What is the best thing to do in Korea during the summer? Go to the beach, of course! South Korea offers some of the best beaches for soaking up the sun and swimming, surfing, and other water activities. However, most would not think of South Korea for its beach destinations. When looking to get away from the busy life of Seoul, it only takes a few hours to visit South Korea’s coastlines. Those who visit South Korea many might not know what the best beaches in Korea are. This is why we have found the top 10 best beaches in Korea you should check out post-COVID-19. Many of these spots offer something different to every visitor. Those looking to escape Korea’s hottest days in Summer. Check out the beaches below.
Naksan Beach
Located on the east coast of South Korea, Naksan Beach is widely considered to be the country’s best beach. The golden sand and clear blue waters are a perfect backdrop for a day of relaxation, and the beach is well-equipped with all the amenities you need for a comfortable day by the sea. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes nearby, as well as showers, toilets, and changing rooms. Best of all, Naksan Beach is within easy reach of Seoul, making it the perfect place to escape the city for a day.
It takes a little over 2 hours by bus to get there, and a round trip will cost around 30,000 won ($25). Those looking to get away from the busy streets of Seoul can unplug at Naksan Beach.
It is located between Sokcho and Yangyang Beach and is the best of the three. It is far less crowded and has 4kms of long sandy beach lined with pine trees and a boardwalk. The clear water seems more like a large lake than a beach. Therefore, those looking for big waves for surfing should look elsewhere. Naksan Beach is for relaxation. In addition, at night, there are live performances on the beach, which makes a trip to Naksan Beach a full-day experience. The best time will be during the swimming season in July and August.
How to get to Naksan Beach from Seoul:
Go to the Express Bus Terminal. Buy a bus ticket to Yangyang. Once you arrive at Yangyang, grab a taxi and go to Naksan Beach, which will be 5 minutes away.
Eurwangni Beach
There are a few things to consider when it comes to finding the perfect beach. First, of course, is the quality of the sand. Eurwangni Beach has lovely, fine sand, perfect for building sand castles or relaxing with a good book. The water is also crystal clear, making it ideal for swimming, boating, and windsurfing. In addition, the beach is situated in a beautiful location surrounded by picturesque cliffs. And if you get tired of lounging on the sand, there are plenty of other activities nearby, including hiking, biking, and fishing.
It is an hour away from Seoul near Incheon International Airport. Therefore, you will be able to go there before lunch and get back to Seoul before dinner. This is why it is so high up on this list. The quality is not top-tier, but for how close it is to Seoul, it is more than enough. It is filled with great hotels, seafood restaurants, and stores. One of the most popular is The Ray, shaped like a cruise ship. There are large swimming platforms near the beach, and the water is surprisingly clean.
How to get to Eurwangni Beach from Seoul:
Take the Subway to Incheon International Airport. Then take bus number #301 or #306; both will take you to Eurwangni Beach.
Gyeongpo Beach
Visitors to Gyeongpo Beach can enjoy all the area has to offer without traveling far from the beach. In addition, the beach is well-maintained and offers a wide range of facilities, making it the perfect place to spend a day or two. Whether you’re looking for a place to sunbathe, swim, or take in stunning scenery, Gyeongpo Beach is a perfect choice.
Gangneung is located on the east coast of Korea, where Gyeongpo Beach is. It is one of the most popular beach cities in Korea and is known for offering a variety of attractions along with the beach itself. There is a national park, many seafood restaurants, Gyeongpo Lake, and walking trails. The beach is 5 km long, and the water is very clear.
The only issue is that this beach gets crowded with University students that come for the water activities such as jet-skiing, banana boating, and tube riding. While Gyeongpo Beach is a great place to go in the summer, it is also a popular destination in the spring, as the beach is filled with beautiful cherry blossom trees.
How to get to Gyeongpo Beach from Seoul:
Go to Seoul Station and take the train to Gangneung Station or take the bus at Dong Seoul Bus Terminal. The train will take 2 hours, and the bus will take 2.5 hours. The price is the key difference as the train will be double the price (40,000 won vs. 20,000 won). Then take a taxi to Gyeongpo Beach, 5 minutes away.
Hyeopjae Beach
Hyeopjae Beach is located on the southern coast of South Korea’s most famous island, Jeju Island. It is widely considered one of the country’s best beaches. The water is clean and clear, and the sand is white and powdery. Numerous coral reefs also make it a popular destination for snorkeling and diving. In addition, the beach is surrounded by lush vegetation, providing a refreshing environment even on the hottest days. Hyeopjae Beach is also conveniently located near many of South Korea’s major tourist attractions.
Many say the best beach on Jeju Island is Hyeopjae Beach. The beach is vast as it stretches 9kms with evergreen forests scattered alongside it. It offers clear waters, white sands, and endless broken seashells. It is located on the west side of Hanrim-eup, part of Hallim Park. The water is shallow, which is perfect for those that are bringing children. There will be bamboo mats and umbrellas for rent. Make sure you stay for the sunset. While in Jeju, travel to Ulleungdo, where you can book a ferry to Dokdo Island.
How to get to Hyeojae Beach from Seoul:
First, fly to Jeju Island, which takes 70 minutes. Then head to Jeju Intercity Bus Terminal. Take bus number 202 and then get off at Hyeopjae Beach Bus Stop.
Haeundae Beach
Haeundae Beach is one of the best beaches in South Korea for several reasons. First, it’s located in the city of Busan, one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. Second, the beach is well-maintained and offers many amenities, including restaurants, cafes, and shops. Third, the water is clean and clear, and the sand is soft and white. Finally, Haeundae Beach is also one of the most popular surfing spots in South Korea.
The beach itself is not long, as it only stretches 1.5 km. It is the go-to destination for Koreans during the summer and is known to get super crowded. This is a plus and a minus as some want to go to a secluded area. However, most that go to Haeundae fully understand it will be crowded and lively, which is one of the main reasons they go there.
Just Google Haeundae Beach, and you will see how crowded it gets. What makes Haeundae Beach special is what happens at night. After the sun goes down, the beach is filled with mats with Koreans drinking and eating. It is like a night picnic on the beach. There are also fireworks and live street music. Moreover, you will find various dining options along the main road next to the beach. Or take a taxi to the nearest street markets offering a wide selection of seafood.
Being one of the most popular beaches in Korea, Haeundae beaches are very clean, as recycling in Korea is a big thing.
How to get to Haeundae Beach from Seoul:
Take the KTX from Seoul to Busan, which will take 3.5 hours. Then take bus #1003 from Busan Station to Haeundae Beach. The bus ride will take 30 minutes.
Jungmun Beach
With its crystal-clear water and soft, sandy beaches, Jungmun Beach is undoubtedly one of the best beaches in South Korea. Jungmun Beach is famed for its natural beauty on the southern coast of Jeju Island. The beach is also conveniently close to many popular tourist attractions, including Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls. And if you’re looking for excitement, there are plenty of activities to keep you entertained, from jet skiing to parasailing. This is because Jungmun Beach has the strongest waves on Jeju Island. In fact, for water activities alone, Jungmun Beach is the best beach to travel to. The main issue is that it is located in Jeju and is a bit more expensive than the other beaches on this list. From restaurants to rentals, expect to spend plenty of cash when coming here.
How to get to Jungmun Beach from Seoul:
Fly to Jeju Island. From Jeju International Airport, head to exit 1 and take bus #600. Get off at Hyatt Hotel, which is an hour away. Once at Hyatt Hotel, head down the hill for about 200 meters to the beach area. You can take a taxi from the airport to Jungmun Beach, which will take 30 minutes.
Daecheon Beach
Daecheon Beach is considered the best beach in South Korea, and it’s not hard to see why. The sparkling white sand and azure blue waters are breathtaking, and the beach is well-equipped with all the amenities you need for an enjoyable day by the sea. Whether you’re looking to relax in the sun, take a dip in the ocean, or try your hand at some water sports, Daecheon Beach has everything you need. The beach is also close to many of South Korea’s top tourist attractions, making it the perfect base for exploring all this incredible country has to offer.
Daecheon Beach is located on Korea’s west coast in Chungcheongnam-do. It is the biggest beach on South Korea’s west coast. The beach stretches 3.5 km and offers everything you need for a fun beach experience. However, the best time to go is during the summer, as Daecheon Beach is the famous Boryeong Mud Festival location. It is one of the best festivals to go to in Korea. You can enjoy the rides and activities at the Mud Festival and walk a few meters to the beach to swim. The water is not as clear as the others on this list, but that makes sense since most visitors will be covered in mud.
How to get to Daecheon Beach from Seoul:
Take the subway to Yongmun Station. Then take the Korail train to Daecheon Station. This will take you about 2.5 hours. Take bus #100 to Boryeong (Daecheon Beach), which will take around 20 minutes.
Hamdeok Beach
Another beach in Jeju makes a list to show just how many amazing beaches there are on Jeju Island. Hamdeok Beach features crystal-clear water, white sand, and stunning volcanic rock formations located on the east coast of Jeju Island. The beach is also relatively secluded, so visitors can truly enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings. In addition, Hamdeok Beach is well-known for its abundant marine life. Visitors can often see dolphins swimming offshore, and the clear water makes it easy to spot colorful fish swimming among the coral reef.
It is relatively close to the airport. It is popular for swimming, strolling, and snorkeling. While it is our choice for the 3rd best beach on this list, it is very popular among tourists in Jeju because it is easily accessible via public transportation. However, this also means that Hamdeok Beach can get pretty crowded during the summer. People travel here during the early summer because the waters are warmer here compared to other beaches in Korea.
How to get to Hamdeok Beach from Seoul:
Fly to Jeju Island. From Jeju International Airport, you can take bus #101, #325, or #326 to Hamdeok Beach, which will be an hour’s ride. A taxi will take 45 minutes.
Jeongdongjin Beach
Jeongdongjin Beach is situated in a beautiful location, with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Jeongdongjin is also well known for its sunsets, which are some of the country’s most beautiful. In addition to its natural beauty, the beach is well-equipped with all the facilities you need for a perfect day by the sea. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes to choose from, as well as plenty of parasols and sun loungers. There’s also a wide range of water sports on offer, so there’s something to suit everyone.
It is one of the best beaches in Korea for those that are looking for a more secluded beach on the east coast should check out Jeongdongjin Beach. It was made famous by the classic Korean drama Hourglass. There are many cafes and restaurants along the shore, and you can even purchase tickets for the rail bike. The main issue with Jeongdongjin Beach is the wire fences along the shore. Other than that the waters are clear and you will have beautiful ocean views.
How to get to Jeongdongjin Beach from Seoul:
Take the train from Seoul Station to Jeongdongjin Station. Then take a taxi to Jeongdongjin Beach, which is 5 minutes away.
Sokcho Beach
Sokcho Beach is easily accessible, making it a great option for locals and visitors. The beach has a lively atmosphere, with plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy. Sokcho Beach is safe and family-friendly, with a strong focus on safety and security.
Sokcho Beach would be higher on this list of the best beaches in Korea if it were so often overcrowded. It is nothing compared to Haeundae, but still, it is not a beach to go to if you are looking for a nice secluded, quiet beach. For those looking for a fun and vibrant beach, Sokcho Beach is for you. The beach is very clean and known for its famous sunsets and sunrises. It will be a day trip to get here from Seoul, so we recommend renting a place to stay when traveling there. The scenery along Sokcho Beach is amazing and is often visited in the winter.
How to get to Sokcho Beach from Seoul:
Go to the Seoul Express Bus terminal and take the bus to Sokcho Express Bus Terminal. From Sokcho Express Bus Terminal, take the Taxi to Sokcho Beach, which will be 10 minutes away.
