Summer Vacation Spots in Korea: 5 Emerald Sea Spots to Visit

Prologue: Can You Find Emerald Seas in Korea?

As the summer vacation season approaches, many people dream of emerald seas, but are there hidden gem-like spots in Korea that boast beautiful water colors that are just as beautiful? We will introduce five emerald sea spots that have different charms with their clear and mysterious water colors that go beyond simple beaches, and help you choose the perfect vacation spot with emerald sea colors in Korea.

Korea's Emerald Sea

I. Blue Jewel of the East Sea: Samcheok Sinnam Beach

Mysterious emerald color and gentle waves

Located in Wondeok-eup, Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do, Sinnam Beach is a small beach adjacent to National Road No. 7, about 30km south of Samcheok. The beach is about 100m long, small and cozy, and there are many rocks beyond the 100m sandy beach. It is especially formed inside the breakwater, so the water is shallow and the waves are calm, making it very suitable for families with children.

The water is very clear, so you can often see people enjoying snorkeling. The water here is very clear and has an emerald color, but the rocks located in the middle of the beach are not smooth and have a lot of mussels and barnacles attached, so there is a risk of hurting your feet. Therefore, it is recommended to wear aqua shoes when playing in the water.

Things to do

The main activities at Sinnam Beach are playing in the clear water and snorkeling. You can also enjoy fishing on the breakwater. Near the beach, there is Haesindang Park, the only phallic worship folk village on the east coast, providing a unique cultural experience. Haesindang Park has Haesindang, a fishing village folk exhibition hall, a park walking trail, and a humorous phallic sculpture park, so you can enjoy both a vacation and nature tour.

Samcheok Sinnam Beach

II. Exotic resort in the South Sea: Tongyeong Bijindo Beach

A dumbbell-shaped island, a sea with two faces

Tongyeong Bijindo is a place where General Yi Sun-sin won a battle against the Japanese. Tongyeong Bijindo Beach boasts a truly beautiful emerald sea and captures the attention of many with its outstanding scenery reminiscent of a foreign resort. The color of the sea is mysterious and dazzling, as if a drop of the blue paint of the god who created the Mediterranean fell.

Bijindo has a unique dumbbell-shaped terrain, and the part connecting the round inner and outer port villages is formed as a beach. In particular, the west coast is characterized by silvery sand and calm waves, while the east coast is made up of round pebbles, allowing you to experience two different beaches on one island. Thanks to this unique topography, you can enjoy both the sunrise and sunset while sitting in one place.

Things to do

Bijindo Beach has clear water and a shallow depth, making it great for swimming or playing in the water using a tube. It is also pleasant for snorkeling, and although there are not many fish, you can enjoy playing in the water comfortably in the clear water. At the east pebble beach, you can catch sea snails and crabs, and you can also enjoy fishing.

In addition to marine activities, Bijindo offers the 3rd course, 'Coral Road' trekking, which is considered the most beautiful of the Hallyeohaesang National Park's 100-mile sea trail. Coral Road is a course that goes around Seonyubong (312m), and the shady forest path and coral-colored sea scenery alternate throughout the walk, refreshing your body and eyes. There are spots where you can enjoy various views, such as Mangbuseok Observatory, Miindo Observatory, Heundeulbawi, and Noruyeo Observatory.

Tongyeong Bijindo Beach

III. Hidden Gem of the West Sea: Taean Min-eo Island

The Maldives of the West Sea, Shell Beach

Min-eo Island, located in Bangalli, Wonbuk-myeon, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, is a small beach that has recently been receiving rave reviews on SNS as the 'Maldives of the West Sea' and 'Jeju in Taean', and is quickly emerging as a hot place among young people. The general perception of the West Sea is that the water is murky due to the tidal flats, but Min-eo Island breaks this stereotype and boasts a very clear and transparent emerald sea.

The biggest characteristic of Min-eo Island is that the beach is made of pure white oyster shells or pebbles instead of sand. This unique beach composition adds to the exotic atmosphere, and it creates a special landscape when combined with the clear water that is rare in the West Sea.

Things to do

The water at Mindo Beach is very clear, so you can see the fish well, making it great for fishing. Snorkeling is also available. It is a popular spot for anglers, as it is rich in various species of fish, including sea bass, black rockfish, and flatfish.

Taean Min-eo Island

IV. Jade-colored waves of the West Sea: Gunsan Okdol Beach

The sound and scenery created by the jade stones

Located in Seonyudo-ri, Okdo-myeon, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do, Okdol Beach is characterized by the fact that the entire beach is covered with jade stones (fine pebbles), unlike other sandy beaches. The sound of the jade stones crashing every time the waves hit is a unique charm that pleases the ears, and this adds not only visual beauty but also auditory pleasure.

It boasts a picturesque landscape, along with the strangely shaped rocks of Seonyubong. Many people think of the West Sea as a murky sea due to the tidal flats, but Seonyudo's Okdol Beach offers clear, blue water.

Things to do

A 400m long beach deck road has been built along the coastline of Okdol Beach. This road has a gentle slope, making it a great walking course for people of all ages. At the end of the beach deck road, the clear blue West Sea spreads out endlessly, and you can enjoy the view of Samdo Guibom (a landscape of three islands lined up), one of the eight scenic views of Gogunsan.

You can visit in conjunction with Seonyudo Beach (Myeongsa Ship-ri Beach), and it is also attractive to active travelers because you can enjoy various activities such as zip lines. In addition, there are various experiential tours such as sea fishing, mudflat experience, motorboat, and banana boat, so there are many elements that the whole family can enjoy together.

Gunsan Okdol Beach

V. Clean Nature of the East Sea: Uljin Gusan Beach

Emerald Beach in Harmony with Pine Forest

Located in Giseong-myeon, Uljin-gun, Gyeongbuk, Gusan Beach is a beautiful place with an emerald sea, a lush pine forest, and a 400m-long clean white sand beach. The beach has a gentle slope and the water is clean, making it relatively safe for children to play in the water, and it is a great place for a family vacation.

Things to Do

At Gusan Beach, you can enjoy forest bathing while playing in the water and taking a rest under the cool shade of the lush pine forest surrounding the beach.

You can also go sea fishing, and long-distance fishing is especially popular on the breakwater. Nearby are Wolsongjeong, one of the eight scenic views of Gwandong, Aewolheon, Nodongseowon, and Myeonggyeseowon, providing an integrated travel experience that explores history and culture along with marine activities. You can plan an even richer trip by connecting with nearby tourist attractions such as Pyeonghaesagu Wetland.

Uljin Gusan Beach

Epilogue: This summer vacation, make emerald memories in Korea!

So far, we have looked at hidden emerald sea spots in Korea across the East Sea, South Sea, and West Sea. The serene beauty of Samcheok Sinnam Beach, the exotic two faces of Tongyeong Bijindo Beach, the unique shell beach of Taean Min-eo island, the refreshing sound of jade stones at Gunsan Okdol Beach, and the lush pine forests of Uljin Gusan Beach all have their own charms.

Each beach offers not only beautiful water but also various things to enjoy, and can provide a customized vacation depending on the taste of the visitor. Some beaches may lack amenities, but this actually allows you to enjoy the natural scenery. On the other hand, there are places with well-equipped amenities and various activities, giving you a wide range of choices. This year, we recommend that you make unforgettable memories at Korea's 'emerald sea'.