Off the southern coast of Korea lies Jeju Island, a volcanic island known for wind-swept cliffs, citrus groves, and one of the most remarkable cultural traditions in the world: the Haenyeo divers.
These women, many of whom are in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s, dive into the cold ocean without oxygen tanks to harvest abalone, seaweed, and shellfish. Watching them emerge from the water, breathing out their distinctive sumbisori whistle, it’s hard not to wonder: how do they maintain such vitality well into old age?
For decades, researchers have tried to answer that question. While their physical activity certainly plays a role, the real story is more complex. Their longevity seems to come from a combination of food, environment, community, and rhythm of life, a set of habits that modern life has largely forgotten.
A Life Built Around the Ocean
One of the most interesting things about the Haenyeo of Jeju isn’t just what they eat, but the way they live. Many of these women are still diving into the ocean well into their 70s and even 80s, gathering abalone, seaweed, and shellfish from the rocky seabed. They wake up early, head out to the water together, and spend hours moving with the tides. It’s hard work, but for them it’s also simply part of life.
For many Haenyeo, diving isn’t just a job. It’s something they’ve done for decades. It keeps them active, connected to their community, and tied to the place they call home. There’s a rhythm to it, the ocean, the seasons, the group of women they dive with. That kind of routine and sense of purpose may be more important for health than we sometimes realize.
“I can never go back to sitting in an office. When I dive, I come up from the water and witness every season around me from the water and it’s a beautiful feeling.” (Woo, quoted in Henderson, A New Generation of Haenyeo, 2024)
The Haenyeo embody both of these ideas naturally. They stay active because their work requires it, and they keep going because it matters to them. In many ways, their lives are built around simple but powerful things, movement, community, and a deep connection to the ocean.
They also have a very strong community on the island where generations of women know each other, share meals, and gather regularly. The Haenyeo villages are tightly connected, and many of the divers have spent their entire lives alongside the same neighbors and friends. That sense of belonging creates a support system that extends far beyond the ocean.
Research suggests that people with an active lifestyle and a strong sense of purpose tend to live longer and have lower risks of certain diseases. In one long-term study published in Psychological Science, individuals who reported having a clear sense of purpose were significantly less likely to die during the following decade than those who didn’t (Hill & Turiano, 2014). Another large study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that even moderate physical activity later in life is linked to lower mortality and better overall health (Arem et al., 2015).
A Diet Shaped by the Sea
Just as the lives of the Haenyeo are built around the ocean, so too is the food they eat. For generations, meals on Jeju Island have centered on what the surrounding waters and fields provide. Seafood like mackerel, abalone, and shellfish often appear alongside simple vegetable dishes, fermented foods, and grains. The cooking is usually straightforward—braised fish, simmered stews, lightly seasoned vegetables, meals that highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients rather than covering them up.
For many families in Jeju, these foods aren’t considered a special “diet.” They’re simply everyday cooking. Fish caught from nearby waters, vegetables grown locally, and fermented dishes prepared in advance create meals that are both nourishing and deeply tied to place. Over time, this way of eating has become part of the island’s rhythm, much like the tides the Haenyeo follow when they dive.
Research increasingly shows that diets rich in seafood and whole foods can support long-term health. Fish like mackerel provide omega-3 fatty acids that are associated with improved cardiovascular health and reduced inflammation (Mozaffarian & Rimm, 2006). Shellfish such as abalone offer lean protein and essential nutrients including vitamin B12 and iron, which support metabolic and neurological health (National Institute of Fisheries Science, 2021).
Sources
Hill, P. L., & Turiano, N. A. (2014). Purpose in Life as a Predictor of Mortality Across Adulthood. Psychological Science.
Arem, H., et al. (2015). Leisure Time Physical Activity and Mortality. JAMA Internal Medicine.
Mozaffarian, D., & Rimm, E. (2006). Fish Intake, Contaminants, and Human Health. Journal of the American Medical Association.
Park, K. Y., Jeong, J. K., Lee, Y. E., & Daily, J. W. (2014). Health Benefits of Kimchi. Journal of Medicinal Food.
National Institute of Fisheries Science. (2021). Nutritional Composition of Korean Shellfish and Marine Products.
Henderson, E. (2024). A New Generation of Haenyeo. Erin Henderson Photography Blog.