Green Island (Taiwan)

Green Island (綠島; Lǜ Dǎo) is an island off the coast of Taitung County.

Understand
Green Island is an island off the east coast near Taitung. Several small villages are found around the island, but the entire island is known as Green Island Village. It is quite beautiful, and features one of the world's few saltwater hot springs, lots of scenic tropical vegetation and coral seashores, as well as a number of current and former prison complexes holding political prisoners during Chiang Kai-shek's dictatorship. The trip there is either a harrowing flight or equally-harrowing boat ride (the plane ride is shorter but more expensive). Services on the island are quite limited, particularly during the off-season, so it would be a good idea to bring some snacks and water, and arrange overnight accommodation in advance. A rented scooter is useful for getting around the island.

Talk
Mandarin Chinese is spoken by the locals just as on Taiwan, however their accent is heavily influenced by Taiwanese Hokkien. Many people will also codeswitch between the two without realizing, and older people often have a lower level of Mandarin fluency. If you feel in trouble, find the youngest person possible as their Mandarin will be perfect and they most likely have learned some basic English in school.

By boat
The first option is by boat. The ferry heads from Taitung's FuGang harbor to Green Island before heading to Orchid Island. Tickets are NT$920 round trip. The trip lasts about an hour. Motion-sickness bags are plentiful around the ship and many are used when the sea is choppy. Taxis from Taitung's train station are NT$350 each way.

By plane
The second option is to fly. Daily Air flies three times daily from Taitung Airport to Green Island's small airport. Tickets are NT$1,040 one way for adults and NT$780 for children. The flights last 15-20 min.

Unless pressed for money, it is suggested that you fly. The ferry makes many people sick.

Before you go, make sure to bring enough cash for the entirety of your visit. Although the island does have two ATMs (that only accept domestic cards), the machines could run out of money and leave you stranded as only the larger hotels on the island accept credit cards.

Get around
Scooters can be found lining the roads around the harbor on Green Island. Most guesthouses include a scooter rental in their accommodation packages. There is a single gas station on the island near the port open 08:00-17:00.

GreenIslandadventures.com offers packages that include ferry and pick-up from Taitung, accommodation, scooter, snorkeling and hot spring tickets. Scuba diving and scuba courses are offered. Packages start from NT$2,500 per person (in a group).

Do








Diving
Besides one of only 3 saltwater hot springs in the world, Green Island offers great snorkeling and scuba. Over 200 different hard and soft coral species and even more fish species.

Beware the current as it is very strong. There are a few places with little current that novice or beginner divers can use however.

One famous attraction underwater is (claimed by the locals) the oldest and largest living coral head in the world. It is about two stories tall and about 4 meters wide. A very beautiful site but it requires a 300 m round trip swim to visit.

Snorkeling can be done for as cheap as NT$300 for an hour or so if you ask around.

Eat
Many small restaurants can be found on the road between the port and the airport. A local speciality is deer meat from the native deer. Some live deer are attached to ropes to the restaurants themselves.

There is a 7-Eleven and Family Mart on the island open 24/7 like on Taiwan, however the prices are inflated and stock may run out more easily due to less frequent restocking.

Go next

 * Orchid Island
 * Taitung – Take a ferry back from Green Island Nan Liao Harbour to Fugang Fishery Harbor.