Gwakdo Island

Gwakdo is an island belonging to Maenggol-ri, Jodo-myeon, Jindo-gun. People have lived there since around 1700, and it was named Gwakdo because seaweed grew abundantly on the island. Due to the high quality of the seaweed, it is also called Seaweed Island. It is a small island about the size of 20 soccer fields combined. The Maenggol Archipelago is the most remote island area from Jindo, and among the Maenggol Archipelago, Gwakdo is the outermost island. Beyond here lies the Pacific Ocean. Maenggol-do, which requires a long boat ride from Jindo, is famous for its very strong waves. As a result, the seawater takes on a milky color. The stone seaweed of Maenggol-do, which grows while withstanding the waves, is characterized by leaves that do not clump together, few leaves, sturdy stems, and leaves that sprout like centipede legs. When boiled for a long time, it produces a rich broth similar to beef bone soup. The island's coast is entirely rocky, and the terrain is very narrow, making it difficult to climb steep cliffs. In winter, many anglers visit the island.