Yeosu’s Odongdo Island: Camellias, a Lighthouse, and Rugged Coastline Across a 768 m Breakwater
Odongdo Island is part of Hallyeohaesang National Park, connected to the end of Yeosu Expo Ocean Park by a 768 m breakwater. Plan for 1.5–2 hours to enjoy the camellias, which begin blooming in February and peak in March, a 2.5 km forest trail, and the lighthouse first lit in 1952.
I’ve been here?
Your check-in helps the next traveler.
20 people viewed this week Be the first
One tap — no writing needed
Why an Island Resembling a Paulownia Leaf Became “Camellia Island”
Odongdo was named because the island’s shape, viewed from afar, resembles a paulownia leaf and the island was once densely covered with paulownia trees. Today, evergreen forests of camellias, dwarf bamboo, machilus trees, and other species cover the island, so it is more widely known in Yeosu as “Camellia Island.”
The entire island consists of gently rolling hills, while the coast follows a rocky shoreline featuring Byeongpung Rock, Sora Rock, Jibung Rock, Elephant Rock, and Yonggul Cave. Odongdo was designated as part of Hallyeohaesang National Park in 1968, and its status as a national park coastal landscape close to downtown Yeosu has shaped its appearance today.
Some 3,000 Camellia Trees at Their Peak in March and a 2.5 km Forest Trail
According to Yeosu tourism information, about 3,000 camellia trees grow naturally on Odongdo. The flowers begin blooming in February and reach their peak in March. If flowers are your main reason for visiting, consider prioritizing a trip from late February to March. Since blooming conditions can vary each year depending on temperatures, it is safest to check the latest on-site updates on the Yeosu tourism website before departing.
A forest-tunnel walking trail extends for approximately 2.5 km across the island. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours to walk the breakwater round trip together with the lighthouse and coastal trails. Sneakers are recommended if you plan to cover the stairways and coastal rock sections as well. On a short itinerary, you can still see Odongdo’s key terrain by combining only the breakwater, Central Square, the dwarf bamboo tunnel, and the area around the lighthouse.
A 768 m Breakwater Taking About 15 Minutes on Foot from the Entrance to the Island
The breakwater connecting the Odongdo entrance to the island is 768 m long. According to Yeosu’s official information, it takes about 15 minutes to reach the island on foot from the entrance parking lot along the breakwater. The breakwater is used by pedestrians, cyclists, and the Camellia Train. Vehicles cannot enter Odongdo, so plan your schedule with walking speed and the Camellia Train’s waiting time in mind.
Tourist information lists Odongdo’s operating hours as 09:00–18:00. Admission to the island itself is free, but if you start late in the afternoon, it may be difficult to see both the lighthouse and the circular trail, so it is better to enter the breakwater before 16:00. The breakwater and coastal rocks can be slippery on windy or rainy days, so avoid going beyond the railings.
Odongdo Lighthouse, First Lit in 1952, and the Southern Coast
Odongdo Lighthouse on the island’s southern side was first lit on May 12, 1952. The current white, octagonal concrete lighthouse was rebuilt in 2002 and stands 27 m high. The path toward the lighthouse marks a transition from camellia and dwarf bamboo forests to ocean views, making it a good place to appreciate the island’s forests and rocky coast together.
After passing the entrance to Wind Valley near the lighthouse, the path divides toward Central Square and the entrance to the western breakwater. The coastal area is directly exposed to waves and wind, so visitors with strollers or mobility aids should realistically stay mainly on the principal paved routes. Avoid climbing down onto the rocks to take photos near the coastal cliffs.
The Yeosun Incident Memorial Hall at Central Square and Traces of the 2012 Yeosu Expo
Central Square on Odongdo features models of the turtle ship and panokseon, as well as a monument bearing the phrase “Without Honam, there is no country.” At the Yeosu Expo Memorial Hall, visitors can watch videos free of charge about the campaign to host the Yeosu Expo and Odongdo. The Yeosun Incident Memorial Hall is also operated in the same area, presenting the history and significance of the Yeosun Incident that took place in the Yeosu and Suncheon areas in 1948.
The musical fountain is said to operate during periods excluding winter, but performance times and operation may vary depending on the season, weather, and facility maintenance. Rather than visiting Odongdo alone, combine it with the Yeosu World Expo site to compare the coastal urban spaces left by the 2012 World Expo with Odongdo’s natural scenery along one route.
Getting There from the Odongdo Public Parking Tower and Expo Station
Visitors arriving by car can use a public parking lot near Odongdo and then walk to the breakwater. Yeosu tourism course information lists parking fees of 300 won per 10 minutes for passenger cars, with a daily maximum of 10,000 won, but parking policies may change, so check the on-site signs first. It is also wise to expect possible queues to enter the parking lot on weekends and during camellia season.
For rail travelers, the simplest route is from Yeosu Expo Station toward the Expo site and Odongdo. The Odongdo Tourist Information Center can be reached at 061-664-8978, and the Odongdo Management Office at 061-659-1819. Wheelchair and stroller users can make use of the Accessible Tourism routes, which have gently sloping entrances and paved paths with reduced level changes. For greater convenience, plan a round trip centered on the breakwater and Central Square rather than covering the entire long forest trail.
A Half-Day Route from Aqua Planet Yeosu to Yi Sun-sin Square
The coordinates provided by the user are near Aqua Planet Yeosu and close to the Odongdo breakwater entrance and the Yeosu World Expo site area. After visiting the aquarium first, connecting it with a walk along the Odongdo breakwater and island makes it easy to balance indoor and outdoor activities. However, the aquarium’s address differs from Odongdo’s official address, so set the navigation destination separately to “Odongdo” or “222 Odongdoro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do” for greater accuracy.
After walking around Odongdo, you can remain in the Expo site area along the coastal trail, or connect to Yi Sun-sin Square and Jinnamgwan by taxi or local transportation. Conversely, the 1.5 km breakwater round trip and the slopes and stairs inside the island may be demanding for travelers with ankle pain or difficulty walking long distances. In that case, ask about Camellia Train service first and consider an itinerary that goes only as far as Central Square.
Before You Go
- Address
- 222 Odongdoro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do
- Hours
- 09:00–18:00
- Admission
- Free
- Phone
- Odongdo Management Office: 061-659-1819 / Odongdo Tourist Information Center: 061-664-8978
- Official site
- https://www.yeosu.go.kr/tour/travel/10tour/odongdo
- Transport
- Travel from the Yeosu Expo Station and Yeosu World Expo site area to the Odongdo breakwater entrance. From the entrance parking lot, walk approximately 15 minutes along the 768 m breakwater.
- Parking
- Public parking lots near Odongdo are available. According to Yeosu tourism course information, the fee is 300 won per 10 minutes for passenger cars, with a daily maximum of 10,000 won. Checking the current on-site fee is recommended.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours for the breakwater, Central Square, lighthouse, and forest trail
- Accessibility
- As an Accessible Tourism site, it has gently sloping entrances, ramps with reduced level changes, and paved routes. Wheelchair and stroller users are best served by routes centered on the breakwater and Central Square.
The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.
Places
Nearby Attractions 5
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
Food & Dining 5
-
6
Yeosu Odongdo Jeongsik Village & Haedam -
7
-
8
-
9
-
10
Yeonhwajeong
Events in This Area
Festivals in This Area
More Travel Guides in This Area
Travel Guide
Aqua Planet Yeosu on the fourth above-ground floor of the 2012 Yeosu Expo site
Travel Guide
The Legacy of the Sea from the 2012 Yeosu Expo: Yeosu Expo Ocean Park
Travel Guide
Yi Sun-sin Square, Where the Yeosu Coast Meets the Turtle Ship
Travel Guide
Meeting the South Sea at the End of a 150-Meter Artificial Rock Cave: Yeosu Art Land
Korea News
News
‘NewJeans Expulsion’ Danielle Releases Her First YouTube Video… “We Don’t Know What Will Happen Next”
![aespa’s North American Tour Has Remaining Seats Despite ‘$49’ Bargain Prices… A Stark Popularity Gap with KATSEYE [TEN Starfield]](https://kotourlive-images.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/news/1788485037424_a59b1932_naver_rank_thumb_0000774618_1788485037424.jpg){kind=icon}
News
aespa’s North American Tour Has Remaining Seats Despite ‘$49’ Bargain Prices… A Stark Popularity Gap with KATSEYE [TEN Starfield]
![[Photo] TWICE’s Dahyun attends a film festival red carpet as an actress](https://kotourlive-images.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/news/1788485316508_edd43ecd_news_870a60a6-6f11-4d73-aa7c-48d91318a0f7.jpg)
News
[Photo] TWICE’s Dahyun attends a film festival red carpet as an actress
![[On-Site Video] “We’re Departing Separately Together”… BIGBANG Begins ‘COSMOS’ World Tour](https://kotourlive-images.s3.ap-northeast-1.amazonaws.com/news/1788485226518_c5719641_news_fdd4764a-0f4e-4968-8e4e-e98a02872f88.jpg)
News