Green Island, Taiwan (Lyudao) Travel Guide
If you’re in Taiwan and want to explore some of the outlying islands, Green Island is an approachable first step! Green Island, or Lyudao is a small island off the east coast of the main island of Taiwan. It’s known for its rugged sea cliffs, rolling green meadows, and mysterious sea caves.
Green Island once served as a penal colony for political prisoners during Taiwan’s period of martial law but today, it’s one of the hottest tourist destinations for domestic travel. This small but scenic island offers a good blend of nature and civilization. Because it’s such a popular destination for travelers, the township has put in a lot of infrastructure that supports modern tourism. You’ll have access to convenience stores, easy transportation, and curated experiences (like scuba diving adventures).
Green Island is a travel destination that blends the ease and comfort of modern living within the context of stunning natural landscapes and this guide will cover all the must-see spots on the island.
Best Time To Visit Green Island, Taiwan (Lyudao, Taiwan)
Green Island, Taiwan is appropriate to visit anytime between March and November. The best months are March, April, October and November and the warmest months are May through September. The only drawback to visiting in the summertime is that it also happens to be typhoon season so if you plan on going then, prepare ahead of time and pack your poncho.
It’s best to avoid Green Island in the winter as it gets quite windy and dreary. The ferry schedule is also much more unpredictable because of the weather and a lot of shops will close for the season.
How To Get To Green Island, Taiwan (Lyudao, Taiwan)
Green Island is located 21 miles (33 kilometers) off the eastern coast of the main island of Taiwan and the easiest way to get there is by ferry or boat.
To begin your journey, you’ll have to make your way over to Taitung first. If you’re starting in Taipei, you can either fly directly or take the train (TRA) to Taitung. If you’re starting somewhere else on the west coast, the fastest way would be to take the high speed rail (HSR) to Kaohsiung and then to take the normal train (TRA) over to Taitung.
Once you get to Taitung, you’ll need to get to Fugang (Fukang) Harbor. It’s about a 15-20 minute taxi-ride from the train station. You can also take a local bus but coordinating the schedules there might be a little more complicated.
Regardless of whether you booked your ticket ahead of time or not, you’ll have to go to the counter to check in and get your physical ticket. During the summer, boats run quite frequently (once an hour) and a one-way ticket costs around $450 NT. There is a chance that trips will get canceled depending on the weather so always check beforehand. The ferry ride takes approximately one hour so if you tend to get seasick, make sure to also take a motion sickness pill beforehand.
Another way to get to Green Island is to fly directly from Taitung. The plane is quite small and the turbulence can be atrocious but if you’re really uncomfortable with traveling by ferry, know that there’s an alternative!
How To Get Around Green Island, Taiwan
The first thing you should do when arriving at Green Island is to rent some form of transportation. Electric scooters are extremely popular on the small island and don’t require a license to ride. As long as you have experience and can ride a bike, you’re good to go! You can ask your accommodation to arrange a scooter for you, book one ahead of time on a platform like Klook or KKDay or coordinate directly with one of the rental companies at the harbor.
After you get settled, take some time to scoot around the island and get oriented. I’ve listed the destinations in a clockwise order from Nanliao Harbor just to make things easier.
Lyudao Lighthouse 綠島燈塔:
This historical lighthouse was built in 1939 after one of America’s ships got stranded in the island’s reef en route to the Philippines. This all-white lighthouse is a great spot to watch the sunset and to take photos.
Wuyouku Swimming Area 烏油窟:
The Wuyouku swimming area is just a quick walk away from the lighthouse and is one of my favorite places to swim on the island. It’s a large seawater pool that is protected from strong tides. The water is generally fairly shallow but you can still snorkel in the area and see lots of little fish. I loved just laying back, floating, and enjoying the soak.
Heads up that it’s best to visit this area during high tide when the water is cleaner. At low tide, there’s very little flow with the ocean and the water can get dirty very quickly.
Chaikou Snorkeling Area 柴口浮潛區:
There are two main snorkeling areas in Green Island, Taiwan. Chaikou Snorkeling Area is on the northern coast of the island and because of the wind patterns, is only ideal to visit during the summer season. I didn’t actually go snorkeling in this area but found the concrete bridge to be picturesque and definitely enjoyed watching the intertidal critters scramble along the coast.
Green Island White Terror Memorial Park 白色恐怖綠島紀念園區
In Taiwan, The White Terror refers to the political repression of civilians during martial law under KMT rule from 1947-1987. It was during this period that the government prosecuted anyone who spoke up against the state. Because Green Island functioned as a penal colony for political dissidents during this time, in 2001, the government created this memorial park in remembrance for all the injustices that happened. The park features several buildings and structures that memorialize the former prisoners and give context to their experiences.
Green Island White Terror Memorial Park 白色恐怖綠島紀念園區 on Google Maps
Elephant Trunk Rock 象鼻岩
The Taiwanese love to name rocks after structures that they resemble and Elephant Trunk Rock is just another example of that. If you enjoy creative rocky formations, this structure is worth checking out. It also looks over the northern coastline of the island and is a fun spot to take photos at!
Niutoushan 牛頭山
One of the most popular hikes on Green Island with vast grasslands, several hills, and panoramic views of the northern coastline. This hike is fairly approachable and well maintained. Just make sure to bring water or some sun coverage because if it’s a sunny day, it can get quite hot!
Sea Cave 彎弓洞 (Wangong Arch/Cave)
Just a short ride away from Niutoushan is the sea cave! This cave was naturally eroded by the elements and creates a unique frame that opens out to the ocean. It’s an easy destination to get to and makes for great photos.
Blue Cave 綠島藍洞
Hands down my favorite spot on this entire island. This natural sea cave is the perfect destination for swimming, freediving, and cliff jumping. It boasts clear cerulean waters and plenty of interesting sea creatures to observe. Heads up that most visitors will organize a trip with a tour group as it can be a little bit of a treacherous experience to find so there are definitely moments where it can get pretty noisy and packed. Organize your trip accordingly!
Zhaori Hot Springs 朝日溫泉
Zhaori Hot Springs is one of only three saltwater hot springs in the world. The water source is fed by a combination of seawater and underground water heated by volcanic lava and typically ranges between 60 and 70 degrees celsius.
A bathhouse has been built in the area so that visitors can have a better experience, but if you walk down from the main building, you can still experience some of the springs in a more organic manner.
I watched the sunrise from this spot but it’s also a popular destination for stargazing!
Fanchuanbi Grassland 帆船鼻大草原
The Fanchuanbi Grassland in the southeast corner of Green Island, Taiwan is just a quick walk from the Zhaori Hot Springs. From the resort’s parking lot, you’ll walk up a set of stairs to access this expansive grassy plateau. This spot offers a beautiful stretch of green against the backdrop of endless blue skies and oceans. Heads up that there are a lot of wild goats here so be careful of the poop!
Dabaisha Beach 大白沙沙灘
Dabaisha beach means white sandy beach, which is an accurate name! If you’re looking for a more traditional beach on Green Island, definitely check this one out as it offers fine white sand and gentle blue waters, and is the perfect spot for afternoon lounging. This beach is also a popular entry point for scuba divers and is additionally a great place to watch the sunset.
Shilang Snorkeling Area 石朗潛水區
This is the second of the main snorkeling areas on the island and where I actually did my scuba experience!
I registered with Diving.come Dive Center for approximately $2500 NT. On the day of, you show up to the dive center and fill out a few waivers to get started. Then, you’ll put on the wetsuit and scuba shoes and they’ll talk you through the basics of the gear and underwater communication cues. Once you get to the ocean, the instructor takes their time to make sure that you’re comfortable with breathing and swimming in the ocean. From there, you’ll slowly make your way underwater with the instructor holding on the whole time.
I found that the coaches were extremely professional and did a great job of communicating clearly. The ocean was extremely beautiful and I not only got to see various colorful fish, but also a sea turtle and a baby shark!
If you visit Green Island, definitely take the time to scuba dive. It’s totally worth the experience!
Overall Impressions And Thoughts
That’s about all that I got to experience on Green Island! There are a few other popular attractions like Little Great Wall 小長城, the Historic Mountain Trail 過山步道, and Sleeping Beautiful Rock 睡美人岩 that I didn’t get to experience because of the time and weather, but if you feel like doing so, you can definitely check them out.
Have you been to Green Island, Taiwan? Are there any other destinations you’d like me to write about?
