Country

Diving in South Korea

5 dive destinations in South Korea, up to 620 km apart. Water temperature across them runs 2–27 °C. All 5 are in season in Jun–Oct. 10 named dive sites have their own pages.

Ulleungdo · photo Gupdaal

Destinations: 5
Dive sites: 10
Water: 2–27°C
Most in season: Jun–Oct

RegionEast Asia

Where are the dive destinations in South Korea?

1Sokcho & GoseongJul–Oct
2GangneungJul–Oct
3UlleungdoJul–Oct
4PohangJul–Aug
5JejuJun–Oct

Numbers match the table below. Land outline: Natural Earth (public domain).

How do they compare?

Conditions at each dive destination in South Korea
#	Destination	Best months	Water	Visibility	Depth	Level	Access	Sites
1	Sokcho & GoseongCanyon and boulder reefs in cold East Sea water, a few hours from Seoul	Jul–Oct	2–21°C	—	to 40 m	Intermediate	Shore, Day boat	1
2	GangneungSouth Korea's largest cluster of wrecks, led by the scuttled trawler Stella	Jul–Oct	2–21°C	2–10 m	6–24 m	Intermediatesites from beginner to advanced	Day boat	3
3	UlleungdoKorea's clearest water over black volcanic arches and caves	Jul–Oct	10–26°C	10–30 m	8–35 m	Intermediate	Shore, Day boat	2
4	PohangEasy beach dives and purpose-built artificial reefs on the East Sea	Jul–Aug	10–24°C	5–15 m	to 12 m	Beginnersites from beginner to advanced	Shore	3
5	Jeju — MunseomProtected soft coral forests on volcanic rock off southern Jeju	Jun–Oct	14–27°C	8–25 m	8–35 m	Intermediate	Day boat	1

When is the best time to dive South Korea?

The most destinations are rated good or prime at the same time in Jun–Oct: 5 of 5. Each row is one destination's own season rating.

Season rating by month for each dive destination in South Korea
Destination	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
1Sokcho & Goseong	Fair	Fair	Good	Good	Good	Good	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Good	Good
2Gangneung	Fair	Fair	Good	Good	Good	Good	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Good	Good
3Ulleungdo	Off-season	Off-season	Fair	Good	Good	Good	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Good	Off-season
4Pohang	Fair	Fair	Fair	Fair	Fair	Good	Prime	Prime	Good	Good	Fair	Fair
5Jeju	Fair	Fair	Fair	Good	Good	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Prime	Good	Fair
Good or prime	0	0	2	4	4	5	5	5	5	5	4	2

Which destinations combine into one trip?

Destinations that fit within 200 km of each other end to end and share at least one month rated good or prime. Distances are straight lines between destinations, not travel routes.

48 km end to end

In season together: Mar–Dec