Gogunsan Islands

The Gogunsan group sits in the West Sea off Gunsan, and until recently reaching it meant a ferry. The Saemangeum sea wall - at over thirty kilometres one of the longest artificial sea barriers in the world - and a set of bridges completed in the 2010s changed that, and the main islands are now driveable. Seonyudo is the centre: a curved beach of firm sand, a low peak, Seonyubong, with a view over the whole archipelago, and a village of guesthouses and seafood restaurants. Bridges link it on foot and by bike to Jangjado and Munyeodo, and cycling the three is the standard day - bikes and electric carts are hired at the pier. Around them are smaller islands reached by boat. The sea wall itself is a strange drive, a straight line of road with water on both sides for half an hour. Summer weekends fill the beach; out of season the islands are very quiet.

What you actually see

• Seonyudo beach - the curved sand strip at the centre.
• The linking bridges - the walk or ride between three islands.
• Seonyubong - the short climb for the archipelago view.
• The Saemangeum wall - the long straight drive out.

When to go

April to June and September to October; July and August bring the domestic beach season and full guesthouses. Bikes are the best way round.

Honest expectations

Summer weekends are crowded and accommodation is limited to guesthouses. The West Sea tidal range is large, so swimming windows are tide-dependent. Boats to the outer islands depend on weather.

Nearby

Gunsan's Japanese-era old town is on the mainland; Byeonsanbando is south.