Jeju Island Seogwipo-Jeju City, Korea
Korea

173 Cruises availables At departure or passage at this port

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MSC Bellissima

3660 Passengers
167600 tons
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2 February 5 days Round-trip from Shanghai, China
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11 February 5 days Round-trip from Shanghai, China
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15 February 6 days Round-trip from Shanghai, China
From 907$
20 February 5 days Round-trip from Shanghai, China
From 652$
24 February 6 days Round-trip from Shanghai, China
From 879$
24 February 10 days Round-trip from Shanghai, China
From 1546$
1 March 5 days Round-trip from Shanghai, China
From 637$
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From 960$
27 March 6 days Round-trip from Tokyo, Japan
From 1576$
10 April 11 days Round-trip from Tokyo, Japan
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29 April 6 days Round-trip from Tokyo, Japan
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16 August 4 days Round-trip China South Korea Msc Bellissima Shanghai
From 834$
20 August 4 days Round-trip China South Korea Msc Bellissima Shanghai
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24 August 5 days Round-trip South Korea And Japan Msc Bellissima Shanghai
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3 September 4 days Round-trip South Korea Msc Bellissima Shanghai
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12 September 4 days Round-trip Asia Msc Bellissima Shanghai
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21 September 4 days Round-trip Asia Msc Bellissima Shanghai
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30 September 4 days Round-trip South Korea And Japan Msc Bellissima Shanghai
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7 December 6 days Round-trip from Tokyo, Japan
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royal caribbean navigator of the seas cruise ship

Navigator of the Seas

3114 Passengers
138279 tons
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Jeju Island | Cruise Port Guide

The entire island is the work of a volcano. Hallasan, South Korea's highest peak at 1,947 metres, sits at the centre of Jeju and has shaped the landscape everywhere: cinder cones, lava tubes, black basalt cliffs. Depending on the ship, the stop is made at Jeju City port, on the north coast two kilometres from downtown, or at the Gangjeong terminal, near Seogwipo in the south, two entry points about forty kilometres apart, each opening onto different discoveries.

Seongsan Ilchulbong, the Sunrise Peak

To the east, about an hour's drive away, a tuff cone that rose from the sea millennia ago lifts its steep walls above the fields. A built staircase climbs in about thirty minutes to the ridge, from where the view plunges into a crater carpeted with tall grass, ringed by the ocean. The site, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 along with Hallasan and the Geomunoreum lava tubes, has become the island's emblem, and is best visited early in the morning, ahead of the tour groups. On the way back, some tours stop at Manjanggul Cave, a tunnel carved out by lava where you walk underground along a developed one-kilometre stretch, past striated walls and a basalt column said to be the tallest of its kind.

The Haenyeo, Women of the Sea

At the foot of the cone, with a little luck, you may catch the haenyeo heading out: these free-diving women, often in their sixties and older, harvest abalone, sea urchin, and conch without tanks, diving to the rhythm of their own breath. Their distinctive whistling sound at the surface, the sumbisori, can be heard from a distance. UNESCO listed their culture as intangible heritage in 2016; meeting them remains one of the highlights of a day on the island.

From the North: Yongduam and Dongmun Market

If the ship calls at the north coast, Yongduam Rock, a lava formation shaped like a dragon's head, sits just minutes from the terminal, battered by the waves. Dongmun Market, reachable on foot from downtown, overflows with hallabong citrus, dried fish, and rice cakes: perfect for tasting the island with no set plan, amid the bustle of the stalls. Grandmothers here also sell the mandarin chocolate that's become the favourite souvenir among Korean visitors, impossible to leave without a box.

From the South: the Seogwipo Falls

On the Gangjeong side, the town of Seogwipo lines up two waterfalls a short distance apart: Cheonjiyeon, at the bottom of a lush valley, and Jeongbang, one of the few in the world to plunge directly into the sea from its clifftop. The nearby coastal trails, lined with wind-twisted pines, offer striking views over the offshore islets.

Quick Reference by Arrival Port

SiteFrom Jeju City (north)From Gangjeong (south)
Seongsan IlchulbongAbout 1 hr driveAbout 1 hr 15 min drive
Yongduam Rock10 minutesAbout 1 hr
Seogwipo FallsAbout 1 hr15 to 20 minutes

Koreans call Jeju their island of three abundances: wind, stone, and women. A single day is enough to put that to the test, gusts on the crater's rim, basalt walls between the mandarin orchards, divers out at sea. You leave with salt on your lips, a box of chocolates in your bag, and the urge to come back one day to see what's hidden on the side of the volcano you never had time to reach.

Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the ship. Some berth at Jeju City port on the north coast, about two kilometres from downtown. Others use the Gangjeong terminal near Seogwipo, on the south side. The two points are roughly forty kilometres apart and open onto completely different attractions, so check which one appears on your itinerary before planning the day.
Only partly, and only from Jeju City. From there, Yongduam Rock is a few minutes away and Dongmun Market is walkable from the centre. From Gangjeong you need transport: nothing worthwhile is within walking distance. In either case, the island's major volcanic sites require a drive.
Pick one direction, not three. From the north, Yongduam Rock and Dongmun Market fill a relaxed half day, or you head east to Seongsan Ilchulbong. From the south, the two Seogwipo waterfalls and a stretch of coastal path are enough. Trying to cross the island end to end wastes half the call on a coach.
It is a tuff cone that rose straight out of the sea, about an hour's drive east, UNESCO World Heritage listed since 2007. The stepped path climbs to the rim in about thirty minutes, where you look down into a crater carpeted with tall grasses. It is the signature image of Jeju, but you have to accept the climb and arrive early to beat the tour groups.
With some luck, yes, especially at the foot of Seongsan Ilchulbong. These women, often sixty and older, harvest abalone, sea urchins and conch by free diving, without tanks. You spot them by the sumbisori, the distinctive whistle they make on surfacing. Nothing is guaranteed: they dive according to the sea and the season, not the cruise schedule.
The waterfalls. Cheonjiyeon drops into a lush wooded ravine, and Jeongbang has the rare distinction of falling straight into the sea from its cliff. The two are close together. The nearby coastal trails, lined with wind-bent pines, then offer striking views over the offshore islets.
The South Korean won. Credit cards work almost everywhere, even for small amounts: South Korea is one of the least cash-dependent countries in the world. Still, keep a few won for the Dongmun Market stalls, where some of the older vendors prefer cash.
Korean is the everyday language, and English remains limited outside tourist sites and hotels. Signage at the major attractions is translated, and younger people often manage. For everything else, a translation app on your phone handles most situations. French is not spoken.
Spring and autumn. From April to June the island is in bloom and temperatures stay mild; from September to November the sky clears and the light on the volcanic cones is superb. Summer is hot, humid and exposed to typhoons, winter distinctly windy. Koreans call Jeju the island of three abundances: wind, stones and women.
Yes, as long as you match the effort to the group. Dongmun Market, Yongduam Rock and the Seogwipo waterfalls suit all ages and involve little walking. The Manjanggul lava tube, where you walk a kilometre underground through a lit passage, usually fascinates children. The Seongsan Ilchulbong climb, though, is thirty minutes of stairs: judge that one by your own legs.