In South Korea, the sea opens twice a year for just one hour. This is the miracle of Jindo, when thousands of people cross the sea on foot.

The story of Moses parting the Red Sea has been told for millennia, and a real-life event in South Korea brings a similar scene to life. A few times each year, the waters between Jindo and Modo islands retreat, revealing a temporary land bridge that allows people to walk from one island to the other.

This natural occurrence, known as the Jindo Sea Parting, has been observed for generations and continues to draw large crowds eager to witness it. The event takes place between March and June, with the sea withdrawing for about an hour, creating a path nearly 2.8 kilometers (1.7 miles) long and 40 to 60 meters (131 to 197 feet) wide. Thousands of visitors make the crossing on foot before the waters return.

Those who start too late may find themselves wading through ankle-deep mud or knee-high water as the tide gradually reclaims the land. While this tidal event was long known in Korea, it gained international attention in 1975 when French Ambassador Pierre Landy compared it to the biblical account of Moses, bringing global curiosity to the phenomenon.

A festival accompanies this occurrence, featuring traditional performances, music, and local food. Many visitors arrive wearing boots or waders, some carrying flags or walking hand in hand across the exposed land. Beyond being a spectacle, the event holds cultural significance, connecting people to nature and stories passed down through time.

The Jindo Sea Festival includes drumming performances, shamanistic dances, and folk songs that highlight the relationship between the land, the sea, and the community. A local legend adds to its importance: long ago, tigers roamed Jindo, forcing residents to flee to nearby Modo Island.

One elderly woman, Grandma Bbyong, was left behind. She prayed to the sea god, Yongwang, for help, and one day, the waters withdrew, creating a path for her to reunite with her family. Since then, each time the sea parts, people gather to honor her memory.

While the legend gives the event a meaningful narrative, science explains the phenomenon as a result of tidal harmonics. The gravitational forces of the sun and moon, combined with the region’s unique geography, cause the temporary lowering of the water level, exposing the land bridge at specific times of the year.

Similar events occur in other parts of the world, but Jindo’s sea parting stands out due to its deep connection with local traditions. Walking across the ocean floor during this event offers a rare opportunity to participate in a cultural practice that blends natural forces, community gathering, and historical storytelling.