Information
Landmark: Udo IslandCity: Jeju Island
Country: South Korea
Continent: Asia
Udo Island, Jeju Island, South Korea, Asia
Overview
Just off Jeju’s eastern shore lies Udo Island, a small gem with quiet beaches and clear, glassy water.People love taking day trips here for the sweeping views, the glassy blue water, and the easy, unhurried vibe.Udo Island is a peaceful break from Jeju’s busy tourist hubs, with quiet beaches where the wind smells faintly of salt and the sea stays clear and calm.Let’s take a closer look at Udo Island-just 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) off Jeju’s coast, it’s a quick ferry ride from Seongsan or Udo Port, with the salty wind in your hair as you approach.Udo covers just 7.6 square kilometers-about the size of a small town-so you can easily explore it in a single day.Ferries to Udo leave often from Seongsan Port, the main hub, and you’ll be across the water in just 15–20 minutes, barely enough time to feel the salt breeze on your face.You can reach it by ferry, with boats leaving often from Seongsan Port-also called Seongsan Ilchulbong Port-just a short walk from the wind-swept cliffs of Sunrise Peak.You can also catch a ferry from Udo Port, where the salt air hangs in the breeze.Once you arrive on the island, you can wander on foot, pedal a rented bike past sandy paths, or zip around in a small electric cart.By car: You can drive right onto the ferry-cars or motorcycles, either one-for a small extra fee, then roll off on the other side and wander the island whenever and wherever you like.Or, if you’d rather, you can hop on a rented scooter or pedal away on a bike that smells faintly of chain oil.Udo Island offers stunning views of Seongsan Ilchulbong, the volcanic Sunrise Peak on Jeju, where the cliffs glow gold in the early light.From the island, you can see the peak at its best-especially at sunrise, when the first light spills gold across the ridges.From Udo, you can see Seongsan Ilchulbong rising like a dark green crown above the sea-a sight that draws more visitors than almost any other on the island.Udo Beach, also called Cheonjin Beach, is a small stretch of soft sand where the water shines a bright, clear turquoise.The beach is perfect for a swim, a lazy stretch on the warm sand, or simply soaking in the quiet hush of the waves.Udo’s beaches stay quieter than Jeju’s, so you can stroll the soft sand without weaving through crowds.One of the best ways to discover Udo Island is to walk the Udo Olle Trail, a coastal path that wraps around the shore, where waves slap the black lava rock and the beaches open to sweeping views of the island’s volcanic cliffs.The trail stretches about 3.6 kilometers, winding past green fields that smell of fresh grass, quiet beaches, and jagged cliffs where the waves crash below.You could rent a bike, an e‑bike, or even a tiny electric car, then follow the coastal road around the island, stopping whenever you like to watch the waves crash against the rocks.Dongbaek (Camellia) Hill sits on the island’s northern edge, where pine-scented breezes roll in from the sea.It takes its name from the camellia trees that burst into bloom during winter, their red petals bright against the frosty air.From the hilltop, you can see the ocean stretching blue and bright to the horizon, and it’s the perfect spot for an easy, unhurried walk.From Udo Lighthouse, you can take in sweeping views of the island and the glittering blue sea stretching to the horizon.Perched on the island’s western tip, it’s a prime spot for photos-especially when the sky turns gold at sunset.Udo Island’s rich, dark soil produces the peanuts that make its peanut ice cream so well-known.Peanut ice cream is a favorite here, sold from little stalls scattered across the island, each one wafting the sweet, nutty scent into the warm air.Visitors shouldn’t miss this-it serves up a one-of-a-kind flavor, rich and warm like freshly baked bread.Another thing you’ll notice on Udo Island is the black goats, their hooves tapping softly on the dirt paths as they wander wherever they please.These goats come from the island, and you’ll often spot them nibbling grass in open fields or wandering along the sandy shore.They’ve come to represent Udo itself, adding a warm touch to the island’s charm-like the bright splash of fishing nets drying in the sun.While you’re on Udo Island, hop on a rented bike or an electric scooter and cruise past stone walls and sea-sprayed fields-it’s one of the best ways to see the place.Several rental shops cluster near the ferry terminal, and grabbing a bike from one is a fun way to zip along the docks.Snorkeling and Diving: The shallow, crystal-clear waters around Udo Island are perfect for slipping on a mask and spotting bright fish just below the surface.Visitors can dive beneath the surface to find a world of darting fish and coral glowing in shades of red and gold.Horseback riding is offered in certain parts of the island, giving visitors a lively way to roam its quiet fields and winding trails.Udo Island bursts with natural beauty, from windswept fields of green to jagged black volcanic rock and soft, pale beaches where the waves lap gently.Gentle hills ripple across the land, their green slopes meeting a sky washed in soft light, creating a calm, picture-perfect setting that draws nature lovers and anyone eager to slip away from Jeju’s crowded tourist hubs.Udo is a volcanic island, its cliffs and dark, craggy slopes carved from ancient lava flows.Jagged cliffs and rugged shores catch the light just right, making them a dream for any photographer.Spring, from April to June, is the perfect time to explore Udo Island-mild breezes brush your face, and fields burst with blooming flowers.Summer, from July through August, is ideal for hitting the beach, with warm sand under your feet-but expect bigger crowds.From September to November, autumn paints the island in fiery reds and golds, and visitors flock here to take it all in.Winter, from December through February, can be brisk enough to make your breath puff white, yet it’s a quietly beautiful time to visit-perfect if you’d rather skip the crowds.Getting Around Udo on Foot: The island’s small enough to circle in a day, but if you’re chasing every hidden cove and café, your legs will feel it by sundown.Bikes and scooters: Grab a regular bike, an e-bike, or a scooter, and you can zip around the island with ease, feeling the warm breeze on your face.You’ll find several rental shops just steps from the ferry terminal, their signs bright against the harbor breeze.You can rent a small electric car on Udo, zip along the coast with the windows down, and take in the island’s views in comfort.In short, Udo Island is a tucked‑away treasure where you can trade Jeju’s crowded streets for quiet beaches and the sound of waves rolling onto pale sand.Udo’s got golden beaches, rolling green hills, and one-of-a-kind spots that make it ideal for a day’s adventure or a laid-back escape.You can wander its quiet hiking trails, stretch out on sun‑warmed beaches, or savor a scoop of creamy peanut ice cream, and Udo Island will still leave you with a memory you won’t forget in its calm, untouched beauty.
