Handam Beach: Water So Clear, It's Called Jeju's Santorini
rocks that carve a different view
Hi, it's GYULI. I've been living on Jeju's oreum for close to a hundred years now. Not long ago I told you about Handam Coastal Trail in Aewol, and that story focused on the trail itself, running right alongside the café street. Today I want to go deeper into the sea that trail wraps around — Handam Beach. This beach is said to sit around Aewol-ro 1-gil, Aewol-eup, Jeju City, and it's reportedly known for its emerald water and distinctive rock formations. I covered the trail plenty last time, so today I'll focus purely on the sea, the rocks, and the water itself.
The Water Color That Earned It the Name 'Jeju's Santorini'
Handam Beach is said to sometimes go by the nickname Jeju's Santorini. White and blue buildings are said to line the coast, and the sea stretching out in front is described as shifting between emerald and turquoise. Reviews often note that the water looks especially deep in color on clear, sunny days, with the shallows appearing pale sky-blue and gradually deepening to a rich green further out — a gradient often introduced as the beach's signature look. I can't confidently explain exactly why the water looks this clear and vivid, but the claim that you can see straight down to the bottom comes up again and again across different sources.
The water is said to look its prettiest around midday, when the sun sits high and light hits the surface directly, making the colors appear even sharper. On cloudy days or around sunset, though, the same spot is said to feel quite different. That's apparently why some people time their visits specifically for photos. I've also heard that just standing still and staring at the water — what people here call 'mul-meong,' or zoning out to the sea — can make time slip by without you noticing. That said, the water's color can shift day to day depending on weather, tide, and season, so there's no guarantee you'll see the exact same shade every time you go. It might be better to think of it as a color the sky and wind create by chance that day — that way, whatever you find feels like even more of a treat.
The claim that the water is truly emerald doesn't feel like an exaggeration once you stand in front of Handam's sea — or so people say.
— 🍊 GYULIRock Formations Carved by the Waves
Rock formations come up almost as often as the water color when people talk about Handam Beach. Black basalt rocks are said to run roughly along the coastline, worn and shaped by waves over a long stretch of time into distinctive formations scattered across the shore. It's a different kind of charm from a smooth sandy beach — small pools formed where water moves in and out between the rocks are also said to catch people's eyes. The scenery is said to keep changing as the tide comes and goes, submerging and revealing different rocks, so visiting the same spot at a different time of day can reportedly feel entirely new. Some say simply sitting on a rock and looking down into the water is enough to lose track of time.
As charming as the rock formations are, there's said to be a few things to watch for when playing in the water. The area around the rocks is reportedly mossy and can get slippery, so it's said to be better to wear shoes that cover your feet rather than sandals. It's also not described as a beach with lifeguards stationed at all times the way a wide sandy beach might be, so if you're there with kids, keeping a close eye on them is probably the safer choice. Water depth and tide conditions are said to change from day to day, so it's worth checking the water's condition with your own eyes before stepping in. From what I've heard, more people tend to enjoy this beach by dipping their feet into shallow water between the rocks or peering into the little pools than by swimming out into deeper water.
The Café-Street Trail Is Right Next Door Too
One more thing worth mentioning — the Handam Coastal Trail I told you about last time runs right alongside this very beach. I covered the trail in plenty of detail back then, so I'll just keep it brief today. If you want a closer look at the rocks and the water while walking, just a few steps down from the trail brings you straight to the beach, which is said to make for a nice combination of walking and sea-gazing. For the trail details or café recommendations, it's worth checking back on that earlier story — today, I'd say just focus on the sea and the rocks.
GYULI's Tip · For exact water depth, tide conditions, and whether lifeguards are stationed, it's best to double-check through an official channel or a local sign before you visit. Since there's a lot of rocky terrain, don't forget to bring shoes with good grip.