Hatenohama
はての浜26°21′ N 126°52′ ESandbar
Hatenohama is a chain of three sandbars about 7 km long that lies 5 km off Kume-jima's east coast, and only tour boats from Tomari Fisherina go there; winter trips are shorter and land at Naka-no-hama.
Hatenohama is three bars of white coral sand inside the reef east of Kume. Menu-hama lies nearest the island and Naka-no-hama sits in the middle, and Hatinu-hama at the far end is the largest. The tourism association and the town both give the whole chain as about 7 km, and Japanese Wikipedia also cites more than 5 km, since sandbars shift. Most tours land on Naka-no-hama, which has the one simple toilet, some shade and, in season, a stall.
Bring all your shade and water, since the outer bars have none. Kumejima Marine Sports Club allows about two hours on the sand, and full-day trips with lunch run in summer. The glass-bottom boats that some operators use show turtles and coral on the way out, and the snorkel plans take you over the coral.
Before you swim
- No shade on the outer bar, so bring sun protection and plenty of water
- Swim only in the zones your operator sets
- Kumejima Escort Tours cancels at wind of 10 m/s or more, waves of 1.0 m in the harbour or 2.0 m on the route
- Habu-kurage box jellyfish: the prefecture's alert ran from 1 June to 30 September in 2026
December to March
Boats keep running in winter on shorter trips that land at Naka-no-hama. Kumejima Escort Tours runs half-day trips only from about November to March, with a one-hour landing, and Island Expert's winter landing plan allows no swimming. The tourism association describes December to February as mostly cloudy with a strong north wind, miinishi, that makes 15–20 °C air feel colder. The Japan Meteorological Agency's 1991–2020 normal for the sea south of Kume-jima sits at about 22 °C in February.
Snorkelling · 4/5
Entry From the sand on an operator's snorkel plan
Coral and colourful fish around the sand flats, and sea turtles in the clear water, the town says
Our ratings
- Swimming
- Snorkelling
- Quiet
- Families
- Scenery
Worth knowing
- Book by the day before, as the tourism association advises, and keep a spare day in winter in case wind cancels the boats.
- Bring water and a long-sleeved top, since the outer bar has no shade.
- Ask your operator which bar you will land on, since winter trips go to Naka-no-hama.
FAQ
Quick answers about Hatenohamaよくある質問
How do you get to Hatenohama?
Only by tour boat from Tomari Fisherina on Kume-jima's east coast, and the crossing takes about 20 minutes. The Kumejima tourism association lists seven operators and suggests booking by the day before.
Can you visit Hatenohama in February?
Yes. Operators run Hatenohama trips in winter on shorter trips that land at Naka-no-hama, and some winter plans allow no swimming. Strong north wind can cancel the boats.
How long is Hatenohama?
About 7 km, by the Kumejima tourism association's and the town's figure, across three sandbars. Sandbars shift, and Japanese Wikipedia also gives a figure of more than 5 km.
Can you swim at Hatenohama?
Hatenohama: Swim only inside the zones the tour operators set. Island Expert runs its swimming trips from mid-June to October and a no-swimming landing plan from November to mid-June.
Is Hatenohama good for snorkelling?
We rate the snorkelling at Hatenohama 4 out of 5. Coral and colourful fish around the sand flats, and sea turtles in the clear water, the town says. Entry: from the sand on an operator's snorkel plan.
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