Nashiro Beach

N26°06.251' E127°39.608'

Latest News: Nashiro Beach is still closed (apparently due to construction work), so the beach remains inaccessible until further notice. I suggest launching from Kita Nashiro or Shiozaki Beach in the meantime.

Overview

Nashiro beach is located in Itoman city, close to Cape Kyan, the most westerly point of Okinawa main island. It is a privately owned site and there is an entrance fee of 450 yen per person. Facilities include (cold) showers and changing rooms, toilets, vending machines and a small shop. Camping is also permitted for an additional charge. It is open all year round, but is best avoided during the 'Golden Week' holiday period as it gets very crowded. During summer time when the sea is officially 'opened', a designated swimming area is marked with buoys and there are lifeguards on duty.

Conditions

Wind. The beach faces west and so is suitable for winds from north northwest through to south. Although it is possible to kite in a northerly wind, it gets extremely gusty due to the proxomitry of Eyjina-island and can become a little tricky for launching. Generally the best wind direction is northwest, which equates to a cross-on and usually generates some reasonable waves on the outer reef. Northwesterly winds are frequent in the winter months, from around November through to March.
South and southwesterly winds usually blow in the summer months, but they are usually weak due to the low-density, humid air. You can expect around 10 knots or so, not much good for kitesurfing unless you're really keen, but on the odd occasion when the wind picks up you're in for an epic session!
Tides. Tides are an issue, as much of the lagoon dries during low water at spring tides. On a medium range tide you can safely kitesurf until around 2 hours before low water, but beware of the odd rock lurking just beneath the surface. At high tide it is possible to go out to the outer reef for some fun in the waves, directly opposite the beach. There are usually many small porcupine puffer fish in the lagoon and a large sea-snake population on the outer reef near the green harbour entrance buoy, so don't be surprised to see any!
Hazards. Unfortunately Nashiro beach was the scene of a fatal kiteboarding accident in June 2005. There is a concrete wall (tetrablocks) along the beach at the northern end towards Kita-Nashiro, which is where the victim landed after being lofted during a squall. Obviously you should avoid going anywhere near there with your kite, especially if hooked in. Also be aware that there is a line of trees waiting to snag your kite if you get too close to them.
Do not kitesurf in the designated swimming area, and launch well away from members of the public- it is usually best to launch and land towards the ends of the beach rather than the middle. As mentioned above, the lagoon and parts of the reef dry at low tide so beware of rocks etc as the tide ebbs. There are a few steel poles sticking out of the water near Eyjima island, presumably put there by local fishermen.

View south. Note the line of trees waiting to snag your kite!

Looking north. Keep well away from the concrete wall on the right when kiting!