Best Beaches In South Korea To Soothe Your Soul!
Nothing soothes a stressed soul better than a trip to the beach. That’s why I write this to help you find the best beaches in South Korea that will rejuvenates your mind, body and soul.
A day at the beach is more than just a short escape from the hustle and bustle of the city life.
It is a combination of Vitamin D absorption, stress reliever and healthy exercise that provides overall cure to our body, mind and soul.
Let’s take a look at some of the best beaches in South Korea you can visit!
Table of Contents
Best Beaches in Busan
Busan is the second must-visit metropolitan city in South Korea next to Seoul.
This city is my favourite because it offers a mixture of the best city life and also some of the best beaches in this nation.
Here are some of the best beaches you can find in Busan.
1. Haeundae Beach
Who doesn’t know Haeundae Beach?
This famous beach in Busan city is one of the best beaches in South Korea.
Haeundae is the number one summer destination in Korea – so you can expect to see a lot of people if you visit on summer time.
In addition, Haeundae is the area where some major events held – directly on the clear white sandy beach.
There are a lot of restaurants, convenience stores and bar all around Haundae areas that will keep you busy until the dawn.
If you are on the mood of a little bit exercise, you can go to the back of Westin Josun Hotel to the Dongbaek Island and just enjoy the breathtaking views of Haeundae beach as you walk on the walking trails.
For night activity, you can go to the Bay 101 where there are a bunch of restaurants and bars you can enjoy.
Next to the Bay 101, you can find Marine City that resembles Gotham city where you can also find another tons of restaurants and bars with patio and amazing views of Busan coastline and the well-known diamond bridge (Gwangan bridge).
If you are a beach bum, then you will definitely love Busan.
Anyway, if you plan to visit during New Year eve, you can enjoy the New Year countdown happening here.
I search the best Haeundae guide that will give you a quick simple overviews about Haeundae and I found this video by Somewhere in Korea Youtube Channel.
Make sure you watch this video BEFORE you come to Haeundae, so you won’t wasting time finding the route to all of these attractions.
Pro Tips: unless you plan to have a sun burn, I recommend you to visit during the evening time because this area just literally come alive at night.
2. Songjeong Beach
Credit to wikivoyage
Songjeong Beach is the only beach in Busan where you can try to surf – the waves are smooth and easy for beginners.
It is consider a small beach, compare to other beach on the list – which is perfect if you want to have a relaxing time.
In addition, this beach is surrounded by evergreen groves and covered with fine white sand mixed with crushed shells.
It also has a long nice walking trails where you can having a quality time together with your family.
Best Beaches in Jeju Island
Jeju Island, the Korean Hawaii or Korean Bali destinations.
It is a wonderful island known for its wonderful beach resorts and volcanic landscape.
Here are some of the best beaches you can find in Jeju Island.
3. Jungmun Saekdal Beach
Credit to koreattrack
Jungmun Saekdal Beach is a surfer paradise – this is the place where the largest international surfing competition held annually.
In addition, there are a lot of other attractions near this beach, like Jeju Teddy Bear museum and Yeomiji Botanical garden.
Overall, Jungmun beach is ideal for surfers – both beginners or experts or those who love to see surfers in action.
However, if you plan to just relax and swimming on the beach, I do recommend Hyeopjae Beach better than Jungmun beach.
Interesting facts – the beach is the seasonal nesting ground for Loggerhead sea turtles.
4. Hyeopjae Beach
Credit to Thisiskoreatours
Hyeopjae Beach is a much better beach option in Jeju Island for those who want to relax, swimming and enjoy chillin time with kids.
This beach has a clear turquoise waters and clear white sandy shores.
The reasons why I recommend this beach for family with kids is because the water is really clear and shallow compare to other beaches – which means it’s super safe for kids.
In addition, it also offers a wonderful panoramic sea views with Biyangdo Island floating and sunsets over the horizon.
If it’s not enough, you can go to nearby attractions like Hyeopjaegul cave and Hallim park.
When you’re done and feel hungry, there are a bunch of cafes nearby to fill your belly while enjoying the beautiful views.
Anyway, Seoul Walker Youtube channel offers a walking around Hyeopjae beach if you want to see the walk through in videos.
5. Hamdeok
Hamdeok beach is known as Korea Hawaii – it has emerald water, it’s sand are shimmering, soft and smooth which enable you to walk barefoot.
This small beach is really close to Jeju City which makes it very convenient.
Other than offers a great atmosphere and beautiful sunsets, you can find many great restaurants and coffee shops all around here.
6. Seobin Beach
Credit to visitkorea
Seobin beach is a wonderful coral beaches in Udo Island – off the eastern coast of Jeju Island.
The beach is known for its bright white sand (tiny particles of coral) and clear water with various colors – from bright emerald to deep sapphire.
In addition, this beach is known for it’s delicious peanut treats, which makes people label this beaches as Peanut Island.
You can reach this island via ferry from Seongsan Port for about 15 minutes.
7. Hongjodangoe Beach (Coralsand Beach)
Credit to ustrip
Hongjodangoe Beach is a great beach near Seobin Beach in Udo island that was made of a very small corals which makes it known as ‘Coral Beach.’
This beach is known for its brilliant white coral sand stretches out in a crescent-moon-shaped beach.
It’s a popular family destination during summer months.
Best Beaches in Gangwon-do
Now let’s go a little bit further to Gangwon region in South Korea.
Here are the best beaches you can find in Gangwondo.
8. Hajodae Beach | Surfyy Beach (서피비치) - Yangyang
Credit to tinylangcz
Hajodae beach is an ideal beaches that aim to satisfy it’s visitor by creating two separate zone – swimmer zone and surfer zone.
This beach is known for it’s mesmerizing sunrise views.
If you are a Kpop or Kdrama lover, then I believe you already heard about Surfyy beach – it is a fully dedicated beach for surfing a.k.a surfer only zone, located north of Hajodae beach in Yangyang county.
There are a lot of wonderful bar, affordable seafood restaurant and convenient stores around this area as it attract a lot of hipsters from all over the world.
For Yoga lovers, they have a yoga classes on the beach if you’re interested.
Make sure to visit its lighthouse before you go – it offers a mesmerizing views of the entire areas.
Oh anyway, camping areas are also available if you plan to stay overnight.
9. Gyeongpo Beach - Gangneung
Credit to travel-stained
Gyeongpo Beach is a wonderful beach in Gangneung – filled with white sand and backed by fresh pine trees, faces the endless Pacific Ocean.
It’s a hot spot for couple who plan to have a short romantic getaways from the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan city.
In addition, it also offers a wonderful sunrise views and tons of affordable restaurants.
Credit to trazy
If you are planning to visit on Spring seasons, you can also enjoy one of the most wonderful cherry blossoms spot in Korea – Gyeongpo Lake.
10. Jeongdongjin Beach - Gangneung
Credit to thesoulofseoul
Jeongdongjin is a beach that’s gain it’s popularity from the hits ‘Hourglass‘ Korean drama that was taken place here.
As the Kdramas gain huge popularity, they create an Hourglass Park featuring the largest hourglasses in the world – 3.2 meters wide.
Inside this Hourglass, there’s tons of sands that will take a one full year to it’s completion (Until it’s empty).
They will restart the Hourglass every year at New year’s eve.
Credit to thesoulofseoul
Anyway, I recommend you to visit during Summer season if you plan to swim.
Just keep in mind that most Korean beaches has a rules and operating hours – for your own safety.
This beach is operated from 6 AM – 6 PM.
If you persist to swim after 6 PM, the police sirene will start calling you out of the water.
Credit to thesoulofseoul
More over, the famous attractions you can directly visit is the Sun Cruise Resort.
It is a theme park consist of a sunrise garden, sculpture park and walkways that will take you right above the oceans.
If it’s not enough, you can also enjoy a railbike next to the ocean which takes 40 minutes.
Best Beaches in Boryeong
Boryeong is a little known city in South Korea, yet it’s offer some of the best beach you can’t afford to miss.
Here are the best beaches you can find in Boryeong.
11. Muchangpo Beach
Historically, Muchangpo Beach was a military site during Joseon eras.
This beach is the first beach that opened on the west coast in 1928, surrounded by a lush pine trees.
Once or twice a year, there is a magical phenomenon happening here known as ‘Modern Moses Miracles‘, where the beach miraculously split open and create a 1.5 kilos S-Shaped road from Muchangpo beach to Seokdae Island.
Furthermore, you can eat a various fresh seafood at nearby fish market.
If you are someone who love to see nature wonders, I recommend you to visit Muchangpo beach.
12. Daecheon Beach
Daecheon beach is a beach in Boryeong that offers 3.5 km white sandy beach and clear blue water.
The most iconic events happening in Daecheon Beach is Boryeong Mud Festivals where there are a lot of fun activities like mud wrestling, mud sliding, and mud baths.
Don’t worry about your skin care, according to history, mud is actually good for skin, especially for anti-aging.
Anyway, you can also try Daecheon Beach Sky Bike or visit nearby attractions like Seongjusan National Forest and Boryeong Mud Museum.
Best Beaches in Gyeongsangnam-do
Gyeongsangnam-do or South Gyeongsang, is a province that extends along the Korea Strait, west of Busan city.
This region is also unknown among tourist yet it’s actually offers you some of the Best Korea Countryside attractions and place to visit.
Here are the best beaches in Gyeongsangnamdo region.
13. Hakdong Mongdol Beach - Geoje
Hakdong Mongdol Beach in Geoje is known as the widest mongdol beach in South Korea.
This beach shape resembles a hawk, or ‘hak,’ and the word ‘Mongdol‘ means pebble.
This beach is comprised solely of black pebbles and resembles a hawk shape, hence the name is Hakdong Mongdol.
It’s shimmering and aesthetic black pebbles are the thing that attract tons of visitors.
However, the rockiness makes it hard to stroll on the beach, yet it’s still a really nice place to stop by and enjoy the sound of the waves at the nearby cafes.
14. Sangju Silver Sand Beach - Namhae
Sangju Silver Sand Beach is known for it’s shimmery sandy shores and super clean, smooth sand which enable you to walk barefoot.
The surrounding lush Pine trees just giving an extra cool breeze even during the hottest day.
Furthermore, you can visit Geumsan Mountain as you come here – especially if you love to see sunrise.
Anyway, you can find campgrounds, restaurants, shopping streets and accommodation at it’s surroundings.
Alright guys, these are my list of the best beaches in South Korea I can share with all of you.
If you have another thought of the best beaches in South Korea that I haven’t list, feel free to put it on the comment sections so I can add it to the list and share with other fellow travelers.
Which one of these best beaches in South Korea you love the most?
Let me know in the comment sections below!
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