33 beautiful islands to visit in Korea 한국 의 아름다운 33 섬 나라 By Violet Kim , Gigi Ban , Sunny Kim 3 August , 처음 사진 을 접하 는 순간 아름다움 에 감탄 하 면서 이렇게 멋진 섬 들 이 우리 곁 에 있 다는 사실 에 놀랐 어요 더구나 미국 의 CNN 을 통해서 알 았 다는 것 도 신기 하 면서 부끄러웠 어요 한국 에 섬 이 3 , 358 개 나 있 다네요 엄청나 죠 한편 제주도 가 CNN 이 선정 한 세계 7 대 경관 에 뽑혔 다는 사실 ~~ 우리 가 몰랐 던 아름다운 한반도 섬 들 을 소개 합니다 1 . Seonjaedo ( 선재도 ) < 인천시 옹진군 영흥면 > Magic ? Not unless you think the gravitational pull of the moon is magic . But magical ? Definitely . Many are familiar with Moses dividing the Red Sea , but this biblical story has its own , more scientifically plausible version on Seonjaedo . At low tide , the ocean parts to reveal a sandy path from Seonjaedo to the smaller satellite island of Mok . Who knew the city of Incheon , best known for its airport , had such a patch of natural beauty ? 2 . Sinuido ( 신의도 ) < 전남 진도군 조도면 > The entire ocean may be filled with salt , but some islands are just better at getting the stuff out of it . Sinuido , which was featured in a 2008 episode of the KBS 2 channel ' s travel program , " 1 night 2 days " ( 1 박 2 일 ) , is the largest producer of sea salt in South Korea . One visits this island not for the fishing , hiking or swimming -- but rather , to gawk at the surreal mounds of salt in the salterns , waiting to be harvested . 3 . Hongdo ( 홍도 ) < 전남 신안군 흑산면 > We ' d be worried that the boat looks like it ' s about to run aground , but we ' re too busy gawking at the viThe rocky , diminutive ( 6 . 47 square kilometers ) Hongdo , with its killer sunrises and wealth of peculiar rock formations , has been likened to a flower floating on the water . Named for the crimson light that envelops the entire island at sunset ( hong is Korean for " crimson "), Hongdo ' s 6 . 47 square kilometers is home to about 270 subspecies of evergreen and about 170 species of animals . 4 . Cheongsando ( 청산도 ) < 전남 완도군 청산면 > Cheongsando is part of the Dadohae Maritime National Park . It was also a filming location for the 1993 movie " Seopyeonjae , " as well as the 2006 K - Drama " Spring Waltz . " With turtledoves and black coral , mountain goats and clean seas , it ' s not surprising that in the past people once ( well , more than once ) fought over possession of Cheongsando . It also doesn ' t hurt that the fishing is superb , with abalone porridge and hoe ( raw fish ) as local specialties . 5 . Ulleungdo ( 울릉도 ) < 경북 울릉군 울릉읍 > Dodong Port on Ulleungdo . For the enterprising rock climber , the steep shoreline cliffs offer views worth the climb . This popular vacation destination is the major fishery of the eastern coast -- that is , even more so than all the other coastal fishing villages along Korea ' s peninsular shoreline . This , as we know by now , translates into good seafood . Ulleungdo ' s signature catch is the cuttlefish . Otherwise the island is packed with dazzling little nooks -- caves , waterfalls , seaside walks and ancient trees -- all very well - equipped for visitors . 6 . Deokjeokdo ( 덕적도 ) < 인천 옹진군 덕적면 > Thanks to latitude and lumpy ground , it ' s not the best place to tan . But the water looks inviting . Deokjeokdo ' s formula of forest , mountain and shore may not be anything particularly new , but it works . Near Incheon , this northern island of mud flats , pebbled beaches and 300 - year - old pines can nonetheless hold its own in a beauty contest against some of South Korea ' s better - known southern beauties . 7 . Uido ( 우이도 ) < 전남 신안군 도초면 > Want sand ? Here ' s your spot . We already have an island that looks like a cow ( Udo ) . But who knew ? We also have the Yellow Sea ' s Uido , Uido meaning " cow ear . " And while this resemblance is even more tenuous , Uido also has beaches for swimming and fishing , and a rather famous sand dune . 8 . Ganghwado ( 강화도 ) < 인천시 강화군 강화읍 > Amazing how long you can entertain yourself with a bit of mud . As the fifth largest island in Korea , Ganghwado , accessible via a short drive over a bridge , doesn ' t really feel like an island . Its main attractions are its many mountains , rather than its beaches -- the tallest and most popular being 468 - meter Mount Mani . Not to say there aren ' t other activities : You can check out the 120 - odd dolmen at the foot of Mount Goryeo , which date back to the Bronze Age , or roll around in the mud flats . 9 . Wando ( 완도 ) < 전라남도 완도군 완도읍 > K - Drama fans can revisit locations where quasi - historical fantasy drama " Emperor of the Sea " ( Haeshin ) was filmed . The " Wan " in Wando means " to smile broadly . " Easily done on Wando -- from hiking to the top of 644 - meter Sanghwang Peak ( or any of its lesser neighboring peaks ) to fishing . The island , from beach to peak , is bustling and wonderfully scenic . 10 . Jukdo ( 죽도 ) < 경북 울릉군 죽도 > Ulleungdo ' s pocket - sized neighbor Jukdo ( " bamboo island "), lies about 20 minutes by ferry from Dodong Port . While it may be a difficult and lonely place to live , lacking its own water source ( water is either collected rainwater or water brought over from neighboring Ulleungdo ) and difficult to come and go ( the only entrance to the island is a spiral staircase of 365 steps ) , Jukdo ' s attractiveness lies in its tranquil seclusion -- its current population is two . 11 . Geojedo ( 거제도 ) < 경남 거제시 > Geojedo ' s attractions are more picnic - pretty than majestic . With a prospering tourist industry , Geojedo , the second largest island in Korea ( second only to Jejudo ) , while smack at the center of the beaten track , is remarkably clean and well preserved . Representative attractions include the grassy green hill by the sea , " The Hill of the Wind , " and Hakdong Black Pearl Mongdol Beach , where the beach is composed of round , black pebbles that make muted jangling noises when the waves splash against the shore . More on CNNGo : 10 reasons travelers can ' t keep away from Jeju IslandJeju : Asia ' s new best weekend getaway ? 12 . Oedo ( 외도 ) < 경남 거 제시 외도 >" Paradise " no longer seems like such a cheesy description -- just an accurate definition . Although but four kilometers away from Geojedo , the subtropical Oedo was once a lonely , craggy place without electricity . Today it is one huge ( over 132 square kilometers ) botanical garden with over 3 , 000 species of exotic plant life and fetching Western - style buildings and sculptures , a regular backdrop for K - Dramas and often called a " paradise . " 13 . Somaemuldo ( 소매물도 ) < 경남 통영시 한산면 > Somaemuldo ' s fame comes from a technically separate , adjacent island . Not good for Somaemuldo ' s ego . But good for tourism . Somaemuldo , one of Hallyeo Hasesang ( Maritime ) National Park ' s main attractions , actually owes a great deal of its popularity to another tiny island right off its own coast . The " Deungdaeseom " or " Lighthouse Island " is nonetheless still considered a part of Somaemuldo , much in the same way that even if you eat a cookie crumb , you ' re still kind of eating the cookie . Speaking of cookies -- Somaemuldo ' s Lighthouse Island is also known for being featured in an advertisement for " Couque D ' asse , " a Korean biscuit snack . 14 . Udo ( 우도 ) < 제주시 우도면 > Seobin Baeksajang , or Seobin White Beach , on Udo . No , that amazing turquoise water isn ' t the product of Photoshop . Udo has Korea ' s only coral beach ( Seobin Beach ) , black lava cliffs and a lighthouse with a view of the surrounding countryside . It is also known for its haenyeo ( " sea women ") -- tough , resilient female divers who traditionally made their living ( and their families ' livings ) by diving for abalone and shellfish . 15 . Seonyudo ( 선유도 ) < 전북 군산시 옥도면 > Seagull - shaped sandbar in foreground . We swear , from the air it looks more seagull - like . Seonyudo , named for its 100 - meter mountain , Seonyu Peak , which supposedly resembles two gods playing Go ( baduk ) with each other , packs a lot of view . Popular sights are the sunset , the three tiny uninhabited islands tucked into a cove literally a stone ' s throw away , the autumn leaves of Weolyeong Peak , the sandbar shaped like a seagull , the beach in the moonlight , and Mangju Waterfull . 16 . Bogildo ( 보길도 ) < 전남 완도군 보길면 > Seyeonjeong , poetry pavilion . For a hermitage , this place is pretty fancy . Bogildo , covered in evergreens , is best known as the home of Joseon - era poet Yun Seon - do and his remaining relics . Best known amongst Yun ' s relics is Seyeonjeong , a pavilion in which he composed poetry , built over a pond he dug . The name means " to wash away the grime of the world . " 17 . Gageodo ( 가거도 ) < 전남 신안군 흑산면 > Gageodo . The name actually sounds funny in Korean , too . Gageodo is famous for its beautiful , rocky seashores and insanely good fishing . While in some ways it ' s similar to the other islands along this coast , with the rocks and the fishing communities , the isolation is what sets Gageodo apart . Literally . 18 . Geomundo ( 거문도 ) < 전남 여수시 삼산면 >" Geomundo " means " great literacy , " but visitors come for the view . This is not the kind of seascape that inspires you to go inside and read . Geomundo actually refers to three separate islands -- Seodo , Dongdo and Godo -- clustered tightly together in a ring , forming a lake - shaped bay in a quasi - enclosure . The island was claimed by British sailors in 1885 , but was almost immediately taken back by Admiral Jeong Yeochang . For treasure hunters : centuries - old coins and celadon have been discovered on the island . . 19 . Eocheongdo ( 어청도 ) < 전북 군산시 옥도면 > Birdwatching , sunsets and this fabulous lighthouse ? Yes , please ! Never mind that it ' s 70 kilometers offshore . " Eocheong " means " water mirror . " Eocheongdo was named thus because of the surrounding sea , clear as a mirror , supposedly due its location , relatively far out in the ocean . The island is also known for its rare and varied species of birds . 20 . Gwanmaedo ( 관매도 ) < 전남 진도군 조도면 > The " sky bridge " on Gwanmaedo . Gwanmaedo , with three villages and 300 residents , is an attractive island of wide , white beaches and shallow , family - friendly waters bordered by dense forests of black pines , and ludicrous ( but entertaining ) legends . For example , at the north of the island is the adjacent Bangado , upon which a small rock sits balanced precariously on a hill . Supposedly the balancing rock is a masculine emblem where infertile women can go to pray for babies . 21 . Baeknyeongdo ( 백령도 ) < 인천 옹진군 백령면 > Baeknyeongdo also has photogenic rock formations . A mere two kilometers below the 38 th parallel , Baeknyeong Island is the further north you can get by island hopping in South Korea . But the place is more than just a strategic military point . While some of its attractions ( like enormous piles of shells from our early ancestors ) aren ' t as attractive as others ( spotted seals plashing in protected habitats ) there is a lot to pick from . Such as Sagot Beach , where the hardness of the sand also makes the beach a great natural airstrip ; Sagot Beach is only one of two such naturally occurring airstrips in the world ( the other is in Naples , Italy ) , and served as a temporary runway for United Nations ' aircraft during the Korean War . Today it ' s just an awesome beach . 22 . Dokdo ( 독도 ) < 경북 울릉군 울릉읍 독도리 > Above the surface it may not be particularly impressive , but underwater these specks are the tips of an enormous underwater mountain . Dokdo ( called Takeshima in Japan ) is best known for its central role in a property dispute between Japan and South Korea that dates back to the 15 th century . Dokdo actually consists of multiple islands , with the two largest East Island ( Dongdo ) and West Island ( Seodo ) and 89 even smaller islands scattered around . And despite its heavily politicized reputation , it ' s actually quite important ecologically , too . Because of its delicate ecosystem , visits to Dokdo are still limited ; tourists must fill out an application and reserve with a travel agency . Call the Ulleung - gundo Administration Office for more information at + 82 54 790 6645 , 6646 . More on CNNGo : 50 beautiful places to visit in Korea 23 . Heuksando ( 흑산도 ) < 전남 신안군 흑산면 > This twisting road to the peak leads to the best view on Heuksando . It ' s called Dragon ' s Tail Road . Appropriately . Heuksando , " black mountain island , " is where classical scholars ( sunbi ) of antiquity were banished when they managed to displease the higher - ups . ( Like 17 th - century scholar Jeong Yak - jeong , who spent his exile here writing an important treatise on fish ) . But it couldn ' t have been that bad ; Heuksando and its people supposedly so charmed these academics on time out that they were sorry to leave . Maybe it was the local delicacy , fermented skate ray , said to taste great with a swig of makgeolli . You can taste it at any of the pubs crowding Heuksando ' s relatively sizable port , Yerihang . 24 . Jindo ( 진도 ) < 전남 진도군 진도읍 > This is one of those cases where it really , really isn ' t what it looks like . In other words , these people will not end up drowning like lemmings . One of Korea ' s best - known folk songs , the Jindo Arirang , originated here ; Jindo is also hometown to the beloved Jindo dog , a domestic hunting breed known for its loyalty and intelligence . Once a year , in either February or March , the sea parts to open a 35 - meter wide , 2 . 8 - kilometer - long path between Jindo and neighboring Modo . This tidal " miracle " is celebrated each year with a huge festival that attracts thousands of visitors . 25 . Jisimdo ( 지심도 ) < 경남 거제시 일운면 > Jisimdo is also called " dongbaekseom " ( 동백섬 ) -- " dongbaek " is Korean for " camellia . " This island in the south sea ( namhae ) is so densely packed with trees it would not be an exaggeration to call it a floating forest . Out of Jisimdo ' s 37 species of trees , about 60 to 70 percent are Japanese Camellias . These " winter rose " trees bloom from early December to late April . 26 . Oeyeondo ( 외연도 ) < 충남 보령시 오천면 > We ' re debating whether this looks more like Pandora or Dagobah . This distant island ( 53 kilometers from the nearest port , Daecheon Harbor ) is relatively untouched by tourist hordes . It also has a small claim to fame in its wall art , part of a 2011 project to make the island more tourist - friendly . Supposedly , the island is closer to the Chinese shore than to the Korean coastline , and people say that on quiet windless mornings , you can hear roosters crowing on the Chinese mainland . 27 . Sado ( 사도 ) < 경남 통영시 도산면 수월리 > See the C below the Sado consists of seven islands that remain separate for most of the year but connect to form an angular , rough " C " shape every February when tide fluctuations part the sea to reveal natural underwater bridges . Sado is also known for its rocks -- or rather , the tall tales surrounding them ; there is one turtle - shaped lump that is said to have inspired national hero General Yi Sun - shin ' s " turtle ship . " 28 . Anmyeondo ( 안면도 ) < 충남 태안군 안면읍 > The sunset is pretty and all , but you can ' t eat it . No worries . Anmyeondo also has great seafood . As the sixth largest South Korean island , this 113 - square - kilometer weekend getaway spot is known for its fishing ( and to those who don ' t enjoy this hobby , this translates into fresh , delicious seafood ) , its verdant pine forests and its beaches . This finger - shaped island was actually once a peninsula , connected to the mainland by a thin band of land . During the Joseon Dynasty , however , this thin band was flooded to make it easier for ships to pass through . In 1970 a bridge was built to reconnect Anmyeondo to the mainland . Talk about an identity crisis . 29 . Palmido ( 팔미도 ) < 인천 중구 무의동 372 >- 군사 요충지 로서 1903 부터 출입금 지후 , 2009 년 108 년 만 에 일반인 에 개방 되 다 . Palmido may be tiny and uninhabited ( save lighthouse keepers and soldiers ) , but it has an impressive résumé . Besides the distinction of being home to South Korea ' s first modern lighthouse , erected in 1903 , Palmido was also the launching point for the pivotal Battle of Incheon ( 1950 ) in the Korean War . As a militarily sensitive area , the island was also closed to the public until 2009 . Since then the island has also featured in scenes from the hit TV drama " Boys Over Flowers . " Not bad for an island that was closed for over a century . 30 . Marado ( 마라도 ) < 제주도 서귀포시 대정읍 가파리 > Sure , there might not be a whole lot to actually do here . But in some ways Marado is the perfect island : tranquil , secluded and pristine . Marado , shaped like a sweet potato , is South Korea ' s southernmost point ( about 10 kilometers south of Jeju ) . The coastline is rocky and dotted with caves , the white - painted buildings are low and pleasing and further inland ( as far inland as you can get on an island of 0 . 3 square kilometers ) there are meadows of flame grass . 31 . Imjado ( 임자도 ) < 전남 신안군 임자면 > There ' s also a tulip festival in April . Totally unnecessary , with everything that Imjado already has going for it . With the longest sand beach in South Korea ( 12 kilometers ) , sandy plains that resemble a desert and an enviable breadth to the beach ( over 300 meters when the tide has receded ) that make you wonder why the hell people are still crowding to claustrophobic sweat fests like Haeundae , Imjado is , unsurprisingly , famous for its sand . 32 . Soando ( 소안도 ) < 전남 완도군 소안면 > This stodgy monument isn ' t Soando ' s greatest attraction , though it does set it apart as the home of the brave . With Bogildo to the west and Wando to the north , fishing community Soando is best known for being a focal point in the anti - Japanese Colonialism movement in the early 20 th century . It ' s always had a reputation for courageous residents defending Soando against potential intruders ; the name " Soando " originates from this legendary reputation . 33 . Hyojado ( 효자도 ) < 충남 보령시 오천면 > While this photograph doesn ' t really do justice to the famously friendly atmosphere , what picture can capture human warmth , anyway ? Excellent fishing , pristine beaches and still relatively unknown -- Hyojado is small ( two hours is enough for a full tour ) , with just enough community to be cozy . The name , which comes from the Korean word for " dutiful son or child , " hyoja , is supposedly a reference to the virtuous sons and daughters of the island . The island makes good on its name , honoring one of its own with a stone monument that tells the legend of a certain Mr . Choi who cut off flesh from his own thigh to feed his starving parents . OK , so maybe that story doesn ' t exactly strike us as cozy . But the fishing is still great .