Guide to the 10 Best South Korea Beaches

From the popular Haeundae Beach to Songjeong Beach with high waves to surf, there is no shortage of high-quality beaches in South Korea for your summer vacation. Whether the beach in bustling Busan or around the scenic Jeju Island, below is the guide for your ideal beach holiday in Korea.

Best Beaches in Busan

Beaches in Busan

Haeundae Beach (Hyundai Beach)

• Enjoy both the beach and the city nightscapes
• Best for: first-time visitors, nightowls, family
• Access: about 15 minutes by car or 50 minutes by subway from Busan Station

With its excellent combination of city and coastline, Haeundae is consistently recognized as one of the most famous beaches in South Korea. It is a long stretch of white sandy beach, with clear, shallow water for all ages. Most importantly, Haeundae Beach is not only easily accessible by transportation, but also with plenty of accommodations nearby to choose from.

Beyond the various water activities here, you can also head to Gunam-ro, the main shopping street bustling with cafes, bars, and photo studios for hanging out. There are more nightscapes like BUSAN X the SKY Observatory on the left side, also including the cozy ride of Haeundae Sky Capsule. While looking for the after-meal stroll places, the Dongbaekseom Island Coastal Trail on the left is also recommended.

Some Korean festivals here you may want to attend: Haeundae Sand Festival (15 to 18 May, 2026), Busan Sea Festival (31 July to 2 August, 2026), Busan International Film Festival (17 to 26 September, 2025)

Haeundae Beach Sunset

Gwangalli Beach (Gwangan Beach)

• Sandy shore with the iconic Gwangan Bridge
• Best for: seafood lovers, young couples, photographers
• Access: about 10 minutes by car or 30 minutes by subway from Busan Station

West of Haeundae Beach (about a 5-minute drive) is Gwangalli Beach, a half-moon-shaped shore where you can enjoy its soft sand and various water activities against the Gwangan Bridge - best for a night cruise to capture the changing color sea bridge up close, as well as the Gwangalli M Drone Light Show for some special memories.

While looking for some local delicacies, on the left side of Gwangalli Beach is Millak-dong with live seafood markets for some freshly made sashimi, or back to the main street of Gwanganhaebyeon-ro, where you can find plenty of cafes and restaurants with excellent ocean views.

Festivals here you may want to attend: Busan Fireworks Festival (November 15, 2025)

Night View of Gwangan Bridge

Songdo Beach

• Man-made peaceful beach blends nature and history
• Best for: quiet seekers, beginners, couples, family
• Access: about 7 minutes by car or 25 minutes by subway from Busan Station

Though it is not a huge beach in Busan, with its peaceful and quiet environment, Songdo Beach is an ideal spot for beginners to swim in its calm waves and shallow waters, and the other attractions around the coastline offer more to experience.

You can head east first for a short "skywalk" on Songdo Cloud Trails, with a few glass floors that make you feel like walking on the ocean. About a 5-minute walk from the skywalk is the marine cable car (Air Cruise), which offers a cozy ride to capture the panoramic view of Songdo Beach, as well as a quick reach to the Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge between the cliff and the island.

For the return trip, hop on the cable car again or explore the coastal walking path for a romantic sunset stroll with a breeze is also recommended.

Songjeong Beach

• White sandy beach loved by surfers
• Best for: family, honeymoon, surfers
• Access: about 20 minutes by car or 55 minutes by subway from Busan Station

Songjeong Beach is a popular family and surfer choice, with clear, white sand, shallow waters, and gentle slopes that are friendly to the youth and family, as well as ideal year-round high tides for beginners to try their first surf.

After your water experiences, Jukdo Park (Bamboo Island Park) in the north is also a good place for a drop by - imagine your stroll through the dappled bamboo forest, follow the sound of waves to the harbor where the white and red lighthouses stand, or to the peak pavilion, enjoy a full view of the ocean with seagulls.

Note: Large waves usually come in the afternoon - prepare for a thrilling surf with the golden sunset!

Best Beaches in Jeju Island

Beaches in Jeju Island

Hyeopjae Beach

• Picturesque coast for the breathtaking sunset
• Best for: family, nature lovers, photographers
• Access: about 30 minutes by car or bus from Jeju City

With a long seashore that stretches for about 9 km, dotted with black volcanic rock and encircled by lush pine forest, Hyeopjae Beach (including both the Hyeopjae and Geumreung Beach) in Jeju Island is a scenic spot for your linger.

Families and children can enjoy shallow water without sudden drops, smoother and whiter sand here, and camping is also available for your further family fun, while the nearby Hanrim Park is better for some lava caves and tropical botanical garden adventure.

For some leisure or romance, catch the distant Biyangdo Island floating on the emerald water during the low tide, as well as the colorful reflections with the setting sun. Or just lie down here for a sunbath against the peak of Mt. Halla - you will find your way to be immersed in its tranquil beauty.

Hamdeok Beach

• The "Hawaii" of Jeju Island
• Best for: family, first-time visitors, hiking
• Access: about 17 minutes by car or 25 minutes by bus from Jeju City

Shielded by Mt. Seoubong, the peace and clear water of Hamdeok Beach make it another popular family-friendly choice, especially for toddlers - make an early arrival there after the morning tide goes out, then enjoy the natural sand bar with tinny crabs and colorful seashells.

Located in the northeast of the island and with easy arrival from Jeju City, you may notice the rising crowds during the peak summer season. Then, deep into the west side is a good way to find your little area to wind down.

There are plenty of water activities to try on this well-amenitized beach, from kayaking to water skiing. As well as the seafront cafes for some fresh ice cream after your hike to the volcanic hill of Seoubong.

Hamdeok Beach, Jeju Island

Woljeongri Beach

• The "moon stays" village for water sports
• Best for: surfers, adventurers, photographers
• Access: about 30 minutes by car or 50 minutes by bus from Jeju City

Woljeongri means "the moon stays" in Korean, and just like the name suggests, it is a lovely bay that poetically frames the bright moon with its emerald shallow water - peaceful and tranquil. Though most visitors here are looking for an adventure, if possible, leave some time here for a nighttime wander with the echoing waves.

It is fun and easy to catch the waves here, whether surfing along the shore or sailing somewhere further for dolphin watching. Not very far from Woljeongri Beach is also the Manjanggul Cave for your UNESCO site collection, or just order some drinks and sit on its colorful bench to unwind in the idyllic village atmosphere.

Jungmun Saekdal Beach

• Cliffy backdrop beach with high waves
• Best for: advanced surfers, pets
• Access: about 15 minutes by car or 25 minutes by bus from Seogwipo City

Jungmun Saekdal Beach in southern Jeju is the best choice for surfers. The strong winds and high waves here also make it a popular venue for international surfing competitions. Some exciting water activities like windsurfing and para-sailing are available here, while swimming can be quite a challenge.

The columnar jointing cliff and the multicolored sand (white, black, red, gray, and gold) also add an exotic atmosphere to this bow-shaped beach. For some further exploration, you can find a sea cave with dramatic rock formations on the right side, or head to the nearby Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls hidden in the forest.

Top Beaches Near Seoul

Eurwangni Beach, Incheon

• The first beach from the airport
• Best for: Seoul day trip, fishing, quick trip
• Access: about a 1-hour drive from Seoul

Sharing the same island as Incheon International Airport, Eurwangni Beach in Incheon could be your first spot to enjoy your beach holiday in Korea. After a 20-minute drive from the airport, you can unwind on the beach directly.

The gentle breeze and shallow water there make it a popular family destination for locals, with various pension guest houses and family restaurants around Eulwang-ro for stay or rest. While seeking tranquility, rent a boat with your fishing rod to somewhere further away, admiring the sinking sun while grabbing today's harvest.

Daecheon Beach, Boryeong

• Venue of the Boryeong Mud Festival
• Best for: family, festival & culture lovers
• Access: about a 2-hour drive from Seoul

Daecheon Beach is a popular summer festival selection from July to August, when you can follow the crowds to join the bustling mud celebrations, which is a truly funny K-beauty experience.

Just missed the Boryeong Mud Festival? Don't worry, the white sandy beach won't leave you behind. Stretching about 3.5 km with a range of cafes and shops along the beachfront, and most importantly, it is not a famous beach known by visitors, making it a possible crowd-free destination during the peak summer season.

If possible, prepare a one-night stay here to capture the stunning sunset over Dabodo Island instead of another 2-hour drive back to Seoul.

Other Recommended Beaches in South Korea

• Yangyang Surfyy Beach - a 1-kilometer-long beach designated for surfing
• Gyeongpodae Beach - with dense pine forest & spring cherry blossom viewing around Gyeongpo Lake
• Hakdong Mongdol Beach - mongdol (rounded stone) beach, also the K-drama filming location of Uncontrollably Fond
• Mongsanpo Beach - low tide mudflat experience & clam digging