Tips · South Korea
When should you go to Busan for the sea? Walks in May-June and September-October, swimming in July-August
Seaside walks in May-June or September-October; swimming in the July-August beach season. Korea Meteorological Administration normals, 1991–2020.
Published
Short answer: May-June and September-October to walk by the sea, July-August to swim
The Busan guide names May-June and September-October as mild and clear, the best times to visit. For a sea trip of walking Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches, the Gwangan Bridge night view, Haedong Yonggungsa and Taejongdae, go then.
If you want to get in the water, July-August is peak beach season. It is crowded, with rainy spells and possible typhoons, and by the normals July (about 326.8 mm) and August (about 266.5 mm) are the two wettest months of the year.
Winter is milder than Seoul, but sea winds are cold.
- Seaside walks and night views: May-June, September-October (the guide's best time)
- Swimming: July-August peak season; crowded, rainy spells and possible typhoons
- Winter: milder than Seoul, but cold sea winds
Which numbers we used
The temperatures and rainfall here are the Korea Meteorological Administration 30-year normals for 1991–2020 at Busan station: average high, average low and monthly rainfall. Temperatures are in °C and rainfall in mm.
Normals are long-term averages, so they don't tell you this year's weather. Check the forecast just before you go. This article does not cover sea temperatures.
January-December normals
Korea Meteorological Administration, 1991–2020, Busan station. Each line shows average high / average low / rainfall. August is the hottest month, with an average high of about 29.5°C, and January the coldest, with an average low of about -0.1°C.
- January: high about 8.2°C / low about -0.1°C / about 34.5 mm
- February: high about 10.2°C / low about 1.5°C / about 49.6 mm
- March: high about 13.8°C / low about 5.3°C / about 89.7 mm
- April: high about 18.2°C / low about 10.1°C / about 140.9 mm
- May: high about 22°C / low about 14.6°C / about 155.9 mm
- June: high about 24.6°C / low about 18.3°C / about 188.4 mm
- July: high about 27.5°C / low about 22.1°C / about 326.8 mm
- August: high about 29.5°C / low about 23.7°C / about 266.5 mm
- September: high about 26.4°C / low about 19.8°C / about 160.6 mm
- October: high about 22.5°C / low about 14.5°C / about 79.6 mm
- November: high about 16.6°C / low about 8.3°C / about 50.4 mm
- December: high about 10.4°C / low about 2°C / about 33.8 mm
May-June and September-October: best for seaside walks
Average highs are about 22°C in May, about 24.6°C in June, about 26.4°C in September and about 22.5°C in October. Rainfall is about 155.9 mm, about 188.4 mm, about 160.6 mm and about 79.6 mm, so October is the driest of the four.
Haeundae Beach has a long stretch of sand and a promenade, and at Gwangalli the Gwangan Bridge is best after dark when it lights up. Gwangalli is a little quieter than Haeundae.
Taejongdae, at the tip of Yeongdo, is a clifftop park with walking trails and viewpoints; check official information for the park's road train. Nearby Huinnyeoul Culture Village is a narrow clifftop village with sea views. People live there, so walk quietly.
- May: high about 22°C / low about 14.6°C / about 155.9 mm
- October: high about 22.5°C / low about 14.5°C / about 79.6 mm
- Haeundae: long sand and promenade
- Gwangalli: Gwangan Bridge night view, a little quieter than Haeundae
- Taejongdae and Huinnyeoul Culture Village: Yeongdo's sea cliffs
July-August: beach season, with rain and crowds
July and August have average highs of about 27.5°C and about 29.5°C and lows of about 22.1°C and about 23.7°C, the hottest of the year. Rainfall is the highest of the year at about 326.8 mm and about 266.5 mm, and the guide warns of rainy spells and possible typhoons.
Swim only in lifeguarded areas during the official beach season, and stay out when waves are high. Check official information for the season dates.
Haeundae is very busy and pricier in summer. Beach-area hotels in Haeundae and Gwangalli fill up in summer and on weekends, so book early. Try milmyeon, Busan-style cold wheat noodles in chilled broth (about 8,000-11,000 won a bowl).
- July: high about 27.5°C / low about 22.1°C / about 326.8 mm
- August: high about 29.5°C / low about 23.7°C / about 266.5 mm
- Swimming: only in lifeguarded areas during the season (check dates officially)
- Haeundae and Gwangalli hotels: book early for summer and weekends
Winter (December-February): the least rain, but cold sea winds
December-February are the three driest months, with about 33.8 mm in December, about 34.5 mm in January and about 49.6 mm in February. Average highs are about 10.4°C, about 8.2°C and about 10.2°C, and average lows about 2°C, about -0.1°C and about 1.5°C.
The guide says Busan in winter is milder than Seoul, but sea winds are cold. For sea views such as Haedong Yonggungsa, a temple on seaside rocks, or the Gwangan Bridge at night, bring a windproof jacket.
Warm up with dwaeji gukbap, rice in rich pork-bone soup (about 9,000-12,000 won a bowl), or fish cake skewers with hot broth at a market stall.
- January: high about 8.2°C / low about -0.1°C / about 34.5 mm
- Haedong Yonggungsa: on the city's eastern edge; bus or taxi from Haeundae
- Cold sea winds: bring a jacket
Checklist before you go
Hotels fill quickly during big festivals. KTX trains often sell out on weekends and holidays, so book ahead. Market seafood is often sold by weight or market price; confirm the price and any table charge before ordering.
- Check the forecast just before you leave
- Haeundae and Gwangalli hotels: book early for summer and weekends
- KTX: book ahead for weekends and holidays
- Market seafood: confirm price and table charge first
- Gamcheon and Huinnyeoul villages: residential, keep quiet
Plan your Busan trip
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FAQ
When is the best time for a Busan sea trip?
For seaside walks and night views, May-June and September-October, the guide's best time. Of those, October has the least rain by the normals, about 79.6 mm (Korea Meteorological Administration, 1991–2020, Busan station).
When can you swim in Busan?
July-August is peak beach season. Swim only in lifeguarded areas during the official season, and check official information for the dates. It is crowded, with rainy spells and possible typhoons.
What is the Busan seaside like in winter?
December-February get the least rain of the year, about 33.8 mm to about 49.6 mm a month. It is milder than Seoul, but sea winds are cold, and the January average low is about -0.1°C.
What is the wettest month in Busan?
By the normals, July (about 326.8 mm), followed by August (about 266.5 mm).
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