Beomseom
Also known as: Bumsum, Beomsum, Tiger Island
Best time to dive
January to December; September to November
What you might see
- NudibranchReliably seen
- Sea turtlePossible
Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.
Certification & difficulty
Technical - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.
Snorkelling
Not a snorkel site - no - rocky cliff entry and current make it a scuba-only site, not a snorkel spot
Safety notes
strong/unpredictable currents in the island channel, difficult rocky entries/exits (abseil or ~2m stride entry), cold-water exposure requiring drysuit skills, boat traffic, occasional reduced visibility from plankton or current-stirred sediment
Permits & fees
no per-diver permit fee currently required - fishing/diving access to the Munseom-Beomseom protected area was reopened without prior permit/reporting as of March 2023, but dive/boat operators must complete twice-yearly environmental education and divers must not touch protected soft corals/sea pine, with no smoking, cooking, or overnight stays; guidelines can be re-tightened if violated
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Location
Nearest hub: Seogwipo
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.