Jeju Olle Trail 16 and the Aewol Coastal Route Starting at Gonae Port

Why Gonae Port Is Both the Finish of Course 15 and the Starting Point of Course 16

Gonae Port is a small harbor in Gonae-ri, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. It is where Jeju Olle Course 15 ends and Course 16 begins. The official guidebook published by the Jeju Tourism Organization describes Course 15 as a 19.4 km route taking 6–7 hours from Biyangdo Ferry Terminal at Hallim Port to Gonae Port, and Course 16 as a 19.7 km route taking 6–7 hours from Gonae Port to the Gwangnyeong 1-ri Office.

In other words, 20–40 minutes is enough if you are only visiting the port itself, but if you plan to walk the Olle Trail, you should prepare water, snacks, and an outer layer for rainy weather before setting out. Measured route information for Course 15 marks Gonae Port at approximately the 19 km point and suggests walking back about 5 minutes toward Gonaebong to use the bus stop across the four-lane road for buses toward Jeju-si and the airport.

A Small Fishing Port at 390 Aewolhaean-ro, Nicknamed “Yogangteo”

The road-name address of Gonae Port is 390 Aewolhaean-ro, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (Gonae-ri), and Gonae-ri 1111-4 is also used as a tourist destination address. Its coordinates are 33.472881° N, 126.350130° E, on the coastline along Aewolhaean-ro.

Travel reviews and local introductions repeatedly explain that Gonae-ri Port is called “Yogangteo” because the harbor floor is indented like a chamber pot. However, this is an actual fishing port, not a swimming pool or beach, so it is safest to avoid entering boat mooring areas, walking to the end of the breakwater, or descending onto wet tetrapods.

• Uses: Fishing port, walking, and the starting and finishing point of the Olle Trail
• Recommended short stay: 20–40 minutes
• Jeju Olle Course 15 completion: 19.4 km, 6–7 hours
• Jeju Olle Course 16 completion: 19.7 km, 6–7 hours

Free Admission and Open Year-Round: Basic Conditions to Check at Gonae Port

Gonae Port is a free site with no admission fee and is listed as open year-round at all times. Since no separate ticket office or reservation process has been identified, you can stop briefly while traveling along the coastal road or visit according to your Jeju Olle departure time.

No phone number for a dedicated on-site management office or independent official website has been identified. For travel information and transportation or weather inquiries, contact the Jeju Tourism Information Center at 064-740-6000. The official tourism portal of the Jeju Tourism Organization is https://www.visitjeju.net. Since no independent detailed tourist-site page for Gonae Port could be found in Visit Jeju search results, contacting this information center is the most direct way to ask about changes to on-site operations.

• Opening hours: Open at all times
• Closing days: Open year-round
• Admission: Free
• Inquiries: Jeju Tourism Information Center, 064-740-6000
• Reservations: No separate reservation information available

Continue to Aewolhaean-ro from the “Gonae-ri” Bus Stops on Route 202-1

By public transportation, use the “Gonae-ri [South]” or “Gonae-ri Aewol 119 Center [South]” stops on Jeju trunk bus route 202-1 as reference points. Route 202-1 is described as running from Hallim High School through Gwakji Beach, Aewol Transfer Stop, Gonae-ri, and Hagu Transfer Stop to the Jeju Provincial Government Office and Sinjeju Rotary.

Gonae Port is inside the coastal road, so the final stretch from the bus stop to the port must be covered on foot. Information for the Course 15 finish says that you can walk back about 5 minutes toward Gonaebong, cross the four-lane road at the crosswalk, and reach the stop heading toward Jeju-si. Therefore, after finishing the Olle route, it is better to determine where to cross the road before waiting for the bus.

• Main bus: Route 202-1
• Nearby stop names: Gonae-ri [South], Gonae-ri Aewol 119 Center [South]
• Transfer hubs toward Jeju-si: Aewol Transfer Stop, Hagu Transfer Stop
• Bus access from the Course 15 finish: Walk back approximately 5 minutes toward Gonaebong

Check the Wind and Tides at Gonae Port Before Focusing on Breakwater Photos

Gonae Port is a working harbor with a breakwater extending out toward the sea and moored boats. Photo reviews often mention the views from the breakwater and the clear water, but the edge of the breakwater and tetrapods can become slippery depending on the waves, sea wind, and moisture. It is better to view the area from flat, paved sections.

For coastal observation or fishing plans, you can use the Gonae Port tide table as a reference. Badatime provides Gonae Port as a tidal location in Gonae-ri, Aewol-eup, Jeju-si, and lists the mean sea level as 135 cm. Because the exposed shoreline at low tide differs from the water level at high tide, anyone planning to go down near the water should check the day’s tide times and weather alerts together.

• Safe viewing locations: Paved areas inside the port and areas around the railings
• Places to avoid: The end of the breakwater, wet tetrapods, and areas around moored boats
• Check before observing the coast: The day’s tides, high-wave warnings, and strong-wind advisories
• At night: Move only short distances while checking the lighting and footing

Before Walking the 19.7 km of Course 16 from Gonae Port to Gwangnyeong 1-ri

Jeju Olle Course 16 starts at Gonae Port and heads to the Gwangnyeong 1-ri Office, covering 19.7 km and taking 6–7 hours. If you plan to walk only one course in a day, take care of bathroom needs, drinking water, and your phone battery before departing from the port. If you are setting out late in the afternoon, it is more realistic to walk only the coastal section and return rather than aim to complete the entire course.

Conversely, if you have arrived at Gonae Port after walking Course 15, you have already covered 19.4 km. Extending directly to Course 16 on the same day would mean a combined distance of 39.1 km and a total estimated time of 12–14 hours, which is extremely demanding for a typical one-day itinerary. For safety, it is better to use Gonae Port as a branching point for moving to your accommodation or boarding a bus.

For Wheelchair and Stroller Visits, Use the Paved Areas Inside the Port as a Guide

Gonae Port is a fishing port rather than a park-style tourist facility, so a step-free route throughout the entire area, an accessible restroom, and wheelchair rental services have not been confirmed. For wheelchair or stroller users, it is suitable to view the sea from the flat paved sections along Aewolhaean-ro and inside the port. Entry toward the breakwater, where there are slopes and changes in level, should be assessed together with a companion.

If you need tourist information in a foreign language, the Jeju Tourism Information Center provides consultations in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese. The center handles travel recommendations, transportation and accommodation information, tourism inconvenience reports, and wheelchair rental information. Its main telephone number is 064-740-6000. No information has been confirmed regarding foreign-language staff stationed at the port.

• Wheelchairs and strollers: Paved areas inside the port are recommended
• Breakwater and tetrapods: No accessibility information available; access not recommended
• Foreign-language tourism consultations: Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese support
• Tourism inconvenience reports: 1533-0082