Kkotji Beach

Kkotji is on the western side of Anmyeondo, the long island south of Taean, and it faces the sunset directly, which is what it is known for. Two rock outcrops stand just off the sand - Halmibawi and Harabibawi, grandmother and grandfather rocks - and at low tide the sea withdraws far enough to walk out to them, while at high tide they sit in the water with the sun going down behind. The story attached is the usual one about a wife waiting for a husband who went to sea and both being turned to stone. The beach itself is a long stretch of firm brown sand with a shallow gradient and a big tidal range, backed by pine, with a promenade and a run of seafood restaurants and pensions. Anmyeondo has a chain of similar beaches along its west coast and a natural recreation forest of old pine in the middle of the island.

What you actually see

• The two rocks - Granny and Grandpa offshore.
• The sunset - the sun down behind them over the West Sea.
• The low-tide walk - the sand out to the outcrops.
• The pine backing - the trees behind the beach.

When to go

April to June and September to October; late afternoon for sunset, which is the point. Check the tide if you want to walk out to the rocks.

Honest expectations

The tidal range is large - at low water the sea is a long way out and there is no swimming. Sunset weekends fill the car parks. Sand is brown and firm rather than white.

Nearby

Taeanhaean national park's beaches run up the coast; the Anmyeondo pine forest is inland.