No, not the Bette Midler film, but real live let's-go-surfin'-now beaches! While Ehime isn't famous for it's sandy stretches and several of them are more pebbly than sandy, a beach where you can swim, tan and play volleyball is still a beach.
Ehime has a few beaches that are worth a detour. These are not the best beaches on Shikoku, but most of them are clean and sandy. The swimming season starts at the beginning of July and ends in late August. Don't you dare try swimming off-season, or one of those Obaa-san will come running with her wooden spatula to hit you on the head. Seriously, before that it's just too cold and after ... you expose yourself to dangerous creatures such as jellyfish, blowfish and sharks. If you just can't wait, head down to one of the southern capes of Kochi for Golden Week. The water is a bit chilly, but the beaches are great and jellyfish free.
Flagged beaches are listed from east to south (Toyo to Nanyo). Find your beach by city, follow the flags on the map.
1.  Yoshizaki Beach |
Shikokuchuo |
| 2.Sangawa Beach |
Shikokuchuo |
| 3.Habu Beach |
Niihama |
| 4.Takasu Beach |
Saijo |
| 5.Kawarazu Beach |
Saijo |
| 6.Sakurai Beach |
Imabari |
| 7.Karakohama Beach |
Imabari |
| 8.Nagahama Beach |
Imabari |
| 9.Utena Beach |
Imabari |
| 10.Nagami Beach |
Imabari |
| 11.Asanami Beach |
Matsuyama |
| 12.Oura Beach |
Matsuyama |
| 13.Nagahama Beach |
Matsuyama |
| 14.Tateiwa Beach |
Matsuyama |
| 15.Suishogahama Beach |
Matsuyama |
| 16.Shingai Beach |
Matsuyama |
| 17.Awaizaka Beach |
Matsuyama |
| 18.Himehahama Beach |
Matsuyama |
| 19.Baishinji Beach |
Matsuyama |
| 20.Nagamachi Beach |
Iyo |
| 21.Kamihama Beach |
Iyo |
| 22.Nagahama Beach |
Ozu |
| 23.Matsukasa Beach |
Ozu |
| 24.Susawa Beach |
Ozu |
| 25.Mue Beach |
Yawatahama |
| 26.Moon Beach |
Misaki |
| 27.Kawanohama Beach |
Ikata |
| 28.Nezumijima Beach |
Yawatahama |
| 29.Oshima Beach |
Yawatahama |
| 30.Yokohae Beach |
Seiyo |
| 31.Miyanokuchi Beach |
Seiyo |
| 32.Osozu Beach |
Seiyo |
| 33.Shiroura Beach |
Kihoku |
| 34.Takashima Beach |
Uwajima |
| 35.Hizaki Beach |
Uwajima |
| 36.Sunokawa Beach |
Ainan |
| 37.Murote Beach |
Ainan |
| 38.Kashima Beach |
Ainan |
| 39.Hizuchi Beach |
Ainan |
If you are driving around Kochi I'd say head for the West side. One of the best is Irino beach which is just outside Nakamura (in Ogata) off the 56. There is a charging camp site there but you can camp anywhere in the bush area for free and there are (cold) showers and a toilet block to make the experience a little more civilised! Another beauty can be found heading West from Nakamura: 'Ooki beach'. If you follow signs out of Nakamura for Ashizuri along 321 sunny road you will come upon Ooki after about 30 minutes, on your left. Turn in at the second car park (between the Enos and the blue roofed house) and you can camp anywhere along the grassy bank at the back of the beach. Here there are HOT showers for just 100yen.
At both beaches it is OK to have bonfires and barbecues. From Ooki you stock up food in Nakamura (30 minute drive) or head into Shimizu to buy supplies from the Sunny Mart but beware it shuts at 7:30pm. I might be biased, but I reckon Ooki is the best beach in Kochi!