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Best time to visit Okinawa: month by month
Short answer
April to early May and October to November are the most comfortable, with highs of about 24–28°C, swimmable water and fewer storms. The rainy season runs from about mid-May to late June (19–23 rainy days), and July to September is hot (about 30°C) with the highest typhoon risk. Winter is mild, about 19–21°C, too cool for most swimmers but good for whale-watching.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 19°C | 16°C | 12 | low |
| Feb | 20°C | 16°C | 11 | medium |
| Mar | 22°C | 18°C | 15 | high |
| Apr | 24°C | 20°C | 12 | medium |
| May | 26°C | 23°C | 19 | high |
| Jun | 28°C | 25°C | 23 | medium |
| Jul | 30°C | 27°C | 24 | very high |
| Aug | 30°C | 27°C | 22 | very high |
| Sep | 30°C | 26°C | 21 | high |
| Oct | 28°C | 24°C | 13 | medium |
| Nov | 25°C | 21°C | 12 | medium |
| Dec | 21°C | 17°C | 10 | low |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Highs rise from about 22°C in March to 26°C in May; pleasant until the rainy season starts around mid-May (19 rainy days in May).
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Highs of 28–30°C, lows of 25–27°C and 22–24 rainy days a month; warmest sea and the best snorkelling, but typhoon risk.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Highs fall from about 30°C in September to 25°C in November; typhoons still possible in September, calmer and drier from October.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Highs of about 19–21°C and lows of 16–17°C; whale-watching from about January to March and early cherry blossoms in late January and February.
Events worth planning around
- Cherry blossom season in the north (e.g. Nakijin Castle ruins) — late January to February
- Naha Harii dragon-boat races — early May
- Okinawa Zento Eisa Festival in Okinawa City — after Obon, usually late August or September
- Naha Great Tug-of-War — October
When to avoid
Avoid Golden Week (late April to early May) and the August school holidays if you want lower prices and fewer crowds. The mid-May to late June rainy season and the peak typhoon months of August and September are the least reliable for beach days.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Okinawa?
April, October and November, with warm days, swimmable water and fewer storms.
When is typhoon season in Okinawa?
From about July to October, with the highest risk in August and September.
When is the rainy season in Okinawa?
From about mid-May to late June, earlier than in mainland Japan.