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Region 03 · Dadohae · Hallyeosudo

South Sea

A warm sea heated by the warm current. Centered on Yeosu, Tongyeong, Geoje and Namhae-gun, the islands of two national parks unfold — diving that hops from island to island.

South Sea
Geomundo · Yokjido · Hongdo
Visibility (offshore islands)
~15m+
Water temp (summer)
~27°C
Best season
Summer–autumn
National parks
2
01 — Overview

Islands & warm seas of
two national parks

Centered on Yeosu, Tongyeong, Geoje and Namhae-gun, the islands of Dadohaehaesang and Hallyeohaesang national parks unfold, and island and coastal boat diving dominates. The warm current keeps the water warm, and offshore-island sites tend to have good visibility. Geomundo is known for its soft coral and seahorse habitat, while Yokjido is known for its calm sea and pebble beaches.

Island & boat divingSoft coralSeahorseWarm current & warm waterDadohaehaesang National ParkHallyeohaesang National Park
Sunset over Dadohae
02 — Signature

A sea of soft coral and seahorses

Soft coral

Soft coral colonies around Geomundo, nurtured by the warm current.

Seahorse

Geomundo, a known seahorse habitat.

Calm sea & pebbles

Yokjido's calm sea and pebble beaches.

Offshore island boats

Island and offshore sites across the Hallyeosudo waterway.

03 — Island Hopping

Three islands

Offshore sites reached by boat
Dadohaehaesang National Park
01

Geomundo

Geomundo · Yeosu

An island in Dadohaehaesang National Park. Known as a habitat for soft coral and seahorses, it is the signature offshore-island dive site of the Yeosu region.

Soft coralSeahorse
View site details
Hallyeohaesang National Park
02

Yokjido

Yokjido · Tongyeong

Calm sea and pebble beaches. A warm island where the surface is about 27°C in summer and about 17.7°C in autumn, diveable until mid-October.

Calm seaUntil mid-October
View site details
Hallyeohaesang National Park
03

Hongdo

Hongdo · Tongyeong

An island offshore of Tongyeong. An offshore boat site with relatively good visibility, known to reach about 15m or more.

Offshore islandVisibility 15m+
View site details
04 — Gateways

Four departure points

Yeosu

Yeosu

Eastern Jeonnam. Gateway to Dadohae island diving including Geomundo and Baekdo.

Tongyeong

Tongyeong

Gyeongnam. Island and offshore boat diving in the Hallyeosudo waterway including Yokjido and Hongdo.

Geoje

Geoje

Gyeongnam. A base for coastal and island diving in the eastern South Sea.

Namhae-gun

Namhae-gun

Gyeongnam. A base for dive shops and discover dives around Mijo-myeon.

05 — Conditions

Warm water, until October

Visibility
Offshore islands ~15m+

Varies greatly by site. Offshore islands are relatively good.

Water temperature
Summer ~27°C

Yokjido ~17.7°C in autumn, until mid-October.

Best season
Summer–autumn

Offshore islands are affected by weather and tides.

06 — Getting there

From the mainland to the islands

KTX Yongsan → Yeosu Expo~3h

Terminus of the Jeolla Line. Gateway to the Yeosu region.

Yeosu & Sacheon airportsRSU / HIN

Sacheon serves domestic flights connecting to Tongyeong, Namhae and Geoje.

Yeosu Coastal Ferry TerminalFerry

Islands such as Geomundo require an additional ferry.

07 — Shops

Regional dive shops

Blue Star MarineNamhae UnderwaterNamhae Mijo Diving
Limitations · Needs verification
  • Visibility and water temperature are based on aggregated sources, so corroboration with primary sources is recommended. Once coordinates for Tongyeong's Hongdo are secured, the region boundary needs recalculation.
  • Offshore islands are heavily affected by weather and tides — confirm departure in advance with local shops.
Island hopping in the South Sea

From island to island,
into warm seas

Dive into the South Sea.

Dive sitesRegional dive shops