To study the distribution patterns of epiphytic diatom on Porphyra species and ambient water phytoplankton, samples were collected in the Gaeya Island, Kyukpo, and Mokpo of the Yellow Sea from February 1989 to March 1990. Foully species of epiphytic diatoms were observed. Of these, the dominant species of epiphytic diatoms are Limophora dalmatica, L. abbreviata, Melosira nummuloides, Paralia sulcata, Achnanthes javanica var, subconstricta, Grammatophora oceanica, Navicula sp., Synedra sp., Pinnularia sp., Fragilaria striatula, Cocconeis scutellum var. parva. Licmophora dalmatica predominated troughout the study period. Phytoplankton standing stocks were relatively larger than those of other coastal areas in the Yellow Sea, Korea. Distribution patterns of epiphytic diatoms and the ambient water phytoplankton in Gaeya Island were similar to those of Kyukpo, but different from Mokpo.