Chuja Island: A Fishing Haven Reached by a Long Boat Ride
reached only after a long boat ride
Today GYULI would like to introduce an island set a bit further off from the Jeju mainland. This is Chuja Island, located in Chuja-myeon, Jeju-si, reached by speedboat from Jeju Port — a crossing said to take quite a while. It's said to sit in the middle of an archipelago scattered with islands large and small, between the Jeju mainland and Wando in Jeollanam-do, and it's reportedly long been known as a good spot for fishing, a name familiar among anglers. There's also mention that Olle Trail Course 18-1 passes through the island, a detail already covered in another story, so today it's only mentioned briefly. Today GYULI is carefully laying out what's known about Chuja Island.
A Long Boat Ride From Jeju Port to the Heart of the Archipelago
The way onto Chuja Island is reportedly a speedboat from Jeju Port. Given the distance, the crossing itself is said to take quite a while, and exactly how many hours it takes or how many sailings run per day can apparently shift with the season and route conditions, so it's hard to state precisely here. There's also mention of a slower ferry option apart from the speedboat, so it's worth checking sailing options against your budget and schedule ahead of time. Above all, the crossing to Chuja Island is said to be heavily affected by wind and waves, and sailings are reportedly cancelled outright on days with rough weather. A cancellation can throw off an entire itinerary, so if you're planning a trip to Chuja Island, it's worth building in generous flexibility.
An Island Known as a Fishing Destination
One reason Chuja Island reportedly comes up often as a destination is fishing. The waters around the island are said to have strong currents and a wide variety of fish, and that's said to be why anglers keep visiting Chuja Island specifically for fishing. Exactly which species are most commonly caught, or how the catch changes by season, isn't something GYULI can state with confidence, so that's as far as this goes. Even without fishing in mind, some visitors are said to come for the quiet scenery of a small fishing village and the fun of walking narrow alleys threading through steep terrain. Sangchujado and Hachujado are said to be connected by a bridge, and the pair is often introduced as a route to walk and explore together.
I heard that because the boat ride to Chuja Island takes so long, the quiet fishing village you find on arrival feels all the more special — just walking among people with their fishing lines cast out is said to feel like a trip in itself.
— 🍊 GYULI
Steep Terrain Best Seen at a Slow Walking Pace
Chuja Island is said to have little flat ground, with steep terrain that alternates between climbs and descents. That's reportedly why moving between villages can take a bit longer, though climbing up to a high point like a lighthouse or lookout is said to reward visitors with a sweeping view of the whole archipelago, something mentioned in several accounts. That said, the exact route and time needed can feel different from person to person, so this is offered cautiously.
The single thing said to require the most attention on a Chuja Island trip is the boat schedule. Given the long crossing and the chance of cancellation depending on weather, many visitors reportedly plan to stay more than a day rather than attempt a day trip. Accommodations and restaurants may not be as plentiful as on the main island, so booking ahead is said to be the safer approach. Keep in mind the return sailing could also be cancelled, and build some flexibility into your schedule.
GYULI's Tip · The crossing to Chuja Island is said to be long, and sailings can reportedly be cancelled depending on the weather. Check the latest sailing information before you visit, and build in plenty of flexibility for your schedule.