East Sea
2–3 hours from the capital region. The east coast running from Goseong to Uljin — hugely popular with Korean divers yet almost unknown to foreign visitors.
Goseong → Yangyang → Sokcho → Gangneung → Uljin
Home of Korean divers,
a sea that drops off fast
Korea's east coast spanning Gangwon (Goseong, Yangyang, Sokcho, Gangneung) and North Gyeongsang (Uljin). Cold and warm currents mix, giving relatively good visibility and depth that drops away quickly. Its signatures are rocky-shore and bedrock terrain, artificial reefs, the wrecks of Gangneung Underwater Park, and large offshore reefs like Uljin's Wangdolcho.
Wrecks and offshore reefs
Wreck
Wreck diving on the Stella, Amber 33 and others at Gangneung Underwater Park.
Wangdolcho offshore reef
A large offshore underwater reef about 23 km east of Hupo.
Plumose anemone
Anemone colonies that spread across the cold winter water.
Rocky shore & artificial reef
Coastal sites blending bedrock terrain and reefs.
Five stops along the coast
Goseong
The northernmost point of Gangwon. Beach, boat and breakwater diving plus deep-terrain sites at Ayajin, Gajin and more.
Yangyang
The Hyeonnam (Ingu) and Hyeonbuk area. From gentle reef sites to the deep Ingu Anemone Garden site. Also a surfing spot.
Sokcho
Boat diving (bedrock & reefs) at Yeongnang-dong and more. A tourism hub linked to the DMZ and Seoraksan.
Gangneung
The offshore Underwater Park off Sacheon and Sageunjin. Centered on artificial wreck diving (Stella, Amber 33, etc.).
Uljin
North Gyeongsang. Departing from Hupo and Gusan. Long-range boat diving to offshore reefs such as Wangdolcho.
The East Sea through the seasons
Relatively good in summer. Lower during plankton and suspended-particle periods.
Summer figures. The winter bottom layer is about 2–4°C.
Summer to early autumn. English guides consider July–August optimal.
Winter bottom layer ~2–4°C. A drysuit is recommended for deep and winter diving. In the cold winter water, plumose anemone colonies form a spectacular sight.
Two to three hours from the capital
Travel around the region by car or bus from Gangneung Station.
A direct gateway to Yangyang (limited routes).
Direct from Incheon Airport and Seoul to Gangneung and Sokcho.
From abroad: arrive at Incheon (ICN) → Seoul Station → KTX to Gangneung (~2h), or a direct intercity bus from Incheon Airport to Gangneung and Sokcho. From there, travel to Goseong, Yangyang and Uljin by car or bus.
Dive sites in this region
Ayajin
Beach, boat and breakwater; deep-terrain sites.
Yangyang Ingu
Reef sites to the deep Anemone Garden site.
Gangneung Underwater Park
Artificial wrecks such as the Stella and Amber 33.
Wangdolcho
A large offshore underwater reef east of Hupo.
Regional dive shops
- Visibility, water temperature and season are approximate ranges based on regional aggregates and sample measurements — see each site record for precise per-site values.
- Gangneung Underwater Park has null coordinates but falls within the bounding box. English-language support for foreign visitors is limited across the region.