Nakamahama Beach
On a clear day, both Kuchierabu Island and part of the Tokara island chain can be seen from this quiet beach that is popular among surfers and swimmers alike. Loggerhead and green sea turtles come here to spawn, typically between May and July. The hatchlings are raised in a protected area, and their release can be observed from July through September. Local residents say that the buttress of rocks just offshore, a spot known for its tasty clams, was mistaken for an oceangoing craft by fighter planes in World War II, and it still bears the scars of strafing. Things are much more peaceful today, and it is well worth lingering on this beach for the sunsets.