Green Island
Green Island is a small volcanic island off Taiwan's southeast coast, reached by ferry from Taitung. Visitors come for seawater hot springs, clear water for diving and snorkeling, and a former political prison that is now a memorial park.
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Green Island (Lüdao) is a small volcanic island off Taiwan's southeast coast, administered from Taitung County. A ferry from Taitung city is the usual way there. The island is known for seawater hot springs, clear water for diving and snorkeling, and a former political prison. During the martial law era, the prison held political prisoners. The site is now a memorial park where you can walk through the old cells and learn about the people held there.
The island is small enough to explore by scooter or bicycle, and the main sights sit a short ride apart. Expect a slow pace, local seafood and a small-town feel. The trip suits travelers who want a beach or water day after time in Taipei or Kaohsiung, and it works well as a side trip from Taitung. Spring usually brings calmer water. Typhoon season runs roughly from summer into early autumn, and ferries can be canceled in bad weather, so plan a spare day in your schedule.
Green Island in five
- Plan the ferry from TaitungGreen Island is reached by ferry from Taitung, about 40 minutes each way. Strong wind and typhoon warnings can cancel sailings, so keep a spare day in your plan.Getting around
- Carry New Taiwan dollars in cashCash is useful at small shops, scooter rental counters and food stalls on the island. Withdraw enough in Taitung before you board the ferry.Money and costs
- Get an eSIM before you boardSet up data in Taitung, then download offline maps and the ferry timetable. Once on the island, you will use your phone for bookings and routes.Phones and eSIM
- Carry an international driving permitScooter rental requires a valid motorcycle licence. Foreign visitors also need an international driving permit with their home licence. Helmets are required for riders and passengers.
- Check typhoon warnings before you travelFerry service and island tours stop during typhoon warnings, and warnings can change within a day. Check the Central Weather Administration forecast before you leave for Taitung.
Need to know
- Currency
- New Taiwan dollar (TWD)
- Entry
- Visa-free short stays for many passports; check your passport before you book Read more
- Emergency
- 110 police, 119 fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+8, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryWindy, cooler
- FebruaryWindy, cool
- MarchMild, calmer
- AprilMild, calm seas
- MayWarm, calm
- JuneHot, rainy
- JulyTyphoon risk
- AugustTyphoon risk
- SeptemberTyphoon risk
- OctoberClear, dry
- NovemberClear, cooler
- DecemberWindy, cool
Right now in Green Island
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 27 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Green Island
04:41 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today27°25°100%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed27°25°82%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Thu27°26°12%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 27°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Fri27°25°80%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Sat27°25°94%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Sun27°25°84%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 84%.
- Mon27°24°98%Monday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 98%.
Updated 03:59 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 32.64 TWD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Taitung cityabout 40 min by ferry, then a bus or taxiThe mainland base for the ferry, with the main rail and flight links to the rest of Taiwan.
- Kentingby car, after the ferryA southern coastal park for beaches and reefs, too far for a relaxed day trip.
- Lanyu (Orchid Island)about 30 min by plane from TaitungA separate island reached from Taitung, so plan it as a separate trip from Taitung.
Before you go to Green Island
Rules for Green Island, checked
- Check the current entry rules for your passport on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before you book flights.Source
- Scooter riders need a valid motorcycle licence, and foreign visitors also need an international driving permit with their home licence.
- Helmets are required for scooter riders and passengers on Taiwan roads.
- Ferry service and island activities pause during typhoon warnings. Check the Central Weather Administration forecast before you travel.Source
Plan around Green Island
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Taiwan trip
Read the guideGetting around TaiwanTrains, flights and the ferry to Green Island compared
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and daily costs on the island
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa for Taiwan and how to enter
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData, eSIM and offline maps for the trip
Read the guideWhere to stayGuesthouses and hotels from the pier to the coast
Read the guideGreen Island FAQ
Is Green Island worth a trip?
Yes, for a short island break with seawater hot springs, snorkeling and diving, and a former political prison that is now a memorial park. It suits a trip of two or three nights, since a single day is tight.
How do you get to Green Island from Taipei?
Take a train or domestic flight to Taitung, then the ferry to Green Island, about 40 minutes. The train from Taipei is long, so a domestic flight to Taitung is a practical option.
How many days do you need on Green Island?
Two nights covers a scooter loop of the island, the prison site, a hot spring and a diving or snorkeling trip. Day trips from Taitung are possible, but the ferry timetable sets the limit.
How long does it take to ride around Green Island?
The island road circles the coast, so a scooter loop is short. Allow more time for stops at the coast and the hot spring.
Is Green Island good for snorkeling and diving?
Yes, the water around the island is a main reason to go, and operators run boat trips for both. Ask about sea conditions for the day when you book, since wind can change plans.