Island hopping: Heuksando and Hongdo Part 1

Heuksando

It is September! My how time is flying by. We officially have one month left in our contract. For the weekend we decided to explore some nearby islands off the coast of Mokpo. Korea consists of around 3000 islands! Heuksando and Hongdo are two of the more well known ones off the coast of Jeollanamdo. Heuksando is known as the black island because of the different types of trees that inhabit the island. Hongdo is known as the red island because of the sun casting it's color upon the island as it sets. Both islands has its own distinctive charm. So this was our plan: 
Mokpo -> Heuksando -> Hongdo-> Mokpo.

Mokpo -> Heuksando

Starting our day off bright and early at 7:40, or so we had planned, but since Alan accidentally decided to set the alarm for a weekday instead of Saturday... We woke up at around 9:00 am missing the 7:40 ferry to Heuksando. Well, just go with the flow and catch the next one at 1:00pm! Bought our tickets from the Mokpo Costal Terminal to Heuksando and off we went! I've read many blogs about the seas being very rough and that seasickness was inevitable. Thankfully, that wasn't the case for our trip, so it definitely depends on the day. Lucky me! The ferry ride takes about 2 hours stopping at Bigeumdo along the way.

Ferry Terminal

We arrived just after 3:00pm and headed straight to the information booth. Here, a friendly man speaking not an ounce of English came out, handed us a map (all in Korean of course) and pointed us to the direction of the buses and taxis. Our first objective was to find out when the first ferry to Hongdo was the next morning. We found the disheveled looking ferry office in the middle of the port and went up to ask our information. First ferry is at 9:50 and you have to purchase your ticket the day of. Ok, so that was done/on pause until the next morning. Now it was off to find a place to stay. Right behind the ferry office was a motel with the only English sign around the entire area, Hanyang Motel. Along the entire strip were restaurants that had motels attached to them on the upper floors. This one appeared new, clean, and had a bed... although it was literally made of stone... for 40,000 won. A few doors down is a CU for all your essentials :) 

Hanyang Motel

Now that our accommodations were set for the night, we were off to find a tour around the island. There is one main road that encircles the entire island. This is the best way to see the island and honestly the only way, unless you want to walk. A lady pointed us in the directions of the taxis and buses after watching us look completely lost staring at the map LOL. After asking around, a bus tour is the way to go for 15,000 won/ person. Taxis would be a good deal if you are a group of 3-5 and ranges from 40,000-60,000. The whole tour took around 2 hours going up and down the mountain ranges, swiveling around the many hairpin turns. 

The first main stop is this lookout over the mountain. The view is priceless! As the bus zooms around the island make sure you have your camera fully charged and ready. Around every turn there is a gorgeous site to see. Heuksando is definitely a fishing village with its own gorgeous charm. Just sit back and enjoy the ride and magnificent views!

After our tour we went back to our room and decided to have a quick and easy dinner of ramen. Then it was off to bed to prepare for next day's adventure, Hongdo!

Ferry Timetable 

(Please verify with ferry terminal, changes and cancelations may occur due to weather/season)

Ferry Route: Mokpo -> Bigeumdo -> Heuksando -> Hongdo

FROM MOKPO

Mokpo 목포 -> Heuksando 흑산도 

1 hour 50 minutes - 34,300w

7:50

8:00

13:00

16:00

Mokpo 목포 -> Hongdo 홍도

2 hours 30 minutes - 42,000w

7:50

13:00

FROM HEUKSANDO

Heuksando 흑산도 -> Mokpo 목포

1 hour 50 minutes - 34,300w

9:00

11:10

15:30

16:20

Heuksando 흑산도 -> Hongdo 홍도 

30 minutes - 11,200w

9:50

14:50

FROM HONGDO 

Hongdo 홍도 -> Heuksando 흑산도 -> Mokpo 목포

Total: 2 hours 30 minutes - 42,000w

10:30

15:30