Nakamoto Beach
仲本海岸24°14′ N 123°60′ ESnorkel
Nakamoto Beach on Kuroshima's south-west coast has a reef lagoon full of tropical fish, and Taketomi Town warns of rip currents and many past accidents there, so snorkel in a life jacket with a partner, and only in the two hours around low tide.
Photo Paipateroma · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
A line of coral called the watanji runs out from the shore and encloses a lagoon of tide pools where reef fish gather. The beach has showers and toilets beside a rest hut, and after a run of accidents the island installed an AED and set up free life jacket loans.
Taketomi Town does not recommend swimming here, and it asks anyone who goes in to wear a life jacket and swim with a partner in the two hours around low tide, when the current is weakest. The fire brigade puts up a no-swimming sign in rough weather.
Before you swim
- Rip currents: Taketomi Town records many past accidents here
- Taketomi Town asks swimmers to wear a life jacket and keep to the two hours around low tide
- Sea snakes and titan triggerfish
December to March
Nakamoto faces south-west, away from the north-east winter wind. JMA's 1991–2020 normal for the sea south of Ishigaki sits at about 23 °C in February. Bring a wetsuit.
Snorkelling · 4/5
Entry Walk in from the beach to the lagoon inside the reef
Depth Shallow tide pools inside the reef
Tropical fish in the lagoon inside a natural coral causeway called watanji
Our ratings
- Swimming
- Snorkelling
- Sunset
- Quiet
- Families
- Scenery
Worth knowing
- Borrow a free life jacket at the watch hut or the Kuroshima Research Institute.
- Check the tide table before you ride over.
FAQ
Quick answers about Nakamoto Beachよくある質問
Is it safe to snorkel at Nakamoto Beach on Kuroshima?
Only with care. Taketomi Town warns of rip currents and past accidents at Nakamoto and asks snorkellers to wear a life jacket, to go with a partner, and to swim only in the two hours around low tide.
Can you borrow a life jacket on Kuroshima?
Yes. The watch hut at Nakamoto Beach and the Kuroshima Research Institute lend life jackets free, according to Wikipedia's account of the island's safety measures.
Is Nakamoto Beach worth visiting in winter?
Nakamoto faces south-west, away from the north-east winter wind. JMA's 1991–2020 normal for the sea south of Ishigaki sits at about 23 °C in February. Bring a wetsuit.
Is Nakamoto Beach good for snorkelling?
We rate the snorkelling at Nakamoto Beach 4 out of 5. Tropical fish in the lagoon inside a natural coral causeway called watanji. Entry: walk in from the beach to the lagoon inside the reef.
Within 8 km
Stay nearby宿
Within 8 km
Eat and drink nearby食
Within 8 km
Beaches and swims nearby浜
Book it
Line up the trip around Nakamoto Beach
Some of these links pay us a commission. It costs you nothing and keeps the guide independent.