Kumejima Island: The Phantom White Sandbar Hatenohama and Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches

Kumejima and Hatenohama

Kumejima, about 100 km west of Okinawa main island, is a nature-rich remote island once called the most beautiful island in Ryukyu. Above all, Hatenohama, stretching offshore from the island, is a heavenly view where nothing but pure white sandbars float on a coral-reef sea. Every visitor is left speechless by the contrast of emerald-green water with clarity among the finest in Japan and endless white sand.

Hatenohama

This is an uninhabited sandbar made of three sandbars stretching about 7 km off the east of Kumejima. A phantom beach reachable only by boat, the pure-white sandbars floating alone on the blue sea are an extraordinary sight. Day tours where you can enjoy snorkeling and swimming are popular, and in the clear water you can meet colorful fish.

A Sea Where You Meet Sea Turtles

The sea around Kumejima is known as a habitat of green sea turtles, and you may encounter one swimming while snorkeling. During the nesting season from May to September, some years have observation tours combined with conservation activities.

Kumejima Firefly Museum

This facility protects and exhibits the Kumejima firefly, an endemic species found only on Kumejima. In May and June, nature observation events for fireflies are held, letting you enjoy the fantastical light dancing along the riverside. It is a valuable spot to learn about the island nature.

Practical Travel Notes

• Hatenohama is an uninhabited sandbar with nothing to block sun or rain. A hat, sunscreen, drinks, and a rash guard are essential. Since there are no toilets or shops, take care of these before the tour departs
• Hatenohama can only be reached by sightseeing boat or tour. Because the width of the beach changes with the tides, a schedule with time to spare is recommended
• Kumejima is a peaceful island of about 59 square kilometers and roughly 7,000 people. Getting around by rental car or rental bicycle is convenient
• Sea turtles and coral are protected. Do not touch or chase them, and observe from a distance
• Kumejima is also home to endemic creatures such as the Kikuzato stream snake, a natural monument. Act with care for nature

Best Time to Visit

May to September, when the sea shines most, is best. Because Hatenohama has nothing to block the sun, a hat, sunscreen, drinks, and a rash guard are essential.

Access

About 30 minutes by air from Naha Airport to Kumejima Airport. You can also cross by ferry from Tomari Port on the main island. To reach Hatenohama, join a tour run by an island sightseeing-boat company.

📚 Sources

This article draws on tourism guidance from Kumejima Town, guidance from the sightseeing boat and tour operators for Hate no Hama, guidance from the Kumejima Firefly Hall, and flight information from the airlines serving Kumejima Airport and ferry information from Tomari Port. Descriptions of green sea turtles, the Kumejima firefly, and the Kikuzato stream snake as endemic or protected creatures follow the facility and on-site guidance. Tour operating status and observation events change with season and sea conditions, so please confirm details on each operator and facility official sources before visiting.

Visitor Checklist

• What to prepare: Hate no Hama is an uninhabited sandbar with nothing to block sun or rain. A hat, sunscreen, water, and a rash guard are essential; there are no toilets or shops, so take care of that before the tour departs.
• Getting around: Hate no Hama can only be reached by sightseeing boat or tour. The sandbar size changes with the tides, so allow a schedule with time to spare.
• Island travel: Kumejima is a quiet island of about 59 square kilometers; a rental car or bicycle is handy for getting around.
• Respecting nature: Sea turtles and coral are protected, so do not touch or chase them and observe from a distance, with care for endemic creatures too.
• Best season: May to September, when the sea shines brightest, is best. It is about 30 minutes by plane from Naha Airport to Kumejima Airport.

Practical Information for Your Visit

Hate-no-Hama

• Location: About 5 km offshore from the east coast of Kumejima. It is the collective name for three sandbars - Menu-hama, Nakano-hama and Oku-no-hama (Hate-no-Hama) - stretching about 7 km in total
• Getting there: Reachable only by boat. The crossing takes 20 to 30 minutes each way
• Facilities: There is nothing to shelter you from the sun or rain, and no toilets or shops. Bring a hat, sunscreen, drinks and a rash guard, and use the toilet before you board

Kumejima Firefly Museum

• Opening hours: 9:30-17:00
• Closed: Mondays and Tuesdays
• What you will see: A facility for the protection and observation of fireflies (opened in May 2000). The first floor has displays explaining fireflies and the wider nature of Kumejima, while the second floor holds specimens, photographs and reports plus a kids' room. Outside there is a biotope and the Uraji River

Getting to Kumejima

• By air: Naha Airport to Kumejima Airport takes about 30 minutes; Haneda Airport to Kumejima Airport takes about 2 hours 40 minutes (changing planes at Naha Airport, where you disembark once)
• By ferry: From Tomari Port in Naha (Tomarin) to Kanegusuku Port on Kumejima, some sailings calling at Tonaki Port on the way. Direct sailings take about 3 hours, and those via Tonaki about 3 hours 30 minutes

Note: The admission fee for the Kumejima Firefly Museum and its parking arrangements are not published officially. The boat fare to Hate-no-Hama differs from one tour operator to another.

(Sources: Kumejima Town Tourism Association official website, Kumejima Hotaru no Kai (Kumejima Firefly Society) official website)