( CNN ) -- The ferry that capsized on April 16 with 459 passengers onboard off the coast of South Korea was headed to Jeju Island , the country 's biggest island and one of South Korea 's nine provinces . The island is South Korea 's most popular holiday island , attracting 10 million visitors in 2013 , according to government statistics . More than 70 % of visitors are domestic travelers , seeking out what has become known as the `` Hawaii of South Korea . '' The island is well known for natural wonders , including waterfalls , white sand beaches and a dormant volcano -- South Korea 's highest mountain -- at the center of the island . April to June is prime time for school field trips to Jeju Island , say Korea Tourism officials . It 's estimated that more than 300 high school students were on the ferry , traveling from the city of Ansan to Jeju for a four-day excursion . In 2007 , UNESCO inscribed `` Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes '' onto its list of World Heritage Sites , highlighting Geomunoreum , `` regarded as the finest lava tube system of caves anywhere , with its multicoloured carbonate roofs and floors , and dark-coloured lava walls . '' In 2011 , Jeju Island was named one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature . Jeju is also home to haenyo divers , also known as `` Korean mermaids . '' These women , often elderly , have taken up diving the ocean for abalone , sea urchin , octopus and seaweed . The volcanic landscape -- 90 % of Jeju 's surface is basalt -- has given rise to other attractions , such as grandfather stones ( dolharubang ) , massive phallic statues that resemble Easter Island 's moai . The island is also home to the Loveland theme park , dedicated to sex and eroticism . In September 2013 , Jeju Island was in the news after a Chinese luxury cruise ship was detained for issues related to a legal proceeding over outstanding lease payments . Quick facts . • Located 64 kilometers south of the Korean Peninsula , Jeju is one of nine South Korean provinces and is the country 's most popular holiday island . • Jeju Island is 1,848 square kilometers and has a population of about 600,000 people . • In 2013 , more than 10 million tourists visited Jeju according to government statistics . More than 70 % were domestic visitors . • The capital of the island is Jeju City . • Jeju 's city of Seogwipo co-hosted the 2002 Korea/Japan FIFA World Cup . • Jeju is 434 kilometers south of Seoul . The flight time between the two locations is just over an hour . Jeju International Airport services regular direct flights to cities such as Tokyo , Osaka , Beijing and Shanghai .
Jeju Island , or Jejudo , is South Korea 's most popular holiday island with 10 million visitors in 2013 . It has a population of about 2 million people and the largest number of beaches on earth ( including some that are considered to be among the best ). In 2013 a luxury Chinese cruise ship was detained for several days in Jeju over outstanding lease payments .