Ilsan Beach, Ulsan: 1.85 Million Visitors in 2016, 0.15 Million in 2024
A practical guide to Ilsan Beach in Ulsan: beach size, yearly visitor numbers, nearby car parks and fees, water test results, hospitals, pharmacies and places to stay, based on Korean public data.
Data as of 2026-10-18
Ilsan Beach is an urban beach in Dong-gu, Ulsan, right next to Daewangam Park (대왕암공원). According to the Korea Tourism Organization, it is 850 m long and 42 to 61 m wide, with a total area of 40,290 square metres. The water is shallow and the slope is gentle, so it suits families. You get sea views by day and night views in the evening. A shipbuilding and marine festival runs in July, with regular stage performances in July and August.
Far fewer visitors than in 2016
Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries figures show 1.67 million visitors in 2015 and 1.85 million in 2016. The count dropped to 0.52 million in 2017, then 0.39 million in 2018 and 0.53 million in 2019. It fell to 0.10 million in 2020, and was 0.30 million in 2022, 0.29 million in 2023 and 0.15 million in 2024. The 2024 figure is 28% of the 2019 level. The busiest year from 2015 to 2024 was 2016. Today the beach is much quieter than it was then.
Parking: five car parks within 400 m, four of them free
Korea's national parking registry lists five car parks within 400 metres of the beach. Four are recorded as free and one is paid. All are registered as open around the clock. There is also a free car park within 2 km, so you can skip the paid lot.
| Car park (Korean name) | From the beach | Spaces | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilsan Beach 2 (일산해수욕장2) | 170 m | 30 | Free |
| Haesuyokjang 1-gil side road (해수욕장1길 이면도로) | 270 m | 30 | Free |
| Deungdae-ro side road (등대로 이면도로) | 330 m | 26 | Free |
| Yangji Park public car park (양지공원공영주차장) | 340 m | 25 | Free |
| Ilsan Beach 1 (일산해수욕장1) | 400 m | 127 | 500 won per 30 min, then 200 won per 10 min |
These are registered details and may differ on site. Follow the signs in peak summer.
Is the water clean?
The seawater was tested 12 times in 2025, and all 12 results were rated suitable. Seven toilets are registered near the beach. For an accident at sea, call the coast guard on 122. The nearest coast guard station is Bangeojin Station (방어진파출소), 1.2 km away.
If you need a doctor
The nearest emergency room is Ulsan University Hospital (울산대학교병원), a regional emergency medical centre 2.9 km away. Dongcheon Dongkang Hospital (동천동강병원) is 11.0 km away. Pharmacies are close: Haengbok Pharmacy (행복약국) is 0.4 km away, and Haeoreum (해오름약국) and Pharmplus (팜플러스약국) are 0.6 km away. Only Pharmplus is listed as open on Sundays. In an emergency, call 119.
Where to stay
There are 64 licensed lodgings within 3 km of the beach. Motels and inns are the largest group at 45, followed by 11 hotels, 5 residences and 3 others. Pensions and farm homestays are registered under a different system and are not counted here. The nearest campsites are Dangsa Hyundai Ocean Camp (10.1 km, general campsite) and Gangdong Auto Camping (12.3 km, auto campsite), so a lodging near the beach is the easier choice.
Distances are straight-line. Opening hours and fees can change, so check again before you travel. Emergency 119 · Coast Guard 122
- Ministry of the Interior and Safety, national parking registry (records dated 2026-03-11 to 2026-10-01)
- National Medical Center, emergency departments (retrieved 2026-10-11)
- National Medical Center, pharmacies (retrieved 2026-10-11)
- Ministry of the Interior and Safety, lodging licences (retrieved 2026-10-11)
- Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, beach visitor statistics (2015 to 2024, retrieved 2026-10-11)
- Ministry of the Interior and Safety, public toilets (retrieved 2026-10-10)
- Korea Tourism Organization GoCamping (campsites) (retrieved 2026-10-10)
- Korea Coast Guard station locations (retrieved 2026-10-11)
- Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, beach water quality tests (2025 season tests, retrieved 2026-10-10)
- Korea Tourism Organization English tourism data (names, addresses) (retrieved 2026-10-10)