Last Updated on April 8, 2022
It was just weeks before we were supposed to PCS (aka move) out of South Korea and back to the states. One of the top things on our South Korea bucket list was to visit Jeju Island, and we hadn’t done it yet. Thankfully, we had a long weekend coming up for the 4th of July and our squadron decided to go on a weekend trip to Jeju Island. This is how we spent 3 days in Jeju!
First off, where is Jeju Island and how do I get there?
Jeju Island is a small island off the southern coast of South Korea. It is a little over 700 square miles (pretty similar to the size of Maui!).
There are a few ways to get to Jeju Island:
Flying to Jeju
This is probably the easiest method of getting to Jeju Island. Many, if not most, of the airports in South Korea have flights to Jeju (even the small, local airports!). No need to drive up to Incheon Airport! The flights typically take about an hour.
Quick [not-so-funny] story: We visited Jeju when we were stationed at Kunsan Air Base in Gunsan, South Korea. Usually the airport right off base flies into Jeju, but due to Covid, flights were cancelled over the dates we were planning to go.
So, we purchased tickets to fly out of Gwangju, BUT there happened to be a Covid outbreak in Gwangju that happened the night before we were supposed to leave. Therefore, the city of Gwangju was off limits to all military personnel.
Last minute we ended up having to purchase new tickets out of Jeonju instead.
Thankfully, we were able to get new tickets quite easily, but we lost out on our other tickets (I think we learned our lesson to ALWAYS purchase travel insurance regardless of how big or small our trip is).
Drive + Ferry to Jeju
If you happen to be down on the southwest coast of South Korea, taking a ferry is another option. Many people opt to take the car ferry so they can travel with a set of wheels (which is highly recommended for exploring Jeju). The car ferry leaves out of Mokpo, South Korea and takes approximately 4 hours.
Train or Bus to Airport or Ferry
Remember if you don’t have a car, South Korea has a great public transportation system, such as trains that can get you to a nearby airport or down to the ferry to get to Jeju Island.
Should I rent a car?
YES! If you are not shipping your own car over via ferry, I highly recommend you rent a car upon arrival. Jeju Island is fairly large and it’s quite difficult to get around without a car.
Unless you plan on sticking around the airport area, most attractions are spread out around the island.
What are the things to do on Jeju Island?
There is a wide variety of things to do on Jeju Island. Many people consider Jeju to be the “Hawaii” of South Korea. Though, unfortunately, I don’t think it’s quite as tropical and lush as people would think an island to be.
There are, however, plenty of beaches, amazing hikes, a volcano, caves, waterfalls, and good food – as well as a ton of museums and activities for everyone in the family.
3-Day itinerary of Things to Do in Jeju:
DAY 1 – Things to do in Jeju:
Go for a hike
There are plenty of options for hiking on Jeju Island. One of the most popular hiking spots is Mount Hallasan, a shield volcano and tallest mountain in South Korea. There are lots of hiking trails on Mount Hallasan, including a few to take you up to the summit.
Visit waterfalls
There is not a lack of waterfalls on Jeju Island. The only teeny tiny thing you need to note is that you may show up to a waterfall without, well… water actually falling.
On our trip, we unfortunately ran into this issue. The hike to the “waterfall” was still absolutely gorgeous, but was lacking the main performance.
This can vary due to recent amounts of rainfall and different times of the year.
Grab lunch at Magpie Brewing Co.
Magpie Brewing Co. is a perfect spot to stop for some bites and beer. Try to get there early as sometimes they will run out of food items (such as pizza dough).
Visit a quirky museum
You won’t have a problem finding one of these. Jeju Island is home to tons of quirky museums – from Jeju Loveland to the Teddy Bear Museum, and even Hello Kitty Island, you’ll surely be entertained.
Try some local seafood
I’m not a huge seafood fan, but from others in my group who enjoy seafood, they all seemed to love it! Caught fresh right off the island, you won’t have a problem finding a spot to get your fish fix.
DAY 2 – Things to do in Jeju:
Eat some amazing food at Charlie’s Food & Coffee Factory
Fuel-up before a big afternoon of surfing with some delicious food at Charlie’s Food & Coffee Factory. They have some amazing pizza (and will even serve it with a side of black truffle salt if you ask!).
Take surfing lessons
Never been surfing and want to try? Or maybe you’ve got a little experience but need some brushing up on your skills. Head to Jungmun beach to meet up with your surf instructor for a few hours of catching the waves.
Note that it was a bit difficult for us to get in touch with a surf school. We ended up having to stop by a shop near the beach to confirm that we could get an English-speaking instructor. They were able to set-up our lessons for the same day. (Though, I suggest trying to call or email a place ahead of time still).
Watch surfers at The Cliff
Rather than getting tossed around in the sea, head to The Cliff for a cliff-side cocktail while you watch the surfers below. If you choose to surf beforehand, this is a great spot to cheers to a great day out in the waves…or numb the pain of being tackled by the waves.
The Cliff also has a decent selection of appetizers and food if you’re in need of some fuel before dinner.
Have Dinner at South Bounder
Make sure you save room for dinner at South Bounder. This brewery serves local beer and delicious food (especially the burgers!). Get the smoked burger on the squid ink bun – it was delicious and came out with such a cool presentation!
DAY 3 – Things to do in Jeju:
Grab breakfast at Su Casa
This breakfast/brunch spot is a must-try! Su Casa (it may come up as Sukasa on Korean maps) is quite small, so try to get there early or make reservations. Definitely order the avocado toast with poached eggs – you won’t be sorry!
Head to Udo Island for the day
This day-trip is so much fun! Take the ferry to Udo Island and rent either scooters, bikes, or a scooter with a side-car. Drive around the island and make stops along the way at your leisure.
Some points-of-interest on Udo Island include beaches, restaurants, peanut ice cream shops, peanut fields, divers, souvenir shops, and more!
Where to stay on Jeju Island?
This really depends on what things you are wanting to do on your trip. The island is fairly large and generally requires a car to get around.
I suggest figuring out what activities you are interested in doing first, then look at nearby areas to stay in. There are plenty of Airbnbs on the island, as well as hotels and hostels – something for any budget! Feel free to contact us for recommendations or booking!
When is the best time to visit Jeju Island?
Spring:
If you are hoping to catch some cherry blossoms in bloom, plan to head to Jeju Island the first week of April or so.
The spring months can be very pleasant in Jeju, but temperatures can also be chilly.
Summer:
The summer months in Jeju are quite appealing to visitors. Beaches are open, surfing, diving, and swimming are popular activities, and the weather is hot! The downfall is that Jeju can get a lot of rain during summer months – especially July through October.
If you do plan to visit Jeju Island during the summer, aim to go in June.
Fall:
Visiting Jeju in the fall months can be a beautiful time to see the island. The colors are changing, the rainy season is coming to an end, and tangerine farms are open to the public.
Note that fall tends to be on the chilly side. Plan to bring lots of layers.
Winter:
Winter in Jeju can be cold, but also drier than other months. There is still a lot to do, such as hiking and visiting a plethora of museums.
Overall, I’d recommend visiting Jeju Island during May, June, or October – warmer weather, less rainfall, and more things to do.
Military Spouse Travel Tip:
Jeju Island is a great spot for a military spouse getaway, pink flag, or squadron trip. It’s quite easy to get to from Kunsan Air Base, Osan Air Base, or Camp Humphreys. There are also houses or even whole hostels you can rent out so everyone can stay together!
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