The sea rarely escaped the fog. The mist swirled low, just above the gentle waves, spreading across the water. The container port across the sea and Gadeokdo Island, the site of a new airport, appeared to be floating without foundations. At Dadaepo Beach on the western edge of Busan, travelers walk through this dreamy mirage.

When thinking of Busan’s summer beaches, Haeundae and Gwangalli naturally come to mind. Besides these three urban beaches, including 한국을 Songdo Beach, Busan boasts seven key beaches, including Imrang, Ilgwang, Songjeong in Gijang and Dadaepo at the western end.

Dadaepo is quite different from the six other beaches known for their clear, blue waters. At low tide, a vast expanse of sand stretches far out to sea. Unlike the western coast, the water doesn’t completely recede, and it’s not a muddy tidal flat.

The beach allows for endless walks on the lapping waves, with fine sand grains moving between one’s toes. Children and adults alike sit down in the wet sand, playing and enjoying the beach. Dadaepo is where the Nakdong River meets the South Sea, forming a vast sandy field.