Hakdong Mongdol Beach

Mongdol are the rounded black stones that make up this beach at Hakdong on Geoje's southern coast - about a kilometre and a half of them, worn smooth by the sea, with no sand at all. The sound is what the beach is known for: as each wave withdraws it drags the pebbles over each other and the whole shore rattles, a rushing clatter that carries, and which has been listed among Korea's notable natural soundscapes. Removing the stones is prohibited and signed. The water shelves quickly and is clear, which makes for good swimming if you can walk on the stones - beach shoes are close to essential. Behind the beach is a camellia grove, part of the Hakdong evergreen forest designated a natural monument, which flowers in late winter. The village has guesthouses and restaurants, and boats run from nearby piers to Haegeumgang and Oedo.

What you actually see

• The black pebbles - the whole beach without a grain of sand.
• The rattle - the sound of the stones as waves draw back.
• The camellia grove - the protected evergreen wood behind.
• The clear water - the quick-shelving swimming.

When to go

June to September for swimming; late winter for camellia in the grove behind. The sound is there year-round and is best in a swell.

Honest expectations

Walking on the pebbles is hard and hot underfoot - bring beach shoes. There is no sand for lying on comfortably. Taking stones is prohibited. Summer weekends fill the village.

Nearby

Windy Hill and Haegeumgang are along the coast; Tongyeong is over the bridges.