Somaemul-do: Why June Is the Best Time to Visit

The sea off Tongyeong, South Gyeongsang Province, is dotted with islands, but Somaemul-do is one that tends to stay with you. Small by any measure — just 2.51 km² in area with a 5.5 km coastline — this little island had its fate transformed by a single television commercial. When it became known as the filming location for a Kukdas cookie advertisement, the nickname 'Kukdas Island' stuck. Appearances in various other TV productions followed, and today Somaemul-do has firmly established itself as one of Tongyeong's defining island destinations.

Administratively, it falls under Maejuk-ri, Hansan-myeon, Tongyeong-si, South Gyeongsang Province, and the sea area off the island's northern shore lies within Hallyeohaesang National Park. The fact that it sits inside a national park is itself a telling indication of just how well preserved the natural environment here remains.

Why June, Specifically?

Somaemul-do is a place that rewards visiting in the right season. June — early summer — is widely regarded as the window just before the monsoon rains arrive in earnest, a period when clear days string together one after another. Travellers frequently say that it is under this pre-humidity clarity, with the sun growing steadily more intense, that the island's emerald sea shines at its most vivid. June also offers another advantage: the crowds that descend during the peak summer season have yet to arrive, making it possible to walk the island at a genuinely relaxed pace.

What to See and Do

The centrepiece of any visit to Somaemul-do is Deungdae-seom (Lighthouse Island). Separated from the main island by a narrow channel, Deungdae-seom is designated the fifth of Tongyeong's Eight Scenic Views, and its extraordinary rock formations — sculpted into seemingly endless shapes — have earned it the title of 'the finest hidden landscape in the South Sea.' The highlight of the trip is crossing the natural tidal causeway that appears at low tide to reach Deungdae-seom on foot. Checking the tide timetable before you plan your visit is essential.

The main island of Somaemul-do is well worth exploring in its own right. Walking the inland trails, you are treated to sweeping sea views from the tops of sheer rock cliffs, and travellers consistently note that despite the island's modest size, every direction you look seems to offer another scene worth photographing.

Getting There

The standard way to reach Somaemul-do is by passenger ferry from either Tongyeong Passenger Terminal or Jeogu Port on Geoje Island. Sailing frequency and journey times vary depending on your departure point, so be sure to check the latest timetables on the relevant ferry operator's website or through official channels such as the Gagoshipeunseom (Island You Want to Visit) platform before you travel. There are no vehicles on the island — all movement is on foot.

Useful Tips

Access to Deungdae-seom depends entirely on the tides. Visitors who arrive without checking the tidal schedule sometimes find the causeway still submerged and are forced to turn back, so make sure you look up the tide chart the day before you go. Facilities on the island are limited, so it is wise to bring plenty of food and drink with you. And bear in mind: a visit on a June weekday, outside the peak summer season, will give you a noticeably quieter and more unhurried experience of the island.