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Jeju Island Travel Guide: A volcanic island of lava tubes, tangerine groves and women free-divers
Jeju Island is a volcanic island off South Korea’s south coast, famous for Hallasan (the country’s highest peak), the Seongsan Ilchulbong sunrise crater, Manjanggul lava tube, the haenyeo women divers, and tangerine groves. The best times to visit are spring (April–May) for blossom and autumn (October–November) for clear skies and harvests.
Jeju Island at a glance
| Timezone | KST (UTC+9) |
|---|---|
| Currency | South Korean Won (KRW) |
| Languages | Korean |
| Population | 670,000 |
| Coordinates | 33.4996, 126.5312 |
Why visit Jeju Island
Jeju is South Korea’s holiday island: a shield volcano (Hallasan, the country’s highest peak) ringed by black-lava coasts, white beaches, green-tea fields and tangerine groves. It’s also home to the haenyeo — elderly women who free-dive for shellfish — and a network of lava-tube caves and crater cones that earned it UNESCO status. Rent a car and circle the coastal road.
When to visit Jeju Island
Jeju is beautiful year-round but peaks in spring (April–May) for cherry and canola blossom and autumn (October–November) for clear skies and silver grass. Summer is hot and busy; winter is windy with snow on Hallasan.
Typhoons can brush Jeju in late summer (August–September) — check forecasts and keep plans flexible. Book rental cars and Seongsan-area stays well ahead for the April blossom and autumn peak. Read the full month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Jeju Island.
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Jeju Island travel questions
What is the best month to visit Jeju?
April, May, October and November are the best months to visit Jeju — spring brings cherry and canola blossom and autumn brings clear skies, silver grass and the tangerine harvest. Summer (July–August) is hot, crowded and prone to typhoons; winter is cold and windy but good for Hallasan snow hikes.
Last reviewed and updated: by the AmazingAsia editorial team. See our editorial policy.