Orchid Island has the best-preserved aborigine culture in Taiwan, and it also has an amazing coastline, great diving and snorkeling, and historical and geological sites to explore. Despite this, the only way for most tourists to get to Orchid Island is via a 2-hour 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 Orchid Island via ferry easy for you.
I have travelled the Orchid Island Ferry twice. 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.
Orchid 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). You cannot get to Orchid Island from Green Island that I know of.
Taitung to Orchid Island 台東到綠島
This is the most direct route and the shortest route to Orchid Island, and the route that most people take.
Ferry from Fugang Harbor (富岡漁港) in Taitung to 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: 2.5 hours (unless you stop on Green Island on the way back), and 3 hours back.
- Boats leave about every two hours
- The first boat leaves at about 7:00 AM, and the last boat leaves at about 12:30 PM.
- There are only about 2 boats that leave a day, or more, during the peak season.
Ferry Prices:
- Price: 2400 NT for a round trip, or 1200 for a single trip. The Ferry boat that leaves at 3 PM to Taitung is likely to stop at Green Island. You can purchase ferryboat tickets at 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.
Ferry From Orchid Island to Green Island
- If you want to visit Green Island too, make sure the second ticket stops in Green Island, because not all do.
- Usually, the trip to Green Island departs at 3 PM.
- There are usually only tickets from Orchid Island to Green Island, not the other way around.
- In general, there is no single ticket between Green Island and Lanyu. It usually needs to be included in a package to or from Taitung.
- Booking a ticket from Houbihu to Orchid Island to Green Island may be difficult. I could not find a place that sells this route 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.
Pintung to Orchid Island 屏東到蘭嶼
This trip is only two hours, compared to 2.5 hours on the Taitung to Orchid Island route. There are also usually more times and boats available. However, during the winter months (October to March), the route can be cancelled.
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 KKday here.
- Total travel time: Over 2 hours
- 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.
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 too 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 on Green Island
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 at 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 Orchid Island (怎麼買傳票去綠島或蘭嶼):
There are a few ways to buy ferry tickets:
- Klook here: Taitung to Orchid Island
- KKday: Taitung to Orchid Island, or Houbihu to Lanyu/Orchid Island to Green Island
- Trip.com: Taitung to Orchid Island, or Houbihu to Orchid 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.
Historical and Cultural Background of Orchid Island:
Orchid Island became inhabited about 800 years ago by the Tao indigenous people (達悟族) (aka Yami people 雅美族, which is a name coined by the Japanese, but the native people prefer Tao), who are thought to have traveled from the Batanes Islands in the Philippines, which are a little less than 200 KM away, cut off by the Bashi Channel. However, Orchid Island is very different than the Philippines.
Beginning in 1644, some Dutch Sailors were sent to investigate the island, and some settled there among the natives. Because of this, the Island was known as Red Head Island (紅頭嶼) by the Chinese and the Japanese.
After the Dutch were defeated in Taiwan, Lanyu was claimed but not controlled by the Qing Dynasty.
The Japanese claimed the Island shortly after the Sino-Japanese War in 1895, but protected it as an “ethnological research site” and forbade outsiders from entering.
After the Republic of China took over Taiwan following the end of WWII, it continued to ban visitors to the island until 1967, after which tourists were allowed to enter, and public schools were built there.
Christian missionaries began preaching and living on the island starting in the 1950s, and now basically all native people on the island are Christian (mixed with traditional beliefs). However, Christianity was introduced much earlier, starting with the Dutch in the 1600s, although to a lesser extent.
In 1982, a nuclear waste storage plant was built on the south side of the Island without the islanders’ consent, causing protests from the inhabitants. Also, because of this, the Island inhabitants receive free electricity.
The island is volcanic in nature, with the last major eruption being over 5 million years ago. The highest mountain is 552 meters (1,811 feet).
Currently, there are 2,400 people permanently living on the island, 90% of them being of native Tao descent.
Tao Culture:
The Tao people number about 2,000 living on Orchid Island, with about another 2,000 living on the Taiwan mainland. The Tao people rely on the sea for survival, and much of their traditions and lifestyle are centered on fishing.
The Tao people are mostly Christian, but also still practice many of their traditional beliefs. However, their ancestral religion included a pantheon of Gods.
Traditional roles for men are fishing, while roles for women include harvesting taro and sweet potato and weaving. The men usually fish at night or early morning and rest on traditional wooden platforms during the day.
Boats are made from planks of wood and are painted red, white, and black. The boat usually has human figures, waves, and the traditional sun image (red and black circles and sun rays), which is said to ward off evil spirits. Boats are considered sacred and the ultimate human creation. There is also a launching ceremony for new boats in which traditional clothes and headgear (such as silver helmets for men and wooden hats for women) are worn, pigs are slaughtered, and the boat is lifted into the air multiple times before being set in the water. Traditional clothes include loincloths and vests for men, and aprons and vests for women. Young people on the street usually do not wear traditional dress.
Flying Fish Festival:
There are three basic seasons on Lanyu: one is the flying fish season, when flying fish can be easily caught and used, and lasts from February to May. The other seasons are from May to October and from October to February, when flying fish cannot be caught for ceremonial use. There are many taboos during the flying fish season, which are discussed below.
The Flying Fish Festival lasts from about March to October, when flying fish are caught. During this time, many ceremonies take place, such as the beginning of the festival, the plentiful harvest, etc. During the festival, there are multiple migrations of flying fish species near Lanyu. There are many taboos during this time, especially when it comes to catching and eating flying fish, which are the main source of life for the Tao people.
Weather and Climate:
The island has a tropical rainforest climate, with average high temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees year-round. The rainy months are in summer, especially due to Typhoons, but the sunniest days are also in summer (expect a lot of sun), and the rainiest days are in winter. Summer is the tourist season, but spring and fall are also popular times to visit. Winters are said to be dreary and cold, and have constant northeastern winds that can stop airplanes and ferries from departing to the island.
When to go:
The best time to go, they say, is around May when it is not too hot, and there are no northeasterly winds or typhoons which can cancel your transportation to the island.
The typhoon season lasts from around June to October. The busy season is during summer break from June to August, during which time it can be hard to book a hostel or airplane ticket. Winter is the less crowded season, but the water will be cold, there will be constant wind (which could cancel transportation), and it will rain more often.
Taboos:
General Taboos:
- Do not take pictures of or enter any of the underground houses without permission.
- Do not use any of the resting pavilions without permission, and if you are given permission, take off your shoes before entering.
- Do not visit schools when they are in session.
- Do not speak loudly or shout while inside the villages.
- When villagers are performing traditional rituals, watch from a distance and keep quiet.
- Do not touch or enter traditional canoes
- Do not disturb the ecology or habitat when snorkeling, hiking, etc.
- Do not bring any plants or animal parts with you when you leave Lanyu.
Flying Fish Season Taboos (February to June):
- Do not take photos or get near the fisherman or catch when they are coming ashore
- Do not touch or get into canoes to take photos.
- Women should keep away from canoes due to traditional beliefs.
- Do not bring oranges to beaches or harbors or give oranges as gifts, as this is believed to be a curse.
- Do not ask the fisherman what they are doing, as this is thought to bring them bad luck for their catch.
- Do not try to fish without asking locals the proper time and place to do so.
- Avoid swimming and snorkeling in or near traditional fishing harbors. Always ask your hostel owner or other locals where it is okay to swim and snorkel.
- Do not fish for flying fish, especially using nets or motorboats
- Do not harm or remove coral
Basic Courtesy:
- Know the taboos above before coming to Lanyu.
- Do not photograph local people or things without permission.
- Come to Lanyu with an open mind, and try to understand and sympathize with the people’s culture and way of life.
How to get to Orchid Island by Plane:
You can book discount air tickets from Taipei to Taitung on KKday here.
The only planes to and from Orchid Island come from Taitung.
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 Lanyu takes about 25 minutes. Please note that the aircraft are small and flights can be canceled due to high winds or unfavorable weather.
Costs: NT 1428 to Lanyu and NT 1360 from Lanyu.
You can purchase plane tickets through a tour agency such as Klook or a similar website.
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.
Tours:
You can book multiple tours and activities such as a Tribal Tour, Underground House Tour, day hiking, night hiking, snorkeling, scuba Diving, SUPing / Paddle Boarding, and Freediving. You can search for more tours through Klook here or KKday here.
Scooter Rental:
Price: expect 500 NT per day.
You can book a scooter through Klook here or KKday here.
Be sure to book your 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 Kaiyuan Fishing Harbor.
Car Rental:
Price: expect 2000 NT per day.
You can rent a car for Lanyu on KKday here.
Bicycle Rental:
Price: Bike rental is about 400 NT per day.
You can rent a bike for Lanyu on KKday here.
Accommodation:
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.
There is a nice selection of rooms on Agoda.
Here is a list of every registered hostel on the island, but it is in Chinese.
My hostel required that I pay for my room in advance via bank wire transfer (this may not be an option if you are a foreign traveler, so make sure they accept credit cards if you do not have a Taiwan bank account).
Expect to pay 2000 – 4000 NT per night for a standard double room on Lanyu.
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 Orchid Island:
Orchid Island (not to be confused with the Fijian Island of the same name), known in the local Tao language as Ponso No Tao (Island of the people), and in Chinese as Lanyu (蘭嶼) is a secret indigenous people’s paradise off the southeastern coast of Taiwan. It is different than any other place in Taiwan and has the best-preserved indigenous culture anywhere in the country. If Taiwan’s best tourist activity is experiencing the culture of Taiwan’s indigenous peoples, then Lanyu has the best tourist experience anywhere in Taiwan.
Check out our full travel guide to Orchid 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.
