Munseom, Seopseom, Beomseom and Saeseom Islands

Scattered off Seogwipo, the four islands of Munseom, Seopseom, Beomseom and Saeseom complete the city's coastal view. Munseom and Beomseom are volcanic islands protected in their entirety as a Natural Monument, while Seopseom is home to a rare subtropical fern. Saeseom is linked to the shore by a footbridge, and the others can be seen up close from the cruise boats and submarine that leave Seogwipo Port.

Lava domes rising from the sea

Munseom and Beomseom are small lava domes, formed when sticky trachyte lava welled up once and solidified. They lie about 1.3 km off the Seogwipo coast, and estimates of their age vary from around 800,000 years to 50,000–140,000 years. The islands and surrounding waters were designated the Munseom and Beomseom Natural Reserve on 18 July 2000. Seopseom is also a lava dome, and Munseom, Beomseom and Seopseom became part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve together with Hallasan in 2002. All four islands belong to Seogwipo Marine Provincial Park.

Four different islands

• Munseom: an elongated island about 530 m long and 86 m high. Its north side is a steep cliff and its south a gentle slope, so it changes shape depending on where you stand. One story says it was named for its many mosquitoes, and the corals in the surrounding sea make it well known among divers.
• Beomseom: a round island 87 m high which, seen from afar, looks like a crouching tiger, hence its names Beomseom and Hodo, both meaning "tiger island". Cliffs about 50 m high ring the coast, cut by columnar joints and sea caves.
• Seopseom: off Bomok-dong, covered entirely in forest. It is protected as a Natural Monument for its wild colonies of the bird's-nest fern Asplenium antiquum.
• Saeseom: the island right in front of Seogwipo Port, named after the thatching grass ("sae") that grows there. In 2009 the Saeyeongyo footbridge (169 m) opened and the island became Saeseom Park, with a path that circles the island.

How to see them

Landing on Munseom and Beomseom is restricted to protect them. Instead, the cruise boats from Seogwipo Port take you close to Beomseom's cliffs and sea caves and past Munseom and Seopseom. A tourist submarine lets you look at the underwater world around Munseom. From land, the Oedolgae walking path and the Olle trail near Bomok Port give good views of Beomseom and Seopseom.

Tripto tips

• Walking Saeseom: the Saeyeongyo bridge and Saeseom path are always open and free. Walk round Saeseom at dusk, then return across the illuminated bridge. In 2026, fireworks and a musical fountain show were held around the bridge on Friday and Saturday evenings from April to October.
• Cruises and submarine: both leave from Seogwipo Port, and times and fares vary by operator, season and weather. They do not sail in strong wind or high waves, so check on the morning of your trip.
• Time needed: 30 minutes to 1 hour to walk round Saeseom. Cruise and submarine durations vary by operator, so check when you book.
• Combine with: Cheonjiyeon Falls and Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market, both within walking distance, and Oedolgae to the west for a full day in Seogwipo.