The Haenyeo of Jeju
The Haenyeo are women divers who gather seafood along the coast of Jeju. Their way of life is still alive on the island, and it is best approached as a culture, not as a show. UNESCO added "Culture of Jeju Haenyeo (women divers)" to its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016. That is a cultural listing. It is not the natural World Heritage title that covers the island's volcanic sites.
Visitors meet the Haenyeo in two places: the museum in Gujwa-eup and the performance area near Seongsan Ilchulbong. You can combine the second one with Jeju east day tours, which include a Haenyeo performance.
Haenyeo Museum: prices and hours
Prices in Korean won, 2026. The museum is at 26 Haenyeobangmulgwan-gil, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si.
| Visitor | Single ticket | Group of 10 or more | Resident rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult (25 to 64) | KRW 1,100 | KRW 800 | KRW 550 |
| Youth (13 to 24) and soldiers | KRW 500 | KRW 300 | KRW 250 |
| Child up to 12 | Free | – | – |
| Senior from 65 | Free | – | – |
The resident rate needs proof of identity and residence on Jeju. Visitors on holiday should expect the single ticket. The museum opens from 09:00 to 18:00, and tickets are sold until 17:00. It is closed every Monday, on 1 January and on the days of Seollal and Chuseok. For most visitors who want the background first, the museum is the better start, and the performance near Seongsan comes second.
Our pick: meet the haenyeo
Our take: a day tour that visits a place where haenyeo still work.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Haenyeo performance and east Jeju day trips
Day trips that include a Haenyeo performance, Seongsan Ilchulbong and Manjanggul, with live prices and availability.
Where to see the Haenyeo
The performance area lies on Umutgae beach near Seongsan Ilchulbong, at 284-34 Ilchul-ro. Taking part is included with the Seongsan admission ticket, with no extra fee for the show. Times and rest days change with the season and the weather, and there is no fixed daily time. Ask on site or check the current schedule on the day of your visit.
The museum is in Gujwa-eup and not in central Seogwipo, so plan the two places as separate stops. The performance and the museum are different visits, and neither guarantees that you will see divers at work in the sea.
Visiting with respect
Four points that keep the visit fair to the divers.
A living culture
The divers are working people with a long tradition. Treat the performance and the museum as a way to learn, not as an attraction to rush through.
Photos and distance
Ask before you photograph a person, and keep your distance from anyone working at the shore.
Seafood on the table
Seafood gathered by the Haenyeo is one of the island's local specialities. The Jeju food guide covers it together with black pork and tangerines.
Plan the day
Pair the performance with the Seongsan Ilchulbong guide, because the show is included in the Seongsan ticket.
Fitting the Haenyeo into a Jeju day
Two ways to build the visit.
On your own
Go to the museum in the morning, when it opens at 09:00, and take your time. Buy your ticket by 17:00 at the latest. Then drive on to Seongsan for the performance area, and check the schedule there.
On a guided day
An east Jeju full-day tour includes a Haenyeo performance among its stops, with Manjanggul, Seongsan, Seongeup and Hueree. It runs about 8.5 hours from Jeju City. Lunch is not included, so plan your meal.
With a rental car
The museum is in Gujwa-eup, away from Seogwipo. A car makes the two stops easier. See the car rental guide for licence rules.
More on Jeju culture and the east
Places that fit with a Haenyeo visit.
Jeju Haenyeo: frequently asked questions
Who are the Haenyeo?
They are the women divers of Jeju, who gather seafood along the coast. Their culture has been on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2016.
Where can I see the Haenyeo?
At the performance area on Umutgae beach near Seongsan Ilchulbong, and at the Haenyeo Museum in Gujwa-eup. Neither guarantees that you will see divers working in the sea.
How much is the Haenyeo Museum?
In 2026, adults aged 25 to 64 pay KRW 1,100, and youths and soldiers pay KRW 500. Children up to 12 and visitors from 65 are free. The resident rate needs proof of residence.
When is the Haenyeo Museum closed?
Every Monday, on 1 January and on the days of Seollal and Chuseok. It is open from 09:00 to 18:00, and tickets are sold until 17:00.
What time is the Haenyeo performance?
There is no fixed daily time. Performances depend on the season and the weather. Ask at the Seongsan entrance or check the current schedule on the day.
Is this the official site of the Haenyeo or the museum?
No. This is an independent travel guide with no link to the divers, the museum, the province or any association. Confirm prices and hours at the museum.