Spot the Mythical Bird of Prey！A Summer-Only Seafaring Journey to Matsu Sets Sail in July
Last updated 2026-09-25 — Want to plan a one-of-a-kind trip to an outlying island during the summer vacation? The “2013 Matsu Seabird Watching & Marine Tour” event, hosted by the Matsu National Scenic Area Administration under the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, will set sail from Fuguo Wharf in Nangan on July 1...
By MOOK Travel Life Network, Reported by Chen Guanxin
Want to plan a one-of-a-kind trip to an outlying island during the summer vacation? The “2013 Matsu Seabird Watching & Marine Tour” event, hosted by the Matsu National Scenic Area Administration under the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, will set sail from Fuguo Wharf in Nangan on July 1. Along the journey, you can admire the unique granite rock formations and geological landscapes of Matsu. Near the tern sanctuary, you’ll have the chance to see various terns and migratory birds soaring through the skies. This year, the return route has been extended to include a detour along the coastal waters of Qinpí in Beigan, allowing visitors to view the traditional Eastern Min-style architecture and settlements of Qinpí from the sea. After the cruise, visitors can also explore various former military strongholds that are now open to the public.
This year’s “Seabird Watching & Marine Tour of Matsu” kicks off on July 1 and features an extended route around Qinpí in Beigan, offering views of traditional Eastern Min-style buildings and settlements from the sea. (Photo provided by Matsu National Scenic Area Administration)
This event offers participants a unique perspective to unveil the mysteries of the military past and rediscover Matsu. To avoid disturbing the terns, vessels will maintain a distance of at least 100 meters from the tern ecological protection zone. Onboard guides will introduce different species of terns and their lifestyles—especially the critically endangered Chinese crested tern, known as the “mythical bird of prey,” which adds an air of mystery to the tern-watching journey. Additionally, guides will explain Matsu’s distinctive marine erosion landforms as well as its traditional Eastern Min-style buildings and communities, giving visitors a deeper understanding of Matsu’s landscapes and cultural heritage while enjoying the terns.
The “2013 Matsu Seabird Watching & Marine Tour” will be held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning from July 1 to August 31 (subject to weather and sea conditions). Each cruise lasts approximately two hours, and spots on each trip are limited. Participants should arrive at the passenger service counter in the waiting lounge at Fuguo Port in Nangan by 9:00 AM on the day of the event. The cost is 250 NTD per person, with a maximum of 45 people per trip—first come, first served.
Gu Yongyuan, Director of the Matsu National Scenic Area Administration, said: “In recent years, the ecotourism tern-watching trips organized by our administration have received strong support from participants. This year, for the Marine Tour of Matsu, we’ve specially invited ornithology and geology experts to help plan the sailing routes so the public can continue to enjoy unique views of tern ecology and geological landscapes. In addition, the 2013 Matsu Seabird Watching & Marine Tour has been included in the official Taiwan Tourism Calendar recommended by the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, making it the first summer-only exclusive event in Matsu to receive this honor.”
For more information, please visit the Matsu National Scenic Area Administration’s website: www.matsu-nsa.gov.tw.
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