CULTURAL
Haenyeo Experience / 4 hours
Tour Highlights
- Haenyeo Diving
Jeju (- - -)
Haenyeos only exist in the Jeju Island and Japan. Because of the very uniqueness of this diving profession, they have been the focus of worldwide attention for its rarity. Haenyeos are the symbol of Jeju women who were the bulwark of the Jeju economy as they went on long expeditions to Japan as well as other parts of the country with their strong tenacious hold on life and pioneering spirit that is so characteristic of the Haenyeo. They learned to play in the water. It was when they barely reached the age of 12 that they began to harvest seafood. They went to deeper waters around age 15 to earn the living and became virtual sea women. Haenyeos are categorized into three groups according to level of experience: Hagun, Junggun and Sanggun with the Sanggun offering guidance to the others and leading the community for their safety and harmony. Jeju women divers are some of the hardiest people in the world.
An exciting experience of Muljil with real daughters of the sea, Haenyo. All you need is basic swimming skills. Following a diving orientation, you are given the Haenyo wet suit, protective hat, goggles, lead belt, fins, yellow tube and cord basket to put the catches in, then slung over your shoulders and shuffle towards the shoreline. During the experience, you will swim along with Haenyeo and learn how to dive and gather seafood. The experience is about two hours and you can even eat all of the seafood you catch. At the end of the activity, you will have the time for chatting with Haenyeo that gives you the feeling of embracing this unique local cultural experience. The tour offers an opportunity to appreciate the skills needed as a Haenyeo, which will definitely be a great memory to take with you while on Jeju island.
