Jeju Islands on a January- is it a good idea?

My friends and I are planning to visit South Korea this January 2012. We included Jeju Islands on our itinerary. But I just realized that January is still winter, therefore it is probably snowing in Jeju Islands. Our main goal was to swim and beach hop, so I guess January is a bad time? Or am I wrong? I came from a tropical country, so I have no idea about winter season and how long they are. Or am I exaggerating? Maybe it is cold on Jeju, but tolerable to go swimming? Please help. And if I am right, when would be the best time to visit Jeju Islands for the sole purpose of swimming? Thank you.

Update: I tried to google and found this from a forum
Quote: "it will not be that cold in Seoul. Seoul is at the same latitude as Richmond, Virgina and its weather is similar to Washington DC's.

Average daily temperature in Jeju at that time is 45F. Jeju has the highest point in South Korea , Mount Hallasan. It will probably be snowing up there, but snow along the coasts is unlikely in early winter. However, it does snow on Jeju during the winter."

I am confused. Please help. Thank you

Edited by: brackenjo

You will NOT be able to swim on Jeju in January. It's way too cold. I was there this January and the highest it got was probably 7 or 8 degrees. If you're from a tropical country, you will be freezing on Jeju in the winter.
I think the weather is suitable for swimming on Jeju from around May to early October, depending on how cold you can handle.

Jason

Thanks Jason. Guess we really do have to change plans. :(

The temperature in Jeju is a little bit higher than in Seoul, but Jeju has piercing winds and lots of rains and snows on wintertime. So I recommend you not to visit Jeju during winter season(Nov. ~ Feb.)
The best time for travelling would be September and October. Hope this help.

Thanks,
Philip

January in Seoul has at times been colder than -20 degrees. It is obviously warmer in Jeju, but still gets below freezing there often. You will not be swimming at all!

I don't know where you found that quote, Seoul does have a low latitude similar to Spain, but temperatures between 0 and -10 are normal in January. In Spain when I lived a winter there you could sit outside with a decent jacket and have a coffee in the winter, they really are not comparable at all.

Hi! I am also planning to go to Seoul and Jeju in January. I understand it's not possible to swim but is it nice to visit anyway? I just want to understand if it's worth to go there even if it's winter. A lot of cities and places are really nice both in summer and in winter, is this the case of Seoul and Jeju?

Thank you!