Water is quite shallow and gets gradually deeper as you get past the small waves. At high tide, there is lots of shallow flat water to ride in, between the rock formations. This spot has very flat clear water close to the beach and small chop as you get out. Waves are generated by wind.
Beach is white sand and very clean. There are many lava rock formations at both ends of the beach. The tide determines the launch. Low tide is the safest. At high tide, rider must walk through knee deep water away from rock areas.
Cheju island has four distinct seasons. Highs around 33°C in summer and lows around 1°C in winter. Wetsuit is required from October until May. Too cold for kiting in January and February.
- March - April - May - September - October - November
Wind Type:
No Information
Best Direction:
- NE - NW
Main Direction:
- NE - SW - NW
Cheju Island is known around Korea as being a windy place. It's best winds are during the fall and spring seasons (typically NW or NE winds, sometimes SW) with winds ranging from 15-30 knots - many days (maybe 2 or 3 days a week) using 10-14 meter kites. Summer winds are lighter 10-18 knots (mostly from the SW), but only place in summer for wind in all of Korea. Hyeopje is the windiest spot on the island and the best for all north winds. Onshore NNW.
Fly into Cheju City from Korea (Seoul, Pusan, or Jinju) or Japan, or take the ferry from several ports on the mainland. Flight is best option as it only takes 50 minutes for $130 round trip and no kite baggage fees. From airport, take rental car or taxi ($20) 45 minutes west to Hyeopje Beach, or bus ($3) for 1 hour to Hallim Park bus stop. Hyeopje is a small village near Hallim. Hyeopje Beach is a very beautiful beach facing a small island offshore - look for the large statues of the `Tol-Harubang` or `Stone Grand Father` lining the length of the beach.
Helmet is a good idea as there are many lava rock formations near the beach. General rule of thumb is that if it is a south wind head to Sinyang, if it is a north wind head to Hyeopje.
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