Jeju Island is an all-time-beloved tourist destination known for Koreans and foreigners both, for its exotic activities that offer a unique and memorable experience. Jeju Island has things to offer for every type of traveler looking for something different from what you can find in the land of Korean Peninsula.
As you step onto Jeju Island, you’ll be struck by the island’s nature beauty, which includes a diverse range of landscapes, such as volcanic peaks, beaches, waterfalls, and forests. The island is a perfect destination for those who want to explore and discover new cultures, natural beauty, and unique experiences. Jeju Island’s exotic activities offer visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in the island’s unique culture and natural beauty. This article will take you on a journey to explore the most exotic and unique activities, especially for enjoying the nature of Jeju Island.
1. Sanbangsan Mountain Hot Spring
Sanbangsan Mountain Hot Spring is a natural hot spring located at the base of Sanbangsan Mountain, a volcanic cone that is one of the most iconic landmarks on Jeju Island. The hot spring is believed to have formed as a result of volcanic activity on the island, it is also considered to be one of the most beautiful hot springs on Jeju Island due to its location, surrounded by beautiful natural landscapes.
Here is Jeju’s first public hot spring and is a rare carbonated hot spring in Korea. It contains the highest amount of major components such as free carbonic acid, bicarbonate ion, and sodium, which are more than five times higher than those of other hot springs in Korea. From old times, people have said that drinking the water from Sanbangsan Mountain is good for curing illness, high blood pressure, and heart, and still it is said to be effective in treating a variety of skin conditions and other health issues.
The hot spring is surrounded by lush vegetation and rugged cliffs, providing a picturesque setting for visitors to relax and soak in the warm waters. Taking a bath in the hot spring will help you recovering from fatigue accumulated while traveling in Jeju. There is an indoor bath designed with glass inside and an outdoor open-air bath, so it is very good to enjoy bathing while looking at Sanbangsan Mountain and the blue sea of Jeju.
- Address : 192, Sagyebuk-ro 41beon-gil, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
- Hours : Weekday : 06:00 ~ 23:00 , Weekend : 06:00 ~ 23:00
(Jjimjilbang : 06:00~22:00 / Indoor Bath : 06:00~23:00 / Outdoor Bath, Swimming Pool : 10:00~22:00) - Price : Adult 12,000KRW, Youth 5,000KRW
(Additional charge for Jjimjilbang : 2,00KRW / Outdoor Bath : 5,000KRW)
2. Seogiwo Submarine Tour
Seogwipo Submarine Tour takes visitors on a journey beneath the surface of the sea to explore the island’s unique underwater world. It started as the first in Asia and the third in the world in 1988, leading the popularization of submarine tourism and providing opportunities for undersea tourism to many tourists.
Not only the taking the submarine is unique experience, but also the ocean in Seogwipo is known for its clear waters, which allow for excellent visibility. So visitors can expect to see various things out of the submarine’s large windows by depth.
– 10m : various seaweeds, fish and shellfish, jellyfish, etc.
– 20m : a school of colorful fish such as bream and stone bream, and a diver show
– 30m : fan coral, cockscomb coral, and stone coral
– 45m : a shipwreck sunk 40m below sea level, the only tourist submarine in Korea
As the world’s largest tourist submarine tour based on sales and visitors at a single business site, it was certified as the world’s first ISO-9001 and listed in the Guinness Book of Records.
- Address : 40, Namseongjung-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
- Hours : Weekday : 07:20 ~ 18:40 / Weekend : 07:45 ~ 18:50
- Tickets : Adutls 65,000KRW(Older than 14), Child 44,000KRW
- Booking : http://submarine.co.kr/submarine/egovSubmarineList.do
- *Note : Closed when maritime wind warning is in effect
3. Snorkeling at nature ocean pool (for free!)
If you are looking for more adventurous activity to enjoy the nature beauty of Jeju Island, try to find your own snorkeling spots alongside the coastal line, which is called ‘Wondam’. Wondam in Jeju is a kind of a sea pond which a stone wall built on the shore to block the waterway. It was used like a stone net so that fish that were swept away by the waves or ebb tide would naturally become trapped in it and be easily caught.
Nowadays many Wondams around the island are considers to best place for snorkeling. When the ebb tide has passed and the stone wall shows up above the surface of the water, it becomes the natural swimming pool. Some Wondam’s deepest point is deeper than 2m, but it is usually still water up to the waist, so it is a safe water playground without fear of accidents caused by birds, jellyfish, or sharks.
The Jeju sea on a clear day is as beautiful as the Philippines or Hawaii. You can see warm temperate fish, including yellow-striped domes and marsupials. At the shallow Wondams below the knee depth, you can find various marine life such as beetles, crabs, and hermit crabs, so it’s good to bring the children for fun.
- Recommended Wondam Spots
Yeondae Village : 60, Yeondaemaeul-gil, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
Sehwa Beach : 1453, Haemajihaean-ro, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
Panpo Pogu Port : 2877-3, Panpo-ri, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
*Note : Since you can be hurt by stone wall and floor, be sure to wear proper swimming suit and shoes.
