How to Read Gimnyeong Seonsegi Beach: Sand Accumulated on Lava Flat Rocks
Gimnyeong Beach is located in Gujwa-eup, Jeju City, and was formed when sand accumulated on broad lava rocks. It features a 200-meter sandy shore and relatively gently sloping waters with an average depth of 1–2 meters. While the beach itself is open for walks year-round, the operating period for the summer swimming zone varies each year, so the most accurate approach is to contact the Gimnyeong General Situation Room in advance.
A 200 m beach where the Pyeong (平) shaped Gimnyeong meets Seongsegi, the ‘small fortress’
The official road-name address of Gimnyeong Beach is 237, Gujwaean-ro, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, and the parcel address is 4330, Gimnyeong-ri. According to materials from the Jeju Tourism Organization, the name ‘Gimnyeong’ is said to have originated from the shape of Gimnyeong Village as seen from the sky, which resembles the Chinese character Pyeong (平).
The beach was formed as sand accumulated on enormous lava rocks. ‘Seongsegi’ means a small fortress built to prevent invasions by foreign forces, showing that this is not simply a sandy beach but a place where the geology and defensive place names of Jeju’s northeastern coast overlap.
- Total area: 49,000㎡
- Sandy beach length: 200 m
- Sandy beach width: 120 m
- Average depth: 1–2 m
- Coordinates: 33.557926° N, 126.75998° E
Ask the Gimnyeong Integrated Situation Room at 064-728-3987~8 about the summer swimming schedule
Admission to Gimnyeong Beach is free, and no fixed closing time or regular closing day is specified for walking along the beach. However, the beach opening period varies each year, so if you plan to use the swimming area, water-play facilities, or safety services, the standard recommendation is to contact the Gimnyeong Integrated Situation Room at 064-728-3987~8.
The main tourist attraction contact number is 064-728-3988. During the opening season, pets are restricted from entering the designated swimming area, and leashes or harnesses must be kept within 2 m; owners must also carry waste bags. Although beach access is Informationed for small, medium, and large dogs, bringing them may be restricted depending on complaints from swimmers or on-site conditions.
- Admission: Free
- Regular closing day: None
- Swimming operations: Opening period varies by year
- Summer operations inquiries: 064-728-3987~8
- Main tourist attraction phone: 064-728-3988
- Dog leash: Within 2 m
A route from the ‘Gimnyeong Beach’ stop on local bus 711-1 to Manjanggul Cave
By public transportation, you can use the ‘Gimnyeong Beach’ stop on local bus route 711-1. This route departs from Gimnyeong-ri and travels via Gimnyeong Transfer Stop, Gimnyeong Beach, Jigyeonggom, Manjanggul Cave Entrance, Gimnyeong Maze Park, Manjanggul Cave, and Haengwon Ranch before reaching Hadeokcheon.
Thus, bus travelers can visit the beach first and then take route 711-1 toward Manjanggul Cave Entrance or Manjanggul Cave. It is best to check the exact first and last bus times and whether the service runs that day in real time through the Jeju Bus Information System. A recommended stay of 40–60 minutes is suitable for visiting only the beach, while adding a coastal walk and photography brings the ideal duration to about 1–1.5 hours.
- Stop used: Gimnyeong Beach
- Connecting bus: Local bus 711-1
- Main subsequent stops: Jigyeonggom, Manjanggul Cave Entrance, Gimnyeong Maze Park, Manjanggul Cave
- Beach visit only: 40–60 minutes
- Including a coastal walk: 1–1.5 hours
Footwear and windbreakers to bring for the 49,000㎡ sandy beach and lava coast
Gimnyeong Beach is listed as having an average depth of 1–2 m, but the coast where lava rocks are exposed and the rocky fishing areas are not suitable for walking barefoot. For water activities, it is practical to prepare water shoes that reduce slipping, and for walking along the coastal road, a lightweight outer layer that blocks the wind.
The site has amenities including a campground, parking lot, restrooms, changing rooms, and showers. Parking is available, but the number of spaces and fees have not been confirmed in official information and are therefore left blank. On peak-season weekends, traveling by bus, including route 711-1, is more advantageous than driving for managing your itinerary.
- Amenities: Campground, parking lot, restrooms, changing rooms, showers
- Coastal characteristics: Sandy beach and lava rocks distributed together
- Recommended items: Water shoes, windbreaker, towel, waste bags
- Parking fee: No officially confirmed information
Link Gimnyeong wind turbines, the geological trail, and Manjanggul Cave in one direction
You can see the Gimnyeong wind turbines from the beach, and a geological trail has been established around Gimnyeong Beach, combining the geological resources of the Jeju UNESCO Global Geopark with the village’s history and culture. Rather than returning after looking only at the color of the sand and sea, viewing the cross-sections of the lava coast together with wind-powered facilities makes Gimnyeong’s geographic conditions more apparent.
Yongcheon Cave, Dangcheomul Cave, and Manjanggul Cave are nearby. In particular, route 711-1 passes successively through Manjanggul Cave Entrance and Manjanggul Cave from Gimnyeong Beach, making it convenient to add a cave visit after the beach on days when the cave interior is open to visitors. Operating status, reservations, and closure information must be checked separately for each cave.
- Facility visible from the coast: Gimnyeong wind turbines
- Walking theme trail: Gimnyeong Geological Trail
- Nearby caves: Yongcheon Cave, Dangcheomul Cave, Manjanggul Cave
- Bus connection: Manjanggul Cave Entrance and Manjanggul Cave are accessible by route 711-1
Sea color and restroom management issues repeatedly mentioned in 2024–2025 visitor reviews
Visitor reviews posted on Visit Jeju in April 2024 repeatedly mentioned the emerald-colored sea on clear days, the contrast between black rocks and yellow sand, and the strong winds along the coast. Reviews from the same period also recorded sightings of windsurfing, so on windy days, an itinerary centered on coastal scenery and walking may be more suitable than swimming.
In contrast, a June 2025 review posted specific complaints about the cleanliness of the women’s restroom. If using the restrooms and showers is central to your trip, it is advisable to bring wet wipes and basic toiletries separately and to ask the Gimnyeong Integrated Situation Room at 064-728-3987~8 directly about facility conditions during the beach opening season.
- Elements frequently mentioned in reviews: Emerald sea, black rocks, yellow sand, strong winds
- April 2024 review: Mention of watching windsurfing
- June 2025 review: Cleanliness issue raised regarding the women’s restroom
- Facility inquiries: Gimnyeong Integrated Situation Room, 064-728-3987~8
If traveling with a pet or stroller, plan first for only the 200 m sandy beach
Gimnyeong Beach is classified as ‘very difficult’ in official tourist information in terms of accessibility. Stroller and wheelchair users should plan around the flat areas of the 200 m sandy beach and the facilities near the beach, while movement toward the lava rocks and rocky shore should take into account accompanying support personnel and the ground conditions on the day.
Foreign-language users can access multilingual information and translation consultation services in English, Chinese, Japanese, and other languages on the Visit Jeju page. Pets are allowed on the beach, but entering the swimming area is restricted during the summer opening season. Therefore, those traveling with dogs should clearly plan for around one hour focused on a coastal walk rather than water activities.
- Official accessibility level: Very difficult
- Recommended range for strollers and wheelchairs: Areas around the beach facilities and the entrance to the sandy beach
- Foreign-language information: Visit Jeju multilingual pages, including English, Chinese, and Japanese
- Pets: Allowed on the beach; entry into the swimming area is restricted during the opening season
- Recommended walking time with a dog: About 1 hour
Two episodes of Gimnyeong Seongsegi Beach to watch first on video
If you want to assess the coastline and wave conditions at Gimnyeong Beach before setting out, you can refer to a live Gimnyeong Beach video released in March 2025 and a 4K beach video released in August 2025. Since the videos record conditions on specific filming dates, the day’s weather and guidance from the Gimnyeong Integrated Situation Room should take priority when determining whether swimming is possible.
Official information about the beach is listed on Visit Jeju by the Jeju Tourism Organization, and the main phone number is 064-728-3988. Admission is free, and the beach itself has no regular closing day, but during the summer opening period, a separate management system and swimming-area operations apply.
- Official tourism information: Visit Jeju Gimnyeong Beach details page
- Main phone: 064-728-3988
- Admission: Free
- Summer opening inquiries: 064-728-3987~8
Before You Go
- Address
- 237, Gujwaean-ro, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province
- Hours
- Beach walks available at all times; beach opening period varies each year (inquiries: Gimnyeong Integrated Situation Room, 064-728-3987~8)
- Closed
- No regular closing days
- Admission
- Free
- Phone
- 064-728-3988
- Official site
- https://www.visitjeju.net/kr/detail/view?contentsid=CONT_000000000500083&menuId=DOM_200000000010960
- Transport
- Get off at the ‘Gimnyeong Beach’ stop on local bus 711-1. Connected with Gimnyeong-ri, Gimnyeong Transfer Stop, Manjanggul Cave Entrance, Gimnyeong Maze Park, and Manjanggul Cave.
- Parking
- Parking lot available. No officially confirmed information on fees or the number of spaces.
- Time needed
- 40–60 minutes for the beach only; 1–1.5 hours including a coastal walk and photography
- Accessibility
- Official accessibility level: ‘Very difficult.’ Movement focused around the beach facilities is recommended. Visit Jeju provides multilingual information.
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Please check the official guidance again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 4
-
1
Gimnyeong Maze ParkA park where visitors can enjoy finding their way through a maze of trees. -
2
Woljeongri BeachA place to enjoy a leisurely walk along the beach and relax while taking in the blue sea. -
3
Bijarim ForestA place where you can enjoy forest bathing while walking along paths through an old-growth forest of torreya trees. -
4
Haenyeo MuseumA place where exhibitions explore the lives and diving culture of Jeju’s haenyeo.
Food & Dining 1
-
5
Gimnyeong OraiA place to enjoy red shrimp sashimi and seafood dishes in a lively Korean street-food-bar atmosphere.
Events in This Area
Festivals in This Area
More Travel Guides in This Area
Travel Guide
Yeondon Jeju’s Day Is Decided Before the Doors Open at Noon
Travel Guide
Jeju Shinhwa Theme Park with LARVA and 15 Attractions
Travel Guide
Finding Your Way Among 100,000 Basalt Stones and Haenyeo Silhouettes at Jeju Maze Land
Travel Guide
Aqua Planet Jeju: Experience the 11-Meter Main Tank and Haenyeo Exhibition in One Day
Korea News
![ZEROBASEONE ‘ZEROBASEONE Shining Even at Night!’ [★Video]](https://kotourlive-images.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/news/1786629298196_13d8a4bb_news_075face7-fb4e-402c-b833-25ccaf88cf8f.jpg)
News
ZEROBASEONE ‘ZEROBASEONE Shining Even at Night!’ [★Video]
News
Kwon Eun-bi, First Comeback Since Moving from Woollim to RBW: “Aiming for a September Release”
News
“Did Jungkook’s connection continue?” Pop star Usher spotted warmly hugging BTS’s RM and J-Hope
News