Jeju · Area guide
Hyeopjae & Hallim
협재·한림
Emerald water at Hyeopjae, Biyangdo offshore and Hallim Park next door.
The short answer
Stay on the west coast for Jeju's best-known beach. Hyeopjae Beach, on Jeju Olle Route 14 in Hallim-eup, runs straight into Geumneung Beach, and VisitJeju calls the pair twin beaches: shallow, clear water the colour of emerald, pale sand full of crushed shell, and Biyangdo Island floating offshore. In the 2026 season the beach was supervised from 24 June to 6 September, with evening swimming until 21:00 from mid-July to mid-August.
Hallim Park stands beside the beach, a garden of palms planted on 330,578 m² of wilderness since 1971, with lava tubes inside. Biyangdo, the youngest of Jeju's volcanic islands, is about 15 minutes by ferry from Hallim Port, and the sunsets over it are the west coast's evening show. The trade-off is transport: Hyeopjae is about 27 km from the airport in a straight line, and the buses run along the coast road, not across the island.
Best for
- Beach holidays on the west coast
- Sunsets over Biyangdo
- Families in shallow water
- Hallim Park and its lava tubes
- A slower trip on the coast road
Think twice if
- Sunrise at Seongsan Ilchulbong
- Short trips with an early flight
- Waterfalls and Seogwipo's evenings
Getting here
| Station | Lines |
|---|---|
| Hallim | Express bus 102 (Jeju Bus Terminal–west coast–Unjin Port) · Intercity bus 202 (Jeju Bus Terminal–Gosan–Seogwipo) |
| Hallim and Aewol | Intercity buses 202-1, 202-2 to Shin-Jeju Rotary (not at weekends or in school holidays) |
| Hallim Port | Ferries to Biyangdo, about four a day, around 15 minutes |
| Donggwang Transit Center (west) | Tourist shuttle 820 (museums of the west) |
From Jeju International Airport
Hyeopjae is about 27 km from the airport in a straight line. Take a taxi or bus into Jeju City for Jeju Bus Terminal, then express bus 102 along the west coast road, which runs through Hallim to Unjin Port at Moseulpo.
From Jeju City
Express bus 102 and intercity bus 202 both leave Jeju Bus Terminal on the west coast road; 202-1 and 202-2 link Hallim and Aewol with Shin-Jeju Rotary, except at weekends and in school holidays.
From Seoul
Fly to Jeju: Jeju to Seoul Gimpo was the world's busiest airline route in 2025, OAG reports. Then head west along the coast road from Jeju City.
To Biyangdo
Ferries leave Hallim Port about four times a day and take roughly 15 minutes, VisitJeju says, adding that the timetable changes. The island is 0.5 km², small enough to see in two to three hours.
On your doorstep
- Hyeopjae Beach Clear, emerald water and pale shell sand on Jeju Olle Route 14. In 2026 it was supervised from 24 June to 6 September, 10:00–19:00, with evening hours to 21:00 from 15 July to 15 August.
- Geumneung Beach Joined to Hyeopjae, with shallow water, fine sand and views of Biyangdo; at low tide broad sandbars and pools appear. VisitJeju recommends aqua shoes near the entrance.
- Hallim Park Opened in 1971, where Song Bong-gyu planted palms on 330,578 m² of wilderness; nine themed gardens and the Hyeopjaegul, Ssangyonggul and Hwanggeumgul lava tubes. Ticket sales from 09:00, closing between 16:30 and 17:30 by season.
- Biyangdo Island The youngest of Jeju's volcanic islands, 0.5 km², visible from Hyeopjae and about 15 minutes by ferry from Hallim Port.
- Handam Coastal Trail A 1.2 km seaside path from Aewol Port to Gwakji Gwamul Beach over black lava rock, one of Jeju City's 31 Hidden Scenic Views. Open at all times.
One easy day from here
- Morning The ferry from Hallim Port to Biyangdo and a walk round the island.
- Midday Back to Hallim Park and its lava tubes, beside the beach.
- Afternoon Hyeopjae and Geumneung beaches at low tide, when the sandbars appear.
- Evening Sunset over Biyangdo from Geumneung, or the Handam Coastal Trail at Aewol on the way back towards Jeju City.
Before you book
- Come in summer for swimming: Hyeopjae's supervised season in 2026 ran from 24 June to 6 September, with evening hours to 21:00 from 15 July to 15 August.
- Pack aqua shoes for Geumneung, VisitJeju advises, where crushed shell mixes with the sand near the entrance.
- Check Biyangdo's ferry times on the day: VisitJeju says the timetable changes, with about four sailings a day.
- Book Jeju City for the night before a morning flight: the west coast is about 27 km from the airport in a straight line.
Questions visitors ask
Is Hyeopjae a good place to stay in Jeju?
For a beach stay on the west coast, yes. Hyeopjae and Geumneung beaches, Hallim Park and the Biyangdo ferry are all within reach of Hallim, and the sunsets over Biyangdo are the west coast's best. For waterfalls and markets, choose Seogwipo; for the sunrise, Seongsan.
How do I get to Hyeopjae by bus?
From Jeju Bus Terminal, take express bus 102 along the west coast road through Hallim, or intercity bus 202, which follows the same coast towards Gosan and Seogwipo. Buses 202-1 and 202-2 link Hallim and Aewol with Shin-Jeju Rotary on weekdays outside school holidays.
When is Hyeopjae Beach open for swimming?
The beach is open at all times, and its supervised season in 2026 ran from 24 June to 6 September, 10:00–19:00, with evening swimming until 21:00 from 15 July to 15 August, VisitJeju says. Geumneung, next door, kept the same season without evening hours.
Sources & review
Editorial review: · Korea Standard Time