Major Whale-Watching Promotion at Northeast Coast—Perfect Time to Visit Mysterious Guishan Island

By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported

Besides heading to Hualien and Taitung, whale and dolphin watching in the Northeast Coast is also highly developed. Boat operators first set out to track the movements of whales and dolphins, then notify the whale-watching vessels, resulting in a very high chance of sightings. It's also a more convenient option for residents in northern Taiwan. The “Yilan County Whale Watching Promotion Association” is holding a whale and dolphin eco-tourism event around Guishan Island from April 22 to May 20. The event collaborates with recreational fishing boats operated by Toucheng District Fishermen’s Association to launch the “Everyone’s Favorite Guishan” package, which includes whale watching, island cruising, and a landing on Guishan Island—all for just NT$1,200 (original price NT$1,600).

The waters around Guishan Island are one of the most popular attractions in the Northeast Coast and Yilan region. Especially, landing on Guishan Island has always been subject to visitor limits, helping preserve the island’s natural and pristine landscape. The landing tour is often combined with a whale and dolphin watching cruise in the surrounding sea, making it a perfect family-friendly activity. There are up to 17 species of whales and dolphins in the area, with significant numbers—primarily including spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, striped dolphins, and false killer whales. The best time for whale and dolphin watching is approximately from April to the end of September.

To support the event, local recreational fishing boat operators are offering discounted experience packages. These include a 3-in-1 combo (whale watching, island cruising, and island landing) for just NT$1,200 per person, a 2-in-1 combo (whale watching and island cruising) for NT$700 per person (original price NT$1,200), an 800 NT$ 3-in-1 package for children aged 3–12, a 500 NT$ 2-in-1 package for the same age group, and only a NT$300 insurance fee for children under 3. Additionally, all whale watching boats are staffed with professional guides who provide themed commentary. Participants will also receive one ticket to the Lanyang Museum (provided by the Yilan County Whale Watching Promotion Association) and a “premium souvenir” (provided by the Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area Administration). Reservations for the Guishan Island whale watching tour are required. For details, please contact the Yilan County Whale Watching Promotion Association at 03-977-0606 or 03-977-0909.

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