Han-ryo-hae-sang (한려해상) Marine National Park runs between Geoje Island to Yeosu city along the Southern coast of South Korea. Unlike most of South Korea’s mountainous national parks, thi marine national parks are broken up into multiple distinct sections, and encompass beaches, islands, mountains and numerous temples.

In this article, I’ve sought to write a guide that introduces you to the major highlights, and specifically those that are accessible by public transportation and are included in challenges, such as the South Korean National Park Stamp Tour program, and the newer Marine National Park Stamp Tour Program. While none of the mountains contained in this marine park are on the Blackyak 100 mountain challenge, numerous hikes in this park are on BlackYak’s 100+ Challenge and the Island and Mountain Challenge.

Just looking to get the Hanryohaesang National Park stamp shown above in a simple way? Jump to this Tongyeong information center section, no ferry ride required!

Geography of the Korea’s southern Marine National Parks

Before we can dive into the specific sites in this park, it’s important to get your head around the geography of South Korea’s scraggly coastline.

The southern coast has about 1,000 islands of various sizes, many of which are protected within the marine national parks. A couple dozen of these islands are accessible by ferry, with about half of the ferry ports being located in the various hub-cities, and the other half being more isolated.

The island and beaches found here are protected in patches and split between two marine national parks – Hanryohaesang, located to the east and Dadohaehaesang (다도해해상) in the west. They meet near Yeosu – a major coastal city connected to Seoul by the KTX-EXPO line.

Just south of the city of Yeosu are a number of beaches protected within Hanryohaesang, and continuing down southward you reach Dolsando Island [돌산도] which is part of Dadohaehasang. All marine protected areas to the west of this junction are Dodahaehaesang, and to the east are Hanryohaesang.

In this guide I will be covering Hanryohaesang based on three major zones – Tongyeong, Geoje Island and Namhae. I have opted for this arrangement because although the islands contained in this park are spread out, the city of Tongyeong is the major hub with its numerous ports that allow you to access a number of Hanryohaesang’s highlights. The second area, Geoje Island, is accessible from Tongyeong by bus or taxi, while Namhae island is much closer to Yeosu and geographically quite separated from Tongyeong and Geoje Island.

It’s important to note here that this park is not a giant blob – while it’s considered a ‘Marine National Park’ there is a lot less water than one might expect. Instead, the park tends to start and end over particular islands, leaving some out seemingly at random. This is highlighted by Saryangdo Island [사량도]. Saryangdo Island is by far the most famous island hike in this region and is only accessible from one of Tongyeong’s port However, while it’s between Tongyeong and Namhae islands, which are included in the marine park, this island is not a part of Hanryohaesang.

Now since we have learned more about the geography of South Korea’s southern coast, let’s look at the official map of the park.

As you can see from the above map, there are two large blocks to the east which center on Geoje Island and Tongyeong, and another four smaller blocks to the west in and around Namhae Island. Additionally there are number of very small protected areas spread out across the map which focus on specific islands. The two most significant areas of the park are Namhae Island’s Geumsan Mountain [금산] and Hansando Island [한산도] near Tongyeong, which have their own pop-out maps shown above.

Geoje Island

Ferry required Island Hikes from Geoje Island

• 외도 (280m) – departing from 구조라항 Port on Geoje Island
• 지심도 (250m)- departing from either 지세포항 Port or 장승포항 Port in Geoje Island

• 장사도 (250m) – departing from 거배항 Port in Geoje Island or accessible from Tongyeong’s 통영유람서터미널. This island is in the southwestern portion of the Geoje Island part of Hanryohaesan Marine park (see the below map).
• (대)매물도 (210m) & 소매물도 (152m) – departing 저구항 Port in Geoje Island (these two islands are located next to each other and connected by the same boat that departs from 저구항 Port). These islands are the southern edge of the Geoje Island portion of Hanryohaesan Marine National Park, and are included on the Marine National Park stamp tour.

Recommended Schedule for going to both islands:

• Please check ferry times yourself in case there has been recent changes.

8:30~09:00 : 저구항 Port on Geoje Island → 대매물도 Island (매물도구경호)
9:00~11:30 : 매물도 Island trekking with the following course 당금항->장군봉->대항항)
11:40~12:00 : 대항항 Port on (대)매물도 Island → Ferry to 소매물도 Island (매물도 구경호)
12:00~15:30 : Trekking and exploring 소매물도 Island
16:15~17:05 : Departing from 소매물도 Island → 저구항 Port (매물도구경호)

Hanryohaesan Marine Park Non-Ferry Hikes on Geoje Island

• 가라산 (Garasan Mountain) (585m) – This hike is about 5.2km and takes 3-4 hours. It is famous for it is on the Blackyak Island and mountain challenge. It can be hiked along the following loop course: 다대마을 Village (up course 3) – 가라산 약수터 – 가라산 Peak (585m) – 망등 – 전망대 – (down Course 2 ) 다대마을 Village.

• 산달도(235m) – not technically in the park but located between Tongyeong and Geoje Island

Tongyeong

If you are interested in hiking and getting the Hanryohaesang National Park stamp without a ferry ride, I would recommend taking bus 530, which departs from Tongyeong Intercity bus terminal to the Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park Dara Park Visiting Information Center [달아탐지원세터]. This information center has its own look out, where I saw the sunrise.

Dara Park Visiting Information Center 경남 통영시 산양읍 산양일주로 1115 https://naver.me/GCa9VZ87

It is also the start of a short hike to Mangsan [망산], which can also turn into a longer low elevation ridge hike to Mireuksan [미륵산], which is the famous hike in Tongyeong which has its own cable car. This is a simple and accessible way to get your stamp and enjoy some nice views.

Accessible from the Tongyeong Port Passenger Terminal (통영항여객전터미널)

• 한산도 (Hansando Island) -> Larger Island with multiple ports and so there are many ways to hike and explore this island. It’s the largest island in this region with various pensions, restaurants and facilities. Main peak is Mangan [망산] (293m) – not to be confused with Mangsan which is next to the Dara Park information center I discussed above – and is on the Blackyak Island and Mountain challenge. Also located on this island is the Hansando Island stamp for the Marine National Park Stamp Tour – as Hansando Island is one of the 20 destinations – and the Hanryohaesan Marine Park stamp for the national park stamp tour.
  • One hiking option has you hiking across the island in this 8 kilometer course that takes about 3 hours: 진두선착장-쉼터(전망대)-전망바위-팔각정(휴월정)-망산(Peak,293m)-망산교-더플개-제승당여객터미널-한산도탐방지원센터(National Park Stamp Location)-제승당(왕복)-제승당여객터미널

• 비전도(Bijeondo Island)(312m) -> The hike is on the Blackyak’s Island and Mountain challenge, and 비전도 Island is on the Marine National Park Stamp Tour program.

Recommended Schedule for going to 비전도 Island:

6:50~07:40 : Tongyeong Port Passenger Terminal (통영항여객전터미널) -> 비진도 Island
7:40~13:00 : Hiking on 비진도 Island with the following course (비진도 외항선착장-망부석전망대-미인도전망대-선유봉(Peak at 312m)-비진암-탐방지원센터(Marine National Park Stamp)-비진도해수욕장-비진배수지-비진분교-몽돌해변-외항선착장 원점회귀 (About 9.1km, takes about 4 hours to complete at a medium pace))
13:20~14:10 : Departing 비진도 Island -> 통영 Tongyeong Port Passenger Terminal (통영항여객전터미널)

• 용초도 (Yongchodo Island)(193m) –  Hiking course is 7km and takes about 3 hours at a medium pace: 용초선착장-쉼터-포로수용유적지(급수장)-용초언덕-용머리-수동산정상(Peak)-호두마을-호두선착장. The second half of this hike is optional and assumes a different departure port than your arrival port – this secondary port can bring you to Hansando Island (see above). At ‘수동산’ peak in the middle of the island you can back track to the port.

Other Tongyeong Ports & Hikes:

• 연대도 (Yeondaedo Island) (220m) & 만지도 – departing from 원명항 Port, just south of Tongyeong, you can take bus 530 from the intercity terminal to this port. These two islands are connected by a bridge (as you can see in the image below). The hike is on the Blackyak’s Island and Mountain challenge, and the Yeondaedo Island is on the Marine National Park Stamp Tour program. I went in the summer of 2023 to get the Marine National Park stamp, and it was a fun solo adventure. It was a little inconvenient due to the bus vs. ferry timing, but I made the most of my time and enjoyed the sunrise.

Namhae

Namhae is a fun area to spend a weekend – famous for the German village which hosts an annual Oktoberfest. The second most popular attraction is the Geumsan Mountain [금산] and Boriam Temple [보리암], which are on the Blackyak 100+ mountain challenge and the marine national park stamp tour, respectively.

I wrote a whole article about Geumsan Mountain [금산] and Boriam Temple [보리암], and its definitely worth a visit – however its not an easy place to get to without a car or a tour group.

If you have any additional places you want covered or have questions, please put them in the comment section. I would really appreciate feedback as this is a complex article to write.

I wish to improve this article over time! Let me know how I can do this

Happy Trekking!

-Aurora