Geoje Island Yacht Cruising Guide: Practical Sailing Information
Geoje Island Yacht Cruising Guide. Geoje is one of Korea’s most maritime‑intensive islands and home to two of the world’s largest shipyards, but it also contains multiple natural coves, typhoon‑sheltered basins, and purpose‑built small‑craft harbors ideal for yachts and tenders. I have lived and worked for many years in these two main shipyards and know this area well. But! we had a Cat 5 typhoon when I was there and the whole town of Okpo went underwater, lots of big ships damaged and so on.
Geoje sits on Korea’s southeast coast, directly south of Busan and east of Tongyeong. The island is mountainous, deeply indented, and naturally sheltered creating excellent small‑craft anchorages and marina pockets. The island’s coastline is a mix of industrial deepwater shipyards (DSME (Okpo), Samsung Heavy Industries (Gohyeon), quiet fishing harbors, protected yacht‑friendly basins and narrow channels with strong tidal flow. Tidal streams can be strong (2–4 knots) in narrow channels, especially between Geoje and Tongyeong.
Geoje Island Yacht Cruising Guide -Ports
These are the most functional, sheltered, and realistic basins for yachts, tenders, and small craft. Jangseungpo Harbor which is a favorite little place. Best all‑weather basin on Geoje because it has deep, fully enclosed natural harbor, with breakwaters that provide complete typhoon shelter, minimal swell even in winter northerlies and although an active fishing harbor but with space for visiting yachts. It is ideal for overnight anchoring, storm refuge shore access to restaurants, supermarkets, hardware stores and so on. I really nice laid back little place.
Okpo Harbor. Industrial but extremely sheltered. It is adjacent to DSME shipyard (where I spent several years, like Disneyland for marine engineers, they do amazing things there), has a large, deep basin with excellent protection but limited leisure berthing, but good for anchoring or waiting. Strong marine‑industry support nearby (engineering, welding, fabrication) if you can get it that is given how busy it is there.
Gujora Bay. This is a scenic, semi‑enclosed bay with a small‑craft harbor. It is sheltered from most directions except SE winds, sandy beaches and tourism infrastructure, a small fishing harbor suitable for tenders and small yachts, good holding in sand with a pebble‑beach bay with a small fishing basin, and good shelter from N, W, and S winds. There is limited depth inside the basin (mostly for local boats) and yachts anchor outside and tender in. Okay for calm‑weather anchorage only
Geoje Yacht School Marina. The closest thing to a dedicated leisure marina on Geoje. It is located in the sheltered waters of Gohyeon Bay, has floating pontoons for small craft and training yachts, good access to town, protected from the weather.
Geoje Island Yacht Cruising Guide -Provisioning (Okpo - Gohyeon - Jangseungpo)
Okpo is the expat‑dense district near the DSME shipyard, making it the easiest place for Western‑style provisioning. Lots of small expat bars, some really good small restaurants and some great bulgogi places. You can get a good coffee here as well and one place we frequented was roasting their own beans daily.
Supermarkets. Multiple mid‑size supermarkets and convenience stores around the market area. We used to drive down to Gohyeon to stock up, also easy by taxi or bus.
Markets: Okpo Traditional Market has covered alleys with fresh vegetables & fruit, local fish and shellfish, butchers with Korean beef & pork, frozen imported meats (lamb, beef), we used to go here almost daily. A lot of the seafood is live and Koreans really prefer this.
Geoje Island Yacht Cruising Guide -Gohyeon
Gohyeon is the island’s largest commercial center and has the biggest traditional market.
Supermarkets. HomePlus which was my preferred place, Lotte Department Store Geoje, Gohyeon Underground Shopping Center
Markets. Gohyeon Traditional Market is the largest market on Geoje. Best selection of fresh fish & seafood, seasonal vegetables, fruit vendors, butchers, dried goods (anchovies, seaweed, spices. The dried seaweed in Korea is exceptional
Geoje Island Yacht Cruising Guide -Jangseungpo
Jangseungpo is a quieter harbor town with a strong fishing identity. Ideal if anchored or berthed in Jangseungpo Harbor. While not as large as Okpo or Gohyeon, Jangseungpo has small fish markets, local produce stalls and small grocery stores. Great for fresh fish straight off local boats
Geoje Island -Diesel Fuel – Okpo
Okpo’s fuel access is straightforward but built around its commercial‑shipyard environment rather than yacht‑specific facilities. There is no yacht fuel dock in Okpo. Diesel is supplied by truck delivery arranged through the marina/harbour office or a local agent. Fuel quality is commercial‑grade, sourced from the same suppliers serving the shipyards. Advance notice is recommended, as deliveries are scheduled around industrial traffic. No self‑service pumps are available for small craft.
Geoje Island Water Supply – Okpo
Potable water is available on the pontoons used by visiting yachts. Pressure and flow are reliable, but fittings vary, so crews should carry adapters. Water is generally included in berth fees for short stays; larger volumes may be metered. Supply is year‑round with no known restrictions
Mechanical and Electrical Repairs
Resource
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Geoje Island Yacht Cruising Guide – Services
Geoje Island’s service network is built around the industrial capacity of Okpo and Jangseungpo, giving visiting yachts access to reliable mechanical and electrical support. Diesel technicians handle routine engine maintenance, cooling‑system issues, fuel‑system troubleshooting, and small‑part fabrication through local workshops linked to the shipyards. Electrical contractors can manage shore‑power faults, battery replacements, charging‑system diagnostics, and general wiring repairs. Most work is arranged through harbor offices, with specialist parts couriered quickly from Busan or Seoul when not available locally.
Geoje Island Yacht Cruising Guide – Summary
Geoje Island offers practical, well‑protected options for yachts moving along South Korea’s south coast. Okpo provides the most reliable berthing, fuel delivery by truck, potable water, and access to mechanical and electrical contractors through the shipyard network. Jangseungpo supports short stays with straightforward mooring and easy provisioning. Anchorages around the island are generally sheltered but influenced by shipyard traffic and local fishing activity. Geoje functions as an efficient staging point for routes toward Busan, Tongyeong, and the Korea Strait. Geoje Island Yacht Cruising Guide for all you need to know.