🌊 Best Beaches in Korea for Summer 2025

Summer in Korea means beach season! From bustling city shores to peaceful island getaways, there’s a perfect beach for every vibe. Here are the top destinations, cost info, and key travel tips for a memorable seaside escape.

🏖️ 1. Haeundae Beach (Busan)

Busan’s most famous urban beach spans 1.46 km of fine sand, hosting over 10 million visitors each season : It’s lined with cafés, restaurants, and nearby attractions—perfect for families and nightlife lovers.

Admission & parking: free
Beach chair/umbrella: ~₩5,000–10,000 ($4–8 USD)
Tents/sauna zones: ~₩30,000+ ($22 USD)

🌉 2. Gwangalli Beach (Busan)

Known for its striking view of Gwangandaegyo (Diamond Bridge), this 1.4 km half-moon beach is popular for evening strolls :

Free to enter
Water sports rentals: ₩10,000–30,000 ($8–22 USD)
Parking near beach: ₩3,000/hr (~$2.30 USD)

🏝️ 3. Hamdeok Beach (Jeju Island)

Beautiful emerald waters and shallow sands make it ideal for families — complete with cafés, trails, and scenic cliffs :

Free admission
Beach umbrellas: ₩10,000–20,000 ($8–15 USD)
Paid beach parking: ₩3,000/hr ($2.30 USD)

🏖️ 4. Jungmun Saekdal Beach (Jeju Island)

This multi‑colored sand beach is renowned for cleanliness and surfing competitions — voted best among 44 Korean beaches :

Free entry
Surfboard rental: ₩20,000–40,000 ($15–30 USD)
Parking available near tourist complex

🌲 5. Naksan Beach (Gangneung)

Stretching over 4 km with pine trees and quiet ambience, it’s a peaceful alternative to crowded east coast beaches :

Free parking and admission
Food stalls nearby: ₩5,000–15,000 ($4–11 USD)

💡 Did You Know?

South Korea hosts one of the world’s largest mud festivals at Daecheon Beach in Boryeong — attracting over 2 million visitors in one summer! :This unique festival mixes fun, wellness, and vibrant community spirit.

🛒 Tips for Your Beach Day

Bring cash—many vendors and rentals are cash-based
Arrive early on weekends to secure parking or use shuttle buses (e.g. Jungmun)
Check lifeguard flags: green means safe; red = no swimming
Use sunscreen and hydrate frequently—Korean summer can be very humid

🎓 Want to Learn Korean Related to Travel?

Practice sentences like “어디에서 파는 거예요?” (Where can I buy this?) and “파라솔을 빌릴 수 있나요?” (Can I rent an umbrella?) in conversation.

👉 Book a lesson with me on italki and learn helpful travel Korean!