Exploring the Beauty and Fun of Gyeongpo Beach, Gangneung
My trip to Gangwon-do in late July and early August wouldn't have been complete without a visit to Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung! I explored several beaches in Gangneung, Yangyang, and Sokcho, but Gyeongpo Beach truly stood out with its immense size. This large scale also means plenty of exciting activities are available, including water sports, a water park, and diving. What's more, Gyeongpo Beach opens earlier than other beaches, making it a popular early-season destination.
01. Parking
There's a public parking lot right in front of the beach, and parking is free. The lot extends along the beach. However, since it's right in front of the beach and free, you'll likely need to arrive early to secure a spot. It might be faster to use a public parking lot a little further away. We had to circle around once before finding a place. There were parking attendants managing the heavy traffic.
02. Gyeongpo Beach Opening and Closing Dates
Gyeongpo Beach opened on June 28th and closed on August 17th. It offers various water activities, including water sports and a water park perfect for children. Swimming is allowed from 9 AM to 6 PM, similar to other beaches.
The beach stretches 1.8km, making it exceptionally large. The water depth ranges from 1 to 2 meters, and some areas are deep enough for adults to find it challenging. A beautiful pine forest runs along the coastline, adding to its charm.
Night swimming was available from July 26th to August 9th. During this period, a national busking competition took place at the lake plaza, along with many other events. The beach hosts a summer festival every year, attracting families, friends, and couples alike.
03. Tents/Shade Structures in the Pine Forest
There are pick-up zones and changing rooms throughout the beach. You can request items to be delivered to a specific numbered pick-up zone. Eating is not allowed in the shade of the pine forest, and personal shade structures and tents are also prohibited. The forest provides enough shade, so you probably won't need a separate shade structure.
However, blankets, camping chairs, and camping tables are permitted. But be aware that securing a spot in the pine forest during peak season can be difficult, so arrive early.
04. Parasol/Tube Rentals
You can rent parasols and tubes at Gyeongpo Beach. The parasol area is divided into personal and public zones. The public zone is located in the main central area, with sections on either side where you can set up your own parasol.
The rental price for a parasol is ₩10,000. Sunbeds are also ₩10,000. Tubes and life jackets cost ₩8,000. Since the water is relatively deep, children should definitely wear life jackets. Of course, you can bring your own, but if you prefer to simply rinse off the sand, shower, and leave, renting on-site is a good option.
05. Showers/Restrooms/Sinks/Lockers
This is the Gyeongpo Beach Plaza. There are showers and lockers available. The showers offer warm water. The fee is ₩3,500 for middle school students and older, and ₩2,500 for elementary school students and younger. Keep in mind that while warm water is provided, you need to bring all other necessities, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a personal towel, and cleansing products.
The lockers are clean and well-maintained, so I recommend using them if you have a lot of luggage. The fee is also very reasonable. Foot-washing stations are located right in front of the restrooms.
06. Seawater Playground
If you're visiting Gangneung with children, the seawater playground is a must-visit! It's closed every Monday and operates from July 4th to August 17th. It's open from 10 AM to 5 PM, and admission is free!
I was surprised by how well-maintained it was, considering it's free. It's so good that they could easily charge admission! Even as an adult, I wanted to go in and play. It features a big slide, a challenge run, a large pool, and a kiddie pool – a truly well-equipped outdoor water park.
It's so good that you absolutely must go! Important rules to follow at the pool include wearing a swimming cap and removing your shoes. Some people didn't seem to be wearing swimming caps, but everyone took off their shoes before entering. There aren't separate lockers for shoes; you just leave them at the entrance.
The shoes are neatly arranged, so you probably don't have to worry about losing them. And the water is seawater! You can experience a beach atmosphere in the water park. Plus, it has an ocean view right in front. This is the most perfect water park I've ever been to. It's as good as any hotel pool.
07. Gyeongpo Beach
Even without the water park, Gyeongpo Beach itself is so beautiful that you're sure to have a great time. If you're looking for more thrills than the children's water park, I recommend Gyeongpo Beach's water sports. You can find a variety of options like banana boats, flyfish, and jet boats.
And that blue bridge you see is accessible! It's a free facility, not a paid water sports attraction. It's open from 10 AM to 5 PM. It's closed on days with strong waves, but it was open on the day I visited. It's called Ori (Duck) Rock Diving!
From Gyeongpo Beach, you cross a 130m floating bridge to Ori Rock to reach the diving platform. It's truly terrifying... a thrilling course only for the brave!
There are so many wonderful facilities, and as one of the most famous beaches in Korea, it's enormous! There are many things to do, so I highly recommend a visit. It's not a secluded beach, but you can enjoy a variety of activities when you come. And there are many events and festivals during the beach's opening period! With the closing date approaching this week and weekend temperatures rising to 33 degrees Celsius, it looks like a lot of people will be visiting.
Gyeongpo Beach is so amazing! Even if you don't go swimming, the ocean itself is so beautiful that you can relax and rejuvenate with a simple walk.
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