The Female Divers in Jeju, South Korea

One of the coolest experiences I had in South Korea was watching the women divers, known as ‘Haenyeo’, when I was on Jeju Island. Although a dying trend, presumably because of more advanced diving and fishing techniques, there is still a sizeable population of these ladies in Korea, with most of them on Jeju. The average age of a diver is ~75 – wow!

Asking a guide, I learned that with each dive, Haenyeo have the ability to dive up to 30 meters deep and can hold their breath for over three minutes. They can harvest tons of seafood in one day and contend with the elements of nature, such as weather and jellyfish. I left the show feeling quite weak as a person.

When I went to the ‘show’, I wasn’t expecting a lot but was quickly blown away. These women were, to be quite frank, old! How were they ever going to dive in the ocean and harvest food? I was greeted by their smiling faces and laughter. Pretty soon there was a sizeable crowd and the ladies began their show. Singing and clapping in their wetsuits, five women crowded next to the ocean with their nets and flippers. After a song, they quite literally suited up and started to swim out to sea. I watched in awe as these women took their nets and dove underwater, starting their work for the day.

Asking a guide, I learned that with each dive, Haenyeo have the ability to dive up to 30 meters deep and can hold their breath for over three minutes. They can harvest tons of seafood in one day and contend with the elements of nature, such as weather and jellyfish. I left the show feeling quite weak as a person.

A few days later I was walking by myself and stopped at a seafood place on a pier for lunch. When I arrived, I realized the place was owned by some of the Haenyeo! The food I was eating they had caught themselves – so cool! I utilized my minimal korean to tell them it was delicious, as they had at this point all circled around me, slightly confused as to how I had come across this place. In their defense, I was lost and it looked like only locals ever came to this joint. They smiled at me and gave me another serving even though I was plenty full.

Tis the life of a solo female traveler, older women are always trying to fatten me up. I’m here for it.

T