Yeongdeok Must-Visit Spots: Day Trip Course Recommendations (Ganggu Port, Haemaji Park & Blue Road)

Not sure where to even start with a Yeongdeok day trip? We’ve mapped out a route that covers the East Coast’s essentials in a single day — starting with a snow crab lunch at Ganggu Port, then on to Haemaji Park and the wind farm, and finishing at Samsa Marine Park.

Yeongdeok Day Trip: Recommended Route at a Glance

Yeongdeok is centered around Ganggu Port, with Haemaji Park, the wind farm, and Goraebul Beach to the north, and Samsa Marine Park to the south — making it easy to link everything into one simple route. By car, it’s about 13 minutes from Goraebul Beach to the wind farm, 10 minutes from the wind farm to Ganggu Port, and 7 minutes from Ganggu Port to Samsa Marine Park, so you can easily hit all the highlights in a single day.

If you don’t have a car, you can still cover the main route using Yeongdeok Bus Terminal as your base — take the Yeongdeok-Jangsa bus (get off at the Samsa Marine Park entrance, about 35 minutes) along with the Ganggu route.

Start with Lunch at Ganggu Port’s Snow Crab Street

Ganggu Port’s Snow Crab Street, the symbol of a Yeongdeok trip, is lined with roughly 170 crab restaurants in a row. You pick a live crab yourself at one of the shops and pay by weight (kg), then carry it to the restaurant next door to have it steamed and served with side dishes — a system that can feel a bit unfamiliar the first time you try it.

Crab prices change daily depending on the catch, but as of 2026, live crab straight from the source typically runs about 60,000–80,000 KRW per kg, while meaty bakdal-daege — fully matured snow crab — goes for around 100,000 KRW per kg. The standard side-dish fee is usually 3,000 KRW per person, and the steaming fee is about 10% of the crab’s price, but this varies by restaurant and season, so always check before ordering.

Yeongdeok snow crab is in season from December through May, with January–March being peak season, when the meat yield is highest. If you’re visiting in summer, it makes more sense to go for sashimi or other seafood instead of crab.

If crab feels like too much, you can still enjoy plenty of East Coast specialties near Ganggu Port, like mulhoe (cold raw fish soup), gomchi-guk (a Korean eelpout fish soup), or haemul-kalguksu (seafood noodle soup). For a similar harbor-town vibe, check out our Tongyeong Day Trip: Core Route guide as well.

Haemaji Park & Changpomal Lighthouse — The Heart of the Blue Road

The Yeongdeok Blue Road is a roughly 64.6km coastal walking trail that forms part of the Haeparang Trail, which runs all the way from Busan to Goseong. It’s divided into four courses, A through D. Course A (“The Road of Light and Wind”) is a 17.5km mountain-path stretch running from Ganggu Port past Gobulbong Peak and the wind farm to Haemaji Park, while Course B, “The Blue Crab Road,” is the most popular thanks to its gentler scenery.

Inside Haemaji Park (San 5-5, Changpo-ri, Yeongdeok-eup) stands the uniquely shaped Changpomal Lighthouse, designed to look like it’s wrapped in a snow crab’s claws, along with a roughly 2.1km coastal walking trail that takes about an hour to complete. Admission and parking are both free, and with parking spread across three separate lots, it stays fairly relaxed even during peak season (inquiries: 054-245-1552).

This spot is famous for sunrise views, so visiting at dawn lets you capture the East Sea sunrise and the lighthouse in a single shot. For a day trip, though, it works just fine as an afternoon stroll too.

Yeongdeok Wind Farm — Ocean Views from the Hilltop

Spread across the hill right above Haemaji Park, Yeongdeok Wind Farm is known for its striking view of 24 massive white turbines lined up along the ridge. It’s about a 5-minute drive from Haemaji Park, so the two spots pair up nicely (source: Korea Tourism Organization).

There’s an observation deck, a walking trail, and a renewable energy exhibition hall, making it an easy, relaxed stop for families too. Since it sits along a ridge, the wind can be strong, so it’s a good idea to bring even a light windbreaker.

Samsa Marine Park & Marine Walkway — Finish with East Sea Views

Head south from Ganggu Port along National Route 7 for about 7 minutes and you’ll reach Samsa Marine Park on a hilltop. The highlight is the fan-shaped Samsa Marine Walkway, part of Course D of the Yeongdeok Blue Road, where you can enjoy the feeling of walking over the sea in just 5 minutes.

• Yeongdeok Bus Terminal → Yeongdeok-Jangsa city bus (about 35 min) → get off at “Marine Park Entrance”
• By car, look for the hilltop entrance road along National Route 7 toward Ganggu
• Admission and parking are free, and the walkway is fairly manageable for visitors with mobility challenges too

It’s also worth noting that the 28-ton Yeongdeok Grand Bell is rung daily at a set time — a nice extra sight. Slot this stop in at the very start or end of your itinerary and it won’t overlap with the rest of your route.

Other Great Stops (If You Have Extra Time)

If you’d like to add one more stop beyond the core route, pick based on the season and your taste.

• Goraebul Beach: About 8km of white sand beach. Yeongdeok IC → National Route 7 → toward Uljin → turn right at Goraebul. Perfect for summer swimming and camping.
• Beoryeong-ri Metasequoia Road: A roughly 1km tree-lined road of metasequoia trees. Popular year-round for photos and strolling.
• Goesi-ri Traditional Village: In Yeonghae-myeon. A preserved hanok village that’s great for a slow walk.
• Jangsari Landing Operation Victory Memorial Park: South along National Route 7, a history-themed stop that takes about an hour.

If you’re curious about day trip routes elsewhere, take a look at our Daegu Day Trip Course Recommendations (Indoor Spots & Restaurants Included) guide too.

Yeongdeok Day Trip Checklist & FAQ

Here are a few things worth double-checking before you set off.

• Have you checked the side-dish and steaming fees for Ganggu Port crab in advance?
• Haemaji Park and the wind farm are windy — did you pack a windbreaker?
• If driving, be ready to drive slowly on the narrow coastal road between Ganggu Port and Haemaji Park
• If using public transit, check the city bus schedule in advance, based at Yeongdeok Bus Terminal
• Visiting in summer? Choose mulhoe or other seafood dishes over crab

How many hours do I need for a Yeongdeok day trip?

If you stick to the four core spots (Ganggu Port, Haemaji Park, the wind farm, and Samsa Marine Park), about 6–7 hours is enough to see everything comfortably. If you add Goraebul Beach or the Metasequoia Road, it’s safer to plan for 8–9 hours.

Do I have to eat crab at Ganggu Port specifically?

Yeongdeok snow crab mainly comes from two ports, Ganggu and Chuksan, but Ganggu Port’s Snow Crab Street is by far the more convenient choice in terms of restaurant numbers and ease of getting around. That said, prices change daily, and there’s a big gap between bakdal-daege (about 100,000 KRW per kg) and regular snow crab, so it’s best to set a budget first and then negotiate.

When is snow crab season in Yeongdeok?

Season starts in December, when the official fishing ban is lifted. January–March is peak season, with a meat yield of over 90%, April is the best-value stretch, and the season wraps up by May. From June to November, it’s more sensible to go for other seafood dishes instead of crab.

Can I do this day trip without driving?

Ganggu Port and Samsa Marine Park are easily accessible — about 30–40 minutes by city bus from Yeongdeok Bus Terminal. However, buses run infrequently to the wind farm and Haemaji Park, so it’s worth also considering a taxi to make the route much easier.

If you enjoyed this coastal, walk-focused route, our Yangsan Day Trip Course (Tongdosa Temple & Hwangsan Park) has a similar feel — worth checking out for your next trip.

Sources

• Yeongdeok Culture & Tourism - Haemaji Park
• Yeongdeok Culture & Tourism - Goraebul Beach
• Yeongdeok Blue Road Official - Tourist Spot Guide
• Korea Every Corner (VisitKorea) - Sea Trip Along the Blue Road, Yeongdeok, Gyeongbuk
• Korea Tourism Organization - Samsa Marine Park