Best time to visit Okinawa

March to April and October to November. Month by month below, with the weather, what's on and what it costs to fly there from your city.

March to April and October to November

Sources favor spring and autumn for mild weather and thinner crowds, with March, April and November named most. Avoid Golden Week and peak typhoon months.

“Spring is widely seen as the best time to visit Okinawa.” airasia.com
“It is an ideal month for a first visit to Okinawa.” traveloka.com
“the best times to visit Okinawa are February, March, and November” crystalzinnphotography.com

6 of the 9 travel guides we read name these months.

Okinawa month by month

Average high and low in Naha, and days with rain

January68°F / 59°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…January is about the coldest month, though mild by most standards.Cherry blossoms start in mid-to-late January, earlier than anywhere else in Japan.Whale watching peaks from January to March.
February68°F / 59°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…One resident calls February the favorite month: mild and mostly sunny.Sea temperature falls to about 21 C in February.One visitor found wintry weather is possible in February, even if unlikely.
Best timeMarch71°F / 62°F · 13 rainy daysChecking fares…Resort beaches open for swimming in March.March is called the height of cherry blossom season, with temperatures of 18 to 22 C.The sea stays quite cold in March and April.
Best timeApril76°F / 66°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…April highs often reach 24 C (75 F).April is a sweet spot of good weather and manageable crowds.Golden Week runs from late April to early May and brings a sharp rise in domestic travel.
May81°F / 72°F · 13 rainy daysChecking fares…The rainy season typically starts in mid-May.Golden Week in early May brings a surge of domestic travelers, so book early.Dragon boat races add culture to May.
June86°F / 77°F · 12 rainy daysChecking fares…The rainy season ends around the third week of June.June has regular showers but fewer visitors than May.Eisa drumming festivals start in mid-June.
July89°F / 81°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…July is called the best month for snorkeling, with very warm clear water.July is peak summer, with the Orion Beer Festival.Early July has the Ocean Expo Park Summer Festival with a large fireworks show.
August89°F / 80°F · 14 rainy daysChecking fares…August sits at the peak of summer heat and typhoon season.Manta rays peak around Ishigaki in August.The Eisa Dance Festival is a cultural highlight.
September87°F / 78°F · 13 rainy daysChecking fares…Typhoon risk is highest in August and September.Mid-September marks the tail end of typhoon season.September is still hot at about 28 C.
Best timeOctober83°F / 74°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…Locals say October is when the island is at its finest.Weather turns more stable and cooler once typhoon season ends.The Naha Giant Tug-of-War is held in October.
Best timeNovember77°F / 69°F · 10 rainy daysChecking fares…November is called ideal exploration weather with fewer crowds.November averages about 22.5 C with less rain and plenty of sun.November is a strong but little-used window for island hopping.
December71°F / 62°F · 11 rainy daysChecking fares…December has holiday light displays and festive events.Coats or sweaters are occasionally needed in winter when northerly winds blow.Winter brings cold northern winds.

Weather: Naha averages (1991 to 2020 averages), as listed in its climate table on Wikipedia.

Every date to Naha from your city

Live fares from your airport. Watch them and we alert you when they drop.

Busy, quiet and what to watch for

Busiest

June to AugustPeak tourist season for beaches and snorkeling.
Late April to early MayGolden Week brings a sharp rise in domestic travel.

Quietest

January and FebruaryThe quietest months, with cooler weather.
NovemberOff-peak tourism with comfortable weather.

Watch for

June to NovemberTyphoon season, with peak risk in August and September.
Mid-May to late JuneRainy season with sudden showers.
Late April to early MayGolden Week means high hotel rates and booked-out rental cars.
August and SeptemberOne source says a typhoon disrupting a trip is less likely than most people expect.
January to MarchOne traveler had grey skies and near-freezing temperatures in late January and advises avoiding it.
WinterWater around 21 C needs a wetsuit.

Questions people ask

Which month is the rainiest in Okinawa?: The rainy season runs from mid-May to late June, with sudden showers but rarely all-day rain.
What is typhoon season in Okinawa?: June through November, with peak risk in August and September.
Which month is the cheapest to travel to Okinawa?: One resident names May as cheapest, but with rain and Golden Week to avoid.

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March to April and October to November

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