Hanagae Beach, Muuido: A Perfect Day Trip Guide Near Seoul
If you're looking for a seaside escape not far from Seoul, consider visiting Hanagae Beach on Muuido Island, Incheon. Hanagae Beach, with its diverse charms throughout the year, is a shore where you can fully immerse yourself in nature while still being close to the city. The beach offers a variety of activities, including a zipline, mudflat experiences, and a coastal walking trail, making it a great destination for families, couples, and friends. It's the perfect spot to unwind while enjoying the expansive beach and beautiful sunset.
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| Hanagae Beach |
Hanagae Beach
Hanagae Beach is located on Muuido Island in Jung-gu, Incheon. Muuido is an island near Incheon International Airport, and you can reach it by a 5-minute ferry ride from Jamjindo Ferry Terminal. From the terminal, the beach is about a 10-minute drive. While it used to be accessible by both public transportation and car, it is now difficult to visit Hanagae Beach by public transport. It is recommended to visit by car if possible.
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| Entrance to Hanagae Amusement Park |
The name ‘Hanagae’ means ‘big mudflat.’ True to its name, it features a wide sandy beach and a gentle slope, making it ideal not only for swimming but also for mudflat experiences. The beach is about 1 km long and is known for its fine sand.
The busiest season is summer, but it's also great for walks and beach activities in the spring and fall. Due to its location on the west coast, the sunsets are incredibly beautiful, attracting many visitors in the evening. The beach is open 24 hours and is lit up with pretty lights at night, making it a great place to visit anytime.
Enjoying Hanagae Beach
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| Enjoying Hanagae Beach |
Zipline Experience
There is a zipline facility operating at the beach entrance. The experience of flying over the sea across the beach is popular with people of all ages. The boarding fee is about KRW 15,000 (approx. USD 10.70).
Coastal Walking Trail (Deck Road)
At Hanagae Beach, you can use the coastal walking trail that connects to the nearby attraction of Somuuido Island. You can enjoy the wonderful sea view while walking on the wooden deck path. The gentle slope makes it easy for anyone to walk.
Mudflat Experience and Haerujil (Sea Foraging)
During low tide, you can dig for clams or catch crabs on the mudflats in front of the beach. The mudflats are wide and relatively safe, making them great for family activities. If you're enjoying night-time sea foraging, be sure to check the tide times and prepare basic equipment like boots, gloves, and a lantern for safety.
Beach Walks and Sunset Viewing
The wide sandy beach is perfect for a stroll, and at dusk, you can enjoy the beautiful red sunset of the West Sea. You can take many beautiful photos with the sunset as a backdrop.
Amenities and Information
Setting up Tents on the Beach
You can set up personal tents on Hanagae Beach. However, installation may be restricted in some areas, but it is allowed in most places. Small tents or shade screens used for day picnics are mostly permitted. Overnight camping on the beach is prohibited; you must use a separate camping area for that.
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| Beach Tarp Setup |
Facility Fees
| Item | Basis | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Parasol Rental | Per day | KRW 15,000 (approx. USD 10.70) |
| Tube | Per day | KRW 10,000 (approx. USD 7.14) |
| Life Jacket | Per day | KRW 5,000 (approx. USD 3.57) |
Beach Usage and Shower Fees
| Item | Basis | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Beach Usage (Personal Tent) | Personal Tent | KRW 10,000 (approx. USD 7.14) |
| Beach Usage (Personal Parasol) | Personal Parasol (Shade) | KRW 10,000 (approx. USD 7.14) |
| Shower Fee (Adult/Teen) | Adult, Teenager | KRW 3,000 (approx. USD 2.14) |
| Shower Fee (Child) | Child (Elementary Student) | KRW 2,000 (approx. USD 1.43) |
Parking Information
There is a paid public parking lot near the beach, as well as private parking lots.
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| Public Parking Lot |
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Public Parking Fee: KRW 4,000 per day (approx. USD 2.86)
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Private Parking: Locations and fees vary. Some accommodations offer free parking.
The parking lots can be very crowded on weekends and during peak season, so it's best to arrive early.
Convenience Facilities
The beach has shower rooms, public restrooms, and a snack bar. The showers are paid, and it's a good idea to have cash or be prepared for a bank transfer as card payments may not be accepted. You can buy drinks, snacks, and water toys at the snack bar, and there are also restaurants nearby.
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| Convenience Facilities |
Travel Tips and Cautions
To make the most of your visit to Hanagae Beach, it's good to know a few things in advance. Refer to the information below to plan your trip.
Checking the Tide Information is a Must
Hanagae Beach is a great place for mudflat experiences and sea foraging, but these activities are only possible during low tide. If you're planning on sea foraging, you must check the tide table in advance. Also, be aware that the incoming tide on the West Sea can be fast, so be careful. The mudflats are slippery, so it's a good idea to bring basic gear like boots, gloves, and a lantern.
Arrive Early on Weekends
The parking lot can be crowded on weekends and holidays. If possible, it's best to arrive early to park and find a spot without hassle.
Use a Car
While it's possible to get to Muuido Island by public transport, getting to Hanagae Beach is much easier by car. It's quite a distance to walk, and public transport can be inconvenient due to long intervals between services. Renting a car or using your own is recommended.
Tents and Parasols are for a Fee
There is a beach usage fee of KRW 10,000 (approx. USD 7.14) for setting up a tent or using a personal parasol on the beach. Visitors planning a light day trip for a picnic should keep this in mind when preparing supplies and food.
Other things to bring
- Sunscreen, a mat, and bottled water are essential in the summer.
- Sea foraging gear: boots, gloves, a lantern, and a collection container.
- Comfortable clothing is recommended for the zipline.
Nearby Attractions
Even if you spend the whole day, you might feel that time is short. If you've visited Hanagae Beach several times, exploring the nearby tourist attractions is a good option. Muuido Island is small but has outstanding natural scenery, with well-maintained walking trails, forest paths, and observatories, allowing for a fulfilling trip even on a short schedule.
Somuuido Trekking Course
Near Hanagae Beach, Somuuido Island is popular for its trekking course. Called the ‘Muui Badanuri-gil,’ this path is a gentle route of wooden decks and natural dirt trails, and you can circle the island in about 2 hours. Along the way, there's an observatory where you can see the open sea and sheer cliffs.
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| Trekking |
Muuido Natural Recreation Forest
About a 10-minute drive from Hanagae Beach is the Muuido Natural Recreation Forest. This is a place where you can stay overnight and heal in a quiet forest. It is popular with families. The sea is also right in front of the recreation forest, so you can enjoy both the forest and the sea at the same time.
Silmido Island
Silmido Island, famous for the movie, is also located nearby. During low tide, a sea path opens up between Muuido and Silmido, allowing you to walk across. Silmido has a quiet and secluded beach, and some remnants of the movie set remain, making it a good place for a light walk.
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| Silmido Island |
Nearby Restaurants and Cafes
Near the beach, there are many restaurants specializing in seafood dishes like Jogae-gui (Grilled Clams) and Haemul Kalguksu (Seafood Noodle Soup). There are also cafes with a view where you can enjoy coffee while looking at the sea, making it a good place to relax after a meal. At many tourist spots, you might feel ripped off by exorbitant prices, but the restaurants and shops around Hanagae Beach were reasonably priced and friendly, so I didn't mind opening my wallet.
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| Stairway to Heaven Cafe |
Hanagae Beach is a great travel destination near Seoul to enjoy the sea. With its wide sandy beach, fine sand, mudflat experiences, zipline, and coastal walking trail, there are plenty of things to do. It's also a great place to spend a relaxing time with family or loved ones while enjoying a picnic on the beach.
Even if it's a short, unplanned trip, a visit to Hanagae Beach will leave you with a satisfying experience that will make you want to come back. Why not enjoy the cool sea breeze at Hanagae Beach this weekend?
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