As the weather gets hotter, there’s nothing like a quick beach getaway close to home. Fortunately, Pyeongtaek is a short drive from Korea’s west coast with several beaches to enjoy.

Before heading out, check the tide schedules since the western coast has large tidal ranges and wide mud flats. Due to the location, the water on this side of the peninsula tends to be a little muddy compared to the clear blue waters of the East Sea. However, the west coast mud flats boast a diverse marine life you must see for yourself.

Here are seven great beaches to explore with your family near Camp Humphreys and Osan Air Base!

Jebudo Beach (제부도 해수욕장)

Jebudo Beach is a popular choice for beach trips among locals from Seoul and Gyeonggi-do due to its proximity and a variety of facilities including accommodations, restaurants and various recreational activity options. The beach features a unique tidal road that opens twice a day, allowing visitors to witness the “Miracles of Moses.” Check the tide schedule before visiting, as entering the island is only possible via the West Sea Cable Car when the water comes back to close the road. Visitors can explore diverse marine life on mud flats, enjoy swimming, and numerous water sports such as fishing, surfing, kayaking and jet skiing.

From bases in Pyeongtaek: About 60 km - 1 hour by car, Naver Map

Gungpyeong-ri Beach (궁평리 해수욕장)

Similar to Jebudo, Gungpyeong-ri Beach offers visitors the opportunity to explore tidal flats and enjoy fishing during low tide, while high tide is ideal for swimming. It’s closer to Pyeongtaek and more peaceful compared to Jebudo. The beach is also popular for camping and car picnics, allowing visitors to stay overnight in their cars or tents. Designated camping areas charge about 10,000 won and there are also free spots available for camping. As there are limited facilities close to the beach, it’s recommended to bring your own food or visit Gungpyeong Port nearby for stores, ocean-view cafés, and rentals for fishing and mud flat experiences.

From bases in Pyeongtaek: About 50 km – 1 hour by car, Naver Map

Waemok Village Beach (왜목마을 해수욕장)

Waemok Village Beach, located at the northern tip of the Taean Peninsula in Dangjin City, offers stunning skies including sunsets, sunrises and moonrises. The beautiful beach is ideal for swimming, rock fishing, and exploring tidal flats. Camping is allowed, and nearby facilities provide convenient access to accommodations, fishing gear rentals, restaurants, stores and changing rooms.

From bases in Pyeongtaek: About 67 km - 70 minutes by car, Naver Map

Manripo Beach (만리포 해수욕장)

Manripo Beach, located on the western side of Taean Peninsula, is known as one of the three major beaches on the west coast along with Daecheon Beach and Byeonsan Beach. It offers great opportunities for swimming, surfing and sand play, as well as diverse water sports. During low tide, visitors can explore the muddy sand to discover clams and other sea creatures. Manripo features a variety of convenient facilities, accommodations and recreational options, making it a fun destination for family vacations.

From bases in Pyeongtaek: About 120 km - 1 hour and 40 minutes by car, Naver Map

Padori Beach (파도리 해수욕장)

Padori Beach takes its name from the Korean word “pado” which means wave in English. The charming pebble beach is renowned for clear, shallow waters and beautiful waves that make soothing sounds over the small stones. Padori is truly a quiet retreat.

There is a stunning sea cave, famous as one of Taean’s best photography spots. Accessible only during low tide, it’s recommended to check the tide schedule. Due to its proximity to Manripo Beach, one of Taean’s most famous beaches, many visitors to Manripo also stop by Padori to capture photos of the sea cave.

Do note that this beach belongs to the Taean Coastal National Park, so collecting pebbles and bringing pets are prohibited.

From bases in Pyeongtaek: About 120 km – nearly two hours by car, Naver Map

Kkotji Beach (꽃지 해수욕장)

Kkotji Beach is the largest beach on Anmyeondo in Taean, and is known for captivating sunsets over Grandma Rock and Grandpa Rock, iconic natural symbols in Taean Peninsula. Stroll along the soft sandy beach, view the beautiful scenery and enjoy playing in the sand and water. The beach is also famous for crabbing, clam digging and collecting various shellfish in the tidal flats. The beach features many convenient facilities, including accommodations, restaurants, stores and recreational facilities. Close to Kkotji Beach, there is Kkotji Coastal Park, a free theme park open year-round with seasonal gardens, picnic areas, camping grounds and cooking facilities.

From bases in Pyeongtaek: About 130 km – nearly two hours by car, Naver Map

Daecheon Beach (대천 해수욕장)

Daecheon Beach is one of the most famous beaches on the West Coast. Known for its wide, blue sea and fine sand, it’s perfect for swimming and sand play with children as there are no tide flats. The beach is popular for families and young adults. This is where the famous annual Boryeong Mud Festival is held for two weeks in late July to early August.

Daecheon has plenty of accommodations, cafes, restaurants and leisure activities like ziplining and sky rail bikes. The beach is also pet-friendly.

More importantly, the beach is easily accessible by train, making it convenient for travelers without a car. Daecheon Station can be reached in less than two hours from Pyeongtaek Station via the Mugunghwa or Saemaeul trains. From Daecheon Station, Daecheon Beach is a 30-minute bus ride or a 10-minute taxi ride away.

From bases in Pyeongtaek: About 130 km - 1 hour and 50 minutes by car, Naver Map

Tips for your West Sea beach getaway!

- Shopping tip: Daiso is great for purchasing affordable vacation items such as beach towels, mats, swimming goggles and camping gear.

- Items for mud flat adventure: Bring a small shovel, hoe, basket for collecting sea creatures, boots and clothes that can get dirty. You can easily rent tools around the beach but purchasing them at Daiso is more cost-effective.

- Check tide times: The website offers tide times but make sure to use the Chrome browser for English translation.

- Picnic rules: Regulations at the beach can vary depending on location and season. Some beaches may allow picnics with prepared food but prohibit cooking. Picnic mats are permitted, and tents are usually allowed during the day but may need to be removed at night.

- Camping rules: While many beaches allow daytime tent pitching, overnight camping rules can vary. Look for designated camping zones near the beach that permit cooking and tent setup, which may require a fee. Some open fields allow car camping and cooking without fees, but some restrictions may apply such as only allowing cooking and sleeping in vehicles without tents.

- Pet rules: Unless specifically prohibited, accompanying pets are usually not a big issue at most beaches. However, during peak season (July-Aug.), there may be restrictions on dogs swimming. Note that national parks in Korea don’t allow pets, and Taean Peninsula on the West Coast has a designated coastal national park, so most beaches at Taean ban pet entry only except Manripo, Kkotji, Galeumi and Kkujinamugol beaches.

TIDE TIMES

Osan Air Base

Camp Humphreys

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