Zanehama Beach in Onna Village, Okinawa Prefecture, is a natural beach that has not been turned into a tourist destination, featuring beautiful scenery of emerald green water and sheer rock formations. It is known for its high transparency, making it an ideal spot for snorkeling. The view of the ocean from the top of the cliffs is truly spectacular and is a popular photo spot. However, there are no protective nets or lifeguards, and the area is not well equipped, so visitors should be prepared. There is no parking lot, and shoulder parking is prohibited, so it is recommended to use the nearby paid parking lot at Cape Maeda.
Table of Contents
- 1 What is Zanehama?
- 2 Check with Google Map
- 3 Is it safe to bring children?
- 4 How does the weather affect you? Points to be aware of
- 5 Access Information / Directions
- 6 Facilities: No facilities, must be prepared
- 7 A must-see for lovers of spectacular scenery! Real impressions from visitors.
- 8 Neighborhood Information (Distance from Zanehama)
- 9 Spot Information
Recommended for
People who want to enjoy the beautiful ocean of Okinawa by snorkeling.
People who want to take pictures at a spectacular spot that looks great on SNS.
What is Zanehama?
Zanehama is a natural beach with beautiful ocean and natural rocky shoreline unique to Okinawa, and often seen in social networking posts. Relatively uncrowded, it is a recommended spot for those who want to spend a quiet time.
The sand on the beach is white and silky, and the ocean is crystal clear, so you can feel the beauty of Okinawa just by standing on the edge of the waves. For snorkeling, many fish can be seen even in shallow waters, and there are areas with coral reefs. However, since there are no protective nets, you need to be very careful of jellyfish and ocean currents. Also, the view from the top of the cliff is breathtaking, but since there are no fences or other safety measures, it is important to exercise caution.
Check with Google Map
As you can see from the sanitary photos, the in-reef (coral reef area) is very large. This makes it a perfect snorkeling spot.
Is it safe to bring children?
Zaneh beach is a pristine beach and there are no lifeguards or protective nets, so please exercise caution when swimming with small children. The height of the waves varies from day to day, and at high tide they can take your feet off the beach. In addition, there are no fences to climb the cliffs, so safety should be considered especially when small children are in tow.
Since there are no restrooms or showers of any kind, it is recommended that visitors with children visit Cape Maeda or other facilities in advance and be well prepared.
How does the weather affect you? Points to be aware of
Zaneh beach is a beach that is greatly affected by weather conditions. On particularly windy days, the waves can be high, making it unsuitable for snorkeling. At low tide, the rocks on the beach are easily exposed, making the terrain difficult to walk on, so it is best to check the tide when visiting. Also, be especially careful on rainy days as the cliff tops and paths to the beach can be slippery. There is no well-maintained boardwalk, so it is recommended that visitors wear comfortable walking shoes.
Access Information / Directions
Zanehama is generally accessible by rental car. It is about a 60-minute drive from Naha Airport, and can be reached smoothly by using the Okinawa Expressway. However, there is no parking lot dedicated to the beach, and parking on the shoulder is prohibited. The beach is about a 10-minute walk from the airport, but as the footing in some places is poor, we recommend that you wear sneakers or other comfortable walking shoes.
Cape Maeda Parking Lot (100 yen per hour)
When visiting Zanehama, use the paid parking lot at Cape Maeda. From there, head there on foot.
Cape Maeda is a snorkeling and diving spot that attracts many visitors. In summer, the parking lot is crowded as shown in the photo, so be sure to allow plenty of time for your travel schedule.
Directions to Zanehama
When you reach the road from the parking lot, walk along the path on the right. It is about 500 meters to Zaney beach. It is surrounded by sugarcane fields! Enjoy the view of the fields as you walk along.
When you come to the intersection of Pizzeria ENZO, a delicious pizza and pasta restaurant, continue walking down the dirt road on the right.It is chained, but this is to prevent cars from entering, and it is safe for people on foot to enter.It is.
Facilities: No facilities, must be prepared
Zaney beach does not have any of the common beach facilities. There are no protective nets in place, and there are no toilets, showers, changing rooms, or lockers. Therefore, you should make preparations in advance when you visit. It is advisable to bring drinks and snacks for rehydration. Parking, toilets, and showers are available at nearby Cape Maeda.
A must-see for lovers of spectacular scenery! Real impressions from visitors.
Zanehama is a spot that has a reputation for being "quiet and relaxing, just like a private beach. Many people enjoy snorkeling, and some say, "The clarity of the water is excellent and I saw many fish! Some say, "The water is crystal clear and I saw a lot of fish! The view from the top of the cliff is especially spectacular!
Neighborhood Information (Distance from Zanehama)
Cape Maeda (5 minutes by car) - famous snorkeling spot
Cafe Dohana Dohana (7 minutes by car) - Cafe where you can enjoy lunch while feeling nature
Renaissance Resort Okinawa (10 minutes by car) - Luxury resort hotel
Manzakage (20 min. by car) - A spectacular spot with a precipitous cliff
Blue Cave (5 minutes by car) - One of the best diving and snorkeling spots in Okinawa
Spot Information
| Spot Name | Zaney Beach |
| address (e.g. of house) | Maeda, Onna Village, Kunigami-gun, Okinawa, Japan |
| parking lot | nashi (Pyrus pyrifolia, esp. var. culta) NearbyCape Maeda Paid Parking Lot |
| swimmable period | Year-round (at your own risk) |
| rent | free |
| protective net | nashi (Pyrus pyrifolia, esp. var. culta) |
| toilet | nashi (Pyrus pyrifolia, esp. var. culta) |
| shower | nashi (Pyrus pyrifolia, esp. var. culta) |
| locker room | nashi (Pyrus pyrifolia, esp. var. culta) |
| locker | nashi (Pyrus pyrifolia, esp. var. culta) |
Contributor Profile
- Okinawa travel media "OKIBRA" has been happily operated since 2020 by Kazunari, a computer geek, and Son-chan, an anime & food lover! They love Okinawa so much that they have visited more than 50 hotels and 500 restaurants in the prefecture, and they share the charms of Okinawa on Instagram and on the web. We will bring you the charms of Okinawa that you can't find anywhere else, from the unique perspective of a husband and wife team!
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