Lessons Learned from the Construction of Artificial Beaches in Okinawa

In Okinawa, the coastal zone has extensively developed around the island, and it has become difficult to find completely natural sandy beaches with a coral reef. As measures against the disappearance of natural sandy beaches, artificial beaches have been constructed at many coasts. In every case, groins have been constructed on both sides to contain the nourishment sand inside the artificial pocket beach. However, satisfactory results have not necessarily been attained despite these efforts. In this study, three artificial beaches have been adopted as the examples, and the lessons were learned from these examples.