Scuba Diver Ocean Planet Issue 2/2016 | Page 19

Jewel of Jeju LONG WEEKEND GETAWAY SOUTH KOREA CHUJA ISLAND Near Korea’s popular Jeju Island is a tiny gem that makes the perfect weekend getaway for divers of all levels 1. Beautiful soft corals are plentiful around Jeju and its surrounding islands By J.HOON PARK / CHRISTINE LEE Images by Y.ZIN / KANG DONG-WAN There are roughly 62 tiny islands around Jeju Island and each offers its own unique attractions. Although Jeju itself is a beautiful place for diving and sightseeing, divers are now flocking to the “hidden pearl” of Chuja Island. Relatively unknown to dive tourists, this tiny island and its surrounding waters are still pristine, and offer divers the chance to see a number of interesting marine species, including sea bream, sea bass, various kinds of seahorse, butterflyfish and frogfish. It takes one hour to get to Chuja Island from Jeju. The diving is suitable for