Gureopdo Island

Gureopdo is a small island of just 1.71 km² off Incheon, reached only by changing boats at Deokjeokdo. Fewer than twenty people live here and there are hardly any shops, but its grassy headlands above the sea, sandy beaches and star-filled night skies draw a steady stream of backpackers and photographers. From the air it looks like two pieces of land joined by a sandbar in the middle. Tradition says the name comes from the island's shape, which resembles a person bent over at work.

The island that nearly disappeared

Gureopdo has twice been the target of major development plans. In December 1994 the government chose it as the site for a radioactive waste repository. The following year signs of an active fault were found in the seabed nearby, and when this was announced in October 1995 the plan effectively collapsed. Then, in the early 2000s, a company bought about 98% of the island's land to build a resort with a golf course, a hotel and condominiums. Amid opposition from environmental groups worried about the island's ecosystem, the golf course plan was withdrawn in 2014. As a result, the island's landscape remains almost untouched.

What to see

• Gaemeori Hill: a broad grassy headland stretching out to the west of the island. These meadows above the sea are Gureopdo's signature view, and backpackers pitch tents here for sunsets and stars.
• Gureop Beach: a fine-sand beach about 40 m wide and 800 m long, with two smaller beaches on either side. On the east side of the island is Mokgimi Beach.
• Rocks and landforms: the island is made mostly of tuff-like rock formed by Cretaceous volcanic activity. Its sea-carved rocks and wave-cut hollows were considered valuable enough for a push to have them listed as a natural monument. Along the shore, look for the islet of Tokkiseom ("Rabbit Island") and Elephant Rock.
• Deongmulsan and Yeonpyeongsan: climb these two hills on the eastern side for views over the sandbar, the beaches and the surrounding islands.

Tripto tips

• Getting there: take a ferry from Incheon Port's Coastal Passenger Terminal to Deokjeokdo, then change at Jinri Pier on Deokjeokdo for the Gureopdo boat. The Deokjeokdo–Gureopdo leg runs about once a day and takes around 40 minutes, with times varying by date. Sailings are often cancelled in strong wind or high seas, so keep a spare day in your plans.
• Time needed: the ferry times make a day trip almost impossible. Plan one night in a guesthouse or camping.
• What to bring: facilities are minimal, so bring water and food and take all your rubbish back with you. There is little shade, so pack a hat and sunscreen.
• Best time: May–June when the grass is green and October for the silver grass. The Milky Way shows best on clear, moonless summer nights.
• Watch out for: most of the island is private land. Stay on the paths and follow the camping rules.
• Combine with: Deokjeokdo, where you change boats, has its own beaches and trails, so if the ferry times do not line up, spend a night there and see both islands.