It takes about 1 hour and 46 minutes by car from Naha Airport. The Churaumi Aquarium is located in a place that visitors to Okinawa are quite likely to visit. The beach is located behind the aquarium and is well-equipped and comfortable. Although it is a place that everyone visits, it is a little-known beach.
Point 1: What is the location of “Churaumi Aquarium Beach”?
Churaumi Aquarium” is located in Motobu-cho, in the northern part of Okinawa Island, and the beach is located behind the aquarium.
The beach is located between the “Manatee Pavilion” and the “Oki-chan Theater” where the dolphin show is held, although it takes 6 minutes to walk from the aquarium due to its vast area of 76.1 hectares.
It is labeled on the map as “Churaumi Beach,” and unlike the popular “Emerald Beach” a little to the north, it is a very quiet beach.
Unfortunately, swimming is prohibited and there are no toilets or showers, but the wide, clean sandy beach and the emerald-green ocean will cleanse your soul.
If you want to swim, we recommend “Emerald Beach,” which is used as a private beach of Hotel Orion Motobukuro Resort, and has a variety of rental items and activities.
Point 2: What kind of beach is “Churaumi Aquarium Beach”?
Churaumi Aquarium Beach” is a beach located behind the Churaumi Aquarium and is free to use. Although Churaumi Aquarium is filled with people throughout the year, the beach is not so crowded, so some people come here to relax when they are tired from the hustle and bustle of the aquarium.
In front of the beach, there is the “Oki-chan Theater” where you can see dolphin shows, and people in the know may know that you can also see these shows for free.
Unfortunately, swimming is not allowed on this beach, and there are no rentals or activities, but “Emerald Beach” just to the north has rental items, showers, toilets, and coin lockers, so even children can play safely.
It can be said that “Churaumi Aquarium Beach” is a beach where you can enjoy the beautiful emerald green ocean like a swimming pool and the unique scenery of a natural beach rather than enjoying activities.
Point 3: What spots do you recommend near “Churaumi Aquarium Beach”?
There are many recommended spots near Churaumi Aquarium Beach.
First of all, it is not easy to see only the inside of “The Churaumi Aquarium,” but the “Oki-chan Theater” and “Manatee Pavilion” mentioned earlier can be seen for free.
In addition, the vast grounds include a botanical garden such as the “Tropical Dream Center,” “Aqua Town” with playground equipment, “Local Village,” “Tropical Culture Museum,” and other exhibits that are so rich in content that it is impossible to visit them all in one day.
Outside of the Churaumi Aquarium grounds, the “Bise Fukugi Namiki” in the north will soothe you, and the “Motobu Genki Mura” where you can interact with dolphins and animals and experience culture is a great place to visit with small children or even when the weather unexpectedly worsens.
As you can see, the Churaumi Aquarium is quite likely to be visited by visitors to Okinawa, but if you know that there is a hole-in-the-wall beach nearby and that there are many things to see and do, including a free area within the vast grounds of the aquarium,
If you know that there are many attractions including a free area in the vast site, you may be able to enjoy Churaumi Aquarium in a wider range of ways!