Things to do on Udo Island, the Happiest Place on Earth!

Udo, or Cow Island as the locals call it, is just 3.5 km off the north-eastern coast of Jeju. It is a small island surrounded by emerald blue seas, pristine beaches and breathtaking landscapes swarming with happy holiday makers.

I have not been to Bhutan (ranked No. 1 in happiness in a CNN report), but Udo tops my list as the Happiest Place on Earth.

Getting There

The ferry ride from Jeju to Udo takes only 15 minutes. The passenger-cum-car ferry leaves every 30 mins from Seongsan Port (GPS no 7825671) and Jongdal Port. The most frequent route is between Seongsan and Cheonjin. Refer to this article for more details on ferry schedule and fares to Udo Island.

If you’re planning to bring a car over to Udo Island, watch the video below to see exactly how vehicles are loaded onto the ferry. The process can look a little daunting at first especially since you’ll typically need to reverse onto the ferry deck but it’s very well managed. Trained ushers are on hand to guide you step by step, helping you align your vehicle safely.

Update: Due to the large number of tourists visiting the small island, entry of passenger cars and rental cars is now restricted.

Driving to Udo is possible only if one of the following conditions are met:

• When accompanied by Seniors (65 years and older)
• When accompanied by children under 7 or pregnant women
• In cases of disability or other reasons making public transport difficult
• Those planning to stay overnight in Udo (requires accommodation reservation details)
• Vehicles for business or other special purposes

Admission Fees to Udo Island

Car Ferry Charges to Udo Island

The short journey can be choppy depending on weather, but seasickness should not be an issue. The fun starts right on the ferry as can be seen by these day trippers happily feeding seagulls along the way.

Important:

• Bring your passport. It is required for passenger manifest registration when buying ferry tickets.
• As you might be carried away merrily exploring the beautiful island be reminded that the last ferry back from Udo varies depending on season.

Map of Udo Island

How Long Should I Spend on Udo

A quick tour of the island using personal mobility typically takes about 3 hours, while a more leisurely visit (including stops for swimming or dining) usually requires 4 to 5 hours. If you plan to explore the Udo Olle Trail, keep in mind it is 11.3 kilometers (approximately 7 miles) long.

To enjoy Udo, do it at a leisurely pace. This will take around 6 hours with time for lunch and a cup of coffee or ice cream at Jimmy’s, picnic at one of the beaches or have a dip in the crystal clear waters of Seo-Bin-Baek-Sa in summer.

If you have more time, spend a night on the island. There are small pensions available but do not expect too much in terms of quality and comfort.

There is a certain atmosphere on the island that just makes everything seem calm, relaxed, and happy. So take your time.

Getting Around Udo Island

The best way to get around Udo Island depends on your preference for flexibility versus convenience, as the use of rental cars from the mainland is generally restricted. The two primary ways to explore the island are using personal mobility vehicles or the local bus system.

1. Personal Mobility Vehicles (Bicycles, Scooters, E-Bikes & Tricycles)

Renting a small electric vehicle is a popular choice for those wanting an “adventure” and the freedom to stop wherever they like along the coastal road.

Options: You can rent two-seater electric cars (including versions with a child seat), open-type or single-seater vehicles, and e-bikes. There are even five-seater electric cars available now. Whichever mode of transport you choose I’m sure you’ll feel the happiness in the air 😀.

Note: Motorised vehicles like scooters require a driving permit if you are a local or an International driving permit if you are a foreigner.

Cost: While prices vary by store, a rough estimate is approximately ₩30,000 for a 3-hour rental or ₩40,000 for a full-day pass.

Considerations: These vehicles are convenient for parking and photography but can be slow. You must also be cautious as you will be sharing the island’s single road with larger buses and cars.

2. Island Bus Tours

For those who prefer not to drive, the island offers a convenient bus system. This incurs waiting time and could get crowded on busy days. At popular attractions you may not get on the bus so you may have to wait for subsequent buses.

The bus operates two routes – one route focuses on major tourist attractions, while the other follows the coastal road. Both routes run at 20-minute intervals. The direction of travel changes daily: they run counter-clockwise on odd-numbered days and clockwise on even-numbered days. Purchasing a bus pass allows for unlimited use of both routes all day.

Operating Hours: Buses generally stop running around 5:00 p.m., though the exact time for the last bus varies by season.

View of Udo from a scooter:

We travelled along the coast starting from Cheonjin Port in an anti-clockwise direction. It’s hard to believe this small island has so much to offer. This place invoked a feeling that says don’t rush right from the moment we stepped off the ferry. So we took a leisurely drive with windows down to enjoy the cool spring breeze and the beautiful scenery.

Along the way we stopped by Jimmy’s Ice-Cream, popular with tourists for its creamy ice cream topped with locally grown peanuts Udo is famous for. Not to be missed.

There are many restaurants in Udo so we were spoilt for choice. Since the weather was nice we decided to order takeaway burger and fries from a small cafe and had a picnic lunch by a gazebo near Biyang-do overlooking the Sea of Japan. After lunch we spent most of our time at picturesque Geommeolle Beach sipping coffee at Dennis Cafe to enjoy the panoramic view. The cafe is fully air-conditioned, great for cooling off on a hot day.

What to See on Udo

Here are some interesting places to visit:

• Hu-Hae-Seok-Byeok: Unique 20m high vertical cliff which has well aligned faults looking like neatly stacked rock pieces.
• Seo-Bin-Baek-Sa: Beach with fine white sand and emerald blue sea on the west coast of Udo
• Ji-Du-Cheong-Sa: Lush green grassland leading up to 132m high Udo Peak. A gradual trek up to the lighthouse and observatory at the top with spectacular views of the surrounding and Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak) in the distance.

  

• Biyang-Do: Interesting black pebble island with a yellow-and-black lighthouse connected by a narrow road to Udo.
• Geommeolle Beach: Black sand beach surrounded by unique rocky cliffs. Go an a Jetboat tour to enjoy splendid views around the bay and through the Dongangyeonggul Cave.

• 

• Dong-An-Gyeong-Gul Cave: Cliff with a cave at the end of Geommeolle Beach. Accessible only at low tide.
• Ju-Gan-Myeong-Wol: Another unique cave where the sun reflects off the water onto the wall of the cliff in the morning forming the shape of the moon.

We could not cover all the recommended places of interest in the brochure. To fully appreciate Udo Island and all it has to offer would require more than a day. Always a good excuse to come back again 😀.

Car ferry to Udo Island

White coral sand beach, Udo

Dennis Cafe @ Geommeolle Beach - Cafe with a view

Geommeolle Beach, Udo

Dennis Cafe at Geommeolle Beach

Biyang-Do, Udo Island

Accommodation we stayed in on our Jeju trips:

➡️ The Whistle Lark in Jeju City is a 4-star modern hotel situated on the northern part of the island with ocean view rooms. Room was clean and bright and a nice cafe next to the hotel. Nice shower with strong water pressure. Within walking distance to Black Port Street and Jeju Dongmun Market.

➡️ The Island Blue Hotel is a 4-star hotel situated in the Seogwipo part of Jeju. Convenient location close to eateries and a good base for visiting major attractions in the South of the island. Just 2 mins walk to black pork street and raw fish street, 8 mins walk to Jungang Underground Shopping Street and 10 mins walk to Dongmun Market.

➡️ The Ocean Palace Hotel is a bit old but the rooms are huge and clean with recent renovation. Great location with views of the ocean from higher floors.

Alternatively you may book your Jeju accommodation using the our travel partner Agoda:

Related Posts on Jeju:

• 9-day Self-Guided Trip to Jeju
• Hiking the Seongpanak Trail to Hallasan
• Cheapest Flight From Singapore to Jeju
• Ferry schedule and fares to Udo
• Driving in Jeju
• GPS Tel numbers for driving in Jeju
• Flight from Gimpo to Jeju

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KK Yong

Co-Founder at TakingFlights.com

Former aircraft engineer now a web solutions provider who believes in making the web beautiful one site at a time. Also a keen photographer he enjoys capturing and documenting his travels for the benefit of fellow travelers.

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