Warmest sea in South Korea in January

62 coastal locations in South Korea ranked by their typical January sea temperature. Region-wide average in January: 11.2°C. The top of the list is where to find the warmest swimming this month.

Warmest in January

Seogwipo

17.3°C January mean in South Korea

Regional January average

11.2°C

across all 62 coastal locations in South Korea

Vs annual mean

-6.0°C

below the year-round regional average

What the South Korea sea feels like in January

Water at this temperature is cold and will feel very cold initially, but the body will get used to it and longer swims are possible. Experienced swimmers can manage several hours of swimming, however hypothermia is still a real risk.

South Korea monthly average 9.9°C to 26.2°C

Warmest month August 26.2°C
Coldest month February 9.9°C
Annual mean 17.1°C
Months above 20°C 4 of 12

Where January fits in the year

January sits inside the regional pattern shown on the left. Pick a different month to see how the ranking shifts.

All twelve South Korea month rankings:

South Korea sea temperature map (live)

The map shows today's latest reading at every South Korea location. The list below is based on the typical January mean, useful for trip planning weeks or months ahead.

Zoom in to see individual locations. Click a pin for water temperatures. View list →

°C -2 0 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 24 27 30 35

Top 50 warmest South Korea locations in January

Sorted by the typical January mean built from a decade of daily readings at each location. Click any place for its 30-day chart, monthly profile, and full 10-year history.

#	Location	Country	January mean
1	Seogwipo Jeju-do	South Korea	17.3°C
2	Hwasun Jeju-do	South Korea	17.1°C
3	Udo Sudo Jeju-do	South Korea	16.5°C
4	Jukdo Jeju-do	South Korea	16.4°C
5	Jeju	South Korea	15.5°C
6	Jejudo	South Korea	15.5°C
7	Busan	South Korea	15.1°C
8	Sinhyeon	South Korea	15.0°C
9	Ulsan	South Korea	15.0°C
10	Chinhae	South Korea	14.6°C
11	Masan	South Korea	14.6°C
12	Gadeokdo Busan	South Korea	14.6°C
13	Gampo Gyeongsangbuk-do	South Korea	14.5°C
14	Chujado Jeju-do	South Korea	14.4°C
15	Geoje	South Korea	13.9°C
16	Kyosai	South Korea	13.9°C
17	Jisepo Gyeongsangnam-do	South Korea	13.9°C
18	Cheongsando Jeollanam-do	South Korea	13.6°C
19	Hoko	South Korea	13.6°C
20	Pohang	South Korea	13.6°C
21	Wando Jeollanam-do	South Korea	13.6°C
22	Ganggu Gyeongsangnam-do	South Korea	13.5°C
23	Soando Jeollanam-do	South Korea	13.3°C
24	Geomundo Jeollanam-do	South Korea	13.3°C
25	Jukbyeon Gyeongsangbuk-do	South Korea	13.2°C

Show 25 more ▸

26	Ulleungdo Gyeongsangbuk-do	South Korea	13.2°C
27	Yokjido Gyeongsangnam-do	South Korea	12.8°C
28	Mukho Gangwon-do	South Korea	12.4°C
29	Tonghae	South Korea	12.1°C
30	Reisui	South Korea	12.1°C
31	Jumunjin Gangwon-do	South Korea	11.8°C
32	Yongpyong	South Korea	11.7°C
33	Gangneung	South Korea	11.3°C
34	Narodo Jeollanam-do	South Korea	11.2°C
35	Geumdangdo Jeollanam-do	South Korea	11.1°C
36	Gwanyang Jeollanam-do	South Korea	10.6°C
37	Yeosu Jeollanam-do	South Korea	10.6°C
38	Sokcho	South Korea	10.3°C
39	Byeokpajin Jeollanam-do	South Korea	10.2°C
40	Eoranjin Jeollanam-do	South Korea	10.2°C
41	Modo Jeollanam-do	South Korea	10.2°C
42	Sangmado Jeollanam-do	South Korea	10.2°C
43	Daeheuksando Jeollanam-do	South Korea	10.2°C
44	Hataedo Jeollanam-do	South Korea	10.1°C
45	Sunchun	South Korea	9.9°C
46	Eocheongdo Jeollabuk-do	South Korea	8.3°C
47	Baengnyeongdo Incheon	South Korea	7.4°C
48	Daecheongdo Incheon	South Korea	7.4°C
49	Anheung Chungcheongnam-do	South Korea	7.3°C
50	Wido Jeollabuk-do	South Korea	6.9°C

Coldest 10 in South Korea in January

Same data the other way. Helpful if you want to know which South Korea coasts to avoid for swimming in January.

#	Location	Country	January mean
1	Daeyeonpyeongdo Incheon	South Korea	4.0°C
2	Ansan	South Korea	4.9°C
3	Goyang	South Korea	4.9°C
4	Seoul	South Korea	4.9°C
5	Taesal Li	South Korea	5.3°C
6	Hwaseong	South Korea	5.3°C
7	Incheon	South Korea	5.3°C
8	Moppo	South Korea	6.5°C
9	Sinan	South Korea	6.5°C
10	Mohang-ri Chungcheongnam-do	South Korea	6.7°C