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There is one mistake you should never make before visiting Yongmeori Coast in Jeju.
Do not assume that the posted opening hours mean you can actually enter.
Yongmeori Coast is one of Jeju's most dramatic volcanic coastlines, with layered cliffs rising beside the sea like the walls of a giant natural canyon.
But the walking route runs directly beside the ocean.
That means high tide, strong waves and bad weather can close the trail — sometimes for several hours and sometimes for the entire day.
So this is one Jeju attraction where checking the conditions before you leave your hotel really matters.
Check Today's Access First → Then Go to Yongmeori Coast
π Where Is Yongmeori Coast?
Yongmeori Coast is located at the foot of Sanbangsan Mountain in southwestern Jeju.
The name “Yongmeori” means Dragon Head, because the shape of the coastline is traditionally said to resemble a dragon stretching its head into the sea.
π Yongmeori Coast
112-3 Sagye-ri,
Andeok-myeon,
Seogwipo-si,
Jeju-do, South Korea
112-3 Sagye-ri,
Andeok-myeon,
Seogwipo-si,
Jeju-do, South Korea
πΊ️ Yongmeori Coast Map
Use the map below to check the entrance location. If you are already in Jeju, tap the button inside the map to open directions from your current location.
π± Using Your Current Location
Tap Directions from My Location. If Google Maps asks for location permission, choose Allow. Your current position can then be used as the starting point.
π¨ Check Today's Opening Before You Drive There
This Is the Most Important Yongmeori Tip
Standard hours do not guarantee entry.
Access can change because of:
π High tide
π Strong waves
π§️ Rain or bad weather
π¬️ Dangerous coastal conditions
Always check the official daily access notice before visiting.
π± Check Today's Yongmeori Access — Official Seogwipo Instagram
☎️ Official Contact
Yongmeori Coast Management Office:
064-760-6321
π¦ Yongmeori Coast at a Glance
π Type: Volcanic tuff-ring coastline
π Protection: Natural Monument No. 526
π Standard hours: 09:00–17:00
π️ Standard last admission: 16:30
⚠️ Actual access: Changes daily with tide and weather
π° Adult: KRW 2,000
π§ Age 7–24: KRW 1,000
πΆ Coastal route: About 30 minutes
π Sea cliffs: About 700 m long
⬆️ Cliff height: About 25–40 m
π Pets: Not permitted
π Essential: Shoes with good grip
π This Is Not an Ordinary Rocky Beach
Yongmeori Coast is part of Jeju's volcanic history.
The cliffs were formed from volcanic material produced by eruptions beneath or near the sea.
Over a very long period, waves cut into those layers.
The result is a coastline filled with:
πͺ¨ Layered volcanic cliffs
π Wave-cut platforms
π Curved erosion patterns
π³️ Cave-like hollows
π Clearly visible geological layers
In some sections, the walls rise on both sides of the walking route and create the feeling of moving through a narrow natural corridor.
Volcanic Eruption → Layered Deposits → Wave Erosion → Yongmeori Coast
π Why Is It Called “Dragon Head”?
The Korean name Yongmeori literally means “dragon head.”
Seen from a distance, the landform was traditionally thought to resemble a dragon lowering its head into the sea.
That shape gave the coastline its name.
But once you walk along the trail, the more impressive feature is not the dragon shape.
It is the enormous wall of layered volcanic rock beside you.
π Why the Tide Matters So Much
The walking route is located on a narrow wave-cut platform directly beside the sea.
At safe water levels, visitors can walk around sections of the cliff.
When the tide rises or large waves reach the platform, the same route becomes unsafe.
This is why Yongmeori may open later than 09:00 or close earlier than expected.
It may even remain closed all day.
π Low Tide Does Not Automatically Mean Open
Tide level is only one factor. Wave height, wind and weather also affect the final decision. Always use the official daily access notice as your final reference.
πΆ How Difficult Is the Coastal Walk?
The route is not a mountain hike.
But it is also not a smooth city sidewalk.
The wave-cut platform is relatively flat in many places, but the surface is natural rock.
You may encounter:
πͺ¨ Uneven rocks
π§ Wet surfaces
π Sea spray
↕️ Small changes in elevation
π₯ Narrow sections with other visitors
⚠️ Wear the Right Shoes
✔ Walking shoes
✔ Sneakers with good grip
✔ Light hiking shoes
❌ Slippery sandals
❌ High heels
πΈ One of Jeju's Most Unusual Photo Locations
The most interesting photographs are often not the widest ones.
Try using the layered cliff itself.
The curved lines in the rock create natural patterns that lead through the frame.
Good compositions include:
πͺ¨ Person + towering layered cliff
π Cliff + blue ocean
π Curving geological layers
☁️ Narrow cliff corridor + sky
π Sanbangsan Mountain from farther away
π· My Photo Tip
Include a person farther down the trail when possible. It gives the photograph scale and makes the volcanic cliffs look much larger.
⚠️ Do Not Ignore a Closure
If staff close the route, there is a reason.
The sea can change faster than tourists expect.
A route that looked safe earlier may become dangerous when waves rise.
π¨ Coastal Safety
Do not cross a closed gate.
Do not climb barriers for photographs.
Do not walk onto the route after staff announce a closure.
Watch children carefully near the water.
Follow all instructions from on-site staff.
π΅ You May See Haenyeo Selling Seafood
Depending on the day and sea conditions, you may sometimes see local haenyeo selling freshly prepared seafood around the coastal area.
This is not guaranteed.
Think of it as something you may encounter rather than an attraction that operates on a fixed schedule.
If you do buy seafood, remember that you are seeing part of Jeju's living coastal culture rather than a staged restaurant experience.
⚓ The Hamel Connection
Near Yongmeori Coast is the Hamel Shipwreck Memorial.
Hendrick Hamel was a Dutch sailor whose ship was wrecked near Jeju in the 17th century.
He and other survivors spent years in Joseon Korea before Hamel eventually returned to Europe.
His later account became one of the earliest detailed European descriptions of Korea.
If the coast is unexpectedly closed, the nearby Hamel area can still give you something else to see.
☀️ Summer Advice
August can be hot and humid in Jeju.
There is limited shade along the exposed coastal route.
Bring:
✔ Water
✔ Sunscreen
✔ A hat
✔ Shoes with good grip
✔ Protection for your phone from sea spray
Do not assume early morning is automatically best.
At Yongmeori, the safe access window is more important than your preferred sightseeing time.
π° Admission Fee in 2026
Adults: KRW 2,000
Teenagers age 13–24: KRW 1,000
Children age 7–12: KRW 1,000
Children age 6 and under and some eligible visitors may enter free with appropriate identification.
π Standard Opening Hours
Standard opening: 09:00
Standard closing: 17:00
Standard last admission: 16:30
Regular holiday: None
⚠️ But Remember
These are only the standard hours. Actual entry may begin later, end earlier or be cancelled completely depending on the day's conditions.
⏱️ How Long Does Yongmeori Coast Take?
The official coastal route itself takes approximately 30 minutes.
For most travelers, I would allow:
30 minutes — Basic walk
40–60 minutes — Comfortable walk with photographs
Longer — If you stop for scenery or seafood
The bigger planning issue is usually not the walking time.
It is whether the coast is open when you arrive.
π Can You Bring a Dog?
No.
Pets are not permitted at Yongmeori Coast.
π¨ Who Should Visit Yongmeori Coast?
π Geology travelers
The layered volcanic deposits are one of the most visually impressive geological landscapes in Jeju.
π· Photographers
The winding cliffs create completely different compositions from ordinary beaches.
π Coastal scenery lovers
You walk directly between volcanic cliffs and the sea.
π Travelers exploring southwestern Jeju
It combines naturally with the Sanbangsan and Sagye area.
π Repeat Jeju visitors
The landscape feels very different from the island's beaches, forests and oreums.
π₯ Who Might Skip It?
You may want to skip Yongmeori Coast if:
❌ The coast is closed that day
❌ Wet or uneven natural rock is difficult for you
❌ You need a fully step-free attraction
❌ Strong wind or rough seas are affecting the area
❌ You are traveling with a pet
Never build your entire day around Yongmeori without having a backup plan.
❓ BEST 3 QUESTIONS
1. Is Yongmeori Coast always open from 09:00 to 17:00?
No.
Those are the standard operating hours. Actual entry is determined by tide, waves and weather conditions and can change every day.
2. How do I know if Yongmeori Coast is open today?
Check the official Seogwipo Public Tourist Attractions Instagram account @6sot_official or contact Yongmeori Coast before traveling there.
3. How long does the Yongmeori Coast walk take?
The official walking route takes approximately 30 minutes. Allow around 40–60 minutes if you want to stop for photographs.
⭐ A Local's Final Advice
If there is only one thing you remember from this guide, make it this:
Check today's access before you go.
Yongmeori Coast is worth visiting.
The cliffs are unusual.
The geology is easy to see.
And walking between the rock walls and the ocean feels completely different from an ordinary Jeju beach.
But nature controls the schedule here.
Not your itinerary.
Check the official notice.
Wear good shoes.
Follow every closure instruction.
And keep a nearby backup destination in mind.
At Yongmeori Coast, the best travel plan is the one that respects the sea.
Official Information
Official Seogwipo Public Tourist Attractions — Daily Access Updates
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