Hiking Naedo Island with My Family

A Personal Note

During a three-day trip to Geoje-si, a city at the southern tip of the Korean peninsula comprised of different islands, we decided to visit Naedo Island after spending the previous day at Naedo's more popular neighboring island, Oedo. The gardens at Oedo were beautiful, but the place was a little too manicured and intentional for my family's taste. It reminded me a bit of Hearst Castle in California - beautiful, but also overly ostentatious, with inescapable, piped-in classical music throughout the entire grounds, with an inclination for ancient Greek statues and architecture that seemed out of place in a relatively remote region of South Korea. When I asked my 12-year old son what he thought about it on the ferry ride back to the main island, he said, "It was okay, but I kind of wish we could've gone on a regular hike somewhere in nature."

Determined to find an island hike that was more to my family's tastes, when we got back to our hotel room I finally took a look at a blog that my wife had recommended to me, called "Discovering Geoje" (https://geojetravels.home.blog/). The author had lived for several years in Geoje and started a blog to share her experiences, and when I went to the section called, "Island Sightseeing," I reviewed several islands and saw a description of Naedo that seemed perfect: "Aside from a well-maintained circular hiking trail around the coastline, a pension, small shop and cafe, it is untouched by tourism and retains its natural beauty and charm."

Naedo Island is only accessible by ferry from the Gujora dock (address: 경상남도 거제시 일운면 구조라로 21) and leaves every two hours starting from 9AM to 5PM. Shortly after having breakfast at the hotel, we drove down to the Gujora docks, found a nearby shop to buy some kimbap for lunch, and got our round-trip tickets to Naedo Island.

What I appreciated most was the sense that the experience encouraged a slower pace. The ferry ride, the paths, the gardens, the coastal scenery — everything seemed to invite a kind of quiet attention that can get lost in more crowded or commercialized destinations.

Traveling with family often means balancing logistics, energy levels, and expectations, but this was the kind of place that made that easier. It felt scenic and memorable without feeling overwhelming.

Why It Felt Conscientious

• The experience encourages walking and lingering rather than rushing.
• Visiting places like this can help support local tourism economies in a more direct way.
• It reminded me that meaningful travel does not always need to be flashy or heavily commercial.
• It was the kind of outing where appreciation for the place itself became the main event.

Useful Tips

• Make sure to get to the ferry about ten minutes before departure.
• Bring water and snacks or a lunch unless you want to eat at the one cafe on the islandw.
• Wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for a few steep climbs.

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