Yangyang café with self-drive electric boats: Cafe Dunchi

While traveling in Yangyang for my summer vacation, I stopped by Cafe Dunchi (카페 둔치) in front of the Namdaecheon. I was curious because I could have coffee and ride a boat on the river. After picking up our drinks at the café, we went down to the dock and drove an electric boat ourselves.

Where is Cafe Dunchi, and is parking convenient?

The café is at the Namdaecheon Water Leisure Sports Center, 295 Ilchul-ro, Yangyang-eup. It was not hard to find because it sits right in front of the Namdaecheon, and its exterior had illustrations of kayaks and surfboards. The free parking lot in front was spacious, so I parked relatively comfortably even during peak season.

However, there was no restroom inside the café. You need to use the outdoor public restroom in front of the café, so it may be best to go before heading upstairs to the café.

Are there seats overlooking the Namdaecheon?

The interior was more spacious than I expected. The wood-toned interior, high ceiling, and exposed wooden rafters made the space feel open. Green plants were placed throughout, and there were plenty of indoor and window seats.

There were many seats along the floor-to-ceiling windows looking out onto the Namdaecheon. It had a nice atmosphere for having a cup of coffee and taking a break while looking at the calm river.

There was also group seating. It would work well for family trips or when looking for a place to sit together with friends.

What was on the menu, and what did I order?

The drink selection ranged from basic coffee and lattes to ades, smoothies, and tea. They also sold drinks made with house-made fruit syrups.

When I visited in summer, bingsu (shaved ice dessert) was also on sale. I saw people at several tables eating it.

For dessert, there were butter scones, house-made yanggaeng (sweet bean jelly), cookies, and several kinds of cake.

One side of the café also had a space selling local specialties. I looked around at foods including jelly, snacks, and tea made with songi mushrooms, as well as Gangneung coffee bread.

We ordered two iced Americanos at ₩5,000 each. After picking up our drinks, we went down to the dock to ride the boat.

What are the electric boat rates and hours?

There were two types of boats at the dock, used by couples and families. The electric boat rates and operating hours recorded in the original post are below.

• Four-seat electric boat: ₩30,000 for 30 minutes
• Six-seat electric boat: ₩35,000 for 30 minutes
• Boat hours: 10:00–18:00

Was it difficult to drive an electric boat for the first time?

Before boarding, we put on life jackets. The boat we used was an electric boat that could hold up to four people. Its roof blocked some of the midsummer sun, making it relatively comfortable to take in the scenery.

After we boarded, a staff member explained how to operate it, the route, and the precautions. I thought it might be difficult at first, but the controls were simpler than expected and I learned them quickly. I could steer the boat myself to change direction, and because it was not fast, it did not feel too demanding for me.

Taking the boat slowly around the Namdaecheon felt unhurried. Out on the open river, I could enjoy the scenery with my companions. Cafe Dunchi looked different from the river than it did from land.

What kind of Yangyang itinerary does it suit?

Cafe Dunchi suited me when I wanted to combine a break overlooking the river with a boat experience. The electric boat I rode was more about taking in the scenery slowly than enjoying high speed. I was happy to spend relaxed time with my companions during our Yangyang trip, though it is worth knowing in advance that you need to use the outdoor public restroom.