Green Island
Taiwan
Green Island is located off the coast of Taitung, on the southeast coast of Taiwan. It is a favorite dive destination for many locals. Renowned for its impressive visibility, which can reach up to 30-40m, it is ideal for photography enthusiasts.
Green Island is a volcanic island with stunning rock formations both above and below the water. Surrounded by coral reefs and pinnacles, there is no shortage of amazing divesites teaming with a rich variety of marine species. Touring the island by motorbike is a must-do for all who visit. See if you can spot any deer on your drive!
Diver Requirements
Open water diver (Advanced certification and SMB are recommended for all boat diving)
Below the Surface
The best feature of Green Island is its crystal-clear visibility! The soft coral cover here is spectacular to watch as a variety of polyps swaying back and forth as the surge goes in and out. Titan triggerfish is a common sighting, so keep your distance, especially during mating season. Some common species to look out for include clownfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, cuttlefish, turtles, and rays.
Special Dive Sites:
Shi Lang – An underwater post office has a mailbox shaped like a seahorse at 12m. You can use it to send mail to someone.
Shi Lang also has three 4-story tall cubed steel frames at 30m, often with batfish swimming around the top of the structures at approximately 15m. You can find all kinds of creatures within the structures, big and small.
Above the Surface
White Terror Memorial Park - After the prison was built in 1951, many political dissidents were imprisoned on Green Island
Little Great Wall - A short hike along a ridge brings you to a pagoda on a beautiful view of the ocean and Sleeping Beauty Rock
Zhaori Hot Springs - The springs are fed by seawater and underground water heated by the volcanic lava of Green Island. This is one of only three saltwater hot springs in the world.
Lüdao Lighthouse - The lighthouse was built and went into operation in 1939 after the SS President Hoover hit the island's reef on 11 of December 1937 en route from Japan to the Philippines.
Sleeping Beauty Rock - The rock is a residual volcanic wall. The rock was formed slowly after different parts of the crater eroded by sea and wind over time. The rock was named due to its shape resembling a Sleeping Beauty.
Chaikou Snorkeling Area - Chaikou is famous for its magnificent stony coral landscape. It is suitable for anyone who wants to try snorkeling.
How to Get There
How to Get There:
Green Island can be accessed by ferry from Taitung port on the east coast. You must pre-book your ticket. You can do that online.
To get to Taitung, you can take the train from Taipei to Taitung. Try to take the express train if possible; it’ll only take about 4 hours.
Flights to Taitung are also available from Songshan Airport in Taipei City. Two domestic carriers are available to you, Mandarin Airlines and Uni Air. You can also purchase a separate flight from Taitung to Green Island. From Taitung, you need to take a short 50-minute ferry or an even shorter flight. Both of these flights must be bought well in advance to confirm a seat as seats are limited.
CAUTION: Ferries and Flights can be canceled due to weather and wave conditions. Keep an eye on the forecast and be prepared for cancelations!
Travel Information
Peak Season: April to October
November to December is still diveable, but be ready for colder water temperatures as you come closer to winter months and a higher chance of wavy conditions.
CAUTION: Ferries and Flights can be canceled due to weather and wave conditions. Keep an eye on the forecast and be prepared for cancelations!
Local dive insurance is required (Shop can help you to apply)