Jeju Island in My Own Photos: Turquoise Water and Black Lava Cliffs

This post is a little different. Everything on this blog so far starts at Incheon Airport, but today I want to take you south to Jeju Island (제주도, Jeju-do). And this time there are no illustrations. These are photos I took myself on a trip to Jeju in September 2020.

Turquoise water at Hyeopjae Beach on Jeju Island with Biyangdo Island across the sea
Hyeopjae Beach, with Biyangdo Island across the water. Photo: Jay, September 2020

Hyeopjae Beach (협재해수욕장, Hyeopjae Haesuyokjang)

Yes, the water really is that color. Hyeopjae is on the west side of Jeju, right next to Hallim Park, and it's one of the beaches Koreans picture when they think of Jeju.

  • The sand is white and mixed with crushed shells, which is part of why the water looks so bright.
  • The water is shallow and the beach slopes gently, so it's an easy place for families and for people who aren't strong swimmers.
  • The little green island in front is Biyangdo (비양도). It sits close enough that it's in almost every photo you take here.
  • Entry is free, and the beach is open all year. There are showers, changing rooms, toilets and a convenience store nearby.
Wide blue sky over the sea at Hyeopjae Beach with Biyangdo Island on the horizon
Same beach, looking up. Photo: Jay, September 2020

Getting there: bus 202 runs from Jeju Bus Terminal along the west coast and stops at Hyeopjae Beach. Check the live times on Kakao Map or Naver Map before you go, because they change by day and season.
Address: 329-10 Hallim-ro, Hallim-eup, Jeju-si

Jungmun Daepo Coast Jusangjeolli Cliffs (주상절리대, Jusangjeollidae)

Black hexagonal basalt column cliffs at the Jusangjeolli coast on Jeju Island
The basalt columns at Jusangjeolli, seen from the viewing deck. Photo: Jay, September 2020

On the south side of the island, near the Jungmun resort area in Seogwipo, the coast turns black. These are columns of volcanic rock, most of them six-sided, packed together like a giant honeycomb and dropping straight into the sea.

  • Size: the cliffs are about 30 to 40 m high and run for roughly 1 km along the coast.
  • How you see them: a wooden walkway and viewing deck run along the top of the cliffs, so you look down onto the waves breaking against the columns.
  • Admission: ₩2,000 for adults, ₩1,000 for ages 7 to 24 and soldiers.
  • Hours: 09:00 to 17:30, open every day.
  • Parking: ₩1,000 to ₩3,000 depending on the size of the car.
  • Address: 36-24 Ieodo-ro, Seogwipo-si

A few tips

  • They're on different sides of the island. Hyeopjae is on the west coast and Jusangjeolli is on the south coast, so plan them as separate stops.
  • Bring a hat and sunscreen. There isn't much shade at either spot, and the coast gets windy.
  • Go when the sun is out. The turquoise color at Hyeopjae is strongest on a clear day.

Have you been to Jeju? Tell me in the comments which beach I should see next.

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Visitor information from Hyeopjae Beach and Jungmun Daepo Coast Jusangjeolli Cliffs listings (Korea Tourism Organization data). Fees and hours can change, so check before you go.

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