Most Busan itineraries stick to Haeundae and Gwangalli. If you want something a little different, and an easy way to see the city from the water, the Jagalchi Cruise is a good shout. It leaves from the harbor right behind Jagalchi Market and loops out past Songdo and Yeongdo (Taejongdae) before coming back. I went with my parents while we were sightseeing around Busan, and it turned out to be a relaxed, low-effort couple of hours on the sea.
A quick note on the name: the “Jagalchi” in Jagalchi Cruise almost certainly comes from where it departs. The dock sits just behind Jagalchi Market, Korea’s most famous fish market, so the cruise seems to have simply taken the market’s name.
What It Is and the Route
The cruise runs a loop: Jagalchi Cruise dock → Songdo (Amnam Park) → Taejongdae lighthouse → back to the dock. It takes about an hour and twenty to thirty minutes, and you see the Songdo and Yeongdo coastline from the water. It’s a sizeable boat, capacity is 300 passengers (306 including crew).
Getting There
The dock is at 60 Jagalchi-haean-ro, Jung-gu, Busan, tucked behind the Jagalchi Market building at the Namhang ferry pier. It sits between Jagalchi and Nampo stations on Busan Metro Line 1, about a 10-minute walk from either. Walk toward the market and you’ll see signs for the Namhang ferry pier; the ticket office and waiting room are just inside.
Tickets and Discounts
Tickets are ₩25,000 for adults, ₩20,000 for middle and high school students, and ₩10,000 for children. There are several discounts of around 20%, for Busan residents, seniors aged 65+, and people of national merit. One important thing: you need to bring photo ID, both for discounts and for boarding, so check you have it before you go.
Schedule (and the Winter Change)
There are normally five sailings a day, 11:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 and 20:00, each running about 90 minutes. The cruise is closed on Tuesdays, but runs normally on weekends. In winter (November to March), the 20:00 night-sea sailing is dropped, so only four run. The 16:00 is good for sunset and the 18:00 for the night sea. During the Busan Fireworks Festival you can also watch the fireworks from the boat, which makes it especially popular.
On Board: Decks and Where to Sit
The boat has three levels. The first and second floors have indoor seating, and the third floor is an open-air deck, the place to be on a clear day. If it’s cold, a window seat on 1F or 2F is comfortable. A seating tip: the right side faces the Songdo and Yeongdo coastline, while the left side gives you the more open sea view.
Our Experience
We took the 11:00 sailing and sat on the second floor. Inside, there was live retro music playing, fun, though it can get a little loud indoors. The nice surprise was that you can buy saewookkang (shrimp crackers) and feed the seagulls that follow the boat, which my parents got a kick out of. Honestly, the cruise itself isn’t extraordinary, it’s a straightforward sightseeing boat, but it was a pleasant way to experience a bit more of Busan from the water. It’s a good outing whether you’re with family or as a couple.
Good to Know
The snack bar by the waiting room sells drinks, cup noodles, coffee, and motion-sickness pills, worth grabbing in advance if you’re prone to seasickness. On board, smoking is banned (a ₩100,000 fine if caught), and outside food and alcohol aren’t allowed. Prices and times can change, so it’s worth confirming the current schedule before you go.
Practical Information
Where: 60 Jagalchi-haean-ro, Jung-gu, Busan (behind Jagalchi Market, at the Namhang ferry pier)
Getting there: ~10-minute walk from Jagalchi or Nampo Station (Line 1)
Duration: About 90 minutes, round trip
| Sailings | 11:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00, 20:00 (winter: no 20:00) |
| Closed | Tuesdays |
| Price | Adult ₩25,000 / Student ₩20,000 / Child ₩10,000 (discounts ~20%) |
| Bring | Photo ID (required to board) |
The Verdict
The Jagalchi Cruise won’t be the highlight of your Busan trip, but it’s an easy, good-value way to see the city from the water, past Songdo and out to Taejongdae, with a bit of live music and some seagulls thrown in. It’s an especially nice, low-key outing with parents or a partner, and a relaxed change of pace from the beaches.