A Guide to Summer Adventures in Korea – Exciting Summer Activities Foreigners Must Experience

Summer in Korea is full of exciting activities, cool beaches, and thrilling sports, even in the hot weather. It's the perfect season for adventure, with surfing, paragliding, kayaking, and scuba diving! This guide introduces the summer destinations and activities that foreigners must experience in Korea.

1. Must-Try Extreme Summer Sports in Korea

1) Jeju Surfing – Riding the Emerald Waves!

Jeju Island is one of the best places in Korea to enjoy surfing. With its clear waters and gentle waves, anyone from beginners to experts can learn to surf.

✅ Recommended Surfing Spots
• Jungmun Saekdal Beach – Offers surfing lessons for beginners.
• Woljeongri Beach – A scenic surfing spot with emerald waters.
• Iho Tewoo Beach – A surfing destination with a quiet atmosphere.

Local Tip:
• After surfing, relax at a trendy cafe near the beach!
• Beginners can sign up for lessons for a safer and easier learning experience.

2) Han River Water Sports – Exciting Activities in the City

You can enjoy various water sports on the Han River in Seoul, allowing you to fully enjoy summer even in the city.

✅ Activities You Can Experience
• Kayak & Paddleboard Experience
• Flyboard & Wakeboard Lessons
• Han River Sunset Cruise

Local Tip:
• In summer, taking a sunset cruise on the Han River while enjoying the night view is also recommended!
• Many people buy mats and chicken and enjoy "Chi-Mac" (chicken and beer) in the Han River Park.

3) Yangpyeong Paragliding – Thrilling Thrills from the Sky

Yangpyeong is a paragliding destination located an hour from Seoul, offering stunning views overlooking the Namhan River.

✅ Recommended Experience Spots
• Yangpyeong Paragliding Park – Sky flight with safe instruction.
• Danyang Paragliding Destination – Extreme sports in pristine nature.
• Gangneung Paragliding – A special experience flying over the East Sea.

Local Tip:
• For first-time paragliders, **tandem flight (flying with an instructor)** is recommended!
• Bringing a GoPro allows you to capture great videos and photos from the sky.

2. Recommended Marine Activities in Korea During Summer

1) Scuba Diving – Exploring Korea's Hidden Underwater World

Korea also has many beautiful scuba diving spots, where you can encounter various marine life in the transparent underwater world.

✅ Recommended Scuba Diving Spots
• Jeju Munseom – Jeju Island's representative diving spot, admire the colorful coral reefs.
• Ulleungdo Diving Point – Scuba diving with marine life in pristine waters.
• Geoje Haekumgang – A spot where you can see one of the most beautiful seascapes in Korea.

Local Tip:
• Beginners can sign up for try diving to learn diving more easily!
• If you're lucky, you might see sea turtles at Jeju Munseom!

2) Tongyeong Marine Leisure – Kayak & Yacht Tours on the Sea

Tongyeong boasts beautiful coastline, often called the ‘Naples of the East,’ offering various marine activities such as kayaking and yacht tours.

✅ Recommended Experience Spots
• Hansando Kayak Tour – Enjoy nature by paddling along the quiet coastline.
• Yokjido Yacht Tour – Create a romantic atmosphere on a sunset yacht.
• Bijindo Snorkeling – Snorkel with tropical fish in the clear waters.

Local Tip:
• After marine activities, it's also recommended to try Chungmu Kimbap, Tongyeong's representative food!
• Yacht tours require advance reservations, especially sunset tours are very popular.

3) Gangneung Sokcho Beach Swimming – Cool Summer in the Blue East Sea

Gangneung and Sokcho beaches boast clear, blue East Sea waters, where you can enjoy swimming and soak up the summer atmosphere.

✅ Recommended Beach Destinations
• Gyeongpodae Beach – Famous for its wide sandy beach and clear seawater.
• Sokcho Beach – A summer hotspot with easy access from the city.
• Jumunjin Beach – A place where you can enjoy swimming leisurely in a quiet atmosphere.

Local Tip:
• Near Gangneung Beach, Chodang Tofu is famous, so it's recommended to try it after swimming!
• During peak season in summer, there are many people, so visiting in the morning will allow you to enjoy it more leisurely.

4) Muuido Mudflat Experience – A Special Experience with Nature

Muuido is an island near Incheon, offering a special experience where you can participate in mudflat activities and directly encounter marine life.

✅ Recommended Mudflat Experience Spots
• Muuido Hanagae Beach – You can observe various marine life in the vast mudflats.
• Silmido Mudflat Experience Center – You can experience clam digging and walking on the mudflats.
• Yeongjongdo Seonnyeo Rock Beach – A mudflat experience spot with a beautiful sunset.

Local Tip:
• After the mudflat experience, don't forget to try grilled clams and seafood dishes!
• When engaging in mudflat activities, preparing waterproof shoes will make it more comfortable.

3. Refreshing Foods to Try in Korea During Summer

✅ Recommended Summer Delicacies
• Kongguksu (Soybean Noodle Soup) – A summer delicacy where the nutty and cool soybean broth and noodles harmonize.
• Chogyegukksu (Cold Chicken Noodle Soup) – Refreshing noodles with chicken and tangy broth.
• Watermelon Bingsu – A summer dessert made with sweet watermelon and sparkling water.
• Patbingsu (Shaved Ice Dessert) – Korean shaved ice dessert with ice, red bean paste, rice cake, and condensed milk.
• Milmyeon (Wheat Noodles) – Chewy cold noodle-style dish that can only be tasted in the Busan area.

Local Tip:
• After marine activities, enjoying cold brew coffee and patbingsu together will make the hot summer disappear!
• You can taste various summer delicacies more cheaply at traditional markets.

Summer in Korea: The Start of a Perfect Journey that Fills Both Body and Mind

Summer in Korea is more than just a hot season; it's a season of experience, blending adventure, healing, food, and emotion. From cool water sports on the Han River in the city, to surfing in Jeju Island, paragliding in the sky, and scuba diving in the clear waters—all this is possible in one country, Korea.

The thrill of adrenaline from extreme sports is great, but sometimes the peacefulness of a yacht floating on the gentle waves of Tongyeong is also a piece that completes summer. And after activities, a bowl of cool Kongguksu and a bite of sweet watermelon bingsu make the travel experience even more profound.

Summer in Korea awakens the senses, satisfies the five senses, and makes the distance between people closer. In the end, what remains from a journey is not what you saw, but what you felt.
This summer, fully experience the unique charm of Korea in the cool breeze and sunshine. Your summer will surely be more special than ever before.

Now is the time to embark on a summer adventure in Korea.