To describe vertical distribution of dinoflagellate cysts in bottom sediments from Gwangyang Bay, three short-core sediment samples were collected with a gravity core sampler on 24 August 2001: St. 1 core (27.5 cm) in the northeastern part of the bay, St. 14 core (30.5 cm) in the southwestern part, and St. 16 core (25.9 cm) near Yeosu Sound. Total cyst densities generally decreased from the top of the sediment samples through the bottom. The highest cyst densities were observed at 2-3 cm in St. 1 core, 4-5 cm in St. 14 core, and 0-1 cm in St. 16 core respectavely. Living cysts were observed till the bottom of the sediment samples. The increase of heterotrophic dinoflagellate cyst proportion may indicate that the eutrophication process was recently escalated in the study area.