The search term “Doja Island” often leads travelers to the small, remote islets known officially in South Korea as Dokdo, or Takeshima in Japan. This group of rocks and islets in the East Sea is the subject of an ongoing sovereignty dispute, but all current tourism logistics are managed by the government of South Korea. Visiting this location requires careful planning, as access is highly regulated and heavily dependent on volatile maritime conditions. This guide provides the necessary information for prospective travelers to understand the location and navigate the specific transportation and on-site requirements for a successful trip.
Geographic Reality of the Islands
The islands are an isolated cluster of volcanic rock situated in the East Sea, located approximately 87 kilometers east-southeast of Ulleungdo, South Korea’s nearest inhabited island. The formation consists of two main islets—Dongdo (East Island) and Seodo (West Island)—along with 89 surrounding rocks and reefs. The total land area of the formation is small, covering about 187,450 square meters. South Korea currently administers the islands, classifying them as part of Ulleung County in North Gyeongsang Province. The dual naming convention of Dokdo versus Takeshima is a direct result of the territorial disagreement between South Korea and Japan, and all visitors must adhere to the travel regulations set by the administering government to facilitate their journey.
Planning Your Transportation
The journey to the islands is a multi-stage process that must begin in South Korea, as there are no direct international routes available. The first step involves traveling to Ulleungdo Island, which acts as the mandatory staging point for the final leg of the trip. Ferries to Ulleungdo depart from several mainland ports, including Pohang, Mukho, and Gangneung.
The sea voyage from the mainland to Ulleungdo itself can take between three to four hours, depending on the departure port and the type of vessel. It is necessary to book these tickets well in advance, especially during the peak summer travel season. Once on Ulleungdo, visitors must secure a separate ticket for the ferry crossing to the islands, which departs from ports like Ulleungdo Sadong or Dodong.
The final ferry ride from Ulleungdo takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 1 hour and 40 minutes one way. Ferry services typically run daily, with multiple departures in the morning and afternoon, but schedules are subject to frequent changes based on weather conditions. Due to the high demand and the limited capacity of the vessels, securing a reservation for this specific route is important and should be done as early as possible. The entire round-trip excursion, including the on-site visit, generally lasts around four hours.
On-Site Visitor Requirements
Access to the islands is highly restricted, and the primary challenge for visitors is the unpredictability of the sea conditions. Maritime safety regulations govern all landings, and ships will only dock if wave height and wind speed are within strict limits. Passengers must present valid identification, such as a passport or resident card, to board the ferry, and carrying seasickness medication is strongly encouraged for the often turbulent crossing.
The success rate for actually stepping onto the islands is low, around 30 percent, meaning most trips result in only a circum-navigation of the islets. If the weather permits a landing, the visit is extremely brief, typically limited to 20 to 30 minutes per ferry group. Visitors are restricted to a designated viewing area near the main dock on Dongdo (East Island), and if a landing is deemed unsafe, the ferry will circle the islands before returning to Ulleungdo with no refunds provided.