Tourism on Ulleungdo is undergoing a personality change. Once considered a destination for an older demographic who prefer group tours, the island is now making room for young travelers seeking exotic charms and outdoor experiences that are unique to Korea and rival those of better-known international destinations.
While Ulleungdo is known for its trekking, the island has recently emerged as a freediving mecca among younger travelers who flock to its more hidden diving spots.
© Atlantis Freediving
To reach Ulleungdo from the mainland, travelers must take a ferry from one of the four passenger terminals located along Korea’s east coast: Gangneung, Mukho, Pohang, or Hupo. An express ferry typically takes around three hours, while standard trips require nearly double the time. Services are disrupted when volatile weather strikes, which happens quite often. Fortunately, visitors may be able to plan with more certainty in the near future — an airport is scheduled to open on the island in 2028.
Ulleungdo has long enchanted visitors, with many calling it a must-see destination. But the way people experience the island has changed considerably over the years. Traditionally, group tours have been the norm. These primarily attracted middle-aged and older travelers, packed on to tour buses for quick, comprehensive sightseeing trips. Now, a visible shift towards independent travel is underway, especially among those in their twenties and thirties. Seeking the freedom to discover Ulleungdo at their own pace, they craft itineraries suited to their individual interests and schedules.
As public transportation is limited, first-time visitors generally prefer renting a car to get around. Since 2012, the number of rental cars available on the island has increased eightfold to more than four hundred. The Ulleungdo Coastal Ring Road, a scenic route stretching some 46 kilometers, takes about an hour to complete. This winding road offers endless vistas of the emerald horizon and reveals the volcanic island’s renowned natural wonders at every turn.
One increasingly popular option is renting an electric scooter at Dodong Port, where the main ferry terminal is located. These quiet vehicles provide a more active and flexible mode of transport with a greater sense of freedom, allowing travelers to navigate scenic routes with the island breeze at their back. One of the greatest advantages is being able to stop at any spot that catches your eye and linger as long as you want — an opportunity to capture breathtaking views for those so-called “life shots,” perfect for sharing on social media.
The monorail, a convenient way to reach high-altitude areas of the rugged island terrain, provides panoramic forest and sea views during the trip up and down the steep slopes.
© Ulleung-gun Office
OUTDOOR SPORTS HUB
Ulleungdo has also become a magnetic destination for outdoor sports enthusiasts, and young athletes in particular. The dynamic seafloor topography and incredible clarity of the island’s surrounding waters make Ulleungdo a world-class attraction for freediving. With sight lines extending 20-30 meters on typical days and stretching to an impressive 40-50 meters under optimal conditions, divers can watch schools of fish dart or drift through the blue as if performing a choreographed dance.
Notable diving locations include Samseonam (Three Heavenly Maiden Rocks) and Gongam (Elephant Rock), located off the northern coast; Gajaegul, a cave near Tonggumi Port on the southern coast; and the area below Daepunggam, a sheer rock face in the northwest. Tour boats take visitors along the coastline and may offer scuba and snorkeling equipment.
Above water, the island is enjoying growing popularity among rock climbers tackling its steep cliffs, hikers enjoying its many trails, and campers seeking an escape in nature. This influx led Ulleung County to convert a closed elementary school in Guam Village into a campground in 2013. Set between mountain slopes and ocean views, it offers affordable access to nature: 40,000 won per night off-season and 50,000 won during busier months.
A short distance north, Hakpo Campground boasts coastal panoramas that justify the inevitable booking battles. A network of coastal walking trails connects unusual rock formations and natural caves, offering viewpoints that frame the East Sea. Further catering to this demand, outdoor brands like KOLON SPORT and GOOUT have launched their own hiking, climbing, and trail running programs. Backcountry skiers and snowboarders flock to the island in winter.
Ulleungdo tourism is noticeably shifting from packaged group tours to individual travel. The island now attracts many younger visitors choosing to explore via electric scooters.
© Studio Kenn
LUXURY GETAWAY
Since its opening in 2017, KOSMOS ULLEUNGDO has emerged as a premier attraction on the island. Developed by manufacturing company KOLON GLOTECH and designed by renowned architect Chanjoong Kim, the resort has won international acclaim for its distinctive architecture. It was named Best Hotel of the Year by Wallpaper in 2018 and received Germany’s iF Design Award in 2019.
The resort offers three types of accommodation. Villa Terre comprises eight hotel-style rooms, some with heated ondol floors, that start from around 400,000-500,000 won per night during the off-season (500,000-700,000 won during peak season). This option is popular among younger travelers due to its comparatively lower cost. At the higher end, Villa Sommet offers ten rooms at an average nightly rate of around two million won for two people. The highlight is Villa Kosmos, an exclusive standalone residence accommodating one group at a time that provides personal staff, including a butler and chef. A two-night, three-day stay for four people costs approximately 36 million won.
Located in KOSMOS ULLEUNGDO’s garden, Café ULLA — themed on its namesake gorilla mascot — elevates the resort above a simple place to stay. It has ranked as the top eatery on Ulleungdo for several years in a row, according to Korea Tourism Data Lab, operated by the Korea Tourism Organization. The café’s signature creations include ULLA Cube Lattes, arriving with gorilla-shaped coffee ice cubes that slowly melt into the surrounding milk; innovative bingsu (shaved ice desserts) incorporating Ulleungdo pumpkin and myeongi namul, a local edible plant; and salt bread infused with squid ink.
The resort’s visual centerpieces are its huge sculpture of ULLA the gorilla, standing seven meters high, and the Kosmos Ring, a landmark art installation, where almost all visitors take souvenir photos. In the evenings, the Kosmos Lighting Show delivers a mesmerizing experience; designed by the KOSMOS ULLEUNGDO operations team to address the scarcity of evening attractions for tourists, it features laser beams that move in time to four musical pieces. The show runs nightly, except during January and February, with operating hours adjusted to accommodate the sunset.
Ulleung Brewery creates premium handcrafted beers using Chusan spring water, known for its rich mineral content.
© Ulleung Brewery
ISLAND DESTINATIONS
Cho Hyun-jai, who works in the Creative Planning Department at KOSMOS ULLEUNGDO, is a walking encyclopedia when it comes to the island. His deep attachment even moved him to produce a song and music video called “Ulleungdo Love.”
Cho recommends that visitors first stop by Ulla Welcome House; this joint venture among the Korea Tourism Organization, Ulleung County, and KOLON GLOTECH is Korea’s first public-private travel center. Operating under the concept of “see, eat, play,” it provides “travel curation cards” that make personalized recommendations of Ulleungdo’s sights, food, and activities. This approach helps visitors create their own itineraries while offering buzzworthy experiences and products that appeal to younger travelers, recasting Ulleungdo tourism in a more contemporary light.
Souvenir shopping also features on Cho’s list of recommendations, with two stores standing out. Dokdo Munbanggu, established in 2015, was the first shop of its kind on the island — a small place with a curated collection of goods that catch the attention of travelers. The other is SO:ULL, a more recent addition that has gained recognition for its unique products inspiring an emotional connection with Ulleungdo, created by a designer who relocated from the mainland.
On the food and drink scene, Ulleungdo holds a few surprises. With its retro ambiance and signage in old-fashioned Gungseo font, JeoDong Coffee stands apart from typical Korean cafés found on the mainland. It is particularly famous for its squid ink and pumpkin ice creams, and has grown even more popular after being featured in the Netflix original series Kian’s Bizarre B&B.
The craft beer wave that swept through Korea has also reached the island in the form of Ulleung Brewery. Opened last March, this operation showcases a local brewmaster’s ingenuity, making artisanal beers from Ulleungdo’s pristine water. This ingredient is credited with giving Ulleungdo craft beer its notably clean, crisp taste, distinct from beers made elsewhere.
KOSMOS ULLEUNGDO, designed by renowned architect Chanjoong Kim, is a major highlight for tourists seeking picturesque photo opportunities. The resort’s nightly laser show is particularly popular among the younger crowd.
© KOSMOS ULLEUNGDO
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