South Korea plays host to a whopping 3,358 islands and even more beaches, according to a report by CNN. If you are planning to go on a vacation, South Korea is definitely the place to go. The beaches make for a perfect vacay destination and are divided into three types based on their geographical locations: East, West, and South coast beaches. East coast beaches are famous for their clear blue waters and white sandy beaches, while west and south coast beaches are famous for their iconic sunsets and sunrises. Peak beach season in Korea falls between mid-July and mid-August and usually involves sunbathing, summer festivals, cultural performances, games, water sports, Korean dining and drinking of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic Korean drinks by the beachside. Understanding you can be spoiled for choice, here are some of the most unique South Korean beaches which you absolutely must visit if you happen to visit the country.
Gyeongpo Beach
Gyeongpo beach is the largest East Coast beach and is found in the City of Gangneung, Gangwon Province. It features white, smooth sand perfect for walking barefoot and is 400m long and 50m wide. The beach is surrounded by both the ocean and the Gyeongpo Lake and therefore offers both salty and fresh water grounds.
On the lakeside, there is an observatory where tourists can watch birds and the famous Korean sunset. Every year at the end of July, Gyeongpo Beach plays home to the Summer Arts Festival. It also hosts several traditional and artistic performances all year long. Banana boat and speedboat surfing are among the activities one can partake when on the beach. As far as amenities go, this particular beach has a 2200m2 parking lot, a drinking fountain, several showers, public restrooms and even a storage room.
Daecheon Beach
Daecheon Beach, found in Boryeong in the province of Chungnam, is the largest west coast beach. It is especially known for its soft white sand and its mineral-rich mud. This beach which features calm shallow waters runs for 3.5km and is 100m wide. The annual Boryeong Mud Festival is held on the Daecheon Beach every end of July. Unlike most beaches, it attracts tourists both local and international not only during summer but also during winter for the Sun Festival. There are plenty of activities, even for those with mobility issues.
For starters, the mud massage is to die for, not to mention its health benefits which include treating psoriasis. Banana boat riding, jet skiing, water skiing, mudslides and a marine mud training course for adrenaline junkies are also available. If you are not an active person you can take a cruise around the shore and get to see the stunning white pebbles of the ocean floor. The facilities at Daecheon beach come second to none and include storage rooms, a snack bar, showers, a cooking area, a parking lot fit to accommodate 10,000 cars, a drinking fountain, and a campsite.
Jungmun Beach
This is a south coast beach located in the Jeju Jungmun Resort in Seogwipo Jeju province, one of the top vacation destinations in Korea. It has the most breathtaking combination of gray, black, red, and white sand. It is 560m long and 50m wide and its turbulent tides make it a perfect spot for extreme water sports like water skiing and windsurfing.
The scenery around the beach makes it all the more beguiling what with it having Jeju’s dramatic volcanic landscapes as its background. The beach features a natural sea cave called the Haesik Gul cave on its right. Additionally, also on the resort is the Yeomiji botanical garden, where rare plant species grow and an aquatic museum. The beach has a parking lot that fits 150 cars, shower rooms, a drinking fountain, storage rooms, and a campsite.
Other unique beaches in South Korea include the Seonnyeo Rock Beach which has rocks instead of sand and the Dadaepo beach which features the world’s largest fountain; the Dadaepo Sunset Fountain of Dreams. South Korean beaches are breathtakingly beautiful and a perfect place to relax and let loose. The best part, of course, is that with so many beaches located in the country, finding one that best suits your personality and interests shouldn’t be hard.
I usually escape to Thailand but i’m going to check out some of those west coast beaches. Thanks!
I’ve only been to a few on the west coast but they were fun.