Ulleungdo
Volcanic Island In The East Sea; The Departure Point For Boat Trips To Dokdo · Ulleung, North Gyeongsang
Ulleungdo is a steep volcanic island in the East Sea, roughly 120 kilometres off the east coast of North Gyeongsang, reached only by ferries of about 2.5 to 4 hours from Pohang, Hupo, Mukho or Gangneung. The island is the top of an old volcano: cliffs drop straight into deep blue water, the peak of Seonginbong rises to about 984 metres, and the only flat land is the Nari basin, a collapsed crater on the north side farmed for mountain herbs. Ferries land at Dodong, a port squeezed into a narrow valley, or at Sadong and Jeodong, where squid still hang drying on racks. A coastal road now loops the island past sea stacks, tunnels and waterfalls, the Haengnam coastal walk clings to the cliffs near Dodong, and a footbridge crosses to the islet of Gwaneumdo. Food is part of the trip: dried squid, pumpkin taffy, herb-fed beef and wild greens. From Ulleungdo boats run on to Dokdo, islets about 87 kilometres further east that are administered by South Korea and claimed by Japan as Takeshima; landing is allowed only in calm seas. Rough weather cancels sailings often, so leave spare days.
Dodong Port, Dodong-ri, Ulleung-eup, Ulleung, North Gyeongsang, 40221, South Korea
NO OPENING TIME HERE WAS CHECKED. The typical pattern: the island itself is open all year, but ferries run to fixed seasonal timetables, often only one or two sailings a day on each route, with fewer or none in winter and frequent cancellations in rough seas, confirmed on the morning of sailing. Dokdo boats leave in the morning or early afternoon in the main season. The Dokdo Museum, cable car and Bongnae Falls open about 9 am to 6 pm, with last entry about an hour before closing and the museum often closed one day a week; check it. The traps that ruin a trip are a cancelled ferry with a flight booked the same evening, a Dokdo boat that cannot land, the last island bus leaving early, and arriving on a summer weekend with no room booked. Confirm current times before relying on them.