Of Korea's 700 beaches, around 250 officially open each year. Here's a comparison of the key beaches across Busan, Gangwon, and Jeju.
Region comparison
- Busan (Haeundae, Gwangalli, Songjeong): water 23 to 26C, city, night views, food; best subway/KTX access
- Gangwon East Sea (Gyeongpo, Sokcho, Naksan): 20 to 24C, clear water, sunrises; KTX and express bus
- Jeju (Hyeopjae, Hamdeok, Jungmun Saekdal): 24 to 27C, emerald water and surfing; budget flights and rental car
Choosing
Check water temperature and waves first. The East Sea stays around 20C until early July, cold for kids and seniors, while the south coast and Jeju top 25C from mid-July for easy swimming. For surfing, Yangyang and Jeju are good.
Comparison guide to Busan, Gangwon, and Jeju summer beaches