A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Okinawa vs. Noosa Heads for Beaches, Hiking, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Okinawa or Noosa Heads?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Okinawa and Noosa Heads. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Okinawa

Okinawa is a idyllic, tropical, and lush archipelago. Many visitors also come to Okinawa because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Okinawa travel costs.

Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads is a peaceful, scenic, and natural coastal town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. With stunning beauty, Noosa Heads attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking. See Noosa Heads travel costs.

Okinawa and Noosa Heads: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Okinawa or Noosa Heads?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Okinawa. Although Okinawa and Noosa Heads are both popular with visitors, Okinawa has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Okinawa is more popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Noosa Heads is known for its small town charm. Okinawa is popular for its pristine tropical environment, stunning blue water, and impressive marine life. It is also home to the Kerama Islands. Noosa Heads is popular for its stunning beaches, natural beauty, and surfing culture.

How is Okinawa different from Noosa Heads?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Noosa Heads and Okinawa. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Okinawa or Noosa Heads?

Okinawa is a great archipelago for its historical sights. However, Noosa Heads is not known for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Okinawa. Although most visitors come for the natural beauty and beach setting, there are some nice historic sights and museums in the region. Favorites include Shurijo Castle, Futenma Shrine, and Churaumi Aquarium.

Noosa Heads offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. As a holiday destination, it is all about the beaches and laid back natural beauty. You'll find little in the form of museums, but do make your way to Laguna Lookout to take in the view.

Is the Food Better in Okinawa or Noosa Heads? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Okinawa and Noosa Heads offer a number of very good restaurants to choose from.

Dining out in Okinawa is an experience not to be missed. Food in the region is truly unique, and sometimes a bit bizarre. There's a surprising amount of international influence on the cuisine because the islands are close to China and Taiwan, and there's a large American presence due to the US military. Despite this, the cuisine has its roots in the area's long history. Local dishes include rafute (pork belly in a stew), goya chanpuru (stir fry with melon, pork, and tofu), and umibudo (sea grapes).

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Noosa Heads. The scenic setting means that there are peaceful restaurants that look out on the sea or river. Many restaurants use local ingredients from nearby farms. Farm-to-table is a popular concept here, and there are many sustainable seafood dishes that use locally caught fish.

Is Okinawa or Noosa Heads Better for Nightlife?

Okinawa is a great archipelago for nightlife and partying. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its evening party scene.

The nightlife in Okinawa has something for everybody. The diverse population has impacted the nightlife scene, and you'll see international influences at the bars and clubs in the area. Many locals begin their night out at a izakaya, which is part bar, part restaurant. The cities are also known for their jazz clubs and karaoke scene.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Noosa Heads. There are a number of pubs and bars that have opened around town. You'll find cocktail lounges, beer gardens, an plenty of outdoor activities to choose from.

Is Okinawa or Noosa Heads Better for Resorts?

Okinawa is a great archipelago for its luxury resorts. However, Noosa Heads is not a resort destination.

In Okinawa, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are large resorts as well as smaller, elegant hotels. If you want to be near the water, check out the coastal areas of Onna, Miyakojima, and Ishigaki.

Noosa Heads is not a resort destination.

Is Okinawa or Noosa Heads Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Okinawa is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Noosa Heads is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Okinawa is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. The waters around Okinawa are filled with a rich biodiversity of corals and tropical fish. You'll also find sea turtles and other larger marine animals. There are also mangrove forests that form the breeding ground for many types of marine life. The snorkeling and diving in the area is world class, and attracts both beginners and experienced divers.

Noosa Heads is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Okinawa or Noosa Heads Better for Beaches?

Okinawa and Noosa Heads both offer fantastic beaches.

Okinawa offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The region is filled with white sand beaches and turquoise water. Some of the beaches are accessible and lively while others are more remote and peaceful. Furuzamami Beach is both easy to access but also has a relaxed atmosphere. Nishihama Beach is more remote but well worth the effort and Aharen Beach is a popular day trip by ferry.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Noosa Heads. Visitors come for the laid back vibe and the spectacular beaches. For swimming, head to Noosa Main Beach. There's also surfing at the Noosa World Surfing Reserve and a peaceful and natural setting at Noosa National park.

Is Okinawa or Noosa Heads Better for Hiking?

Okinawa is a must-visit destination for hiking. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for the nearby hiking options.

Around Okinawa visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The island's tropical setting provides hikers with lush jungles and unique geology to explore. One of the most popular areas for hiking is Yambaru National Park. In this park you can walk through the mangroves and spot local wildlife. The region also has many off-the-beaten-path hiking opportunities for those looking for an adventure.

Noosa Heads is a popular spot for hiking. There are hiking trails that take in the coastal views or you can head inland and wander through wooded landscapes. Some of the best hiking trails are found at Noosa National Park.

Is the Shopping Better in Okinawa or Noosa Heads?

Both Okinawa and Noosa Heads are good shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Okinawa to go shopping. There are a number of shopping streets in the urban areas. You'll also find large outlet malls near the US military base. A favorite shopping street in Naha is Kokusai-dori Shopping Street, which has local shops and souvenir vendors.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Noosa Heads. The main shopping street through town is Hastings Street. It's where you'll find beachside boutiques, impressive art galleries, as well as international brands.

Is Okinawa or Noosa Heads More Beautiful?

Okinawa is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its scenery and beauty.

Many visitors also come to Okinawa because of it's amazing beauty. The islands are filled with beautiful natural environments that range from white sand beaches to mangrove forests. The water is turquoise and the setting is idyllic for vacationers.

With stunning beauty, Noosa Heads attracts visitors from all around. It's stunning natural beauty, breathtaking beaches, and nearby green spaces have made this a popular holiday destination.

Is Okinawa or Noosa Heads Better for Families?

Okinawa is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for its family-friendly activities.

Okinawa is an extremely popular archipelago to visit for families. There are so many kid-friendly activities in the area, that this has long been a favorite family vacation destination. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the snorkeling, beaches, mangroves, boat rides, and adventure activities like ziplining. Kayaking in Yambaru Mangrove Forest is a favorite activity, but also check out the sea turtles at Ikei Island.

Noosa Heads is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are playgrounds and green space where you can picnic at the Noosa Villages. Kids will also enjoy taking ferry rides and exploring Noosa National Park. Also nearby is the impressive K'Gari (Fraser Island).

Is Okinawa or Noosa Heads Better for Couples?

Okinawa is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Noosa Heads is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal town for couples.

Okinawa is a great archipelago for couples, as it has plenty to offer. With its stunning beaches, world class snorkeling, and relaxing resorts, couples and honeymooners will love a trip to these beautiful islands. There's a mix of outdoor adventures and cultural activities that will keep any couple entertained.

Noosa Heads is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's filled with romantic beaches and fun outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking. There are plenty of places to hike and explore, as well as sunset cruises and dolphin spotting tours. You can also unwind with a spa day or sip wine by the sea.

Is Okinawa or Noosa Heads Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Noosa Heads is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Okinawa is not as famous, but is still a good archipelago to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Noosa Heads is a very popular coastal town for backpackers and budget travelers. The laid back atmosphere makes this a long running stop for backpackers to Australia. There are a number of hostels to choose from and many ways to explore nature.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Okinawa. Despite being one of the most fascinating places in Japan to visit, it can be challenging as a backpacker. There aren't many hostels in the area and transportation can be a bit tricky.

Is Okinawa or Noosa Heads Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Okinawa and Noosa Heads offer good public transit options.

Okinawa has a few public transit options. Public transit through the area is decent in urban areas but gets more limited outside of the cities. On the main island there are buses, shuttles, and a monorail, but off the main island you'll want your own vehicle.

Noosa Heads has some public transit options. There's a ferry that travels along the river. There are also buses that travel to local destinations.

Is Okinawa or Noosa Heads a more walkable city?

Noosa Heads is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Okinawa is not a good archipelago for its walkability.

Noosa Heads is a very walkable destination. It's fun to explore the town and surrounding areas on foot. There are walking and bike paths throughout.

Okinawa is generally not a very walkable archipelago. The islands range from developed to remote, so if you want to efficiently explore, it's helpful to have a car or at least a bicycle.

For even more information, also check out Is Okinawa Worth Visiting? and Is Noosa Heads Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Noosa Heads or Okinawa?

How long in Okinawa or Noosa Heads?

It's fun to spend time in either Okinawa or Noosa Heads. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Okinawa due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Okinawa, and 2-4 days is enough time in Noosa Heads.

Families should spend more time in Okinawa than Noosa Heads. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Okinawa, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Okinawa than Noosa Heads. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Okinawa that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Noosa Heads than Okinawa if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Noosa Heads.

One day in Okinawa or Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the lush archipelago of Okinawa. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Noosa Heads is a small town with plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. This coastal town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Okinawa or Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the tropical destination of Okinawa. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This archipelago offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Noosa Heads might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Noosa Heads has to offer.

Five days in Okinawa or Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the serene archipelago of Okinawa. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Noosa Heads is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Okinawa or Noosa Heads?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Okinawa. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this archipelago.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Noosa Heads. Since Noosa Heads is a small town, it's easily explored when your time is limited. One reason most visitors come is for the beaches. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo, The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Australia, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Australia.

When comparing the travel costs between Okinawa and Noosa Heads, we can see that Noosa Heads is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Okinawa is in Asia and Noosa Heads is in Pacific, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Okinawa Expensive? and Is Noosa Heads Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Okinawa or Noosa Heads?

Okinawa has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Noosa Heads. When comparing the sizes of Okinawa and Noosa Heads, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Okinawa or Noosa Heads?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Noosa Heads is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Okinawa has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Okinawa or Noosa Heads in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Okinawa as well as Noosa Heads. Most visitors come to Okinawa for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Noosa Heads because of the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Okinawa is generally a little warmer than Noosa Headsin January. Daily temperatures in Okinawa average around 29°C (84°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 20°C (67°F).

It's quite rainy in Noosa Heads. Okinawa receives a lot of rain in the summer. Okinawa usually gets more rain in July than Noosa Headsin January. Okinawa gets 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Okinawa or Noosa Heads in the Autumn?

Both Noosa Heads and Okinawa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Okinawa because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Noosa Heads this time of year.

Okinawa is much warmer than Noosa Heads in the autumn. The daily temperature in Okinawa averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (58°F)in April.

It's quite rainy in Okinawa. In October, Okinawa usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin April. Okinawa gets 152 mm (6 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Okinawa or Noosa Heads in the Winter?

Both Noosa Heads and Okinawa during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Okinawa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Noosa Heads for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Okinawa is much warmer than Noosa Heads. Typically, the winter temperatures in Okinawa in January average around 16°C (61°F), and Noosa Heads averages at about 7°C (44°F)in July.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Okinawa. Okinawa usually gets more rain in January than Noosa Headsin July. Okinawa gets 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 57 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Okinawa or Noosa Heads in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Okinawa and Noosa Heads. Many travelers come to Okinawa for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Noosa Heads in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In April, Okinawa is generally much warmer than Noosa Headsin October. Daily temperatures in Okinawa average around 22°C (71°F), and Noosa Heads fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Okinawa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Okinawa usually receives more rain than Noosa Headsin October. Okinawa gets 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain, while Noosa Heads receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Noosa Heads and Okinawa