Blog Feed
- Remembering Typhoon Dolphin (2026) 紀念颱風白海豚
Typhoon Dolphin was the thirteenth storm, fifth typhoon and third violent typhoon of the 2026 Pacific typhoon season. It made landfall in China and dumped rain onto Northern Taiwan before dissipating into oblivion. In this blog, we will share some memories of this storm and its impact on Taiwan.
Storm Formation and Path
Typhoon Dolphin became a depression on July 26th, 2026. On July 28th, it strengthened into a Typhoon and quickly intensified to a Category 4 Typhoon. 14 people were killed due to the storm, but none in Taiwan.
Early forecast models predicted that the storm would track north of Taiwan, which is what happened.
Originally, the track for the Typhoon showed that it would move fast and strong toward Taiwan.
The track pretty much stayed steady, predicting the Typhoon would go north of Taiwan.
However, the Typhoon looked menacing as it tracked west.
This Typhoon stayed on its predicted path.
The Typhoon made landfall in China above the Matsu Islands.
As you can see from this radar shot, Taiwan was pummeled with rain.
Full track for the Typhoon.
My Experience
In Taipei was wet and windy, but there was not much damage. However, I had friends in Shanghai who got the day off from work, but were trapped inside as water leaked through their walls and underneath their floorboards. Luckily the houses are built better in Taipei.
Rainfall Totals
Over 400 mm of rain fell in central Taiwan due to the Typhoon, which is not a whole lot compared with other Typhoons.
Radar Track and Rainfall Totals
Full radar track of Typhoon Dolphin. Safety Precautions During a Typhoon
- Secure loose outside objects
- If you live on the first floor of a flood-prone area, move as many valuables and important objects to higher floors as possible.
- Park your car/scooter on high ground
- Avoid going outside for your safety
- Stay out of the mountains
- Stay away from the ocean
- Have enough dry food and water ready for three days (72 hours) in case water and electricity are cut off.
If you follow the above rules, most Typhoons in Taiwan will not be dangerous. Also, most buildings in Taiwan are built with reinforced concrete that can withstand even the strongest winds, so stay indoors and you will be fine.Conclusion
This was a small storm and died quickly after dumping a moderate amount of heavy rain on southern Taiwan for about 24 hours. This storm is sure to be quickly forgotten in Taiwan, but we are all grateful it did not turn out to be worse.
For more Typhoon history, check out our full 2024 Taiwan Typhoon Season post here and our 2025 Taiwan Typhoon Season post here.
- Remembering Typhoon Bavi (2026) 紀念颱風巴威
Typhoon Bavi was the ninth named tropical storm, third typhoon and second super typhoon of the 2026 Pacific Typhoon Season. It made landfall in The Northern Marianna Islands and China, but also ravaged Guam and dumped rain on Taiwan and The Philipines. In this blog, we will share some memories of this storm and its impact on Taiwan.
Storm Formation and Path
Typhoon Bavi became a depression on July 1, 2026, and was upgraded to a tropical storm and then a Typhoon the next day. Bavi was the second Super Typhoon of the season. Over 23 people were killed due to the storm in the but none in Taiwan. Highest winds were clocked at 205 km/h.
Early forecast models predicted that the storm would make a direct hit on Taiwan.
Originally the track for the Typhoon showed that it would move fast and strong toward Taiwan.
As time went on, it began tracking further and further north.
However, Windy still predicted it would hit Taiwan.
However, the Typhoon deviated north from the original track, but its storm circle still encompassed northern Taiwan.
The Typhoon then continued onward, hitting Zhejiang Province of China.
The Typhoon continuted inland into China until it died west of Shanghai.
Here is a radar shot for when the worst part of the storm hit Taiwan.
Full typhoon track.
My Experience
I was not actually in Taipei during this storm. However, my flight was nearly cancelled by the Typhoon. Had the Typhoon come a day earlier as predicted, my flight would have been cancelled and I would have been stuck in the airport and in a bind. I have had flights cancelled by Typhoons before and it is not fun. Thankfully the Typhoon slowed down and moved north so I could enjoy my vacation.
Rainfall Totals
Over 900 mm of rain fell in northern Taiwan due to the Typhoon, which is nearly a meter. There was some flooding and landslides in the mountains of Hsinchu.
Radar Track and Rainfall Totals
Full radar track for Typhoon Bavi. Safety Precautions During a Typhoon
- Secure loose outside objects
- If you live on the first floor of a flood-prone area, move as many valuables and important objects to higher floors as possible.
- Park your car/scooter on high ground
- Avoid going outside for your safety
- Stay out of the mountains
- Stay away from the ocean
- Have enough dry food and water ready for three days (72 hours) in case water and electricity are cut off.
If you follow the above rules, most Typhoons in Taiwan will not be dangerous. Also, most buildings in Taiwan are built with reinforced concrete that can withstand even the strongest winds, so stay indoors and you will be fine.Conclusion
This was a large storm that dumped tons of rain on Taiwan. Luckily, the storm did not make landfall, and we are all grateful it did not turn out to be worse.
For more Typhoon history, check out our full 2024 Taiwan Typhoon Season post here and our 2025 Taiwan Typhoon Season post here.
- Ghost Month in Taiwan, Key Taboos to Avoid
Happy Ghost Month! In Taiwan and many other Asian countries where Buddhism or Taoism is practiced, Ghost Month (鬼月 Guǐ Yuè), or the seventh month of the lunar calendar, is an important festival when it is believed that the dead come to visit the realm of the living, and it is an important time for ancestor worship. In this blog, we will introduce the historical background and beliefs of this holiday, as well as key taboos to avoid during this time, and how to protect yourself.
🏯 Planning your trip to Taiwan? 🌊
Here are some top travel tips for you:
- Best time to visit: Spring and Autumn when it is not too hot or cold and less rainy
- How to get there: Plane tickets via Trip.com
- Best places to stay can be found on Agoda
- Book tours and activities in Taiwan on Klook
- Stay connected with a local SIM
- Rent a car to explore distant sights
Historical and Religious Background
Ghost Festival originated in ancient India based on the Yulanpen or Ullambana Sutra in which a child searches for his deceased parents, and is told that he is able to assist his parents by offering food on the 15th day of the seventh month. The 15th day of ghost month is also known as Zhongyuan Festival 中元節 Zhōng Yuán Jié, or Pudu 普渡 Pǔ Dù), when it is believed that the dead from both heaven and hell are opened to allow the dead to visit the living on earth. This festival is practiced in both Buddhism and Taoism, which are the major religions in Taiwan.
Spirits without descendants, or spirits in hell, are believed to be able to wander the earth for the entire month. These ghosts are thought to be hungry and in need of entertainment. Therefore, people prepare offerings of incense, food, and paper “ghost money” for the ghosts to enjoy and spare any misfortune on their families. Ceremonies are also held by Taoist and Buddhist priests to try and relieve the suffering of these ghosts. Water lanterns or burning boats on the water are also used to guide ghosts back to the underworld.
When is Ghost Month in 2026?
2026: August 13th to September 10th
2027: August 2nd to August 31st
2028: August 20th to September 18th
2029: August 10th to September 7th
2030: July 30th to August 28thKey Taboos to Avoid
Don’t go swimming
It is believed that during Ghost Month, water ghosts might pull people under the water to kill them and replace them in the underworld, so Taiwanese people are warned against swimming.
Don’t walk near open water
Going along with the above, ghosts can cause misfortune and death in open waters, especially in the sea or rivers, where the tides are strong and unpredictable. Those unfamiliar with the water can easily drown and or be swept away during ghost month (it also doesn’t help that many Taiwanese people are not good at swimming).
Stay out of mountain areas after sunset
Because it gets darker faster and stays darker in the mountains, it is easier for people to become frightened or get into an accident. Therefore, get out of the mountains before dark.
Do not place chopsticks upright in a bowl
Chopsticks upright in a bowl resemble incense, which is meant for deceased ancestors, to attract them to eat the meal. Therefore, if you place chopsticks upright, you can attract lots of evil ghosts to where you are, which can bring you misfortune. You may also offend someone living who may think you want them to die; therefore, avoid doing this all year round.
Don’t buy a car
Many people avoid buying cars during Ghost Month because it might lead to car accidents or bad luck. However, if you do not believe in this, Ghost Month is a great time to buy a car because there are lots of deals. You can check out our car-buying guide here.
Don’t buy a house
Many people avoid buying or selling houses during Ghost Month because they think this may bring bad luck to the house for the rest of the time they own it, which is too big of a risk to take. You can check out our house-buying guide here.
Don’t get married
When Taiwanese people get married, they usually try to find the most auspicious date possible. However, the whole month of Ghost month is off the table, because every day of this month has evil spirits and bad luck. You can check out our Taiwan marriage FAQ here.
Don’t dry clothes at night
It is believed that ghosts like to attach themselves to cool places or objects. Therefore, wet clothes hanging outside can easily attract ghosts, and the ghosts may attach themselves to the clothes and be brought into the house.
Don’t take walks at night
During Ghost Month, it is best to avoid nighttime activities because there are more evil spirits about, and there are more chances of bad luck and misfortune.
Don’t whistle at night
It is believed that whistling or playing a flute, or making other loud noises at night, can attract wandering spirits, as they might think someone is calling them.
Don’t take photos at night
If a ghost accidentally appears in your photos, this will bring misfortune and bad luck. Therefore, it is best to avoid taking photos at night altogether.
Don’t pick up money on the ground
Money on the ground is fair game for the ghosts. If you pick up a ghost’s money, that could bring you more bad luck and misfortune than the money could gain you.
You can check out our guide to the New Taiwan Dollar here.Don’t open an Umbrella Indoors
It is believed that ghosts are attracted to umbrellas because they do not like the light of day. Also the word “umbrella” (傘, sǎn) is a homophone for “scatter” (散, sàn), which suggests bad luck, financial loss, or family separation.
Do not hang chimes outside your window or near your bed
It is believed that making other loud noises can attract wandering spirits, as they might think someone is calling them. Therefore, do not hang chimes, especially at night.
How to protect yourself during ghost month:
There are a few ways you can protect yourself from evil ghosts during ghost month.
Use Sandalwood
Sandalwood brings a soothing aroma that helps balance emotions and bring relaxation. It is also said to attract wealth, safety, and peace to your environment.
Use Noon Water
Noon Water is collected during the peak of sunlight, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month (Dragon Boat Festival). This water is believed to have powerful properties for removing negative energies and illness. Drinking and bathing with noon water is said to remove negative energy and misfortune.
Use Wormwood
Wormwood (艾草, Ài Cǎo) is said to be a purifying herb that can cleanse and protect those who use it, and purify those who are exposed to evil or negative environments.
Frequently Asked Questions from Foreigners
Do foreigners have to adhere to the above taboos?
No, foreigners are not expected to adhere to Ghost Month taboos in Taiwan. Many foreigners end up breaking all the rules. In fact, many Taiwanese people do not even adhere to all the taboos, especially when it comes to swimming in the summer.
Are swimming pools open during August in Taiwan?
Yes, all swimming pools and swimming areas are still open during August despite ghost month. Whether one adheres to the ghost month taboos is up to personal preference.
How do people celebrate Ghost Month in Taiwan compared to other regions?
While many traditions are similar across. In Asia, there can be variations in specific customs and practices. In Taiwan, for example, they believe that ghosts travel around the entire month instead of just on the fifteenth day. Also, greater emphasis is placed on water safety, Mazu worship, and using water lanterns and burning ships to ward off evil spirits.
What is the difference between Ghost Month and the Ghost Festival?
Ghost Month lasts for the entire seventh lunar month, while the Ghost Festival (中元節, Zhōng Yuán Jié) is a specific day during this month, typically the 15th day, when more elaborate rituals and ceremonies are held.
When does Ghost Month occur?
Ghost Month occurs during the seventh month of the lunar calendar. The exact dates vary each year, but it generally falls in August.
What are the key customs and rituals during Ghost Month?
Common customs include making food offerings to spirits, burning incense and paper money, participating in public performances, lighting water lanterns, and visiting temples. Families also perform rituals to protect themselves from negative influences.
What is the significance of offerings and rituals during Ghost Month?
Offerings and rituals are meant to honor and appease spirits and ancestors, ensuring they are well-fed and content. This is believed to help bring blessings and avoid misfortune.
Conclusion
Ghost Month is an interesting and exciting time to visit Taiwan. There are many festivals and activities that you can experience all around Taiwan. Also, if you are a foreigner, it can be a great time to buy a car, buy a house, or go swimming. Most of all I hope this blog makes the holiday make more sense and helps you gain more respect for the people of Taiwan and their local customs.
Thanks for reading! For more festivals and activities in Taiwan, check out our full Taiwan Festival Guide here.
Xizhi’s Kezilin Natural Swimming Pool is a scenic and beautiful swimming hole New Taipei City, offering a relaxing place to cool off from Taipei’s scorching summer heat that is close to nature. The swimming pool is a simple concrete dam on a small mountain stream. It has become a very popular place for locals to swim.
🏯 Planning your trip to Taipei? 🏮
Here are some top travel tips for you:
- Best time to visit: March-May, and October – November when the temperatures are nice and there is not as much rain
- How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
- Best places to stay: Yuanshan Grand Hotel or Fu Chang Hotel
- Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
- Stay connected with a local SIM
- Rent a car to explore distant sights
Historical Background:
There is not much info about Kezilin Swimming Pool on the internet. However, it sits within Keziling Tea Farm “柯子林茶莊,” so I assume the owners of Keziling Tea Farm made it to attract visitors. They have also been nice enough to let visitors come to the area and swim for free.
Hours:
24/7
Price:
Free.
Where to stay:
We recommend Fullon Hotel, which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here).
We have stayed at and recommend Gold Mountain Ranch, which is a horse ranch and glamping destination in Jinshan. You can book a night at Gold Mountain Ranch on Klook here. You can also check out our full blog on the ranch here.
We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home, which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here).
Activities in Taipei:
There are many activities available to enjoy in Taipei, such as kayaking, canoeing, snorkeling, SUP / paddle boarding, water biking, and more activities, which you can book on Klook here or KKday here.
How to get there:
By Bus: From Xizhi TRA station, take bus F910 up to Kezilin Station. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here.
By Car/Scooter: From provincial highway 5 in Xizhi, turn left up on Xinjiang Road and keep going up the mountain until it becomes Xiwan Road. Stop when you see the signs to Kezilin and go up the dirt road until you reach the swimming spot. There were many people who drove their car there, but parking spots are limited.
Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.
By Bicycle:
Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan’s many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here.
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here.
Map:
Please see below:
See above.
Drone Footage:
360 degree aerial view from Kezilin Natural Swimming pool in Xizhi, New Taipei, a popular location for local residents to beat the summer heat. The best part is it’s free to the public. #汐止 #柯子林游泳池
Posted by Foreigners in Taiwan 外國人在台灣 on Wednesday, July 16, 2025
Check out our 300th 360 panorama above.
Our Journey:
Despite being a long-time Taipei resident, it took me ten years of living here before I finally discovered this fun swimming hole in Taipei. I was surprised to see that it was packed when we visited. Obviously, it is a very popular free swimming spot for people who live nearby.
Lots of people are enjoying the river as seen from the parking lot.
There is also a metal shack here where old people, and probably the owners or very established locals hang out.
There are some rocky places to put your belongings here.
As you can see, there is a small parking area. I recommend taking a scooter here if possible. The swimming pool is quite large and deep. You may need to bring floaties for kids or people that can’t swim.
Another closeup on the pool. There are also lots of fish in there that will nibble at your feet.
Last view of the pool. Overall, it is an awesome secret swimming spot that is great fun in the summer. I highly recommend visiting if you get a chance.
Check out our full guide to Taipei here.
Green Island is the best diving location in Taiwan, and it also has amazing historical and geological sites to explore. Despite this, the only way for most tourists to get to Green Island is via a 50-minute ferry ride. There is an airplane option, but seats are limited and often booked months in advance. Many ferries travel to and from the island daily with plenty of extra seats available, and there are two ports to choose from. The whole process may seem complicated, but in this guide, we will make traveling to Green Island via ferry easy for you.
I have travelled the Green Island Ferry three times. There are a few things I wish I had known earlier regarding taking the ferry that would have made the trips easier, which is why I have created this guide.
Green Island Ferry Routes:
You can purchase boat ferry tickets through a tour agency such as Klook here or KKday here.
There are two places that offer ferry rides to Green Island: Houbihu Harbor (恆春後壁湖漁港） in Pingtung and Fugang Harbor in Taitung (臺東富岡漁港). However, to get there from Houbihu, you need to stop at Orchid Island, and the trip takes much longer. Ferries may be cancelled during Typhoons and winter months from October to March.
Taitung to Green Island 台東到綠島
This is the most direct route to Green Island and the route that most people take.
Ferry from Fugang Harbor (富岡漁港) in Taitung to Nanliao Harbor (南寮漁港) on Green Island:
- Price: 1200 NT (600 NT per single trip)
- Total travel time: 50-minute trip one way
- Boats leave about every two hours, five times a day
- The first boat leaves Taitung at about 7:00 AM, and the last boat leaves Green Island at about 4:30 PM.
Ferry Boat costs:
There are also about three ferry companies that operate at both harbors. Both companies leave from both harbors at the same time and arrive at about the same times for the same prices (1200 NT per person round trip/600 NT per single trip).
You can purchase tickets through a tour agency such as Klook here or KKday here.
Ferry Boat Times:
- 7:30 AM departure from Fugang Harbor, 8:20 AM arrival to Green Island.
- 8:30 AM departure from Green Island, 9:20 AM arrival to Fugang Harbor.
- 9:30 AM departure from Fugang Harbor, 10:20 AM arrival to Green Island. (permanent set time)
- 10:30 AM departure from Green Island, 11:20 AM arrival to Fugang Harbor. (permanent set time)
- 11:30 AM departure from Fugang Harbor, 12:20 PM arrival to Green Island.
- 12:30 PM departure from Green Island, 9:20 PM arrival to Fugang Harbor.
- 13:30 PM departure from Fugang Harbor, 14:20 PM arrival to Green Island. (permanent set time)
- 14:30 PM departure from Green Island, 15:20 PM arrival to Fugang Harbor. (permanent set time)
- 15:30 PM departure from Fugang Harbor, 16:20 PM arrival to Green Island.
- 16:30 PM departure from Green Island, 17:20 PM arrival to Fugang Harbor.
- *Note: the above times change according to the seasons. There may only be one boat per day during winter (October to March), or cancelled altogether, while all the boat times may be available during summer break and weekends (except during Typhoons).
Please double-check which times are available before you go:
Feiyu Company Timetable: https://ferry.tw/time-table/lyudao
Green Island Star No. 3 Timetable: https://greenstar.okgo.tw/multimedia4.html
Taitung/Pintung to Orchid Island to Green Island 屏東到蘭嶼到綠島
This route is ideal if you want to visit both Orchid Island and Green Island. However, the whole trip takes about 5.5 hours and can be very rocky. Also, during the winter months (October to March), the route can be cancelled.
Booking to visit Green Island via Houbihu can be hard, and I don’t recommend taking that route unless you can speak Chinese or have a Chinese-speaking friend with you (the boat schedules are not as predictable).
For most tourists wanting to visit Green Island, I suggest departing from Taitung.
Ferry from Fugang Harbor (富岡漁港) in Taitung via Kaiyuan Fishing Port (開元漁港) on Orchid Island:
- Price: 2400 NT. You can purchase ferryboat tickets at a discount on Klook here or KKday here.
- Total travel time: Over 5.5 hours with stops on Orchid Island and Green Island
- Boats leave about every two hours
- The first boat leaves at about 7:00 AM, and the last boat leaves at about 4:30 PM.
- Your round-trip ticket may include a stop at Green Island. Make sure the second ticket stops in Green Island, because not all do. Usually, the Green Island stop is on the afternoon Ferry that leaves Orchid Island at 3 PM.
- There is no single ticket between Green Island and Lanyu. It needs to be included in a package to or from Taiwan.
- Booking a ticket from Houbihu to Orchid Island may be difficult. I could not find a place to buy them online at the time of writing this blog. A safer option would be to buy a ticket from Taitung to Orchid Island that circles back to Green Island.
Ferry from Houbihu Harbor (恆春後壁湖漁港) in Pingtung via Kaiyuan Fishing Port (開元漁港) on Orchid Island:
- Price: 2400 NT. You can purchase ferryboat tickets at a discount on Klook here or KKday here.
- Total travel time: Over 5.5 hours with stops on Orchid Island and Green Island
- Boats leave about every two hours
- The first boat leaves at about 8:00 AM, and the last boat leaves at about 4:50 PM.
- Note you will need to purchase two tickets: Houbihu to Orchid Island, then Orchid Island to Taitung. Make sure the second ticket stops in Green Island, because not all do. Usually, the Green Island stop is on the afternoon Ferry that leaves Orchid Island at 3 PM.
- There is no single ticket between Green Island and Lanyu. It needs to be included in a package to or from Taiwan.
- Booking a ticket from Houbihu to Orchid Island to Green Island may be difficult. I could not find a place to buy them online at the time of writing this blog. A safer option would be to buy a ticket from Taitung to Orchid Island that circles back to Green Island.
Ferry Prices:
There are two ferry companies that operate this route. Both companies leave from both harbors at the same time and arrive at the same time for the same price (2400 NT per person round trip/1150 NT per single trip).
Ferry Boat costs:
You can book tickets for a discount on Klook here or KKday here.
Ferry Times:
7:30/7:00 AM departure, 9:30 AM arrival to Lanyu.
12:00/12:30 PM departure, 3:00 PM arrival to Lanyu.
9:30 AM departure from Lanyu, 11:30 arrival to Taitung or Pingtung.
3:00 PM departure from Lanyu, 5:00 PM arrival to Taitung or Pingtung.
Usually, the boat that stops on Green Island departs at 3 PM.
Both ferry companies depart and arrive at the same time at both locations.
You can purchase ferryboat tickets for a discount on Klook here or KKday here.
Taitung’s Fugang Harbor 富岡漁港
One of the hardest decisions for us was picking which ferry time to leave. We decided to visit in October when there were fewer people but still warm temperatures. However, there were also fewer ferries. Because we were traveling with kids, we couldn’t leave too late or early from Taipei, so we stopped halfway in Hualien and spent a night there. We planned to take the 3:30 PM ferry to Green Island, but we got an early start and ended up driving down to Fugang Harbor in time for the 1:30 PM Ferry.
Parking next to Fugang Harbor is pretty much impossible unless you want to pay someone nearby 200 NT a day. I ended up parking up the hill on a country road for free for four days, and my car was fine when I got back.
We got to the main ticket hall, picked up our tickets, went to the bathroom, and then waited in the hot sun for the boat to arrive.
You can purchase ferry boat tickets for a discount through a tour agency such as Klook here or KKday here.
There is some shade as you wait in line if you get there early. The boat finally came, and we were able to board.
The boat ride over can be very shaky. Best to take some seasick pills, I’m serious. Also, it is best to sit on the bottom near the back of the boat for less movement. This boat goes on the open Pacific, and it can be like a roller coaster ride. Also, make sure your luggage is secure.
Both there and back, our kids threw up. There are plastic bags on the seats to throw up in. The adults around us also threw up. Those 50 minutes were long, but they eventually passed.
Nanliao Harbor 南寮漁港
We finally made it to Nanliao Harbor. I went to the first scooter shop I could see and rented a scooter for 400 NT for a day, and he only charged me for three days instead of four. He also offered a free van ride to our hostel to transport our luggage for free.
We stayed at and can recommend Fire Island Guesthouse, which is a high-quality B&B right on the east coast of the island.
You can book a scooter rental for Green Island on Klook here or KKday here.
Houbihu Harbor (恆春後壁湖漁港) in Pingtung
We decided to take the ferry from Kenting (technically Hengchun, Houbihu Harbor) because we knew the flights to Taitung would be hard to book and might be canceled, and because we had just recently vacationed in Taitung and I wanted to go back to Kenting. After three days in Kenting, we decided it would be okay to do an overnight trip to Orchid Island. We departed on the 1:00 PM boat. The dock was hard to find, but eventually, a lady told us to go to the yellow building on the west end of the harbor. We had booked our tickets online and already paid half.
You can purchase ferryboat tickets for a discount on Klook here or KKday here.
We took the Green Island Star No. 3 (綠島之星3號) to Lanyu, which sucked; it was way too hot, A/C had problems, and there were huge waves. Coming back, we took a different boat from the same company, the Green Island Star (綠島之星), which was much cooler and more comfortable. This line has three ships that run from Kenting to Orchid Island to Green Island, then to Taitung, and back again.
We were told there would be parking at the dock, but it was scarce. We ended up driving through a huge crowd of people and parking on the side of the road.
The boat ride was long, and there was no TV. Our hostel owner told us to bring a coat because it would be cold on the boat. That was a complete lie; it was freaking hot (mid-May), and to make things worse, there was some wind, which meant huge waves. My daughter barfed within half an hour, and after two hours, we all felt sick. Some of her barf unfortunately got stuck on the seat, which I don’t know whether or not it will ever come out. After that, I tried to take her on deck (where we saw the first sign of Lanyu above), but it was even hotter outside.
Kaiyuan Fishing Port (開元漁港) on Orchid Island
We were anxious to get off the boat. There is room for you to store your luggage at the back of the boat. Then, after getting your luggage, you have to walk on a boardwalk to get to shore. Our hostel owner was waiting for us in a van at the dock, along with about 20 other hostel owners. We had to wait for the crowds to clear before we could move. There are also many scooter rental places next to the harbor entrance.
I have never taken the last ferry leg between Green Island and Orchid Island, so that will be a tale for another time.
Map of Ferry Harbors in this Blog
The map above shows the four ferry harbors in this blog: Fugang Harbor (富岡漁港) in Taitung to Nanliao Harbor (南寮漁港) on Green Island, Houbihu Harbor (恆春後壁湖漁港) in Pingtung, and Kaiyuan Fishing Port (開元漁港) on Orchid Island.
How to Buy Ferry Tickets to Green Island and Orchid Island (怎麼買傳票去綠島或蘭嶼):
There are a few ways to buy ferry tickets:
- Klook: Taitung to Green Island
- KKday: Taitung to Green Island, or Houbihu to Lanyu/Orchid Island to Green Island
- Trip.com: Taitung to Green Island
- Feiyu Company Website: No English
- Kaixuan Company Website: Very limited English
- Green Island Star Website: Very limited English
- Book through your Hotel/Hostel owner
- Buy tickets in person at the counter (credit cards are accepted)
We recommend buying through Klook here or KKday here because they sell tickets at a discount, for quite a bit cheaper than buying through the company website or the counter.
Getting to Green Island By Plane
The only planes to and from Green Island come from Taitung City in Southeastern Taiwan. From Taipei, there are daily flights from Songshan Airport to Taitung, where you can switch to Daily Air which will take you the rest of the way to Green Island.
You can book discount tickets from Taipei to Taitung on KKday here.
Flight times: As of the time of this blog, there were six flights per day by Daily Air Corporation from about 8 AM to 4 PM (Please note their website is only in Chinese). The flight from Taitung to Green Island takes about 15 minutes. Please note that the aircraft are small and flights can be canceled due to high winds or unfavorable weather.
Costs: NT 1428 to Green Island and NT 1360 from Green Island.
Getting around the island:
Rent a scooter! The island is small, so you should not need to rent a car. You can rent bicycles, but you will not be able to travel as fast. You can also hire a driver to take you on tours.
Ask your hostel for more rental information. They can help you book a rental in advance.
Scooter Rental:
Price: expect 400 NT per day.
You can book a scooter rental for Green Island on Klook here or KKday here.
It may be better to book your scooter rental in advance, especially during summer weekends. Ask for help from your hostel owner if needed.
I am 100% percent certain you do not need a Taiwan local license to rent scooters here, however, they may ask for an international license (but I’m fairly sure they will let you rent without one).
Helmet wearing is not enforced at all as you will quickly find, but it’s still the law.
Also, be careful to not hit any goats because they wander as they please.
There is only one gas station next to Nanliao Fishing Harbor.
Car Rental:
Price: expect 2000 NT per day.
You can rent a car for Green Island using KKday here.
By Bicycle:
Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here.
Where to Stay:
Booking accommodation on the island can be difficult in the summer months and on weekends, when rooms can be fully booked for months in advance. Airbnb has the most choices; however, there is also a better quality selection on Agoda.com.
We stayed at and can recommend Fire Island Guesthouse, which is a high-quality B&B right on the east coast of the island.
My hostel did not require that I pay for my room in advance via bank wire transfer (as was the case on Lanyu), but they required me to pay in cash.
Expect to pay 2000 – 4000 NT per night for a standard double room on Green Island.
Tours and Activities:
There are many companies offering snorkeling, diving, SUPing, and other tours on Green Island. You can search for tours on Klook here or KKday here.
You can also book discount tickets to Zhaori Hot Spring on KKday here.
You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here.
Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog.
You can click here to receive $5 USD on your first Klook purchase.
Tourist Guide to Green Island:
Green Island is a paradise off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. Once a prison for political enemies of the KMT, it is now a tourist hotspot. It is one of the best places to snorkel and dive in Taiwan, one of only three saltwater hot springs in the world, and it also includes amazing volcanic rock formations and scenery all around the island. In this blog, we will explain how to get there, what to do, where to go, and how to enjoy this island.
Check out our full tourist guide to Green Island here.
For more of Taiwan’s outer Islands, you can check out our full guides to Xiaoliuqiu here, Penghu here, Kinmen here, Matsu here, and Orchid Island here.
You can also check out our full guide to all of Taiwan’s outer islands here.
You can also check out our full guide to Taiwan here.