Just 3.5 lm east of Jeju Island, U-Do, or Cow Island, makes for a fascinating several hour stop. Car ferries run constantly between 9 am and 5:30 pm between the islands. If you don’t bring an auto, you can rent motorbikes, bicycles, or ATVs on U-Do, or even take the tourist buses, which drop off virtually everywhere. The two must-sees on U-Do are the 20 minute hike up to the two lighthouses on U-Do’s highest point, and the circumnavigation of the island to experience the sea views. When you visit the eastern part of Jeju island, climbing the Ilchulbong crater will be on your itinerary. We here at WoWasis recommend taking the 15 minute ferry to U-Do in the morning.  

black lava forms the rock that covers much of U-Do’s shoreline

The older white lighthouse commands a view of virtually the entire island, and is an architectural gem. U-Do’s seascapes are punctuated by waves crashing against ebony lava rock against the sky, utilizing a palette of black, blue, and white. It’s 17 km to circumnavigate U-Do, and we found endless numbers of stopping points worth attention. These change, depending on time of day, and light conditions. It takes roughly ½ day to see the island, so we’d recommend seeing it in the morning, then heading back to Ilchulbong to catch the Haenyeo diving show at Haenyeo House at 1:30 or 3 pm, then climbing Ilchulbong crater to finish your afternoon.