10 Best Outdoor Adventures on Jeju Island

Jeju Fantasy Bicycle Path is a series of bicycle paths built out of low-traffic roads that circle the island along the coast. The trail takes one to beautiful beaches like Gimnyeong Seongsegi Beach, Hamdeok Seoubong Beach, and Pyoseon Beach, and tourist sites like Soesokkak, Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone, and Songaksan Mountain.

It takes about 15 hours and 30 minutes to circle the entire path, but it is best enjoyed slow, in an itinerary that makes plenty of stops for scenic sites and tea along the way. Because the path follows the shoreline pretty much of its entirety, there's very little incline and challenge to completing the path, even for beginners. So take the chance to cycle leisurely along the unique scenic sites of Jeju Island on Jeju Fantasy Bicycle Path.

Panpo Port, located at the western end of Jeju Island, is a great place to hang out and enjoy snorkeling. The seabed at Panpo Port is made up of sand, which gives the water its characteristic clarity. After the port became famous as a snorkeling site, it is now drawing larger groups of visitors. But snorkeling isn't the only fun to be had at Panpo Port. Because the sea is quite gentle here, it is a great place for youngsters to play in the water.

After getting your fill, why not wrap up your trip with the view of the sunset from Sinchang Windmill Coastal Road? Another great idea is to wrap up your beach outing by noon, and move to Hallim Park to cool off in the afternoon. There, tall palm trees and lush forest trails offer plenty of shade to cool off. If you get peckish from all the fun, simply duck into one of the restaurants around the port.

Hyeopjae Beach is a place to enjoy some quality time in an emerald sea, with the view of Biyangdo Island just out of the reach. At low tide, the sandy beach, glittering with grounded seashells, becomes even more expansive. Water levels become even more shallow, making it perfect for even those who lack the ability to swim to enjoy a dip in the sea. What's more, the beach is also equipped with amenities like changing rooms, shower rooms, and restrooms.

Hyeopjae Beach is also a place to enjoy snorkeling with the fish. The lack of big tides and jellyfish makes the beach especially suitable for those concerned for their safety. From the same reason, one also can enjoy kayaking, jet skiing, banana boats, and other water sports in a safe environment. After spending the day in the sea, you can retreat to the pine forests and grass fields surrounding the beach for a night out camping. What could be more romantic than a night under the stars and the emerald sea?

Hado Beach, located in Hado-ri, Jeju, sees considerably less visitors compared to other beaches on Jeju. This makes it ideal for leisurely stays. Hado-ri is a famous wintering site for migrating birds. It can be reached in approx. 10 minutes by automobile from Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone. The water at the beach is clear and shallow. Hado Beach is not as well equipped with amenities compared to other beaches on Jeju, but this also means that the beach is a great place to enjoy some peace and quiet in an exotic location.

Hado Beach is so clear and transparent that you can see your toes through the water, and the waves are not high, so you can enjoy marine leisure activities such as surfing, fishing kayaking, snorkeling, and pedal boating. What's more, the beach is a great place to do some camping and fishing. To enjoy Jeju's seas without the bustle of popular tourist beaches, we recommend Hado Beach.

Hallasan Mountain is the highest mountain in South Korea at 1,950 meters above sea level. It is home to unique flora and scenery across four seasons. Volcanoes often come with craters, and Hallasan Mountain's crater has a crater lake called Baengnokdam. Local legends say that Hallasan Mountain was made by the giant Seolmundae Halmang, who swept up the earth with her skirt and deposited the earth in a mound, and Baengnokdam Lake was created when she cut off the sharp tip of the mountain.

Despite its height, Hallasan Mountain is not a rocky mountain. This makes it deceptively more accessible than what its height would suggest. There are five hiking trails on the mountain, namely Yeongsil, Eorimok, Seongpanak, Gwaneumsa, and Donnaeko. Hallasan Mountain is most famous for the scene depicting the entire mountain swathed in fall crimson and scene revealing the snowscape of winter. But no matter what time of the year, Hallasan Mountain is sure to offer beautiful scenery.

Seogwipo Submarine is certainly one of the unique experiences to be had on Jeju Island. The ride, which began on Munseom Island of Seogwipo in 1988, has offered a glimpse into the wonders of the sea to many visitors. The things to see here vary by each depth level: At about 10 meters below sea level, seaweed and seashells can be seen, while at about the 20 meter mark, flamboyant species of fish like pearl-spot chromis and rock bream appear, along with diver shows. At about 30 meters below sea level, colonies of soft coral like fan coral can be seen, and at about 45 meters, shipwrecks begin to show up.

Because the tour takes place in, you know, a submarine, the number of guests per session is limited. Make sure to reserve your seat in advance. The actual tour lasts about 30 minutes, but when taking into account all the preparative processes and other steps, one should set aside about an hour and a half. The boarding point for the submarine is located near Cheonjiyeon Falls, so build your itinerary accordingly.

Samyang Black Sand Beach's call to fame is its black sand, said to have positive effects for the human body, clear water, and its humble yet enjoyable setting. As the name suggests, the sand on Samyang Black Sand Beach is black, made up of fine and dark flecks of volcanic rocks and minerals, rather than finely ground seashells. Black sand is said to offer health benefits when heated under the sun, and sand-bathing, namely immersing one's body in a shallow layer of sand, is said to help mitigate rheumatoid arthritis and neuropathic pain. That's why people can be seemingly seen buried under the sand in summer.

If sand-bathing isn't to your liking, you can take shelter under shade sails or take leisurely walks on decked roads. A festival focusing on scuba diving, surfing, and other water sports is held between the end of July and the beginning of August. Fishers will be delighted to note that there are plenty of fishing spots nearby. Enjoy these activities in the unique atmosphere offered by the black sand beach.

The Steel Flower Horse Riding Ranch is a place where you can fulfill your childhood dreams of riding a horse along a beautiful beach. The ranch is beautifully furnished in the decor of forests and flowery meadows. Even if you have never ridden a horse in your life, experts are ready to take care of your safety concerns. If young children are too frightened or find horse riding too difficult, one has the option to feed carrots to the horses instead.

Horse riding here is no half-baked trot; you have a choice between the 1 hour 30 minute-long seaside trekking course and the forest and beach course, 30 to 60 minutes in length. The seaside trekking course can also be experienced 1:1 with an instructor, so this is a perfect place for beginners.

Iho Tewoo Beach is famous for its twin horse lighthouses, one red and the other white, which together make a great centerpiece for photography. At low tide in particular, when water levels are at their lowest, the scenery reveals a seemingly endless white sand beach and “Wondam” structures. Wondam is a traditional fishing device employed uniquely on Jeju, where stone fences are used to trap fish during low tide.

A pine forest can be found to the rear of the sandy beach, offering an ideal place to spread a mat or camp out. The beach is quite close to Jeju City and the airport, making it quite accessible, and is located near amenities like pensions, campgrounds, and carparks. Other notable stores nearby include restaurants serving the freshest catch of the day, so take the opportunity to sample the best of Jeju with the view of the sunset and the twin lighthouses.

Geumoreum, a volcanic cone located in Hallim-eup, is a paragliding site with a great view. Being a volcanic cone standing in solitude amidst relatively flat land, Geumoreum has two high peaks surrounding a crater. Geumoreum is notable for having one of the very rare volcanic cones on Jeju Island to have a volcanic crater lake, named “Wangmae.” The combination of the volcanic crater lake and the view of the scenery and the ridges seen from the peak has made Geumoreum a very popular place for tourists.

Thanks to its gentle slope, Geumoreum can be reached in approx. 15 to 20 minutes along a paved road. At the summit, one has an expansive view of the surrounding neighborhoods, and horses in free roam. What's more, one can try paragliding to enjoy the scenery from the air. Take the opportunity to soar through the sky above a pastoral scene of silver grasses and horses.