Elderly women in South Korea still dive for a living—without breathing tanks.
They are the *haenyeo*, or “sea women,” of Jeju Island. Some continue this demanding work into their 70s and even 80s, diving to the ocean floor to collect abalone, sea urchins, seaweed, and other marine life.
Some descend as deep as 33 feet (10 meters), holding their breath for about a minute at a time. When they return to the surface, they release their breath with a distinctive whistling sound.
Their skills are built on decades of experience.
They know the underwater terrain, recognize marine life, and understand the changing conditions of the sea. This knowledge is passed down to younger generations, while local fishing cooperatives help manage harvesting practices.
For generations, haenyeo have supported their families and played an important economic and social role in Jeju’s communities.
In 2016, UNESCO recognized their diving culture as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Today, this centuries-old tradition continues, although the diving population is aging and fewer young women are entering the profession.
