Miibaru is a narrow coral beach below jungle cliffs on the south part of the island, and is known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Okinawa. There is a wide coral lagoon with an outer reef about 1-2 km offshore. Depending on the tides, Miibaru can offer amazing foiling, flat water, or breaking waves on the outer reef. Wind direction: ENE to SW Tides: 0.8m+ (Twintip)
Getting There
Miibaru kite beach is located on Okinawa's southeast coast. There is a small dirt parking lot just a few steps away from the beach.
The parking lot is private. Tomaru-san of Kite Club Okinawa coordinates with local landowners to let kiters park. If you see Kite Club Okinawa at the beach, you can offer to contribute funds. Please be very good neighbors while at Miibaru, since local kiters are privileged to park here.
Kiting Conditions
Launch conditions: Easy. There are a couple of anchor ropes if the wind is side shore or side on shore. If the wind is directly on-shore, it can be challenging to get away from the beach because of a wind shadow below the cliffs. On those on-shore wind days, once you get 100-200m offshore, the wind is stronger and more consistent.
Exact Kite Launch Location:
Local Hazards
Shallow areas The center of the kite area has some large shallow shoals that begin to be a factor at a tide level of about 1.0m. Boats Miibaru has a lot of aquaculture and there can be boats anchored in the lagoon. Please stay well away from these boats since there are usually people in the water working the seafloor and you may not be able to see them. If you pass close to the boat, you can be a hazard to them. Offshore winds The wide lagoon in front of Miibaru makes it enticing to go 1-2 km offshore. The tides may make it waist deep the whole way giving you some comfort. If the wind is form the NE or the SSE (apparent side-shore to the beach), you may find yourself in a hazardous situation with offshore winds relative to your actual position. If you have a serious gear problem, you might be blown out to sea. This is just something to pay attention to...stay closer to the beach if the wind is side-shore or liable to drop, or if you are relatively inexperienced. If the wind is still blowing and there are other experienced kiters on the water, they will work together to try and help you, but its best not to put them in that situation with poor decision-making.
Other beach users
The beach is relatively narrow and there can be a lot of traffic. In addition to walkers and swimmers, there can be horseback riding and wedding photoshoots. On the water, there can be fishermen and jet skis.
From the launch area, if you go about 200m beach right, the beach starts to curve. The businesses over in this area do not want kiteboarders walking on the beach. Please avoid this area unless it is an real emergency (not an emergency caused by your lack of kite skill). If the wind is from the east, this is the downwind direction.
