Hwaseong Boat Festival
화성뱃놀이축제
The largest maritime cultural festival in the Seoul metropolitan area, held each May at Jeongok Port in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, offering yacht and boat boarding, evening fireworks over the mudflats, and coastal ecology programmes.
Jeongok Port sits on the West Sea mudflat coast south of Incheon, and the Hwaseong Boat Festival has turned this working harbour into one of Gyeonggi Province's most visited spring events. The four-day festival in 2026 (May 22 to 25) offers yacht and powerboat rides, a marine cable car, traditional boat voyages, and mudflat ecology walks during low tide. Evening fireworks reflect off the wide tidal basin. Admission is free, though individual marine activity programmes carry separate fees.
Take the Suin-Bundang Line to Suwon Station, then a local bus to Hwaseong Jeongok Port (about 1 hour total from Suwon). Direct intercity buses run from Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Hwaseong during the festival. By car from Seoul it is about 1 hour 20 minutes via Expressway 15.
Arrive at low tide to access the mudflat ecology walk, the most unique experience at the festival. Marine activities have weight and age limits listed in Korean at the ticket booths; festival staff can usually clarify. Sunscreen and a hat are essential as the mudflat area has no shade.
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