Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour & Visit to Guishan Island

Text / Compiled and reported by Wei Ruwei, MOOK Travel & Leisure Website

 

Compared to other Taiwanese outlying islands such as Penghu, Green Island, Orchid Island, Kinmen, Matsu, and Little Liuqiu, Guishan Island has always seemed somewhat distant from travelers—not because of the distance, as boats depart from Wushih Port in Yilan and the one-way trip takes only about half an hour—but perhaps because some people think that landing on the island requires an application and might be a bit troublesome, or they feel there’s not much to do on Guishan Island?

 

In fact, since being opened to tourism in the 89th year of the Republic of China (2000), Guishan Island has gradually gained popularity among domestic travelers. Yilan County Magistrate Lin Congxian mentioned that in the 99th year of the ROC (2010), the number of visitors for whale watching and island tours reached 180,000, rising to 200,000 in the 100th year (2011). Especially from late April to September each year, it can be considered the peak tourist season for Guishan Island. The public can join tour groups or apply online, coordinating with boat departure times from Wushih Port to visit. Choosing a whale watching, island-circling, and island-visiting tour (excluding climbing to Hill 401) takes at least around three hours; if you opt for just whale watching and island circling, it takes about two hours.

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

 

1. Ecological Walk along the Lakeside Trail:

After disembarking, you can stroll along the 650-meter-long lakeside trail to enjoy the island’s rich natural ecology, such as Taiwanese lilies, Hypericum formosanum, Diospyros morrisiana, wild fan palms, and various species of birds and butterflies. The loop takes about 40 minutes, after which you can visit nearby military tunnels and the Humanistic Ecology Geological Exhibition Hall. At the end of the Diospyros morrisiana Trail, which connects to the lakeside trail, there is an observation platform offering a full view of Guishan Island’s tail.

2. Climbing Hill 401:

The highest elevation of Guishan Island is 398 meters, and with the addition of a 3-meter-high lookout post on the summit, it is referred to as Hill 401. The route features rich ecological landscapes, and the view from the top is spectacular. However, the round trip takes at least two hours, and since a separate application and approval are required, it is less frequented by general tourists and more popular with academic research institutions.

 

3. Boat Circumnavigation of the Island:

The unique volcanic rock geology of Guishan Island, as well as its turtle-like shape, can be appreciated during the approximately 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, Elephant Trunk Rock, and Fairy’s Bathing Pool. Additionally, you might spot “Turtle Rock” and “Fairy’s Bathing Pool.” “Turtle Rock” is a unique formation resulting from ancient volcanic eruptions, mainly characterized by the juxtaposition of volcanic rock and eroded basalt. “Elephant Trunk Rock” is a basalt column eroded by sea waves and affected by weathering, appearing as if an elephant is dipping its trunk into the water—it looks different depending on the season and time of day you visit. “Fairy’s Bathing Pool” is mainly formed by seawater erosion and corrosion, creating a pool that resembles a fairy bathing in the sea.

Additionally, there’s the “Undersea Spring,” a special phenomenon where gases from underwater vents and sulfur vents are pushed through the seawater, visible especially on calm days.