Beautifully designed botanical gardens and gorgeous ocean views make this tiny island southwest of Busan a favourite of visitors to Korea.
Take a ferry from Geoje Island to the well-tended gardens of Oedo Paradise Island. With European-style botanical gardens and over 3,000 species of plants, Oedo Island provides an idyllic setting to experience the atmosphere of the South Korean coastline.
First created by a married couple in 1969 and not open to the public until 1995, the gardens represent nearly 30 years of tireless gardening and landscaping. The founders still live on the island in a bright white villa, which is closed to the public.
Take a walk along the Venus Gardens, which lead from the founders’ house to a white marble colonnade looking out onto the ocean and the forested Geoje coastline. Manicured hedges zigzag along a broad courtyard while round shrubs dot the sides.
Explore themed areas like the cactus garden, where 50 species of cactus thrive despite the moist marine climate. Climb the “Stairway to Heaven” to the summit of the island’s main hill and look out over the colourful patchwork of gardens spread across the island.
Castle Oedo, an observation deck on the island’s south side, offers gorgeous views of the dramatic Korean coastline. On a clear day, see for miles with the help of the binoculars mounted on the deck. If the kids start to get bored, head to the island’s east side to look for rare fossilized dinosaur tracks.
Since the only way to get on or off Oedo Island is by ferry and no overnight stays are allowed, you are given only about 90 minutes to see Oedo before returning to Geoje Island. Ferries leave for Oedo Island from six destinations in Geoje each day, so the island can get crowded, especially during peak summer months. Try to visit in April, when most of the island’s flowers are in full bloom and the number of visitors is still low.
There is a fee for the ferry and for admission to Oedo Island. Ferry terminals in Geoje can be accessed by bus from Busan.
