Uploaded June 2013 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The islands mostly south of the city Tongyeong are part of Hallyeohaesang National Park. Several of them can be visited from the port passenger terminal on the north side of the harbour. There are various places to stay nearby the terminal. I stayed in a sauna about a kilometer north west of the terminal. These saunas are very affordable, around 10000 won (7 euros/ 9 US$) per night (2013). If you don't mind the heat, the thin mattresses and staying a large common hall then they are great low budget places to stay. The discomfort helps to get up early and make it to get on your boat around 6:30 in the morning. The good thing of an early boat is that you can take your time walking the trails, that require good walking boots (my sandals did the job but occasionally it was a bit risky). It is advised to be in good physical condition to walk these trails. Hansando island is different, there is an important historical site where the Koreans fought off the Japanese invasion from 1592-1598. Close to the small harbour of the island there is the Jeseungdang shrine, where almost all the tourist visiting the island go. There is a bus going around the island that is almost only used by the people working and or living on the island. I had a hunch to get on that bus and I was rewarded seeing a water deer, also known as a vampire deer. These deer (for sure the adult males, I'm not sure about the females and young ones) have sharp tusks, pointing backwards. In another picture I took from the bus, I was trying to picture the bridge to Chubongdo island. While the bus went over a bumpy stretch, I accidentally took a picture, catching a mirror that I had not seen on the edge of the road in which the bus is shown perfectly, a very cool lucky shot! Somaemuldo island was amazing as well, the track was steep but not too long, the views were awesome, a great bonus was looking at the pair of falcons that was most likely breeding there. I got to that island on a rather late boat, so I had to hurry a bit, but at least there was no morning fog, as there was on Yeonhwado island. Due to the fog I missed out on some spectacular views the 'dragon tail island' is known for. The trail was much longer, but totally worthwhile. For each island one visits, a full day should be planned. It can be worthwhile to stay overnight on an island as well, camping seems to be allowed and on some guest houses can be found. On the south of the harbour there is an excursion boats terminal with higher prices.
The islands mostly south of the city Tongyeong are part of Hallyeohaesang National Park. Several of them can be visited from the port passenger terminal on the north side of the harbour. There are various places to stay nearby the terminal. I stayed in a sauna about a kilometer north west of the terminal. These saunas are very affordable, around 10000 won (7 euros/ 9 US$) per night (2013). If you don't mind the heat, the thin mattresses and staying a large common hall then they are great low budget places to stay. The discomfort helps to get up early and make it to get on your boat around 6:30 in the morning. The good thing of an early boat is that you can take your time walking the trails, that require good walking boots (my sandals did the job but occasionally it was a bit risky). It is advised to be in good physical condition to walk these trails. Hansando island is different, there is an important historical site where the Koreans fought off the Japanese invasion from 1592-1598. Close to the small harbour of the island there is the Jeseungdang shrine, where almost all the tourist visiting the island go. There is a bus going around the island that is almost only used by the people working and or living on the island. I had a hunch to get on that bus and I was rewarded seeing a water deer, also known as a vampire deer. These deer (for sure the adult males, I'm not sure about the females and young ones) have sharp tusks, pointing backwards. In another picture I took from the bus, I was trying to picture the bridge to Chubongdo island. While the bus went over a bumpy stretch, I accidentally took a picture, catching a mirror that I had not seen on the edge of the road in which the bus is shown perfectly, a very cool lucky shot! Somaemuldo island was amazing as well, the track was steep but not too long, the views were awesome, a great bonus was looking at the pair of falcons that was most likely breeding there. I got to that island on a rather late boat, so I had to hurry a bit, but at least there was no morning fog, as there was on Yeonhwado island. Due to the fog I missed out on some spectacular views the 'dragon tail island' is known for. The trail was much longer, but totally worthwhile. For each island one visits, a full day should be planned. It can be worthwhile to stay overnight on an island as well, camping seems to be allowed and on some guest houses can be found. On the south of the harbour there is an excursion boats terminal with higher prices.
