Ikei Island offers Okinawa's best east-coast waves, catching E-SE swells when the popular west-side breaks are blown out by onshore winds. The island is accessible by car via bridges, but getting to the surf requires a long paddle to the point—worth it for those who make the effort. The reef break works for all levels, with beautiful coastal scenery and significantly fewer crowds than Sunabe. Tide-dependent like all Okinawa breaks, with surfing limited to higher tides.
Water temp
27°C
Wetsuit
Boardshorts / Rashguard
Difficulty
5/10
Crowd level
3/10
Access: Drive to Ikei Island via bridges. Long paddle out.
Peak: Apr-Nov
Secondary: Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar
East coast works when west has onshore. Typhoon season best.
Verified by Evertrail Okinawa, Stormrider
How well swell angle matches the spot
Wave height in the ideal range
Each spot has different period requirements. Points and reefs can handle longer periods than beaches.
Offshore/glassy conditions