If you are among the lucky few to call Okinawa your home for a few years, you have the advantage of living on a resort island. One of the many resorts on the island, Okuma Resort, is exclusively for military and government employees. It boasts beautiful views, cabins and campgrounds, and seasonal resort-style activities and festivals on the northeast side of Okinawa.
Cabin Options
Camping is the best way to connect with nature, and with a view — you can’t complain. At Okuma Resort there is a beachfront family campground and a separate no-kids-allowed campground. They are in very different areas and have specific quiet hours geared toward families or adults respectively. You can also glam camp — or glamp. If you want the full tent-camping experience, per tent, you get a power source, folding camping beds, two sets of chairs, air conditioning, a fire pit, and table. As of 2018, this option was a very reasonable $25 per night.
Basic Cabins
The Pine Grove Cabins are rustic. They house a bunk bed and double bed without linens, and they do not have an inside bathroom. You’ll have a refrigerator and microwave in the cabin with an outside picnic table and fire pit. The price is very reasonable, $25-30 per night in 2018. Just don’t forget to pack the sheets!
Cabanas Galore
The cabanas offer multiple room types. A Studio gives you one bed and one bathroom, and the Studio Premier gets you two beds and one bathroom. A Suite has one master bedroom with two beds, a fold-out sofa, and a bathroom, and Suite Plus gives you all that plus a bathtub in the bathroom. All boast views of the north beach with easy accessibility to the restaurants and outdoor recreation on the property. The suites sleep up to six, whereas the studios sleep two.
Couples Cabin
The AI Beach Cottage — the couples getaway cabin — is perfect for just that, two adults. The perk of this isolation is that you get a golf cart because you are so far from everything else. You truly are removed from it all, including a strong cell signal, so it is the perfect respite for reintegration or an anniversary. It comes with a private beach and cove just outside the cabin, as well as a porch with a jacuzzi and barbecue pit! The kitchen setup is minimal (just a small refrigerator), but when you can cook outside, who needs indoor kitchen space?
Multi-Family Cabins
The Dunes Condo sleeps 18 people. There is a huge living room, big enough for playing outdoor Jenga inside. The kitchen is full-size and can handle any food preparation needs. The laundry space is larger than most laundry spaces in homes on the island. The bedrooms are all pretty similar in size, although the website lists it as two regular rooms and five master bedrooms. If you’re planning a farewell, reunion, or vacation with several families, you’ll have ample space in this Okuma Resort option for each family and all their kids’ accessories. When you consider that the prices can be split by several families, it is an amazing deal.
The slightly smaller Dunes Bungalow sleeps 10, but does have one larger bedroom and four regular rooms. With full laundry, a large kitchen, and three bathrooms, this is another ideal space for a multiple-family get-together.
The Turtle’s Nest Beach House is a new addition to the resort. These cabins have a loft area with two sleeper sofas and two bedrooms on the main floor, with an extra sleeper sofa in the living room. This could be the perfect party cabin for a wet down, holiday party, or even a child’s birthday party with your best friend and their kids. This beach house offers amenities, such as kitchenware and an outdoor storage chest for those beach toys after you enjoy the beach from your waterfront location.
Single-Family Cabins
The Bayside Cottage is a two-bedroom option for one family with a total of three beds and a sleeper sofa. The bathroom only has a shower, so if you’re looking to bathe little ones, make sure you are comfortable bathing them in the sink or bring a small tub to use in the shower. The kitchen is limited to a fridge, counter space, and a sink, but it has an outdoor barbecue and picnic table.
The Sunset Villas are glamorous new cabins with a large bedroom (with two beds and a sleeper sofa) and a separate sleeper sofa in the living room. The U-shape of the cabins makes the surrounded patio space a great outdoor space for dining. The kitchen inside does not offer a stove or microwave, but there is a grill next to the outdoor table.
Perks
There are several restaurant options on the property where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night cocktails (at the Grill and Bar). They often host special holiday-themed meals throughout the year.
One of the perks of the amazing Okuma Resort is the availability of outdoor recreation rentals. You can arrange a glass-bottom boat tour, or rent snorkel gear, jet skis, or banana boat sleds for some fun on the water. If you’d rather stay dry, you can rent a bike, golf cart, or a couple of putters and challenge someone to a round of mini golf at the course on the property.
Reservations
For festival events, the resort does book quickly, so call ahead to make reservations as soon as you’re able. The cancellation policy is 72 hours prior to arrival, so there is plenty of room for changing plans if needed.
You really can’t go wrong with any lodging at the Okuma Resort. Just decide where your family will be the most comfortable, and enjoy the view, the family time, and the adventure!
Photo Credits: Heather Walsh
