Busan's summer beaches are bidding farewell.
On September 9, the Busan Metropolitan Government announced that it will conclude the operation of its eight beaches for the year, with Haeundae Beach closing on the 14th. The beach season, which began with a partial opening on June 21 and continued for over three months, is coming to an end.
This year, Busan's beaches welcomed 21,561,000 visitors, an increase of 9.31% compared to last year, marking the highest number since the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, Haeundae Beach is on the verge of surpassing 10 million visitors by the time it closes on the 14th. Experts attribute this record to several factors: the intense heatwave that followed a brief rainy season, and a new operational strategy that transformed the beaches from simple swimming spots into experiential spaces.
Attractions such as the "Mudflat Trail" at Haeundae, the "Joy Festival" at Songdo, paddleboarding at Gwangalli, and surfing at Songjeong offered citizens and tourists a unique summer experience. The recently reopened eastern section of Dadaepo Beach has emerged as a new hotspot, nearly doubling its visitor numbers. Local signature events such as the "Busan Sea Festival," "Sunset Film Festival," and "KIMA WEEK" were centered around Dadaepo, establishing it as a hub for marine leisure tourism.
The city also prioritized safety management. Measures included installing jellyfish prevention nets, restricting nighttime swimming, and operating the 119 Citizen Water Rescue Team to prevent accidents. Multilingual announcements were provided for foreign tourists. Even after the beaches close, safety personnel will continue to patrol and provide guidance.
Mayor Park Hyungjoon stated, "We did our utmost to ensure that citizens and tourists could safely enjoy Busan's beaches this summer," adding, "Going forward, we will develop content tailored to each beach's unique characteristics to create a marine leisure tourism city that can be enjoyed year-round."
As the summer, once trapped by the heatwave, comes to an end, the sea too takes a moment to rest. Like the footprints left on the sand, Busan's summer has set yet another record, hinting at new milestones to come next year.
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