Yongmeori Coast: What You Need To See On Jeju Island
Last Updated on August 5, 2026
There are stunning natural wonders to see all over Jeju Island which is why it’s one of my favorite places in all of Korea. Yongmeori Coast (용머리해안), or Dragon’s Head Cliff, will make for quite the adventure as you explore the cliffs, mountains and views that can be had there. This tourist site on the southwest coast of Jeju Island which is important to note because Jeju Island is large so you’ll want to explore it in quadrants to make the best use of your time.
Yongmeori Coast is definitely a must-see on Jeju Island and something you need to make time for, just know going in that it doesn’t open every day, so I’ve put together everything you need to actually get in, plus what to do nearby if the cliffs are closed when you arrive.
Make sure you get all of the info on Yongmeori Coast:
- How To Get There
- Basic Info
- Why It’s Not Always Open (and How to Check)
- The Experience
- What To See & Do Nearby
- FAQ
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How To Get There
Jeju Island is quite large so this is a spot that is ideal for a Jeju itinerary if you’re staying in the Seogwipo-si area. Here are the best places to stay on Jeju Island.
Address: 24-30 Sagyenam-ro 216 beon-gil, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do (제주 서귀포시 안덕면 사계남고216번길 24-30)
Get To Jeju: First you’ll have to get to Jeju Island. Did you know you can get there by plane OR by ferry? Here are all of the different ways you can get to the Hawaii of Korea.
Rent A Car: Renting does not have to be a hassle. If you don’t want to go directly with a local shop, check out Klook which offers a great deal on rental cars and works really well for tourists. It’s fast and efficient and you’ll land and be on the road in no time. For more information and options, check out this guide to how to rent a car in Jeju.
Private Car & Tour: If you’d rather not drive but have someone drive you and your group around, then check out booking a driver to take you around. Klook has a great option that has three itinerary, OR customize your own. You can take the car around from 9:00am to 5:00pm and see so much. Check out this private car and tour option for Jeju Island on Klook.
Basic Info
While the island of Jeju was formed by volcanoes, Yongmeori Coast was formed by the oldest volcano on Jeju, which erupted roughly 1.2 million years ago, making it, geologically speaking, the senior citizen of Jeju’s coastline. The unique topography was recognized by UNESCO and in 2010 the entire island of Jeju became a member of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network. On top of that, Yongmeori Coast itself is designated Korea’s National Natural Monument No. 526, its own protected status, separate from the island-wide Geopark designation.
The scenery is really stunning and the size of the cliff walls are difficult to even capture in photos. The 30 to 50 meter high rock walls feature stratified rock that ebbs and curves along the coast and there are small enclaves to explore as you walk. Jeju’s geological trails allow visitors to learn about the unique history of the area, the culture, legends, and of course the geology so it’s really fun for many reasons.
Due to the high viscosity of the lava that erupted here, it didn’t flow very far and hardened close to where it emerged, while ash and debris from the eruption settled into what’s now Yongmeori’s cliffs.
- Hours: 9:00am ~ 7:00pm* (Read the next section for why this is only technically the opening hours.)
- Admission: Adults: W2,000; Children: W1,000
Good to know before you go: This coast is eroding faster than most of Jeju. One geological survey put the average sea-level rise here at 4.26mm a year, compared to Korea’s national average of 2.97mm. It’s not something that should change your plans, but it’s part of why the walkway conditions and access can shift season to season, this is a coastline that’s actively, measurably changing.
Why It’s Not Always Open (and How to Check)
This is the single most important thing to understand about Yongmeori Coast: it does not open on a fixed schedule. Access depends on the tide and the swell, if the water’s too high or the waves are kicking up too much, the walkway along the base of the cliffs simply isn’t safe, and they close it. This isn’t decided a week in advance either. From what I understand, the call gets made fresh each morning, around 9:00am, based on that day’s actual conditions.
When we visited in October, the cliffs didn’t open until 2:30pm, well past the posted 9:00am opening time, because of the tide that day. So don’t build a tight schedule around this stop. Build in flexibility, or have a backup plan ready (more on that below).
How to check before you go:
- Call the site directly: 064-794-2940.
- As a backup, call 1330, the general tourist help line.
The Experience
From start to finish and everything in between, there’s much to enjoy. Here’s what you can’t miss at Yongmeori Coast.
Entrance & Horse Rides
There are two entrances to the walk along the Yongmeori Coast and plenty of signage that will direct you to them. Well trod by tourists and visitors, you will be able to follow the paths down from the parking lots and main road to where you can enter Yongmeori Coast.
If you’ve got kids, there’s also a guy with a couple of horses to ride around near the entrance. We couldn’t pass by without partaking clearly as my daughter is the most enthusiastic animal lover. This is a fun activity to do before you head to the rocks where you’ll want to be a bit more eagle-eyed with your kids because there are absolutely no barriers, ropes, or fences on the cliffs.
Watch the kids closely out there and keep them closer to the inside away from the water because the rocks can be slippery. That said, my five year old had a marvelous time searching for sea creatures in the pools of water on the rocks and was jumping all around with delight. It’s absolutely doable, just keep your eyes peeled so they don’t wander too close to the edge.
Eat On The Cliffs
One of the experiences you can have on the coast is taking a seat and eating some fresh catch prepared by local ajjummas.
There were about 5 or 6 different groups of women who had set up little areas to sell fresh caught seafood if you want the unique experience of perching on some rocks for some raw fish and soju. I hadn’t realized this was a thing but if you have the time, take advantage. I wouldn’t sit with the first ones though because their spot is a little more crowded as people come and go but if you get to the more centrally located ones, they have more space for people to sit while the other visitors can easily pass by and you still get great views. The seafood is fresh so enjoy enjoy enjoy… but take cash.
Explore & Walk, Walk, Walk
Honestly, the cliff walk was longer than we expected. Based on pictures I’d seen online, I didn’t think it was a walk around the entire coast but more of a walk down and walk back up situation. Which you could do in a pinch, but actually from entrance to exit, it took us one hour to circle around the entire Yongmeori Coastal walk.
Don’t go down and just turn around unless you really have to. It’s a really beautiful walk. But, make sure to use the restrooms at the entrance because there’s nothing else down there besides you, rocks, water, and the ladies selling seafood.
Accessibility & Safety
I want to be upfront about this because it matters for planning: the path down to the coast involves stairs, and once you’re on the walkway itself, there are no railings anywhere along the cliffs. The rock underfoot is uneven and can be slippery, especially near the water.
That combination makes Yongmeori tough going for elderly visitors or anyone with mobility concerns, this isn’t a stroller- or wheelchair-friendly walk, and I wouldn’t describe it as an easy stroll for grandparents either.
For families with young kids, it’s absolutely doable, mine has had a great time down there, but this is a keep-your-eyes-on-them-the-whole-time kind of spot, not a let-them-wander destination. No barriers, no fences, real drop-offs. Stay close, especially near the water’s edge.
What To See & Do Nearby
You could easily spend the day, or most of one anyway, in this area because there is quite a bit to see and do. Here is what you can’t miss and what will help you plan your day from where to eat to where to get ice cream.
Sanbangsan: Temples, Grotto, & A View
If you show up and Yongmeori is closed for the day, or you’re traveling with anyone who’d struggle with the stairs and uneven rock down at the coast, Sanbangsan is where you go instead. It’s not a consolation prize, either; I’d call the temples a must-see on its own, closed cliffs or not.
Many years back when I was staying in Jeju to teach at a summer camp, I got to take a trip out to Sanbangsan for the day and we had a lovely look at the temples and grotto that is just a short hike up the mountain. As legend has it, this mountain was the peak of Mt. Halla that was broken off and thrown to this spot. If you want to see more of what’s there, check out this post on Sanbangsan temples and grottos.
- Address: 184 Sagye-ri Andeok-myeon Seogwipo-si, Jeju (제주특별자치도 서귀포시 안덕면 사계리 184)
Mido Restaurant (미도식당)
When looking for restaurants for something to eat, we were trying to steer clear of spicy items since we had two children in our group which meant none of the local spots with spicy octopus stew. However, we did find this great option with fish and abalone porridge which is one of my favorites to enjoy every time I’m in Jeju.
The abalone porridge was great for my daughter while the rest of our group got hanjeongsik (옥돔한정식) which is basically a set with lots of side dishes, fish, and a pork stir fry and soup that feeds two people. It’s plenty of food and fed all of the adults and kids well.
- Address: 11 Sagyenam-ro 216 beon-gil, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju (제주 서귀포시 안덕면 사계남로216번길 11)
- Hours: 8:00am ~ 4:00pm
One & Only Cafe (원앤온리)
Set on Hwanguchi Beach, a lovely black sand beach, just down the coast from Sanbangsan Mountain and the cliffs, this large cafe has gotten popular recently because it’s probably one of the nicest places in the area to lounge and just enjoy the views. There are palm trees and western style food options and drinks so it’s a bit pricier than some other things around, but it has some really chic vibes and is very comfortable for a chill time.
- Address: 141 Sanbang-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju (제주 서귀포시 안덕면 산방로 141)
- Hours: 9:00am ~ 8:00pm
Gapa Island (가파도)
If you want to pack the day and really have an adventure, then think about adding nearby Gapa Island (가파도) to your list of things to do. This little island is the second southernmost point of Korea and is 5.5 kilometers off the coast of Jeju Island. You can visit from Moseulpo Port and since the island isn’t as famous as Mara Island, the southernmost landmass of Korea, you can get a whole lot of alone time biking around the tiny island and getting some good views. Learn more about Gapa Island here.
- Address: Gapa-ri, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do (제주 서귀포시 대정읍 가파리)
FAQ
Is Yongmeori Coast worth visiting?
Yes, it’s one of the most dramatic short coastal walks on Jeju and worth building into a west Jeju day. Just don’t make it the only thing you plan for that time slot, since it isn’t guaranteed to be open.
How long does it take to walk Yongmeori Coast?
About an hour at a relaxed pace for the full loop, longer if you stop to eat with the ajummas or let kids explore the tide pools.
Why does Yongmeori Coast close some days?
Access depends on the tide and the swell that day. If conditions are unsafe along the base of the cliffs, it doesn’t open, and that call is made fresh each morning, not on a fixed schedule.
How do I check if Yongmeori Coast is open before I go?
Check Seogwipo City’s official tourist Instagram for real-time status, call the site directly at 064-794-2940, or fall back on the general tourist line, 1330.
What should I do if Yongmeori Coast is closed when I arrive?
Head to Sanbangsan just above on the main road, the temples and the walk up to the grotto are worth the visit on their own, closed cliffs or not.
Can you visit Yongmeori Coast and Sanbangsan together?
Yes, and most people do, they’re right next to each other, and a combined ticket exists for both.
Is Yongmeori Coast good for kids, elderly visitors, or anyone with mobility issues?
It’s fine for kids as long as you keep a close eye on them, there are no barriers or fences along the cliffs. It’s a harder call for elderly visitors or anyone with mobility concerns, since there are stairs down to the coast and no railings once you’re on the walkway.
Is the Hamel ship still at Yongmeori Coast?
No. The large ship replica that used to mark the entrance was removed after historical research placed Hamel’s actual shipwreck at a different site. A smaller 1980 stone monument to Hamel still stands near the entrance.
Jeju Island is an amazing place to explore with so much to see and some very special wellness destinations too. Make Yongmeori Coast one of the places on your itinerary for your next trip to Jeju, just build in a backup plan, and you’ll have a great day either way.
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