and their descriptions are usually placed on special boards installed on the beach. Here you can also find information about the time of the tides or see other valuable messages.
Markets and shops is a paradise for shopaholics. Everything is sold here, from household appliances to souvenirs. By agreement, sellers deliver many goods to the designated place. Recommended traditional souvenirs are glass, ceramics, figurines of lion dogs and local edible salt. Friends will be pleased to receive a bottle of Awamori or Sikuvasa lemon as a gift, which will help to protect them from cancer.
Weather in Emerald
Best hotels of Emerald
All hotels of EmeraldUseful information
- It is easy to get from the airport to Emerald Beach. It takes about 2 hours. If you go by high-speed bus even less.
- In April-June, the water temperature is still not very high, but many people already swim. For more comfortable swimming, it is better to protect the feet with special shoes, there are sharp fragments of coral on the seafloor.
What to do in your free time:
- Explore the park and visit the Churaumi Aquarium.
- Nakijin Castle.
- Visit the Ocean Culture Museum and Planetarium.
- Visit the Okichan Theater.
- Look at 2,000 orchids at the Tropical Dream Center.
- Admire the coast from the esplanade.