Distributional characteristics of dinoflagellate cysts in surface sediments were investigated in relation to environmental factors in the eastern part of Geoje Island, Korea. Samples were collected from 10 stations in February of 2004 and water temperature and salinity were measured in February, May, September and November of 2004. Total 30 taxa of dinoflagellate cysts were identified representing 19 genera, 28 species and 2 unidentified species. Among these dinoflagellate cysts, Brigantedinium spp. of which relative proportion in th e total dinoflagellate cysts was 23.5%, was the most abundant at all stations except St. 1, and was followed by Spiniferites bulloideus (8.6%), Lingulodinium machaerophorum (8.2%) and Diplopsalis lenticula (6.7%). In addition, ellipsoidal cysts of the genus Alexandrium (Alexandrium catenella - tamarense type) and Gymnodinium catenatum, known to be causative organisms for PSP, occurred with high concentrations. Scrippsiella trochoidea was also found; however, its cyst concentration was low. Generally, species composition in the study area was similar to these reported from Jinhae Bay and Busan Harbor and several dinoflagellate cysts reflected the eutrophic condition. Cyst distribution in th e eastern part of Geoje Island seems to be influenced by the Tsushima Warm Current flowing from the southwest. The mean water temperature was $12.0^{circ}C$ in February, $14.7^{circ}C$ in May, $20.9^{circ}C$ in September and $17.2^{circ}C$ in November, which was most favorable for Alexandrium spp. growth. The abundances of dinoflagellate cysts rang e d from 528 to 2,834 cysts/g dry sediment. Higher concentrations were recognized in sediments of west area of the Jisimdo than at other stations. The cyst composition of this area was closely related to these of Jinhae Bay and Busan Harbor from which currents flow into this area. Higher cyst concentration in the west area of Jisimdo might be due to formation of the gyre.