06/10/2013

Kadena Marina Complex

A beach park and restaurant available to the public

Por Michael Flemming

Community writer

The Kadena Marine Complex has BBQ Pavilions, play areas, a restaurant, a beach, and an island, too

There's a lot packed into the complex, much of it open to the general public althrough some parts are for American military personnel only

The beach is popular with Americans and Kadena Town locals alike

The BBQ area is a great place to relax at

Go fly a kite at the Kadena Marina Complex

The beach becomes very crowded in the summertime

Deeper waters can be found at the southern end of the beach

The marine harbor is sheltered to the south by coral and a sandbar

This island is reserved for good swimmers or those with a small boat

Look for this sign on Route 58 north of Chatan and just south of Kadena Town

The Kadena Marina Complex located on the North China Sea is a hidden recreational gem in plain sight right off of Route 58 in Kadena Town. The complex is a part of but physically separated from the rest of the American Kadena Air Base. There's a sentry gate at the entrance on Route 58 that isn't manned with personnel, and thus for as long as I can remember it has been open to the general public, with the marina, scuba shop, gear rentals and pavillion rentals being exceptions. The general public is free to experience the beach and the co-located Seaside Ristorante.The beach is shallow and netted in, but becomes deep enough for serious swimming along the southern part of the marina complex. A large island in the marina harbor is a popular spot to explore. Scuba divers can regularly be seen at the extreme southern side of the beach plunging into the water off of the coral bluff. The Kadena Marina Complex is open Wednesday through Monday 10:00 ~ 18:00, opening a bit earlier at 08:00 on Saturday and Sunday.