JEJU, SLOWLY Apply
Korea's vanishing sea women · Jeju Island

JEJU, Slowly

A retreat with the sea women: Jeju's free-diving grandmothers who've harvested the sea by breath alone for generations. Slow days in their world, their stories in your ears, and rest. No diving required.

Half-day walks year-round · First retreat cohorts: October–November 2026

🌊 English & Spanish speaking host Trained at the haenyeo school Small private groups Replies within 48h Inquiries only — no payment taken
A guide introduces the haenyeo to guests, the sea women seated with their tewak floats
Who are the haenyeo?

Korea's last sea women

For centuries, the haenyeo of Jeju have dived with no oxygen — holding their breath metres down, gathering abalone and urchin by hand, many still working into their 70s and 80s. Theirs is a rare, all-women culture, recognised by UNESCO in 2016. But their numbers have fallen from some 30,000 to roughly 2,400 today — and 63% are now over 70. Meet them while you still can.

Centuriesold, all-women tradition
UNESCOcultural heritage · 2016
2,400left in 2026, from some 30,000
63%are over 70
No oxygenever — breath alone

What kept them diving — through cold winters and decades of change — was each other. The haenyeo are a sisterhood before they are a trade. Before and after every dive, they gather at the 어촌계, the village cooperative building by the sea: a place to change, warm up, share food, and talk. What looks ordinary from the outside is the living heart of their world — and the place where you'll be welcomed in.

Not ready to inquire yet? Get to know the haenyeo through our journal and podcast — and follow my own journey as a haenyeo-school student on Instagram.

Read the journal → Listen to the podcast → Follow the journey →
Soraya, founder and guide of Vamos a Jeju, on Jeju Island
The woman behind it

I'm Soraya — your host.

While working as an English guide on Jeju, I often found myself beside the haenyeo, translating their words. Their lives moved me — and it saddened me to watch something so inspiring quietly disappear. I wanted to become the kind of fierce, graceful woman these grandmothers are, so I enrolled in haenyeo school myself.

Now I lead the journey I love most — the one that brings you to the haenyeo themselves. Jeju is a deeply spiritual island; through yoga and meditation here, I found a healing I never expected. That is what I most want to give you: to leave with the island's quiet held inside you, and a little of the haenyeo's strength.

I also share the haenyeo's stories through the Vamos a Jeju podcast and journal.

"Dive only as far as your own breath allows. Never give in to greed — in the water, greed is the most dangerous thing of all."

— A Jeju haenyeo
Half-Day Story Walk · Hado-ri, Jeju

The Sea Women Walk

A gentle half-day in Hado-ri, the village with the most active haenyeo. The museum, the sumbisori trail they walked to the sea, and their story told where it happened. Already on Jeju? This is the easiest way into their world.

Style Small group · guided walk Duration About 3 hours Private group? → From ₩40,000 / person

Booked directly on Airbnb with instant confirmation. Guiding in English or Spanish, museum entry, and tea by the sea included.

No diving. No fitness needed: flat, gentle, and unhurried. Solo travelers warmly welcome. Made for travelers who want meaning and calm, not adventure sports.

"Follow the sumbisori —
the haenyeo's breath, given back to the sky."

Itinerary

Start
Meet at the Haenyeo Museum
We meet in Hado-ri and begin with who the sea women are, and what to look for along their coast.
Museum
Inside the Haenyeo Museum
Real diving gear, old photographs, and the history of a culture quietly disappearing, told with Soraya's own haenyeo-school stories.
The trail
The Sumbisori Trail
A gentle stretch of the path the haenyeo walked to the sea: past the bulteok (their fireside hut), the stone sea-pens, and the shore shrine. Tide and season permitting, you may see the divers at work and hear the real sumbisori.
To finish
Story & tea by the sea
We sit down with tea and talk about what we saw, with time for every question, before saying goodbye in the village.

Experiences

Haenyeo Museum Sumbisori Trail (gentle) Bulteok stories Shore shrine Tea by the sea

✓ Included

  • Guided walk with Soraya, in English or Spanish
  • Haenyeo Museum entry
  • The Sumbisori Trail: bulteok, sea-pens & shore shrine
  • Tea by the sea to finish

✕ Not included

  • Hotel pickup (we meet at the museum)
  • Meals
  • Flights, insurance & personal expenses

Want to sit down with a working haenyeo? That's the heart of the retreats below — or ask us about adding it to a private walk.

Booked on Airbnb · live dates & instant confirmation

The Walk runs as a small group on set dates, and as a private walk on request. Prefer a private group, or have a question first? Send an inquiry and we reply within 48 hours.

Book on Airbnb →
First Cohorts · 2026 The Sea Women Retreat · 2 nights, 3 days

3 Days

One evening with the sea women on stage. One day inside their village world. One morning of stillness before you go. The name says it plainly: Jeju, slowly.

Duration 3 days / 2 nights Seats 10 only · by application $1,090 / person

No diving, and none needed. Time in the water alongside the haenyeo can sometimes be arranged as an add-on, tide and the divers' schedule permitting.

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival & first encounter
Arrive in the afternoon and ease in with a slow forest walk. In the evening, Haenyeo's Kitchen: a theatre-dinner where the sea women tell their own story on stage. Night in a comfortable hotel near Seongsan.
Day 2
The sea women's day
An optional sunrise hike up Seongsan Ilchulbong, then the day this retreat is named for: the Sumbisori coastal walk (with the divers at work, tide permitting), the Haenyeo Museum with Soraya, a sit-down interview with a working haenyeo, neokdungbaegi (their traditional board game), and Bambadang Salon: grilled conch by the fire, noodles, and a beer beside the night sea. Night in a small guesthouse inside Sehwa, a working haenyeo village.
Day 3
Stillness & farewell
Morning yoga, then a temple morning of meditation and tea with a monk that becomes our closing circle. A small keepsake to carry home, and drop-off at Jeju Airport by 3:00 PM.

Experiences

Haenyeo's Kitchen show & dinner Haenyeo interview Sumbisori coastal walk Haenyeo Museum Neokdungbaegi game Bambadang Salon Morning yoga Temple morning Closing circle & keepsake

✓ Included

  • 2 nights: a comfortable hotel near Seongsan + a village guesthouse in Sehwa
  • Haenyeo's Kitchen theatre-dinner & the Bambadang Salon evening
  • Sit-down interview with a working haenyeo, in Soraya's translation
  • Morning yoga & the temple program
  • All local transport & guiding in English or Spanish

✕ Not included

  • International flights
  • Airport transfers & insurance
First cohorts · autumn 2026
Cohort windowOctober–November 2026 Availability10 seats per cohort · by application FlightsEnds at Jeju Airport by 3:00 PM · book departures after 4:30 PM
Apply for the 2026 cohorts →
The Sea Women Retreat · 3 nights, 4 days

4 Days

The 3-day journey, given room to breathe: a full day of forest and sound between the sea women and your farewell.

Duration 4 days / 3 nights Group Max 10 guests $2,100 / person

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival & first encounter
Arrive in the afternoon, a slow forest walk, and an evening at Haenyeo's Kitchen: the sea women's story, told by them, over dinner. Night in a comfortable hotel near Seongsan.
Day 2
The sea women's day
The full village day in Sehwa: the Sumbisori coastal walk, the Haenyeo Museum, a sit-down interview with a working haenyeo, neokdungbaegi, and the Bambadang Salon beside the night sea. Night in the village guesthouse.
Day 3
Forest & sound
Forest bathing deep in the gotjawal, a soundscape session by the water, and a slow village afternoon, with an optional oreum sunset. Night on the coast.
Day 4
Stillness & farewell
Morning yoga, a temple morning of meditation and tea that becomes our closing circle, a keepsake to carry home, and drop-off at Jeju Airport by 3:00 PM.

Experiences

Haenyeo's Kitchen show & dinner Haenyeo interview Sumbisori coastal walk Gotjawal forest bathing Soundscape by the sea Oreum sunset (optional) Morning yoga Temple morning Closing circle & keepsake

✓ Included

  • 3 nights: hotel near Seongsan, the Sehwa village guesthouse, and a coastal stay
  • Everything in 3 Days, plus the full forest & sound day
  • Gotjawal forest bathing & soundscape session
  • Morning yoga & the temple program
  • All local transport & guiding in English or Spanish

✕ Not included

  • International flights
  • Airport transfers & insurance
From late 2026 · waitlist & private groups
First cohortFrom November 2026 Private groups4–10 guests · on request Be first to knowJoin the waitlist
Join the waitlist →
Moments

From the shore to the temple

Real moments from our haenyeo retreats — guests, sea women, and the quiet in between.

A guide shares the story of the haenyeo with guests
Guests and a haenyeo sorting the day's catch
A haenyeo at work along the rocky shore
Guests and haenyeo together after a dive
In traditional haenyeo dress at the sea women's gathering
The haenyeo community with their tewak floats
Drawn by our guests

What they carried home

Some guests pick up a pencil. These are the haenyeo, as our travellers saw them.

A guest's sketch of two haenyeo
A guest's portrait of a haenyeo with notes
A guest's sketchbook page of two haenyeo
A guest's sketchbook held up against the Jeju sea
Kind words

Travelers on guiding with Soraya

Reviews from people Soraya has guided across Korea.

Soraya may be my favorite guide of all the tours I've done. She was knowledgeable, fun, and went above and beyond to make sure we were taken care of and had a good time. I would absolutely travel with her again.

Rebecca USA

Soraya was so tremendous — our trip wouldn't have been the same without her. A genuine ball of light, and I'm so grateful to have met her. A warm, well-rounded experience. 10/10 ⭐️

Alyssa USA

Our guide, Soraya, was great. She was knowledgeable, helpful, and could read the group really well — she always knew when we were tired or needed a break.

Janell USA

Our host Soraya was so patient and lovely with everyone, and she made the whole experience joyful.

Angelica USA

Soraya had the best food and shop recommendations and really understood the vibe of our group. I cannot recommend her enough.

Samantha Canada

Our tour guide, Soraya, is amazing and I hope to travel with her again — she made everything better.

Brittany USA
Good to know

Questions, answered

What language are the retreats in?
English throughout — guided personally by Soraya, who lives on Jeju and translates for the haenyeo. Prefer Spanish? We run Spanish-language journeys separately — just reach out and ask.
How does booking work — do I pay now?
We're taking inquiries only for now. There's no payment at this stage; after a short conversation with Soraya, your spot is confirmed. Online booking and payment will open later in 2026.
How do I get there, and where do we meet?
Fly into Jeju International Airport (CJU). When you book, we send a full guidebook with the exact meeting point, how to get there, and everything you need to know.
What should I pack?
No guesswork — once you book, your personal guidebook covers exactly what to bring and what to expect, day by day.
Where will I sleep?
The Walk is a half-day, so you keep your own hotel. 3 Days includes one night in a comfortable hotel near Seongsan and one night in a small, simple guesthouse inside Sehwa, a working haenyeo village: clean, warm, and part of the story. 4 Days adds one more coastal night in comfort.
How fit do I need to be? Is it difficult?
Gentle to moderate. Expect easy forest walks, calm time by the shore, and unhurried days — you always set your own pace, and nothing is mandatory. Please share any health, mobility, or medical needs in your application so we can prepare and adapt.
Do I have to freedive?
There's no diving on any of our journeys, and none is needed. These days are about being with the sea women: walking their coast, hearing their stories, sharing their table. Time in the water alongside the haenyeo can occasionally be arranged as an add-on, tide, season and the divers' schedule permitting. If you'd rather stay dry, everything is just as rich from the shore.
What if I have accessibility or mobility needs?
We want to be honest so your time with us is wonderful: much of the retreat unfolds on Jeju's natural terrain — uneven village shores, rocky coastline, temple steps, and time by the water — so it suits travellers who are comfortable on their feet over varied ground. If you have any mobility or medical considerations, please share them in your application and we'll talk it through openly to find the right fit for you.
What about meals and dietary needs?
Temple cuisine is fully vegan — no meat and no oshinchae (the five pungent vegetables, such as garlic and onion). Tell us about any allergies or other needs and we'll do our best to accommodate.
Can I come on my own?
The Walk runs as a small group and is booked on Airbnb; private walks are available on request. The retreats take a maximum of 10 guests, by application. Solo travelers, couples, and friends are all welcome, and private group bookings (4–10 guests) can be arranged.
Do I need travel insurance?
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellation, medical care, and any in-water activities. Insurance is not included in the retreat price.
What is your cancellation & refund policy?
A deposit secures your place and is non-refundable. For the remaining balance: cancel 60+ days before the start date for a full refund; 30–59 days, 50% refunded; within 30 days, non-refundable. If we ever have to cancel a retreat, you'll receive a full refund. We strongly recommend travel insurance. (We're taking inquiries only for now — no payment is taken yet, so this policy applies once booking opens.)

Still have a question? Add it with your application below — Soraya answers every one personally.

A living heritage, quietly disappearing. Your visit helps keep their story — and their livelihood — alive.

Reservation

Apply for your retreat

Tell us a little about you. Soraya personally reviews every application and will be in touch within 48 hours.

The retreats take up to 10 guests; solo travelers warmly welcome. The Walk is easiest to book on Airbnb — use this form for questions or private groups.
Important for the retreat meals: vegan tables and allergies are easy to arrange.
This helps Soraya make sure the retreat is the right fit for you.

We're taking inquiries only for now — no payment is taken. Your spot is confirmed after a conversation with Soraya.

By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy. We use your details only to plan your retreat — never for ads or resale.

✓

Application received

Soraya will be in touch within 48 hours. Keep an eye on your inbox — and welcome to the tide.