The Scenery of a Harbor in Southern Jeju at Wimi Port and Wimi Way

What kind of place is Wimi Port, designated a national fishing port in 1986?

Wimi Port is a national fishing port in Namwon-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, and was designated a national fishing port in 1986. As a base for coastal and offshore fishing supported by abundant marine resources, it demonstrates that the port is both a tourist destination and a functioning harbor today.

The entrance to the port’s bay opens to the south, with an east breakwater and a west breakwater. Small vessels under 50 tons can berth at the water quay inside the bases of the two breakwaters, and the area is also introduced as a place where large yachts can moor.

Check Wimi Port’s hours, fees, and address first

The tourist information for Wimi Port does not list separate operating hours, and the closing day is shown as open year-round. Therefore, it is better understood as a place centered on the harbor and walking areas rather than a facility, such as a museum, that requires entry at a specific time.

The address listed for Wimi Port tourist information is 22-24, Wimijungang-ro 196beon-gil, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, while the requested location address is 13, Wimijungang-ro 196beon-gil, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. The address for Wimi Way is separately listed as 6-13, Wimijungang-ro 196beon-gil. Parking and admission at Wimi Way are free, but the available number of parking spaces and their locations have not been provided.

The main telephone number for Wimi Port is not listed with a 064- number, but the Wimi Way inquiry number is 064-710-6361. The official tourism information URL is https://www.visitjeju.net/kr/detail/view?contentsid=CNTS_000000000019194&menuId=DOM_000001718002000000.

How to reach it from Jeju Airport by Bus 742-1

Jeju Bus 742-1 departs from the Local Five-Day Market, passes through Seogwipo Local Five-Day Market and the Namwon-eup area, and stops at Sangwondong. The route includes Wimi 1-ri Office, Wimi Cultural Center, Sangwondong, Dwit Tongmoru, Camellia Arboretum, Wimi 3-ri, Namwon-eup Office, and the entrance to Namwon Port.

For visitors from outside the area, practical starting points are Jeju Airport or downtown Seogwipo. The direct travel time from the airport to Wimi Port and the official walking distance and time from Sangwondong bus stop to the port are not provided. When using Bus 742-1, compare the bus’s direction of travel and stop name with a map, and do not assume a particular service interval based on this information alone.

When driving, enter either 13 or 22-24, Wimijungang-ro 196beon-gil, into the navigation system. Free parking is indicated, but the location and capacity of the parking spaces have not been confirmed, so it is important not to block port work areas or access to the water quay.

How long does it take to walk the 198 m Wimi Way?

Wimi Way is a maritime pedestrian facility at Wimi Port completed on March 24, 2023. It consists of a 198 m maritime pedestrian bridge, a 62 m harbor-connected pedestrian pier, and a 28 m steel pedestrian bridge, linking several sections of the port through walking routes.

A round-trip walk across the bridge takes about 15 minutes, while a course that includes the lighthouse takes about 40 minutes. Since visitors can take a short walk across only the bridge or extend the route to the lighthouse, plan to spend at least 15 minutes and up to about 40 minutes or more at Wimi Port.

The name Wimi Way incorporates the meanings Water Walk, Emotion Walk, Meeting Walk, and Eco Walk. Hallasan and Wimi can be seen during the day, while illuminated scenery is visible at night, but there are no safety personnel on the bridge and strong winds may occur.

See Jigwido and the sunset behind Hallasan from the end of the breakwater

In the distance across the sea from Wimi Port, Jigwido appears to have been flattened and neatly shaped. The waters around Jigwido are introduced as a place where many red sea bream are caught, connecting with the harbor scenery of fishing boats working near the island.

Wimi Port is introduced as one of Seogwipo’s sunset-viewing spots. If you walk along the breakwater around sunset, you can see the sun setting behind Hallasan, and the breakwater extends far enough for a walk.

This view is not from an observation deck that requires an admission ticket; it is scenery viewed from the harbor and breakwater. On days with high waves or strong winds, do not force yourself to go to the end of the breakwater. In particular, remember that safety personnel are not stationed at Wimi Way at all times.

Reading Jeju place names at Jobaemeodeulkoji

Inside Wimi Port is a pond called Jobaemeodeulkoji. It is introduced as a place visitors can encounter by exploring the inner area instead of simply viewing the port’s breakwaters and leaving, and is presented as a hidden attraction of Wimi Port.

The “joba” in the name refers to “jobenang,” the Jeju dialect term for the evergreen chinquapin tree. “Meodeul” means a rocky hill, while “koji” refers to terrain extending toward the coast or coastal rocks, so the name itself indicates both vegetation and rocky terrain.

The area around Wimi Port is introduced as relatively warm even in Jeju because of its geographical conditions, which are not affected by winter seasonal winds. It is known as the first area in Jeju to see cherry blossoms, and there are also camellia groves nearby, allowing visitors to enjoy both the port and its vegetation depending on the season.

Practical differences when using the live-fish market and recreational fishing grounds

There is a live-fish market operated by the fisheries cooperative on the east breakwater. Korea Tour introduces it as a place where visitors can have fresh sashimi prepared and eat it immediately, making it a destination where visitors can experience not only scenery but also seafood and the fishing industry.

Wimi Port has recreational fishing grounds where visitors can enjoy educational activities and fishing, and it is promoted as a place visited by families in summer. People fishing can also be seen inside the port, along with visitors who come to enjoy the summer season.

However, Wimi Port is both a national fishing port and an active fishing area. The live-fish market, water quay, and berthing areas may differ from walking paths freely accessible to tourists, so use only open pedestrian areas without interfering with fishing operations. Information about photography-prohibited areas, cash-only policies, English-language information, and the availability of audio guides has not been provided.

A walking itinerary connected to Jeju Olle Route 5

Wimi Port is a harbor visitors can encounter while walking Jeju Olle Route 5. The Wimi Way construction project was also promoted with the aim of creating a tourist route connected to Jeju Olle Route 5, and a total of 7.5 billion won was invested in the bridge construction.

A simple walking itinerary is to allow about 15 minutes for a round trip across Wimi Way after arriving at Wimi Port, extending the time to about 40 minutes if you walk to the lighthouse. Adding the nearby camellia groves and Jobaemeodeulkoji inside the port will make the stay longer than a simple bridge round trip.

The entrance to Wimi Way’s bridge is described as suitable for barrier-free tourism because it has no stairs. However, the overall accessibility information for Wimi Port indicates a level difference at the main entrance, no accessible restroom, no elevator for people with disabilities, and no designated accessible parking spaces. Wheelchair and stroller users should therefore assess the route through the entire port separately.