Do you love the beach? Then grab your best summer or winter beach wear and visit the 20 Top Swimming Beaches in South Korea!
About Beaches in South Korea
Since Korea exists on a peninsula, we are surrounded by stunning beaches on three sides. On the west coast, Korea is known for long, shallow beaches which may have low or no waves. On the east coast, Korean beaches may have bigger waves, quick drop-off, and stunning turquoise waters. Whereas, in the south, Korean beaches may be rockier and offer pleasant swimming late into the year. Perfect for fall travel.
Korean beaches don’t pretend to be tropical and anyone who compares Korean beaches to Hawaii or California set Korea up to fail expectations. However, Korean beaches have their own look and vibe. The vibe involves beach combing, camping, Korean seafood dishes, fishing, surfing, and more.
What to Wear on South Korean Beaches
Over the years, Korean beach wear has become more diverse. However, as a rule of thumb, the local population (international residents and Koreans) often prefer to stay covered and protected from the sun. Skin damage and skin cancer aren’t as sexy as they once were. Of course, if you choose to wear a swimsuit that’s completely your choice and certainly does not offend most people.
In short, don’t stress too much about what you wear at the beach. Therefore, go forth and enjoy the sand and beaches!
Korean Swimming Season
Although many Koreans swim throughout the year at different beaches (except those in Busan and other highly controlled urban areas), Korea has an official swimming season.
The official ‘Swimming Season’ in South Korea is from about mid-July to sometime in August. Swimming Season is when beaches are at their height of popularity. Therefore, popular and rural Korean beaches are filled with visitors, lifeguards, public showers, activities, and all the businesses are open and supporting visitors. It’s beach party time.
During ‘Swimming Season’ your activities will be restricted to certain marked swimming areas that are strictly patrolled by lifeguards on jet skies. You may find this strange if you come from parts of the world where swimming in the sea and ocean is an unrestricted activity. However, you can quickly adjust and find tons of joy within the limited area.
During the off-season, you can still visit the beaches and be allowed to swim at most of them, except in areas like Busan and other extremely popular beaches that have begun enforcing beach closures during different times of the year. Basically, during the off-season, you can pretty much do what you want in the sea but most support services like lifeguards and public showers will be closed. However, public restrooms are often -but not always – still open.
Common Korean Swimming Beach Amenities
Korean swimming beaches, especially during “swimming season” offer many amenities which may include such things as:
- Shower facilities (seasonal)
- Fireworks sold on location
- Public restrooms (usually year-round)
- Tube or floaty rentals
- Surfboard / SUP rentals (limited to certain beaches)
- Convenience stores
- Car camping (very busy June, July, and August)
- Seafood restaurants
- Carnival games or rides (most popular beaches)
- Umbrella or platform rentals
- Speed boat rides
- Lifeguards
Swimming Beaches Adventure Map
Want to make it easier to stay on top of your beach trip planning? Celebrate your beach adventures with a South of Seoul Adventure Map. South of Seoul prints each Swimming Beach Adventure Map on A3 canvas for durability. Also, they can be shipped to your location in South Korea or within the United States. This makes the perfect celebration of your beach travels!
20 Beaches Across South Korea
You can find each of these beaches at the following addresses! Also, we have organized them in the same order as found on the Swimming Beaches Adventure Map!
Eulwangni Beach
Hangul Address
인천 중구 용유서로302번길 16-15
Located near the Incheon International Airport, this shallow beach is a common day trip for folks from Seoul. Perfect for families with small children since there are often no waves.
Mallipo Beach
041-672-9662
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
충청남도 태안군 소원면 모항리 1394
Popular west coast beach with lots of activities like paddle boarding, surfing, ATV, etc. The water is shallow with generally small surf. Dogs are allowed on leash. Dogs must be picked up after.
Yeonpo Swimming Beach
041-670-2114
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
충청남도 태안군 근흥면 연포2길 57
Deeper water than other west coast beaches, this beach sits in a small fishing and pension village. This is a more rural and relaxed beach with a strong, older Korean vibe. Wonderful for those who want off the beaten path. There are Korean restaurants, stores, pensions, diving, and camping. Dogs are allowed at the beach. Dogs must be leashed. Pick up after the dogs.
Anmyeon Swimming Beach
041-670-2691
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
충청남도 태안군 안면읍 정당리 산28-55
A long shallow beach in a more remote setting. Very relaxed and not a lot of services. It is in a national park so they may not allow dogs.
Daecheon Beach
041-933-7051
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
충청남도 보령시 신흑동 2286
A spacious and highly developed beach of the west coast of Korea. This beach was popularized by the internationally famous Boryeang Mud Festival which was eventually sold to to a corporate festival company which moved the festival from a fun mad house to a massive corporate event. Do to the areas capacity to serve large numbers of people, other major events also happen here throughout the year.
Byeonsan Beach
Hangul Address
전북 부안군 변산면 대항리 567
A long, remote beach on the west coast of Korea inside one of the large national parks. Camping spots are available. Note: National Parks do not allow dogs or other pets.
Muhanggaetbeol Beach
063-580-4710
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
전북 부안군 변산면 도청리 203-45
A beautiful little beach inside a national a national park. No dogs allowed within National Parks.
Hwajinpo Beach
Hangul Address
강원 고성군 현내면 초도리 99
A rural beach with a lot of sand close to the North Korean boarder.
Sokcho Beach
Hangul Address
강원도 속초시 조양동 1450-4
A large popular tourist beach with nice waves, deeper water, and often packed during high season.
Jukdo Beach
Hangul Address
강원 양양군 현남면
Surfing food and beach
Gyeongpodo Beach Cafe Area
Hangul Address
강원 강릉시 사천면 순포안길 6
A beautiful beach lined with lined with excellent cafes.
Goraebul Swimming Beach
054-730-7802
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
경상북도 영덕군 병곡면 고래불로 394
A more rural and relaxed swimming beach on the edge of a small town.
Pohang Songdo Beach
054-281-0071
Copy and paste phone numbers into Naver Maps to get directions
Hangul Address
경상북도 포항시 남구 송도동 378-438
A long popular beach in Pohang City. A popular place in summer and winter.
Imrang Beach
Hangul Address
부산 기장군 장안읍 임랑리
A small beach in northern Busan.
Haeundae Beach
Hangul Address
U-dong Haeundae-gu Busan
Popular beach in Busan. Known for large crowds and strict regulations. A place to see and be seen.
Gujora Beach
Hangul Address
경남 거제시 일운면 구조라리 500-1
Nice beach perfect for families.
Namyeolli Beach
Hangul Address
전남 고흥군 영남면 남열리 1384-1
Great beach to surf and hike up to the space observatory.
Yulpo Beach
Hangul Address
전남 보성군 회천면 동율리 544-13
A small beach on the edge of a small town, not far from German Village. The beach is sometimes still comfortably in September and early October.
Hyeopjae Beach
Hangul Address
제주 제주시 한림읍 협재리 2497-1
Beach on the west coast of Jeju, it is located near some great restaurants, shops, and parks, so you could spend the whole day here, taking break from the sun to walk this small Main Street. Parking does fill up so you might need to get here early.
Woljeong-ri Beach
Hangul Address
제주 제주시 구좌읍 월정리 33-3
A beach dedicated to the mermaids of Korea. Female divers who collect seafood.
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