🐚 Haenyeo Experience Villages | Dive into Jeju’s Women of the Sea & Coastal Traditions 🧓🌊🥢

📝 1. Overview
The Haenyeo (해녀) — Jeju’s legendary free-diving women — are living symbols of endurance, independence, and marine sustainability. Across the island, Haenyeo Experience Villages (해녀 체험 마을) offer visitors the chance to witness, learn about, and even participate in their unique ocean-based way of life.
From donning diving gear (on land!) to tasting fresh-caught seafood by the coast, these villages are cultural treasures that blend wisdom, nature, and women-led resilience.

🌟 2. Main Haenyeo Experience Villages

🐠 Hado Haenyeo Village (하도해녀마을) – East Coast Quiet Charm

Watch haenyeo suit up & dive in calm waters
Try on traditional gear, tour drying huts, taste seafood right from the ocean
Near Hado Beach = great pairing with coastal biking

🐬 Hwajeon Haenyeo School (화전해녀학교) – Authentic Hands-On Learning

Dive simulation (no water), seafood cooking, and gear photo ops
Run by actual retired haenyeo
Offers group bookings for families or schools
📍 Located inland near Gujwa-eup

🐚 Gosan Haenyeo Village (고산해녀마을) – West Coast Tradition Meets Cliffs

Small museum + oceanfront haenyeo performance zone
Combine with Suweolbong Peak (수월봉) coastal trail for a full day out

💡 3. Tips
📸 Best photo ops:

Trying on traditional mulsojungi (물소중이) diving outfit
Haenyeo carrying taewak (태왁) floats
Grilled abalone on the beach with ocean in the back
🕐 Best time:
Morning (dives usually before noon)
Spring & autumn = best balance of weather + activity availability
📞 Call ahead or check online — many villages require advance booking
🧥 Bring a jacket! Coastal winds + morning dives = chilly!

🍽️ 4. Must-Try Dishes – Haenyeo Style

Sea Urchin & Seaweed Soup (성게미역국)
– Nutrient-rich and naturally briny
Raw Abalone Bibimbap (전복회덮밥)
– Served with sesame oil, seaweed flakes, and fresh veggies
Grilled Shellfish Platter (조개구이 세트)
– Includes scallops, turban shells, clams, and squid

📍 Available at local Haenyeo Bapsang (해녀밥상) restaurants near each village

🚗 5. Access

📍 To Hado Village (하도):
🚗 ~1 hr 15 min from Jeju City
🚌 Bus 701 → Transfer to local taxi

📍 To Gosan Village (고산):
🚗 ~1 hr from Jeju City (west coast)
🚌 Bus 202 → Get off near Suweolbong

📍 To Hwajeon Haenyeo School (화전):
🚗 30–40 min from Seongsan / Jeju City
📞 Call to book workshops or small-group activities

📍 Facilities & Language Tips:
🅿️ Parking usually available at village centers
🗣️ Many older haenyeo speak Jeju dialect or limited Korean — smile, bow, and show respect 😊
📘 Some sites offer English guides or signage, especially with booking