Beach opening season (umibiraki)
海開きSeasonMarch, April
Okinawa's beaches hold their umibiraki (海開き, opening ceremonies) between late March and late April, and OCVB says the swimming season then lasts until about October. The Yaeyama Islands hold their beach opening in March.
An umibiraki opens a beach for the season. The Yaeyama Beach Opening (八重山の海びらき) comes in March with the first swim of the year and the announcement of Miss Yaeyama, and the 2025 event on Iriomote went by the title of Japan's southernmost beach opening. On Okinawa Island, OCVB's March guide listed an opening event at Okuma Beach in Kunigami on 22 March 2026.
OCVB says beaches across the prefecture open between late March and late April. It puts April water at about 21–24 °C and suggests a wetsuit on cooler days. In February, by our monthly averages of JMA's daily sea surface normals, the water runs from 21.5 °C north-west of Okinawa Island to 23.7 °C south of Yonaguni.
Worth knowing
- Swim at beaches with lifeguards in season, and check the jellyfish-net list from June.
FAQ
Quick answers about Beach opening season (umibiraki)よくある質問
When do beaches open in Okinawa?
Okinawa's beaches open between late March and late April, and the swimming season runs until about October, according to OCVB. The Yaeyama Islands hold their beach opening in March.
Can you swim in Okinawa in February?
Yes. The sea in February runs from 21.5 °C off northern Okinawa Island to 23.7 °C off Yonaguni, by our monthly averages of JMA's 1991–2020 sea surface normals. Beaches hold their opening ceremonies from late March, OCVB says.