Tommeori Beach

Tommeori Beach lies on the Yellow Sea coast in Piseo-ri, Mangun-myeon, Muan, just south of Muan International Airport. The tidal range here is large: at low tide an endless sweep of sand and mudflat appears, and behind the beach a pine forest some 200 years old gives shade. An aeroplane-shaped lighthouse at the entrance and sunsets over the West Sea are the beach's calling cards.

Two faces, set by the tide

Tommeori changes completely with the tide. At high tide the gentle slope and shallow water make swimming easy, even for small children. At low tide white sand and mudflats stretch far out, perfect for a barefoot walk looking for crabs and shellfish. Sea bream and mullet are caught in the surrounding waters, so anglers come too. In the evening, when the sun drops into the West Sea and the wet sand reflects the sky, the beach is at its busiest.

Pine forest and an aeroplane lighthouse

The black pines behind the beach form an old protected forest. Inside are decks for tents and a campground, so you can combine camping with a swim. At the entrance stands an aeroplane-shaped lighthouse, a nod to Muan International Airport about 3 km to the north. Decorative lighting along the coastal road makes it pleasant for an evening walk as well.

With a plate of Muan octopus

Muan is known for small long-armed octopus from its tidal flats, which are registered as a Ramsar wetland. In Muan's octopus alley, not far from the beach, you can try yeonpotang (octopus soup), tangtangi (finely chopped raw octopus with seasoning) and gallaktang (beef short rib and octopus soup). A walk on the beach and an octopus meal make the classic Muan day out.

Nearby shores

• Holtong Beach: north of Muan International Airport on Hampyeong Bay, with pine woods and a long stretch of sand for swimming, camping and sea fishing.
• Jogeum Naru: a long sandy spit reaching towards Tando Bay. Local lore says that at low tide a path appeared across the sea towards Tando Island.
• Muan Octopus Park: a small park with a giant octopus sculpture and a slide, good for a short stop with children.

Tripto tips

• When to go: come during the summer opening period for swimming; in 2025 the beach was open from 18 July to 17 August. Visit at low tide for the mudflats, and arrive about an hour before sunset for the evening light.
• Check the tides: the waterline moves by hundreds of metres between high and low tide, so look at a tide table first, and leave the flats as soon as the water starts coming back in.
• What to bring: water shoes are safer than bare feet on the flats, where broken shells can cut and some patches of mud are deeper than they look. Rinse off afterwards at the beach showers.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours for a walk and the sunset; half a day if you add mudflat activities.
• Getting there: the beach is about 20 km north-west of central Mokpo and about 10 km west of Muan-eup. City buses are infrequent, so check the timetable in advance or come by car. There is parking, plus toilets and showers.
• Information: 061-454-5224.