South Chungcheong Province

Taean Mallipo Beach: Walk the Muldakbyeoseom Island Deck Trail and 2.5 km of White Sand

Mallipo Beach is a West Sea beach located near the end of Sowon-myeon in Taean County, close to the terminus of National Route 32. Along one itinerary, visitors can enjoy summer water activities, walk the Muldakbyeoseom Island Deck Trail, visit the Mallipo Observatory, and reflect on the restoration following the 2007 oil spill.

By the KOTourLive Editorial Team Updated: Aug 7, 2026 16 min 1,028

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July 4–August 23, 2026: Swimming from 10:00 to 19:00

Manripo Beach itself is open year-round at all times, and admission is free. Chungnam Tourism lists the address as 138 Manripo 2-gil, Sowon-myeon, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, and the contact number as 041-670-2695. Restrooms, showers, changing rooms, and a convenience store are available.

However, summer beach operations with safety personnel are separate. In 2026, Taean-gun will operate Manripo Beach for 51 days from July 4 to August 23, with swimming supervision every day from 10:00 to 19:00. From August 12 to 17, the beach will remain open at night until 21:00. Outside this period, beach walks are still possible, but rescue services and amenities may operate differently, so anyone planning to enter the water should first check the day's wave conditions and on-site controls.

만리포해수욕장 상세이미지8 — Manripo Beach detail image 8 — Photo source: chungnam.go.kr

A 2.5-kilometer sandy beach at the end of National Route 32

Manripo is located at the end of National Route 32, which crosses Taean-gun. Taean-gun materials describe the beach as 2.5 km long and approximately 100 m wide, while tourism information affiliated with the Korea Tourism Organization lists an area of 231,406㎡, an average depth of 1–2 m, and a slope of approximately 2 degrees. Because this is a section of the west coast with a large tidal range, the shoreline can shift considerably at high and low tide even in the same spot.

The name “Manripo” originated from “Manrijangbeol,” where envoys were seen off in the early Joseon period with prayers for a safe voyage across ten thousand ri of sea. The sand on this beach has been shifted by the influence of the large tidal range and northwesterly monsoon winds, and it is also described as a landform strongly affected by waves and tides in winter. The impression of a broad, gently sloping beach is connected to this sedimentary environment on the west coast.

만리포해수욕장 상세이미지4 — Manripo Beach detail image 4 — Photo source: chungnam.go.kr

A deck trail around Muldakbeulseom in about 10 minutes

The Muldakbeulseom deck trail, which leads directly from the beach, is the shortest and clearest walking route in Manripo apart from swimming. Chungnam Tourism says it takes about 10 minutes to walk around the island. Connecting to the deck trail rather than walking only on the sand provides changing views of unusual rock formations, pine groves, and the sea, making the route more distinct even during a brief stay of about an hour.

The 37.5-meter-high Manripo Observatory Tower is nearby on the south side of the beach. Looking toward the beach from the observation tower makes it easy to take in Manripo's bow-shaped sandy shore and the direction of Mohang Port at a glance. Walking is better during periods when the waves are less frequent than on windy days, and differences in level and wet surfaces at the boundary between the deck and beach may require assistance for visitors using strollers or wheelchairs.

전망 타워에서 본 만리포해수욕장 — Manripo Beach seen from the observation tower — Photo source: yna.co.kr

Waves known as “Manrifornia” and how to book surfing

Manripo is a surfing spot nicknamed “Manrifornia” because of its consistent waves and wide beach. Rather than renting equipment at the public beach, it is better to check the schedule and whether safety instruction is provided and book through a local surf school. The Manrifornia Surfing Cooperative, introduced in a Korea Tourism Organization travel article, accepts bookings by phone and through Naver and offers sessions at 10:00, 13:00, and 15:00.

The introductory lesson fee listed is 50,000 won, including all-day shower, board, and wetsuit rental; board rental costs 20,000 won, including a shower. However, lesson availability, wave conditions, and fees may change by business, so reconfirmation on the day of your visit is necessary. If you plan to swim, schedule around the official 2026 operating hours of 10:00–19:00. If you plan to surf, it is safer to allow for the possibility that your preferred time may be canceled because of currents or wind speed.

만리포해수욕장에서 서핑을 즐기는 모습 — People enjoying surfing at Manripo Beach — Photo source: yna.co.kr

December 7, 2007: The record of 1.2 million people who restored the black sea

It is difficult to discuss Manripo's present-day scenery without mentioning the Hebei Spirit oil spill on December 7, 2007. At 7:00 that morning, the Samsung No. 1 and Hebei Spirit collided about 10 km northwest of Manripo, spilling 12,547 kL of crude oil. Manripo Beach took the direct impact of the oil that covered the coast.

Records indicate that about one million volunteers from across the country took part in the cleanup. A monument commemorating those who participated in the response remains on the beach, and visiting the nearby Taean Oil Spill Restoration Memorial Hall as well helps visitors understand the area's history since 2007, which cannot be seen from the seascape alone. Reviews from 2024–2025 also mention using parking lots near the southern beach observatory and memorial hall, but visitors should follow on-site guidance for parking spaces and fees during peak season.

기름으로 뒤덮인 태안 앞바다 자료사진 — Reference photo of the sea off Taean covered in oil — Photo source: yna.co.kr

Choosing parking, restrooms, and a spot on the beach after arriving at 138 Manripo 2-gil

Official tourism information confirms that parking is available, and Chungnam Tourism marks parking facilities as “available.” As no separate public parking fee schedule could be confirmed, no fee has been included in the essentials. During peak season, spaces closer to the beach may fill first, so visitors arriving by car should unload their swimming gear and prepare to move the vehicle only once. Restrooms, showers, changing rooms, and a convenience store are listed around the beach.

Some user reviews say that the parasol area is extensive during peak season, limiting the choice of space for personal picnic mats. Therefore, it is best to first identify free areas of sand where you can sit, and to check the prices and operating hours of paid parasols and shower facilities before paying. Especially when visiting with children, do not assume the beach is safe simply because it is spacious; follow the designated areas and wave-condition notices during the supervised hours of 10:00–19:00.

태안 만리포해수욕장 찾은 피서객 — Vacationers visiting Manripo Beach in Taean — Photo source: yna.co.kr

A half-day route combining Cheollipo Arboretum and Mohang Port

Around Manripo, it is easy to combine a visit to Cheollipo Arboretum with Mohang Port. Cheollipo Arboretum is near Manripo Beach and is known as Korea's first private arboretum, founded in 1979 by Carl Miller, a Korean American. Even if you plan to see only the beach, the arboretum has separate opening days and admission hours, so check its official reservation and operating information separately if you plan to visit on the same day.

Mohang Port is introduced as the westernmost port on the Korean Peninsula and is a fishing harbor where rockfish, blue crab, olive flounder, and conger eel are caught. Local seafood dishes mentioned in Manripo include grilled conger eel, grilled prawns, and seasoned small skate. Allow a half day for the beach–Muldakbeulseom deck trail–observation tower–Mohang Port route, combining walking with short car trips. If you also include the arboretum, allowing about 5–6 hours including a meal is a comfortable schedule.

Before You Go

Address: 138 Manripo 2-gil, Sowon-myeon, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
Hours: Beach open at all times. 2026 beach operation: July 4–August 23, 10:00–19:00; night opening until 21:00 from August 12–17
Closed: Open year-round
Admission: Free
Phone: 041-670-2695
Official site: https://tour.chungnam.go.kr/prog/trsrcn/kor/sub02_01_02/view.do?trsrcnNo=135
Transport: Manripo Bus Terminal is available. Detailed bus routes and walking times could not be confirmed on the official Taean-gun and Chungnam Tourism pages.
Parking: Parking facilities available. Official fee information could not be confirmed.
Time needed: 1–2 hours for a beach walk and the Muldakbeulseom deck trail; a half day is recommended including the observation tower, memorial hall, and a meal
Accessibility: Restrooms are available. Wet sections of the beach sand and deck may limit independent movement for wheelchair and stroller users. Foreign-language information could not be confirmed.