canIswim

What wetsuit do you need in South Korea?

The one suit that covers most of the swimming season, for 15 coastal cities in South Korea.

City Coldest Warmest One suit for the season
Busan 13.7°C Feb 27.0°C Aug nothing
Incheon 3.6°C Feb 25.7°C Aug nothing
Ulsan 13.9°C Feb 26.9°C Aug nothing
Hwaseong-si 3.9°C Feb 25.5°C Aug nothing
Jeju City 14.2°C Mar 28.2°C Aug nothing
Yeosu 9.1°C Feb 26.8°C Aug nothing
Gunsan 5.3°C Feb 27.5°C Aug nothing
Gangneung 9.4°C Feb 25.7°C Aug nothing
Gijang 13.8°C Feb 27.2°C Aug nothing
Boryeong 5.4°C Feb 26.6°C Aug nothing
Sokcho 8.7°C Feb 25.8°C Aug nothing
Seosan 5.2°C Feb 26.1°C Aug nothing
Santyoku 11.1°C Feb 25.6°C Aug nothing
Gaigeturi 13.6°C Mar 28.3°C Aug nothing
Jumunjin 9.4°C Feb 25.7°C Aug nothing

Thicknesses above are for swimming. Surfing the same water wants a step more — most of a session is spent sitting still in the wind rather than moving and immersed. Each city page gives both, along with when you need boots, gloves and a hood.

Boots below 14°C, gloves below 12°C, a hood below 10°C. Where the numbers come from