✔ Meet the famous haenyeo divers and taste fresh seafood from the island
✔ Follow scenic coastal trails and discover the island’s rugged beauty
✔ Visit local markets and try fresh island specialities
Day 1 - Arrival on Jeju
Jeju-do is easy to reach by ferry or plane and offers a completely different pace from the mainland. The airport and Jeju City are located in the north, while you stay in Seogwipo in the south, around an hour’s drive away. As public transport is more limited on the island, a rental car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace and discover Jeju’s beaches, volcanic landscapes and hidden corners. Your hotel has its own parking space, making coming and going easy. At the centre of the island, Hallasan Mountain creates its own microclimate, so you may start your journey surrounded by mist before driving south into bright sunshine. In the evening, take a relaxed stroll through Seogwipo’s local market and try some of the island’s fresh specialities.
Days 2 & 3 - Exploring Jeju
The Jeju Olle Trail is a network of scenic walking routes along the island’s coastline and a wonderful way to experience local life at a slower pace. Follow in the footsteps of the Koreans and stop along the way at small restaurants and cafés, where you can enjoy fresh seafood, fried squid and a cold beer while taking in the views. Jeju is also the perfect place to try fresh abalone, a local speciality. With 21 different routes to choose from, there is a walk to suit every traveller. Route 1, starting near Seongsan Sunrise Peak, is one of the most popular, while Route 6 is easily accessible from your hotel and takes you past highlights including Cheonjiyeon and Jeongbang waterfalls. If you choose to visit Sunrise Peak, make sure you arrive in time to see the sunrise.
The haenyeo are remarkable female divers who, without oxygen tanks, descend to the seabed to collect shellfish, seaweed, octopus and other marine life. If you spot orange buoys floating offshore, chances are the haenyeo are at work below. You have the best chance of seeing them near Seongsan Sunrise Peak on the east coast, around Hado, and in the south near Seogwipo. They spend five to seven hours a day in the water, regularly surfacing with their catch and to warm up. Deeply connected to nature, they carefully protect the ecosystem by, for example, leaving young shellfish untouched. To learn more, attend one of their afternoon demonstrations (when the sea is calm) or visit the dedicated haenyeo museum.
Day 4 - Farwell to Jeju
Time to leave Jeju behind, although if you are not quite ready to say goodbye it is easy to extend your stay a little longer. When you do decide to move on, you can return to the mainland by ferry or take a short domestic flight. If this is the end of your South Korea trip, we will arrange your return flight via Seoul, and as the city has two airports we recommend spending a final night there for a smooth and relaxed journey home.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Island vibe on Jeju - City Accommodation and excursion to south and east Jeju
We find Jeju is easiest to explore by car, giving you the freedom to discover the island at your own pace. But if you’d rather leave the driving behind or prefer the buzz of the city, you’ll stay in a comfortable hotel in Jeju City. To help you see more of the island, you’ll join a guided day trip to the south and east, travelling by bus with a small group of other travellers. Along the way, you’ll discover some of Jeju’s most beautiful scenery and get a feel for what makes this island so special.