Two Seas Divided by a Sandbar: From Bijindo’s Outer Port to Seonyubong Peak

One view of ‘white sand beach and rounded pebbles’ created by a 550 m sandbar

Bijindo is an island in the Hansando District of Hallyeohaesang National Park, about 13 km from Tongyeong Port. A sandbar connecting the inner and outer islands forms the beach, which is known to be about 550 m long. On the west, a white-sand beach covered with fine sand meets a coast of rounded pebbles on the east, allowing visitors to compare different coastal landforms within a short distance.

Because the beach connects the two islands, visitors can look out over both the eastern and western seas from the same sandbar. The Korea Tourism Organization introduces the island as a place where both sunrise and sunset can be seen. Rather than focusing solely on swimming, it is more useful for understanding Bijindo to walk from the Oehang ferry pier past the beach to the beginning of Sanho-gil and first examine where the landform connects.

The public beach opened in 1975 and the two theories behind the name ‘Bijin’

Bijin Beach opened as a public beach in June 1975. Today, the beach is also called Bijindo Sanhobit Beach and Bijindo Beach, and administratively belongs to Bijin-ri, Hansan-myeon, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. The landscape created by ria coasts, islands, and straits forms the background to the southern islands of Tongyeong being incorporated into Hallyeohaesang National Park.

Two verifiable theories about the name Bijindo remain. One says it originated from Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s ‘precious victory’ over Japanese invaders in the waters off the island, while the other says it refers to the island’s abundant products being comparable to treasures. Rather than declaring either theory to be established fact, it is more accurate to understand the place name as reflecting both the wartime history of the Tongyeong waters and the productivity of island life.

From Tongyeong Port Passenger Ferry Terminal to Bijindo: why to leave an hour before departure

The starting point for reaching Bijindo is Tongyeong Port Passenger Ferry Terminal at 234 Tongyeonghaean-ro, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. Based on online sales pages, the Bijindo route is operated by Hansol Shipping, whose inquiry phone number is 1577-6951. The journey from Tongyeong Port to Bijindo Naehang is introduced as taking about 40 minutes and to Oehang about 50 minutes, but the actual travel time and operating order may vary depending on stopovers and weather.

Entry to the island itself is free, so the main expense is the passenger-ferry fare. As of August 2026, the available booking information lists the one-way adult weekday fare at KRW 10,240 and the one-way adult weekend fare at KRW 11,040, but these prices may change depending on the date, discounts, fuel surcharges, and operating conditions. Identification may be required when boarding, so arriving at the terminal one hour before departure, reconfirming the shipping company’s timetable on the day of travel, and securing return-trip seats are recommended.

• Departure point: Tongyeong Port Passenger Ferry Terminal, 234 Tongyeonghaean-ro, Tongyeong-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
• Shipping company inquiries: Hansol Shipping, 1577-6951
• Approximate sailing times: about 40 minutes to Naehang and about 50 minutes to Oehang
• Transportation cost reference: Based on the August 2026 booking page, KRW 10,240 one way for adults on weekdays and KRW 11,040 on weekends

Sanho-gil from Oehang Beach to the Miindo and Noruyeo observatories

The central walking route on Bijindo is Sanho-gil, which begins at Oehang Beach. Travel information introduces the Miindo Observatory, Noruyeo Observatory, Seonyubong Peak, Mangbuseok Observatory, and Swaying Rock as major points along Sanho-gil. If you simply return after seeing the beach, you miss the opportunity to view the sandbar’s unusual shape from higher ground, so if you have enough time before the return ferry, it is better to include the observatory section in your itinerary.

Sanho-gil is not a beach promenade but an island trekking route with ascents and descents. Sneakers, a windbreaker, water, and light snacks are necessary, and in summer you should take into account sections with little shade from the sun. Seeing only the beach and a short village road takes about an hour; connecting Oehang, the sandbar, and the observatories takes at least three to four hours; and for a day trip including ferry travel, it is safer to allow six hours or more.

The return time that is easy to overlook when visiting Oehang and Naehang in one day

Bijindo has two villages, Oehang and Naehang. Oehang is convenient for access to the sandbar beach and Sanho-gil, while Naehang is a mooring area where visitors can experience the island’s residential life. A Korea Tourism Organization travel article explains that rounded pebbles and sandy beaches lie between the two villages and that a road barely wide enough for one car runs through the area. Therefore, instead of rushing while dragging large luggage, check on the ticket whether the arrival and return ferry piers are the same, then decide which direction to walk.

Visitor reviews repeatedly emphasize taking care of the peak-season ferry and return services first. In particular, you need to work backward from the last ferry to determine when to start Sanho-gil and leave enough time to descend if you plan to stay at the observatories for a long time. Bijindo may not suit travelers who expect convenience stores, restaurants, and medical facilities at an urban level, or those who plan to trek to the observatories with a stroller or wheelchair.

• Recommended route: Confirm the arrival pier → Oehang Beach and the sandbar → Sanho-gil observatories → Return to the departure pier
• Recommended duration: 1–2 hours for the beach, 3–4 hours including trekking, and at least 6 hours for a day trip including ferry travel
• Caution: Reconfirm the return pier and time using the boarding pass and the shipping company’s notices before departure
• What to bring: Identification, cash or a payment method, water, sneakers, and sun-protection items

An island open 24 hours, but waves and ferry operations are a separate matter

Bijindo is introduced as a natural tourist destination open year-round, with operating hours registered as 00:00–24:00 and no regular closing days. Admission is also free. However, this information concerns access to the island and beach; passenger ferries to the island may be canceled or rescheduled depending on the weather, wave conditions, and the shipping company’s circumstances. The actual ‘opening hours’ of Bijindo are determined by the first and last ferries.

For tourism inquiries, contact Tongyeong Tourist Information at 055-650-3600 or the domestic travel information line at 1330. The address linking to the official tourism page is https://www.utour.go.kr. Parking depends primarily on whether you use the Tongyeong Port Passenger Ferry Terminal rather than on Bijindo itself, so check the terminal’s parking availability and fees before visiting. Wheelchairs and strollers may be able to access relatively flat sections of Oehang Beach, but the slopes, unpaved surfaces, and stairs along Sanho-gil make it difficult to use the entire observatory route in the same way.