Oryukdo Islets

A cluster of uninhabited islets floating just off Busan's coast — this is Oryukdo.

The name, meaning 'five-six islands,' is said to come from how the islets appear to be five or six depending on the viewing angle and the tide — a name already recorded in an 18th-century gazetteer compiled by a local magistrate. Geologically, the rock formations were shaped by volcanic activity about 80 million years ago and slowly carved by waves ever since.

The Oryukdo Skywalk, opened in 2013, juts out from the cliff's edge. Walking out on its horseshoe-shaped glass bridge, 35m above sea level, you can look straight down through the glass at the waves below.

This stretch of coast also marks where the East Sea meets the South Sea, which is part of why the area is designated a National Geopark. A boat cruise that takes you right up to the islets is another popular way to see them.

Honestly, though, the islets themselves are uninhabited and only reachable by boat — from land, the skywalk and observation deck are as close as you'll get, so don't expect to walk onto the islands themselves.

The islets can be hard to make out on a cloudy or hazy day, so a clear day is best for a visit; this spot also marks the starting point of the Igidae Coastal Walk, so it pairs well with a walk along the coast.

Entry is free. There's no subway station nearby — take a bus (e.g. 27 or 131) from Busan Station or Haeundae to the Oryukdo Skywalk stop.