Whale and dolphin tours to Turtle Island

By MOOK Travel Life Network Wei Ruiwei, compiled and reported

Compared to other Taiwanese outlying islands such as Penghu, Green Island, Orchid Island, Kinmen, Matsu, and Little Liuqiu, Turtle Island has always seemed somewhat distant from tourists—not because of the distance, as it takes just half an hour by boat from Wushih Port in Yilan, but perhaps because some people feel that applying for permission to land is a bit troublesome, or they think there might not be much to do on Turtle Island?

In fact, since its opening to tourism in the 89th year of the

A typical trip to Guishan Island usually includes the following highlights:

1. Ecological walk around the crater lake trail:

After disembarking, you can follow the 650-meter-long crater lake trail to enjoy the island’s rich natural ecology, such as Formosan lilium, Hypericum formosanum, Diospyros discolor, wild Livistona, and a variety of birds and butterflies. The loop takes about 40 minutes, after which you can visit nearby military tunnels and the Humanistic Ecology & Geology Exhibition Hall. At the end of the Livistona Trail, which connects to the crater lake trail, there is an observation platform offering a full view of Guishan Island’s tail.

2. Hiking up to 401 Highland:

The highest elevation of Guishan Island is 398 meters, but with the addition of a 3-meter-high lookout post at the summit, it is referred to as 401 Highland. The hike offers rich ecological scenery along the way, and the summit provides stunning views. However, the round trip takes at least two hours, requires a separate application and approval, so it's less visited by general tourists but often attracts academic research groups.

3. Taking a boat to circle the island:

The unique volcanic rock geology of Guishan Island, along with its turtle-like shape, can be appreciated during a roughly half-hour circumnavigation. You’ll see various aspects of the island, including four of the famous Eight Views of Guishan: Turtle Rock, Turtle’s Head, Turtle’s Neck, and Turtle’s Tail, as well as Sea Fire. “Turtle Rock” is a unique geological formation created by ancient volcanic eruptions, mainly shaped by the interaction between lava and the sea. “Turtle’s Neck” is a basalt column formation eroded by sea waves and weather, appearing in different shapes depending on the season. “Turtle’s Tail” is mainly formed by the erosion of seawater, resembling a turtle’s tail. “Sea Fire” refers to the natural gas emitted from underwater vents that ignites on contact with the air, creating a flame-like effect.

Another highlight is the “underwater spring,” a special phenomenon where gases from volcanic vents and sulfur springs under the island rise through the seawater, becoming visible especially when the water is calm.