[K-TRAVEL⑦] Eulwangri·Wangsan Beaches — Dive into the sea at Seoul’s closest beach

*This content was translated by AI.

At this time of year when heat waves rage, the sea naturally comes to mind. Even if you enjoy waterfalls or mountain streams with your eyes, there are limits to how much they can cool you down. Only by plunging your whole body into seawater do you feel as though you can momentarily and thoroughly forget the summer heat. The sea breeze is noticeably cooler than river breezes.

Where is Seoul’s closest beach? If we take Seoul City Hall as the reference point, Wangsan Beach on Yeongjong Island in Incheon is about 65 km away, typically a 77-minute drive, 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; considering accessibility, Wangsan and Eulwangri are more convenient. Dining options, accommodations, and other facilities are also more diverse in the Eulwangri-Wangsan area. If we use Gimpo Airport on Seoul’s western edge as the reference point, 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, Seoul’s highest temperature was 38°C, while Yeongjong Island, where Wangsan and Eulwangri Beaches are located, recorded 34°C — typically 3 to 4 degrees cooler. Since it is an island with sea breezes blowing, the temperature drops accordingly; it is worth heading to this seaside area to escape Seoul’s heat.

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 about 700 meters, with an average water depth of 1.5 meters, making it quite large in scale. At low tide, the beach extends approximately 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 in the warm season and to enjoy the romance of winter seas in the cold season.

While swimming is enjoyed during midsummer, the combination of a wide white sandy beach and tidal flats makes it ideal for ball games such as soccer and volleyball, so this summer season is always full of energy.

Dense pine forests line both sides of the beach, with jagged rock formations adding to the scenic beauty; particularly, its sunsets are renowned among the west coast beaches. Unlike most beaches, it also features a large grassy area and ample accommodation facilities, allowing visitors to enjoy various sports. Student camps and training centers for youth group activities are also available. If you rent a boat and head out to sea, you can catch mudfish, rock bream, croaker, hairtail, and yellow corvina.

The name Eulwangri Beach originates from the fact that the area was formerly part of Eulwangri in Yongyu-myeon, Bucheon-gun, Gyeonggi Province. When it was incorporated into Incheon Special City in 1989, the name changed to Eulwang-dong. Today, thanks to its status as the most accessible beach from the Seoul metropolitan area, it has gained nationwide recognition similar to Daecheon Beach or Haeundae Beach. Notably, the number of foreign visitors has also increased significantly.

Eulwangri Beach is open this year from June 20 to September 6, with swimming hours running from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Along the road inside the beach area, there are numerous restaurants specializing in raw fish and grilled clams, as well as diverse eateries focusing on seafood and razor clam kalguksu (knife-cut noodles), along with cafes, pensions, guesthouses, and hotels. At these restaurants, many vacationers can always be seen and heard laughing cheerfully while enjoying meals and drinks. 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 underway at various sites for new facilities.

The Eulwangri Beach bus stop is located just a 10-minute walk from the beach, making public transportation convenient.

If you cross one hill from Eulwangri Beach toward the sea, Wangsan Beach lies about 500 meters away. Compared to Eulwangri Beach, Wangsan Beach has a similar white sandy beach and atmosphere, with comparable dining options. In the past, Wangsan Beach was relatively quiet, but as more visitors have come recently, various facilities such as restaurants have been added continuously, making its lively atmosphere no less than that of Eulwangri.

However, the beach length is somewhat shorter than Eulwangri’s, spanning about 500 meters and forming a deeper U-shape. At low tide, it reveals a wide white sandy beach and tidal flats comparable to Eulwangri. In the past, Wangsan Beach had relatively spacious areas, which allowed for the establishment of various camping sites including KARA Ban, glamping, and auto-camping — another distinguishing feature.

The sunset at Wangsan Beach is considered one of the Eight Scenic Views of Yongyu Island and is said to be breathtaking; the mist that slowly rises over the white sandy beach after dusk adds further charm. Nearby, Wangsan Marina features one of Korea’s larger 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 the shore via public transportation.

However, during the summer vacation season, Eulwangri and Wangsan Beaches become extremely crowded, 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 one you brought yourself, official fees apply: 20,000 won per day for rentals and 10,000 won for personal ones.

You can also cool off by enjoying various water sports such as motorboats, fly fishing, and paddleboarding. If you bring a hoe or small shovel, you can enjoy the experience of 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 would make for an even more fulfilling trip. Nearby, Seonyeobawi Beach near Eulwangri is recommended as a light walking route where fine sand, rocky shores, and sea pine forests blend together, allowing visitors to wade in the seawater or stroll through the pine 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 shores, 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.