Jeju Island Travel Guide: Volcanoes, Flowers and Coast
Golden Tropics Travel · Updated
Jeju is a volcanic island off Korea's southern coast, with black-rock beaches, green craters and a gentler climate than Seoul. It is a favourite for families and couples, and easy to combine with a few days on the mainland.
Volcanic landscapes
Much of Jeju is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its volcanic landscape.
- Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak): a crater rising from the sea, about a 20–30 minute climb to the rim
- Hallasan, South Korea's highest mountain, with marked trails of different lengths
- Manjanggul, a lava tube cave you can walk through
- Jusangjeolli, hexagonal basalt columns along the south coast
Coast and islands
A short ferry ride from Seongsan takes you to Udo, a small island known for its peanut ice cream and clear water. Along Jeju's coast you may see the haenyeo, women divers who still harvest seafood by hand. The south coast around Seogwipo has waterfalls such as Cheonjiyeon and Jeongbang, which falls straight into the sea.
Seasons
- Spring: yellow canola fields and cherry blossoms, usually from mid-March to early April
- Summer: warm beaches, but the rainy season and typhoons can bring wet weather
- Autumn: silver grass on the oreum (volcanic hills), usually from October
- Winter: milder than the mainland, with tangerine picking and camellias; Hallasan is often snow-capped
Food and practical tips
- Jeju is known for fresh seafood, abalone porridge, tangerines and hallabong oranges.
- Jeju black pork is a local speciality, so check dishes before ordering if you avoid pork.
- Halal restaurants are few; tell us your dietary needs when you book.
- Entry rules for flights straight to Jeju can differ from the rest of Korea; we will confirm what your trip needs.