Help hermit crabs find homes and protect the ecosystem without causing damage—“low-carbon tourism” preserves the beauty of Green Island

▲Travel to Green Island “slowly and with low carbon”—swap motorcycles for bikes instead! (Photos by Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)

Reported by Chen Zi-Yin, Taitung

Known as the “Pearl of the Eastern Sea,” Green Island boasts world-class beautiful seascapes, abundant underwater fish, and coral reef ecosystems. In recent years, it has become a favorite among travelers. However, the booming tourism industry has come at the cost of damaging the island’s pristine appearance, which deeply pains local residents. Recognizing that tourism development must go hand in hand with the protection of native species and the natural environment, Taitung County Government began promoting low-carbon tourism and specialty tourism last year, aiming to deepen the value of Green Island’s tourism resources.


The island offers towering sea cliffs, azure waters, and world-class landscapes, attracting visitors from all over. (Photo provided by Meat)

This year, Taitung County Government has adopted the theme “Green Island Go Miracle,” promoting slow and low-carbon tourism. It aims to showcase the unique travel experiences of Green Island from a perspective of “slowness, detail, and depth.” Through carefully designed tour activities, visitors can also contribute to environmental protection while traveling on the island. Taitung County Magistrate Huang Jian-Ting said, “Tourism on Green Island continues to thrive. Activities such as biking, long-distance swimming, and marathons are all very popular. While the influx of tourists brings business opportunities, it also creates pressure. But we have higher expectations for Green Island—we hope for sustainable management. We urge visitors to swap motorcycles for bikes, slow down, and enjoy and love Green Island together.”

Celebrity Dong Ming-Xiang was invited to be the spokesperson for this event. He also shared a line from the movie “Island Etude”: “Some things, if not done now, will never be done in a lifetime,” inviting everyone to experience the charm of Green Island.

The “Green Island Go Miracle” event will be held from September 7 to November 30 this year, featuring low-carbon tourism and special tour programs. The activities include four unique itineraries: “Thank You for Your Love,” “Dinosaur Incident Log,” “Wild Lily Wish,” and “Nostalgic Tales Over the Mountains.” These are paired with eco-friendly tourism elements such as seaweed bread and “Crab Thanks, Make Way.” Additionally, the event has united 25 local businesses on Green Island to form a “Low-Carbon Alliance,” committing to not providing disposable utensils or toiletries to guests, implementing waste sorting and reduction, and calling on tourists to reduce carbon emissions and love Green Island together.

 
▲When visiting Green Island, you can also help hermit crabs find homes by engraving numbers on shells. The next day, you can check if your shell has been chosen and taken by a hermit crab! (Photo by Reporter Chen Zi-Yin)

[Detailed Content of the Green Island Go Miracle Themed Tours]

Crab, Thank You for Your Love

Day 1
Head to Green Island → Get to Know Green Island → Taste of the Sea (choose restaurants that use eco-friendly tableware) → Cultural Code (fun tour of traditional place names) → Hermit Crab Home Project (shell marking) → Dinner in Green Island → Night Exploration of Green Island → Eco-Friendly Accommodation (selected homestays committed to sustainability)

Day 2
Energizing Breakfast → Crab, Thank You for Your Love (see whose shell was taken) → Eco-Friendly Snorkeling (choose instructors specializing in marine ecology and committed to environmental protection) → Lunch → Free Island (free time) → Return to Taitung

Nostalgic Tales Over the Mountains
Day 1
Head to Green Island → Get to Know Green Island → Taste of the Sea (lunch, delicious and using eco-friendly tableware) → Cultural Code (fun tour of traditional place names) → Nostalgic Tales Over the Mountains (explore forests and Green Island’s ecology) → Dinner in Green Island → Night Exploration of Green Island → Eco-Friendly Accommodation (selected homestays committed to sustainability)

Day 2
Energizing Breakfast → Sunrise Over Fire Island (sunrise directly over the sea, the dawn is earlier and fresher than in Taiwan—a romantic early rise) → Eco-Friendly Snorkeling (choose instructors specializing in marine ecology and committed to environmental protection) → Lunch → Free Island (free time) → Return to Taitung by boat


Dinosaur Incident Log
Day 1
Head to Green Island → Get to Know Green Island → Taste of the Sea (lunch, delicious and using eco-friendly tableware) → Cultural Code (fun tour of traditional place names) → Dinosaur Incident Log (learn about the ecology of the many-lined sun skink and set up traps) → Dinner in Green Island → Night Exploration of Green Island → Eco-Friendly Accommodation (selected homestays committed to sustainability)

Day 2
Energizing Breakfast → Who’s the Guest? (check if any many-lined sun skinks were caught—if it’s a Green Island species that strayed, learn about its ecology and help it return home quickly) → Eco-Friendly Snorkeling (choose instructors specializing in marine ecology and committed to environmental protection) → Lunch → Free Island (free time) → Return to Taiwan

The Green Island Lily Also Has Its Spring

Day 1
Head to Green Island → Get to Know Green Island → Taste of the Sea (lunch, delicious and using eco-friendly tableware) → Cultural Code (fun tour of traditional place names) → Green Island Lily Also Has Its Spring (flower viewing from November to May, seed collecting from July to August, sowing from September to October) → Dinner in Green Island → Night Exploration of Green Island → Eco-Friendly Accommodation (selected homestays committed to sustainability)

The Taitung County Government stated that this experience itinerary is not only high-quality but exceptionally good value. To provide a comprehensive "Green Island Go Miracle" themed experience, visitors can directly purchase the Green Island Travel Universal R Card at 7-ELEVEN ibon, which offers special package benefits and provides a unique submarine tour. The government looks forward to everyone enjoying this distinctive underwater-themed trip.