Is It Japanese or Korean? We Uncover the Secrets of Korea’s Hidden Volcanic Island Dokdo
- lewishooper1
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
Unveiling the breathtaking beauty, rich history, and untouched nature of Dokdo Island.
As South Korea’s easternmost frontier, Dokdo Island stands as a breathtaking symbol of national pride, natural beauty, and untouched ecological wonder, although it is at times contested by neighboring Japan.
Consisting of two main islets—Dongdo (East Island) and Seodo (West Island)—alongside dozens of smaller volcanic rock formations, this striking destination is as geographically captivating as it is culturally significant to many Koreans; however, because of the distance, sadly, many Koreans never get to visit these impressive and stunning islets.
Stepping onto its rocky shores is a rare privilege, as erratic waves and shifting winds mean the sea only allows a fraction of visitors to safely dock. Our writer, Lewis Hooper, recently visited Dokdo Island as part of a mission to discuss it with the local government, hosted by IWIK (International World In Korea).
Getting to Dokdo Island
Reaching Dokdo requires a lot of planning and the need to experience a true Korean adventure. Visitors must first travel to mainland ports like Pohang, where Lewis Hooper departed from, and it takes around three hours. From Pohang Port, you can take a ferry to the volcanic and impressive hub of Ulleungdo Island, where it is recommended to stay, as you cannot stay on Dokdo Island itself.
From Ulleungdo, you will then need to take a second, smaller ferry to Dokdo Island itself. The ferry departs in the morning and in the afternoon (twice daily), and visitors get around 30 minutes on the island. This, however, is weather-dependent, and the ferry takes around 90 minutes from Ulleungdo to Dokdo.
Leg 1: Mainland (Pohang) to Ulleungdo
High-Speed Ferry: Economy seats cost around ₩81,000–₩86,500 (USD 53.00-57.00) one-way, while upgrading to Business or First Class costs about ₩91,000–₩95,000 (USD 60.00-62.00). As the mission was partly sponsored by the ferry company, Lewis Hooper travelled in Business class on the outward and return leg of the trip. The seats were spacious, came with a charging port, and offered a lot more space than the economy seats on the lower deck.
Overnight Cruise: Budget-friendly 6-person shared rooms cost ₩70,000–₩80,000 (USD 46.00-53.00) one-way, whereas premium private rooms and luxury suites scale up from ₩173,000 to over ₩860,000 (USD 114.00-565.00).
Leg 2: Ulleungdo to Dokdo
Economy Class: A standard round-trip ticket to the islets and back costs between ₩60,000 (USD 40.00) and ₩66,000 (USD 43.00). Lewis took the economy-class ticket for this leg of his tour, and in his experience, the seats were comfortable and even offered a view of the ocean.
First Class / Superior: Upgrading to a premium seat for the final open-ocean leg costs roughly ₩70,000 (USD 46.00) to ₩77,000 (USD 51.00) round-trip.
A Vision for Global Tourism
To attract more tourists to Korea's isolated paradise and raise international awareness of the islands, IWIK (International World In Korea) recently hosted a special expedition to the islands for two nights and three days.
Guided by this mission, writer Lewis explored Dokdo through a strategic lens, focusing on how to attract sustainable global tourism. Currently, the only way to access the islands is by taking a ferry or, if you have the budget, a helicopter. However, from 2027, domestic flights will be able to fly into Ulleungdo, into its brand-new airport (currently under construction).
Lewis got to experience these beautiful islands, as well as their rich marine ecology and untouched coastlines, and interact with the local community, as well as taste local cuisine. These insights help to look at how the local government and tourism department can help to transform this historic and culturally significant landmark into a bucket-list destination for global travelers and seasonal workers in the very near future.
The Island of "Cat-Gulls"
Dokdo is a strictly controlled and protected natural monument. This is one of the main reasons why tourists are only able to spend such a short time on the islands (also, there are no toilets). This protected landscape makes it an idyllic location for wildlife.
From the moment that tourists step off the ferry, at times, they can often be greeted by
Black-tailed gulls. Actually, in Korea, these birds are affectionately called "cat gulls" because their sharp cries sound exactly like meowing cats.
Visually, the contrast of thousands of white birds nesting against the dramatic, jagged volcanic spires like Dongnimmunbawi (Independence Gate Rock) creates a surreal, cinematic atmosphere that many people never get to experience. The rugged coastlines really do make Dokdo a once-in-a-lifetime destination to travel to.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, being able to promote Dokdo to a global audience through social media, tourism boards, and government-level officials relies on being able to transform Dokdo's beautiful yet unpredictable remote location into an elite, bucket-list adventure.
For Dokdo, being able to use its natural charm, off-the-grid experience, and sustainable mindset can really help turn international travelers into passionate global ambassadors for this historic natural wonder.
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