The Incredible Snorkeling Paradises — Orchid Island, Ishigaki Island, Palau, and the Great Barrier Reef

Text & Photography / Li Xinyi, MOOK Travel Life Network | Partial information provided by Mook Editorial Office

Summer is all about heading to the beach, diving into the cool waters, and watching tropical fish swim by as you glide beneath the surface—like shy clownfish guarding their own little coral kingdoms... For the first time, I discovered that in Orchid Island, you can snorkel without an oxygen tank and still see clownfish; for the first time, I felt like I was swimming in a jellyfish-filled jelly sea in Palau; for the first time, I saw how dazzlingly bright Ishigaki Island’s white-sand seabed could be; and the breathtaking sight of the Great Barrier Reef adds yet another world heritage wonder to any traveler’s list. Book your flights now and head out to the sea!

The Hidden Gem of Taiwan’s Offshore Islands — Snorkeling in Orchid Island

Snorkeling in Orchid Island is an affordable and convenient way to see fish, with most spots located in calm, shallow reef-fringed waters. Even those who can’t swim can enjoy the experience by wearing a life jacket, fins, and a mask with a breathing tube, swimming alongside schools of fish.

Orchid Island offers numerous snorkeling locations, and instructors choose dive spots based on current sea conditions. The experience includes cliff jumping and descending into the sea to admire colorful coral reefs, home to tropical fish such as clownfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish. However, to protect the ecosystem, please avoid feeding them bread.

Nearby Attractions: Nighttime Birdwing Butterfly Watching

The Birdwing Butterfly is a subspecies unique to Taiwan and can only be found on Orchid Island. The local Tao people call it “DO DO O,” named after the male’s “hu-hu~” call and the female’s “yao-yao~” sound. About 19–22 cm in length, these butterflies are nocturnal and typically roost on devil’s trees (also known as beach hibiscus), which led the Tao people to once regard them as manifestations of evil spirits. However, with the influx of tourists, they have now become a key nighttime attraction on the island.