Green Island

Green Island (Lüdao) is a small volcanic island off Taiwan’s east coast, known for its rugged coastline, clear water, diving, and heavy history. We stayed for 2 nights, which felt like the perfect amount of time to explore the island without rushing. While it’s often advertised as a summer snorkelling and diving paradise, visiting in winter gave us a completely different, quieter perspective.

Getting There: The Ferry from Taitung

The ferry to Green Island departs from Fugang Fishing Harbor, about a 10-minute drive from central Taitung. This is also where ferries to Orchid Island leave. If you’re arriving by train, note that Taitung train station is about 20 minutes outside the city, so it’s easiest to stay overnight in town before catching an early ferry.

It’s best to buy ferry tickets online in advance (around 1000 TWD return) via platforms like KKDay or Klook, though you can also purchase tickets at the harbour if availability allows. When you arrive, go to the ticket counter with your confirmation to exchange it for a physical ticket, keep it safe, as it’s also your return ticket.

Both the Green Island and Orchid Island ferries are notorious for rough seas. After our Orchid Island experience (yes, bags were involved…), we came prepared this time. How to survive the ferry if seas are rough:

• Arrive early: Boarding starts 30 minutes before departure, but arrive at least 1 hour early to secure a window seat.

• Sit in the back: Movement is strongest at the front; the back section is more stable.

• Stay downstairs: The upper deck feels significantly rockier.

• Take motion sickness pills: About 1 hour before departure.

• Eat light: Avoid heavy or fatty foods; we stuck to plain bread.

Best Time to Visit Green Island

The best time to visit is spring (March-May), when the weather is warm, seas are calmer, and conditions are ideal for snorkelling and diving.

• Summer (June-September): Hot, busy, and prone to typhoons, especially in August and September.

• Winter (December-February): Quiet and atmospheric, but windy with rough seas. Ferries may be cancelled, and snorkelling is usually not possible.

We visited in January, and tourists were almost non-existent, it felt like we had the island to ourselves. While snorkelling wasn’t an option due to conditions, the island was still absolutely worth visiting. Just make sure to plan flexibly around potential ferry cancellations.

Food and ATM's on Green Island

Food options are simple and local. Many small eateries close during winter, so don’t expect much variety or Western food. That said, there are two 7-Elevens and one FamilyMart in Lüdao town, which were lifesavers during the off-season.

There is an ATM in town, but it doesn’t always work. Bring extra cash, especially in winter when card payments may not be accepted everywhere (in hotels and for scooter rentals).

Where to Stay on Green Island

In summer, there are plenty of homestays and guesthouses, but winter options are more limited. We stayed at Happyminimi Dive Center, which also offers rooms.

It was a super cute homestay with an incredibly friendly manager (and dive instructor) who picked us up from the harbour. The place has three very sweet dogs, which was a big bonus. The location was perfect, right in Lüdao town, only a 4-minute walk from 7-Eleven.

Getting Around the Island

The best (and basically only) way to explore Green Island is by scooter. Without one, you’ll be very limited. If you have a scooter license, great. If not, things are a bit more relaxed than mainland Taiwan, but having a license is still recommended.

We rented electric scooters through our dive centre, which was honestly one of the best decisions of the trip:

• No license needed (max speed ~30 km/h)

• Easy to ride and more than fast enough for the island

• Free battery swaps at the rental shop

• 600 TWD per day

Ask your accommodation to help organise this, it made everything effortless.

What to Do on Green Island

Snorkelling

In summer, Green Island is one of the best snorkelling spots in Taiwan, with locations like:

• Chaikou Snorkeling Area

• Green Island Blue Cave

• Dabaisha

In winter, snorkelling is generally not recommended due to strong winds and rough seas.

Diving

Green Island is famous for diving, and even in winter some dive shops remain open (though options are limited). The island is known for hammerhead shark migration at Shark Point (Gun Shui Bi) during winter, but conditions are often too rough for safe diving. Shops will only go if conditions are absolutely perfect, and even then, sightings depend on luck. More commonly seen marine life includes batfish, spotted rays, lionfish, trevallies, and sea turtles.

Beaches

Unlike Orchid Island, Green Island has several sandy beaches, including:

• Da Bai Sha

• Youzihu

• Lyudao Lighthouse Beach

In winter, be cautious, waves can be strong.

Green Island White Terror Memorial Park

This is an absolute must-visit. After martial law was declared in Taiwan in 1949, many political dissidents were imprisoned on Green Island. The former prison complex is a powerful reminder of political suppression and Taiwan’s recent history.

We spent around 2 hours here, and guided tours are available. It’s heavy, emotional, and incredibly important.

Hiking

• Ameishan Trail: A short hike (~2 km round trip) leading to a viewpoint with panoramic island views, very much worth it. You might see some Reeve's muntjacs on the way!

• Guoshan Historic Trail: Descends back toward the main road.

Be cautious: we picked up ticks and leeches on these trails. Yes, really.

Scenic Spots

• Fanchuanbi and Niutoushan Grasslands

• Little Great Wall: Great panoramic views over the coastline.

• Green Island Ziping Ecological Conservation Area: nice spot to do some tide pooling.

Zhaori Hot Springs

One of only three saltwater hot springs in the world, heated by volcanic activity beneath the island. The hottest pool reaches 40°C. Because it was low season, we had the place entirely to ourselves!

• Entrance: 250 TWD

• Opening hours: 4 PM-11 PM

• Important: You need a swim cap, ask your hotel for one or buy it at the entrance.

Final Thoughts

Green Island isn’t polished, and that’s exactly its charm. Visiting in winter meant rough seas and limited activities, but also quiet roads, empty viewpoints, and a strong sense of place. Two nights felt perfect, enough time to explore, reflect, and slow down. Whether you come for diving, history, or just to feel a bit removed from the mainland, Green Island offers something very different from the rest of Taiwan.