Major city · South Korea
Somaemuldo소매물도
Half-day trip from Tongyeong or Geoje: see the lighthouse, walk the tidal road, then back to the mainland. Not worth an overnight unless you want sunrise photos.
Somaemuldo is the smaller, more scenic of the Maemuldo islands, known for its lighthouse and a tidal gravel road that appears twice a day. Ferries from Tongyeong or Geoje make it a compact half-day outing; the island has one B&B for those who want to stay.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- KRW
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (humid, typhoon risk), Dec–Feb (cold winds)
- Airport
- PUS
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- South Korea ↗Check K-ETA and visa status on the official sites before you fly; the list of nationalities exempted from registering online changes year by year.
- South Korea ↗Google Maps gives poor walking and driving directions in Korea; use Naver Map or Kakao Map for routes.
- South Korea ↗Buy a T-money card (or use a phone-based transit pass) for subway and buses; it also pays at convenience stores and many taxis.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Somaemuldo112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Somaemuldo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cards work almost everywhere, including taxis, convenience stores and many market stalls; carry ₩30,000–50,000 (≈ US$25–40) in cash for street food…South Korea-wide
- SIM or eSIMSK Telecom, KT and LG U+ sell tourist SIMs and eSIMs at airport arrivals; a passport is required, and data-only plans are cheapest.South Korea-wide
- Tap waterOfficially safe from the tap; most people drink filtered water, and restaurants serve it free.South Korea-wide
- TippingRestaurants and cafés: No tip; a service charge appears only in top hotels.South Korea-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.South Korea-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in every subway station; paper goes in the toilet in new buildings, in the bin where a sign asks.South Korea-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 1330 Korea Travel Helpline (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysPalaces close one weekday (Gyeongbokgung Tuesday, others mostly Monday); national museums open daily but close on 1 Jan, Seollal and Chuseok days.South Korea-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPUS Gimhae International (Busan) (About 2 h by bus and ferry to Tongyeong).
- Getting aroundWalk only.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealSnack or instant noodles at the island shop₩2,000–5,000 (≈ US$2–4)
- Budget bedB&B on Somaemuldo, a night, per room₩60,000 (≈ US$45)
- Mid-range bedB&B on Somaemuldo, a night, per room₩80,000 (≈ US$60)
- High-end bedB&B on Somaemuldo, a night, per room₩120,000 (≈ US$90)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₩30,000 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₩40,000 (≈ US$30) · High ₩60,000 (≈ US$45)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PUS Gimhae International (Busan) (About 2 h by bus and ferry to Tongyeong)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Feb
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Mar
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Nov
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Dec
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Dec (4). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Somaemuldo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
5 rd
Feb
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
6 rd
Mar
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
8 rd
May
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
9 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
10 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
13 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Oct
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Nov
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Dec
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk only. The island is small; the lighthouse is a 20-min walk from the dock, the tidal road is just off the path.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Somaemuldo
One B&B near the ferry dock; basic, book ahead.
Tongyeong
More options; 30–40 min ferry ride away.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Day trip
- ₩30,000–50,000 (≈ US$25–40) (ferry + snacks)
Trip budget
| B&B on Somaemuldo1 × 1 night × ₩60,000 | ₩60,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₩30,000 | ₩30,000 |
| Ferry round trip from Tongyeong1 × ₩22,000 · check | ₩22,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₩11,200 |
| Trip total≈ ₩123,200 per person per day, bed included | ₩123,200≈ US$90 |
check
2026 estimate in won; day trip only.
Prices of common things
| Ferry round trip from Tongyeongcheck | ₩20,000–25,000 (≈ US$15–18) |
| Snack or instant noodles at the island shop | ₩2,000–5,000 (≈ US$2–4) |
| B&B per night (double room)check | ₩60,000–120,000 (≈ US$45–90) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check the tide schedule before you go: the Moses waterway is walkable only around low tide.
- Ferries from Tongyeong and Geoje stop at Daemaemuldo first; confirm you get off at Somaemuldo.
- Last ferry back to the mainland is usually mid-afternoon; confirm the return time when you buy your ticket.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Korea Travel Helpline
- 1330
Pocket card
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Somaemuldo소매물도
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
이 주소로 가 주세요To this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire and ambulance119
- Korea Travel Helpline1330
Embassy
Nearest consulates in Busan; embassies in Seoul.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Tongyeong → Somaemuldo: about ₩11,000 (≈ US$8) one way, 30–40 min (check)
- Ferry GeoGu → Somaemuldo: about ₩12,000 (≈ US$9) one way, 40 min (check)
Say or show
- 안녕하세요 — Hello (annyeonghaseyo)
- 감사합니다 — Thank you (gamsahamnida)
- 배는 얼마예요? — How much is the ferry? (baeneun eolmayeyo)
- 썰물은 언제예요? — When is low tide? (sseolmureun eonjeyeyo)
- 부두는 어디예요? — Where is the dock? (buduneun eodiyeyo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Somaemuldo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (humid, typhoon risk), Dec–Feb (cold winds) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Somaemuldo
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