Orchid Island

Orchid Island (Lanyu) is one of Taiwan’s most remote and unique destinations. The island is famous for its rugged coastline, lush green mountains, Tao (Yami) indigenous culture, and rich marine life, including sea kraits and sea snakes if you’re brave enough to snorkel for them.

 

We stayed for just 2 nights, but even in that short time, Orchid Island left a strong impression. Getting there isn’t exactly smooth sailing (literally), but if you’re looking for adventure and something completely different from Taiwan’s cities, it’s worth the trip.

Getting There: The Ferry from Taitung

The ferry to Orchid Island leaves from Fugang Fishing Harbor (also where the boat for Green Island leaves), about a 10-minute drive from central Taitung. If you’re taking the train to Taitung, the train station is about 20 minutes from the city centre, so it’s convenient to stay overnight before catching the early morning ferry (ours left at 7:00 am).

 

It’s best to buy your ferry tickets online in advance (around 2300 TWD return on KKDay or Klook, although you can also buy them at the ticket counter before leaving). When you arrive at the harbour, head to the ticket counter with your booking confirmation, where they’ll exchange it for a physical ticket. Hold on to this ticket, it includes your ride back as well.

The Orchid Island ferry is notorious for rough seas. We realised how bad it might be when we saw plastic bags already hanging by every seat. Despite taking seasickness pills, the ride was pretty miserable, at least half of the passengers were sick the entire way (including me and my partner. Yes, the bags were used).

 

Thankfully, our return trip was much calmer, but we definitely learned a few tricks:

  • Arrive early: Boarding opens 30 minutes before departure, but get there at least an hour early to grab a window seat. These fill up quickly and make a huge difference since you can focus on the horizon.

  • Sit in the middle: Avoid the front or back of the boat where movement is stronger. The middle section at the windows is the most stable.

  • Stay downstairs: The upper deck feels much more rocky. Stick to the lower level.

  • Take pills ahead of time: About 1 hour before departure. We actually doubled up (not sure that’s recommended, but it helped).

  • Eat light: Don’t board with a heavy stomach. We just had some plain bread a couple hours before. Skip fatty foods.

Best Time to Visit Orchid Island

The best time to visit is spring (March–May). Summers are hot, crowded, and prone to typhoons, especially in August and September. Winters can be tricky too, since many places close and ferries or flights may not operate regularly.

 

We visited in October. Even though there were fewer tourists, I wouldn't recommend going around this period as it is extremely hot!

Culture and Etiquette

Orchid Island (Lanyu) is home to the Tao (Yami) Indigenous people. Their culture is still very present on the island, with traditional underground houses, carved wooden canoes, and fishing traditions that go back centuries. If you’re lucky enough to visit between March and June, you may hear about the flying fish season, which is an important part of Tao culture and celebrated with ceremonies. Since this is not just a tourist destination but also someone’s home, it’s important to be respectful, ask before taking photos of people or private property, and avoid wandering into villages without permission.

Food on Orchid Island

Food options are fairly simple. You’ll find small local eateries, Taiwanese food stalls, and a few homestay restaurants. Don’t expect a wide range of Western food, but there’s always a 7-Eleven near the harbor for snacks and basics. Keep in mind that some shops and restaurants close early (except for 7-Elevens as they stay open 24h), so it’s smart to stock up in the afternoon if you want something for later.

Money and Connectivity

There is only one ATM on the island, located at the 7-Eleven near the harbour, and it doesn’t always work with international bank cards. To be safe, bring enough cash with you from Taitung. WiFi and mobile data are available, but the signal can be patchy in some parts of the island, especially when you head further away from the villages.

Travel Responsibly

Orchid Island is small, fragile, and incredibly beautiful. Please take any trash with you, avoid buying or collecting shells and corals, and be mindful when snorkelling not to step on the reefs. The Tao people and their environment have coexisted for centuries, and it’s on us as visitors to keep it that way.

Where to Stay on Orchid Island

When you arrive, you’ll dock at Kaiyuan Fishing Port. We stayed at DoDoWu hostel nearby for about $15 USD per night per person. It was clean, close to the harbour, and had a 7-Eleven just a minute’s walk away. Even better, the hostel was on the west side of the island, perfect for catching the sunset.

There are also several scooter rental shops nearby, and your accommodation can usually help you arrange a rental car if needed.

Getting Around the Island

The best way to explore Orchid Island is by scooter. Having a scooter or car is basically essential, without it, you’ll be very limited since the bus only runs every 3 hours (and it’s unclear when service starts or ends).

  • Scooter rentals: If you have a license, great! If not, things are a bit more relaxed here compared to mainland Taiwan. Sometimes, if you show an international driver’s license and demonstrate confidence, rental shops may still let you take one. Still, having a scooter license is highly recommended.

  • Car rentals: We paid 2,300 TWD for a car. It’s pricier but good if you don’t feel comfortable on a scooter. Especially in summer when it's scorching hot, you'll love having a car with aircon!

Snorkeling & Looking for Sea Kraits

Our main goal was to see sea kraits (amphibious sea snakes that live both on land and in the ocean). Instead of diving, which costs about $100 USD for 2 dives and isn’t essential for this particular search, we decided to stick with snorkelling.

 

Here are some spots worth checking out:

  • Near the Nuclear Storage Site: I know, it sounds scary, but it’s actually a decent snorkelling spot. There’s a staircase down close to the facility at the other side of the road to the rocks, and from there it’s a 2-minute walk to a sheltered pit. Best during low tide when the pool closes off from the sea. Deep enough for some fun freediving practice. We didn’t see any kraits here, but it’s still a nice spot for beginners. You can park your car at the landward side of the road.

  • Secret of Iraralay: A small pool where kraits have been spotted. Head to the larger pool on the left for a better chance. There is a parking lot nearby.
  • Jyakmey Monomanok: Our absolute favourite. The corals here are gorgeous and healthy, with tons of reef fish: clownfish, groupers, and more. Best of all, this is where we not only spotted a krait, but also the rare Ijima’s sea snake! They’re much harder to find, so we were insanely lucky. Make sure you go here before 10am, since this is a popular snorkelling spot and tour groups are brought here too. It can get very crowded (especially in the weekend).

Other Things to Do on Orchid Island

Even if snorkeling isn’t your thing, the island has plenty to explore:

  • Grassland sunset spot: A beautiful place to watch the sky turn orange.

  • Cold springs: A refreshing dip in natural springs.

  • Iranmeylek Bay: A stunning bay with a small crack in the rocks where you can swim in crystal-clear water. We even spotted a snowflake moray eel here! To find it, park in town and follow the small path to the rocks.

  • Lanyu Weather Station: a spot in the mountains where you can enjoy the panoramic views of the island. You need to park along the main road and walk for 5 minutes uphill to reach the station.

  • Diving: If you want to spend more time underwater, there are dive operators on the island.

Final Thoughts

Even though our trip to Orchid Island was short, it was unforgettable. The ferry ride might scare off some travelers (and their stomachs), but once you’re there, you’ll understand why people call it one of Taiwan’s hidden gems. The rugged landscapes, laid-back atmosphere, and rare marine life make it unlike anywhere else in the country.

 

If you’re planning to go, I’d recommend staying at least 2–3 nights to properly enjoy the island without rushing. Pack your motion sickness pills, rent a scooter, and prepare for some incredible adventures both above and below the water.