Marado Island: South Korea's Southernmost Point, and It's a Boat-Only Ride
an island reached only by boat
When you're putting together a Jeju itinerary, the outlying islands tend to come up sooner or later, and Marado holds a slightly different place among them. Where Udo, which GYULI covered earlier, is said to sit off Jeju's eastern coast, Marado is said to lie in exactly the opposite direction, off the island's southern tip. It's the place that usually comes with the label 'South Korea's southernmost point' — pull up a map and you'll see it sits well south of the Jeju mainland, said to be the southernmost island within Korean territory. Since the names Udo and Marado can sound alike, some people mix them up, but by most accounts the two islands differ in direction and in atmosphere alike. Today GYULI is laying out what's known about Marado, and being upfront about what isn't confirmed.
The Opposite Direction From Udo — Known as Korea's Southernmost Point
Marado is said to belong to Daejeong-eup in Seogwipo City. It's described as an island you reach by heading further south past the Moseulpo area, at the southwestern tip of the Jeju mainland — so while Udo, covered earlier, floats in the sea off Jeju's east coast, Marado sits in the sea in the exact opposite direction, to the south, and hopefully that clears up any mix-up between the two. Marado is widely introduced with the label of being the southernmost point within Korean territory, and that's said to be exactly why travelers who want to stand at the edge of the country's land make a point of coming here. If Udo is known for its coral-sand beach and bike rides, Marado is said to be a place where the symbolism of standing at 'the end of Korean land' is reason enough for the trip on its own.
Getting to Marado is also said to involve a ferry, much like Udo. The boat reportedly departs from a pier near Moseulpo Port in Daejeong-eup, but exactly how many minutes the crossing takes and how many sailings run per day seems to keep shifting with the season and weather conditions, so it's hard to state precisely here. Marado sits out in open water that's said to be heavily affected by wind and waves, and on rough-weather days, sailings are reportedly canceled outright. Because of that, it's worth building a day or two of flexibility into a Marado trip and checking the pier's operating status the day before or the morning of departure. Since schedules and fares can change depending on the season, the safest bet is to confirm the exact timetable directly at the pier.
An Island Known for Its Cluster of Jjajangmyeon Restaurants
One story that comes up without fail whenever Marado is mentioned is jjajangmyeon, the Korean-Chinese black bean noodle dish. It's well known that a small island like this has several restaurants serving jjajangmyeon clustered together, though exactly how Marado came to be known for it isn't something GYULI can pin down with certainty. Still, judging by how often jjajangmyeon comes up among travelers who've been to Marado, having a bowl to close out the island visit seems to have become something of a ritual. Some restaurants reportedly serve versions topped with seafood pulled from Marado's own waters, though menus and prices vary by shop and can change over time, so it's best to check the details on site. Given how small the island is, finding a jjajangmyeon spot after stepping off the boat is said to be pretty straightforward.
A bowl of jjajangmyeon eaten at the southern edge of Korean land — by many accounts, that's what makes a Marado trip stick in your memory.
— 🍊 GYULIA Walkable Loop, Past the Lighthouse and the Southernmost Point Monument
Marado is said to be small enough that you can walk the whole loop without much trouble. Many visitors reportedly skip renting any transportation at all and simply step off the boat to walk the island slowly, and along the way they're said to naturally come across landmarks like the Marado Lighthouse and the monument marking Korea's southernmost point. Taking a photo in front of that monument is said to be treated as close to a required stop on any Marado trip. There's also talk that the island holds a Catholic church, a Buddhist temple, and a Protestant church all within its small footprint, and that unusual detail — three different religious sites sharing one tiny island — seems to be part of why it gets mentioned so often. That said, the island reportedly has few trees and takes the wind head-on, so the wind can apparently feel quite strong depending on the season, making an extra layer worth packing.
Marado is small enough that half a day is said to be plenty of time to see it, but just like Udo, arrivals and departures are tied to the ferry schedule. Since sailings reportedly aren't frequent, it's worth building in extra time so you don't miss the last boat. Beyond the jjajangmyeon restaurants, the island is said to have a few simple stores and cafes, though they can reportedly get crowded during peak season. If Udo is remembered for its coral sand and bike rides, Marado, by many accounts, feels special simply for the fact of standing at the southern edge of Korean land. Keep the ferry schedule in mind, and you can experience a side of Jeju's outlying islands on Marado that's entirely different from Udo.
GYULI's Tip · Marado's ferry service is reportedly canceled at times depending on weather conditions. For safety, double-check the exact sailing schedule and fares at the Moseulpo pier or ticket office before you head out.