St. Johns Hotel Gangneung Review 2026: Relaxing at Gangmun Beach

During our stay at the St. Johns Hotel in Gangneung, we couldn't resist heading straight to Gangmun Beach, which is literally right across the street! It was a scorching hot day, and moving around under the strong sun was quite a challenge.

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After parking at the St. Johns external lot, we immediately popped into the convenience store right in front to grab a large Pocari Sweat. It was incredibly refreshing!

Parasol: ~$6

Tube/Life Vest: ~$5

Sunbed: ~$6

We quickly rented a parasol. It came with a basic mat for the sand, but to make it truly comfortable, we brought our own padded mat to lay on top. Much better for the backside!

For our couple's swimsuits that day, we picked out a vibrant Funky Trunks 'Basket' design. The colors are so bright and cheerful; it's one of my absolute favorites! Don't you think it's lovely? I would have worn it if I had mastered my swimming strokes recently, but alas, not yet!

The forecast had called for rain, but thankfully, we were blessed with a hot day with a pleasant mix of sun and clouds. The waves at Gangmun Beach were gentle and calm, a stark contrast to the often powerful surf at nearby Gyeongpo Beach.

While the water depth was perfect for a swim, recent rains meant there was quite a bit of debris, like small branches and trash. It was a bit disappointing; when I went in with my snorkeling mask, visibility was only about 1 to 3 feet. I did spot a few fish here and there, but I was really hoping for more marine life!

After a good swim, we headed back to the convenience store. What makes this particular store awesome is that it has rooftop seating! You can grab all your snacks and drinks, then head upstairs to enjoy them with a view. Ah, that's the life!

You know that feeling, right? That incredible taste of cup noodles after a refreshing swim? Pure bliss!

The only downside was that our beer got warm way too quickly, but those cup noodles? Absolutely, mind-blowingly delicious!

For dessert, we indulged in a Double Bianco ice cream. Being in our 30s, we've definitely earned the right to enjoy an ice cream from the convenience store whenever we please! It was a perfect sweet treat to cap off our meal.

That day truly made me understand why people love to just relax under a parasol. It’s incredibly comfortable and peaceful! I even wanted to take a nap, but unfortunately, the two women at the next parasol kept talking non-stop, and in English too! (I don't speak much English, so it was quite distracting and hard to ignore.)

With the full moon approaching, we also had a fantastic view of the nearly full moon that evening.

It was truly a wonderfully relaxing and spontaneous trip to Gangneung! We booked our accommodation through Agoda – it’s often the most affordable option, you know!

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