Free ride if your name has “Turtle” or “Whale”! Hiking Whale Watching Season on Guishan Island Officially Begins Now

Reported and photographed by You [name obscured] / Yilan

Could having the right name earn you a free boat ride? As spring and summer approach, so does whale-watching season. The “2013 Whale & Turtle Spectacular Voyage” kicks off today (the 13th). Travelers whose names contain the characters for “turtle” (龟) or “whale” (鲸) can enjoy a complimentary whale-watching cruise. Those eager to see whales or visit Guishan Island should seize the opportunity to set sail and uncover the mysteries of Taiwan’s surrounding isles.


▲ Spring and summer are here, and so is whale-watching season. Travelers planning to visit Guishan Island or go whale watching should make the most of the opportunity.

To promote eco-tourism and raise awareness of whale and dolphin conservation, as well as to boost local tourism, the event “2013 Whale & Turtle Spectacular Voyage” was planned by the Northeast Coast & Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration, Yilan County Government, Yilan County Whale Watching Promotion Association, and Toucheng District Fishermen’s Association. A ceremonial whistle-blowing launch event was held today (the 13th) at Wushih Port Visitor Center.

From April 13 to May 26, during the “2013 Whale & Turtle Spectacular Voyage” event, travelers whose names include any character from “Guishan Island Whale & Turtle Spectacular Voyage” can enjoy an additional 50% discount on top of existing offers. Additionally, those with the characters for “turtle” (龟) or “whale” (鲸) in their names can join the whale adventure for free. At the event site, visitors with names containing any character from the event title—including passengers named Huang Chong “Shan” (山) and Ye Pin “Hang” (航)—were able to board at a half-price rate of NT$350 after presenting their ID cards.


▲ Travelers with “Guishan Island Whale & Turtle Spectacular Voyage” in their names can enjoy an immediate 50% discount.

During the event period, the combined three-in-one tour package—whale watching, island circumnavigation, and island landing—has been specially discounted from the original price of NT$1,600 to NT$1,200. The two-in-one package, which includes whale watching and circumnavigating Guishan Island, originally priced at NT$1,200, is now offered at a discounted rate of NT$700. Visitors who sign up during the event period from April 13 to May 26 will also receive a commemorative gift.

Liu Shiming, Deputy Director of the Northeast Coast & Yilan Scenic Area, said: “The Northeast Coast boasts a rich and diverse range of tourism and recreational resources. Here, you can not only go whale and dolphin watching, but also surf, sail, swim, snorkel, hike, bike, and enjoy sand sculpture activities—all of which are perfect experiences for both domestic and international tourists.”


▲ All resources on Guishan Island are state-owned; no plants, rocks, or other natural features may be damaged or taken away.

 
▲ The waters around Guishan Island are abundant in whale and dolphin populations. (Photo provided by operator)