Beautiful Island within an Island, Udo

Udo is often considered a must-visit destination during a trip to Jeju Island. On my recent trip to Jeju, I made sure to include Udo in my itinerary, and once again, I experienced firsthand why this place is so beloved. To sum it up in one phrase: "Sea, sky, nature, and tranquility"—it was all of these combined. 🚢 How to Get to Udo I took a ferry from Seongsan Port. The ferry runs frequently, so you don’t need to worry about timing it perfectly. If you plan to bring a vehicle, there’s an additional fee for that, but I opted to rent an electric scooter to explore the island instead. The ferry ride takes about 15 minutes. 🛵 Touring Udo - Exploring by Electric Scooter As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by the clear skies and the transparent blue sea. While I had seen many photos of Udo, seeing the ocean in person was an entirely different experience. The island isn’t very large, so it takes about 1–2 hours to circle it on an electric scooter. Stopping along the way to explore and take photos was a delightful part of the journey. The first place I visited was Seobin Baeksa, Udo’s iconic beach. The white sand mixed with coral was striking, and the emerald-colored water reminded me of tropical seas in Southeast Asia. I spent some time here taking photos and relaxing with my feet in the water. 📍 Must-Visit Spots • Seobin Baeksa (Coral Beach): A photographer’s paradise. The clean and vibrant sea is a must-see. • Hagosudong Beach: Quieter than Seobin Baeksa, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the view. • Geommeolle Beach: Features black pebbles and dramatic cliffs that create stunning scenery. • Udobong (Cow’s Head Peak): Climbing to the top offers panoramic views of Udo and Jeju Island. Highly recommended on clear days. 🍦 Udo’s Local Delicacies When you think of Udo, peanut ice cream immediately comes to mind! There are many places selling it, making it hard to choose, but I went with a small shop recommended by locals. The rich peanut flavor was delightful, and enjoying it while gazing at the sea made it taste even better. I also tried Udo’s semi-dried horse mackerel, which turned out to be surprisingly good. I had expected typical tourist food, but it was flavorful and paired well with the sauce. 🏝️ Final Thoughts Udo felt less like a tourist destination and more like stepping into another world. It has a unique charm distinct from Jeju’s main island, and on sunny days, it truly feels like a scene from a movie. I highly recommend it to those who prefer peaceful natural settings or want to capture stunning photos of Jeju’s sea. However, during peak season, it can get crowded, so I suggest visiting early in the day to enjoy a more relaxed experience. Spending a day in Udo was an excellent choice during my Jeju trip.