CreatripTeam

A day at Gubongdo (island) near Daebudo offers a simple seaside escape in autumn: clamming for bay clams (bajirak) on exposed tidal flats at low tide, easy access with free parking, and family-friendly mudflats that suit beginners. Bring a hoe to dig about 5 cm, rinse clams in a sieve on-site, and soak them in seawater for one to two days to purge sand—using bottled seawater helps beginners. More experienced visitors can also find small octopus, green crabs, and shellfish; knee-high boots let you go farther. After clamming, walk parts of the Haesol Trail—sea and mountain routes connect sites like the ‘Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks’ (legendary couple stones), the ant-waist arch bridge that crosses mudflats at low tide, and the Sunset Observatory with a sun-inspired sculpture. The area is known for spring ephemeral flowers (norugwi) and autumn clamming; fishing is prohibited and safety gear is recommended. Gubongdo is celebrated as a modest but rich local travel spot where people can enjoy nature while keeping the coast clean.