Beaches · Jeju · South Korea
The best beaches in and near Jeju
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Hyeopjae Beach (About 50 minutes' drive west of Jeju City). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in June–October.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 7
- Swimming season
- June–October
- Warmest sea
- 27°C (81°F)
The beaches
About 50 minutes' drive west of Jeju City · Families and sunsets
1.Hyeopjae Beach
White sand and shell, shallow emerald water and views of Biyangdo; the classic family beach.
About 50 minutes' drive west of Jeju City · Quieter swimming
2.Geumneung Beach
Hyeopjae's quieter neighbour with the same pale sand and Biyangdo views, plus a campsite in the pines.
About 30 minutes' drive east of Jeju City · Easy access from the city
3.Hamdeok Beach
Shallow turquoise lagoon framed by lava rock, with Seoubong hill behind and plenty of cafés.
About 40 minutes' drive east of Jeju City · Cafés and watersports
4.Woljeongri Beach
A small sandy bay lined with cafés, popular with windsurfers and paddleboarders.
About 1 hour from Jeju City; walking distance from Jungmun hotels · Resort guests and surfers
5.Jungmun Saekdal Beach
A south-coast beach below the resort hotels with darker sand and surfable waves on some days.
About 15 minutes from Jeju City · Short stays near the airport
6.Iho Tewoo Beach
The closest beach to the airport, known for its red and white horse-shaped lighthouses and sunset over the harbour.
About 1 hour 15 minutes east of Jeju City · Photography
7.Gwangchigi Beach
A wide black-rock and sand flat below Seongsan Ilchulbong that is best at low tide for photos rather than swimming.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 15°C (59°F) | 9°C (48°F) |
| February | 14°C (57°F) | 10°C (50°F) |
| March | 14°C (57°F) | 13°C (55°F) |
| April | 16°C (61°F) | 18°C (64°F) |
| May | 18°C (64°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| June | 21°C (70°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| July | 25°C (77°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| August | 27°C (81°F) | 30°C (86°F) |
| September | 26°C (79°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| October | 23°C (73°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| November | 20°C (68°F) | 16°C (61°F) |
| December | 17°C (63°F) | 11°C (52°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$$ · Best for luxury, families, couples and beach
Jungmun Resort
Jungmun is a planned tourist complex on the south coast where most of Jeju's large resort hotels, the ICC Jeju convention centre and a string of museums sit on cliffs above Jungmun Saekdal Beach. The Daepo Jusangjeolli basalt columns and Cheonjeyeon Waterfall are a short drive away, and airport limousine buses run directly to the hotels.
- Good
- Resort pools and beach in one place; Direct airport bus; Close to the south-coast sights
- Watch out
- Expensive dining inside the resorts; Little local life outside the hotels
- Nearby
- Jungmun Saekdal Beach, Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff, Cheonjeyeon Waterfalls
Getting to the beaches
- Car — Rental companies operate from depots near the airport, reached by shuttle buses from the arrivals hall.
- Bus — Red express buses link the airport with Seogwipo, Jungmun and Seongsan, and blue and green local buses serve the coast roads and villages.
- Ferry — Short ferries cross from Seongsan Port to Udo in about 15 minutes, from Hallim to Biyangdo, and from Moseulpo to Gapado and Marado.
Beach-weather months
Air temperatures rarely reach classic beach weather here: the warmest month, August, averages 30°C (86°F).
Beach safety
Jeju has low street crime. The main risks are natural: strong winds and swell on exposed coasts, slippery basalt rocks, sudden weather changes on Hallasan and typhoons from roughly July to September. Swim only at patrolled beaches and follow coastal path closures. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Jeju have beaches?
Yes: Hyeopjae Beach, Geumneung Beach, Hamdeok Beach, Woljeongri Beach, Jungmun Saekdal Beach, Iho Tewoo Beach and Gwangchigi Beach.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Jeju?
Usually June–October, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Jeju?
Hyeopjae Beach: White sand and shell, shallow emerald water and views of Biyangdo; the classic family beach.