Moseulpo Port

At the southwestern tip of Jeju, from a harbour packed with fishing boats, you can see Gapado and Marado across the water. Moseulpo Port is the fishing hub of southwest Jeju and the departure point for boats to Korea's southernmost islands. In winter, fat yellowtail are landed here, and on Jeju the fish is almost synonymous with Moseulpo.

What kind of port?

Moseulpo is a fishing port in Hamo-ri, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo, designated a national fishing port on 21 December 1971. The name is said to mean "port with sand". Dozens of boats sail out and return here every day, and their catch is considered the freshest on the island. Yellowtail and red tilefish are the specialities, so the port is lined with raw-fish restaurants and seafood eateries.

What to see

• A harbour full of boats: rows of brightly painted fishing boats are the first thing you notice. Come early in the morning to see boats coming in and the catch being unloaded.
• The red lighthouse: the red lighthouse at the end of the breakwater is the port's signature view.
• Coastal Olle trail: a well-kept section of the Jeju Olle trail follows the shore in front of the port, with views of the southern sea and towards Sanbangsan and Songaksan.
• Boats to Gapado and Marado: ferries to both islands leave from Unjin Port, the southern harbour of Moseulpo. The Gapado ferry pier is about 1.2 km, or a 12-minute walk, from the main port. Gapado is a short hop away and turns green with barley fields in spring. Marado is Korea's southernmost island; besides Unjin Port, boats to Marado also leave from Sanisu-dong Port below Songaksan.

How the port grew

The modern harbour took decades to build. Hydraulic model tests in 1980 led to a master plan in 1987; the basic facilities were finished in 1991, and a new improvement plan followed in 1998. As more visitors headed for Gapado and Marado, Jeju Province decided in 2011 to build a two-storey, 668 m² ferry terminal at the southern harbour.

Daejeong-eup, where Moseulpo lies, was the seat of Daejeong County in the Joseon era. The place of exile where the scholar and calligrapher Kim Jeong-hui (Chusa) perfected his famous writing style is also in Daejeong, an easy addition to a harbour visit.

Southernmost Yellowtail Festival

Every year around November the port hosts the Southernmost Yellowtail Festival; 2025 was its 25th edition. Events include catching yellowtail by hand, net-pen fishing and tastings, but programmes and fees change every year, so check the organisers' notices.

Tripto tips

• When to go: November to February, when yellowtail is at its best. Moseulpo is a windy place, so bring a windproof layer in winter.
• Time needed: 30 minutes to 1 hour to walk around the harbour and lighthouse, about 2 hours with a meal.
• If you plan to visit the islands: sailings to Gapado and Marado change with the season and are often cancelled in bad weather. Book ahead, confirm departures on the day and keep an eye on the last boat back. You need an original photo ID to board.
• Nearby: the Alddreu Airfield, a Japanese military site from the colonial era, and Songaksan are close by, making an easy loop around Daejeong.