[K-TRAVEL⑦] Eulwangri·Wangsan Beach: Take a full-body dip at the beach closest to Seoul

*This content was translated by AI.

At this time of year when heatwaves rage, the sea naturally comes to mind. Even if you enjoy waterfalls or valleys with your eyes, there are limits to how much they can cool you down. Only by plunging your entire body into seawater will you likely be able to forget the summer heat completely for a while. The sea breeze is far cooler than river breezes.

Where is the beach closest to Seoul? Based on Seoul City Hall, Wangsan Beach on Yeongjong Island in Incheon is about 65 km away and typically takes 77 minutes by car, making it the closest. Next is Eulwangri Beach, adjacent to Wangsan Beach, at about 67 km and an 81-minute drive. Although Dongmak Beach south of Ganghwa Island is slightly shorter at 61.8 km, it takes nearly 100 minutes to reach, so in terms of accessibility, Wangsan and Eulwangri are considered more convenient. Dining options, accommodations, and other facilities are also more diverse in the Eulwangri-Wangsang area. If measured from Gimpo Airport on Seoul's western edge, the distance to all three beaches is roughly 46 km, making them nearly equal. These seaside beaches can be reached from Seoul within an hour, and Wangsan and Eulwangri Beaches are located right next to Incheon Airport.

On August 4 this year, the highest temperature in Seoul was 38°C, while Yeongjong Island, where Wangsan and Eulwangri Beaches are located, recorded 34°C—typically 3 to 4 degrees cooler. Being an island with sea breezes blowing through, temperatures drop accordingly, making it a perfect escape from Seoul's heat to visit these seaside spots.

Located in Eulwang-dong, Yeongjong-gu, Incheon Metropolitan City, Eulwangri Beach features a white sandy beach shaped like a crescent moon, harmoniously blending with surrounding pine forests and rocky outcrops, offering a refreshing and spacious landscape. The total length of the white sandy beach is approximately 700 meters, with an average water depth of 1.5 meters, making it quite large in scale. During low tide, the beach extends about 200 meters toward the sea, revealing a wide expanse. Eulwangri Beach, which stretches in a long curve, is also known as Neulmok or Eolhang, and has long been visited by many people for summer vacations and to experience the romance of winter seas.

While swimming is enjoyed in midsummer, the combination of a wide white sandy beach and tidal flats makes it ideal for ball games like soccer and volleyball, keeping the area lively throughout the summer season.

Dense pine forests line both sides of the beach, with dramatic rock formations adding to the scenic beauty; the sunset here is particularly renowned along the west coast. Unusually for a beach, it features a large grassy lawn and ample accommodation facilities, allowing visitors to enjoy various sports. Student camps and training centers are also available for youth group retreats. If you rent a boat and head out to sea, you can catch mudfish, rock bream, croaker, flathead, and yellow corvina.

The name Eulwangri Beach originates from the former administrative district of Eulwangri in Yongyu-myeon, Bucheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province. It was incorporated into Incheon Special City in 1989 and renamed Eulwang-dong. Today, thanks to its status as the most accessible beach in the Seoul metropolitan area, it has gained nationwide recognition similar to Daecheon Beach or Haeundae Beach. Notably, visitor numbers from foreign tourists have also increased significantly.

Eulwangri Beach operates this year from June 20 to September 6, with swimming hours from 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM.

Along the road inside the beach area, a wide variety of restaurants specializing in raw fish, grilled clams, and seafood noodle dishes are lined up alongside cafes, pensions, guesthouses, and hotels. Visitors can always hear and see cheerful laughter as many vacationers enjoy meals and drinks at these establishments. Reflecting the beach's high popularity, buildings were traditionally mostly one-story structures, but recently, renovations and expansions have led to a steady influx of two- to three-story restaurants and cafes, with construction ongoing for new facilities throughout the area.

The Eulwangri Beach bus stop is only about 10 minutes away from the beach, making public transportation convenient to use.

Just across a small hill from Eulwangri Beach toward the sea lies Wangsan Beach, approximately 500 meters away. Compared to Eulwangri Beach, Wangsan Beach has a similar white sandy beach and atmosphere with its restaurants. In the past, Wangsan Beach was relatively quiet, but as more visitors have come recently, various facilities including restaurants have been added, making it now just as lively as Eulwangri.

However, its beach length is somewhat shorter than Eulwangri's, spanning about 500 meters and forming a deeper U-shape. During low tide, it reveals a wide white sandy beach and tidal flats comparable to Eulwangri. Unlike in the past when Wangsan Beach had relatively spacious areas, it now hosts numerous camping sites including KARA Camp, glamping, and auto-camping, which is another distinguishing feature.

The sunset at Wangsan Beach is considered one of the Eight Scenic Views of Yongyu Island and is said to be exceptionally beautiful. The mist slowly rising over the white sandy beach after dusk adds to its charm. Nearby Wangsan Marina features one of Korea's largest yacht clubs, offering opportunities for various yacht experiences. Spending a day playing at Eulwangri Beach before crossing over to Wangsan Beach can provide a somewhat unique enjoyment.

The Wangsan Beach (Wangsanyacht Competition Ground) bus stop is less than a five-minute walk from the beach, making it easy to reach by public transportation.

However, Eulwangri and Wangsan Beaches become extremely crowded during the summer vacation season, which may cause some inconveniences. If you wish to create pleasant memories, visiting on weekdays is recommended. Although affordable public parking lots are available near the beaches, they often run out of space on weekends during peak season, requiring visitors to rely on accommodations or restaurants instead. On weekdays, however, parking spaces are relatively ample. When renting a parasol at the white sandy beach or using your own, official fees apply: 20,000 won per day for rentals and 10,000 won for personal use.

You can also cool off by enjoying various water sports such as motorboats, fly fishing, and paddleboarding. If you bring a hoe or spade, you can try catching clams, crabs, and other seafood from the exposed tidal flats. Water play with boats or tubes is also available; rental fees are fixed at 5,000 won per day for tubes (with a 5,000 won deposit) and 15,000 won for rubber boats (with a 10,000 won deposit). All usage fees operate on a fixed-price system.

After cooling off at Wangsan and Eulwangri Beaches, adding a tour of nearby tourist attractions will make for an even more fulfilling trip. Nearby, Seonnyeo Rock Beach near Eulwangri is recommended as a light walking route where fine sand, tidal rocks, and sea pine forests blend together, allowing visitors to wade in the seawater or stroll through the forest. However, swimming is not permitted here due to safety reasons.

Traveling from Eulwangri along Masian Beach Road toward the small island of Jamjin Island, you will find that Yongyu Island's beach and Masian Beach, both featuring white sandy beaches, continue seamlessly. Along Masian Beach Road, various raw fish restaurants are lined up alongside unique cafes, attracting particularly many young visitors.

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*This content was translated by AI.