Top 10 Offshore Islands to Visit in Taiwan

Just like the Philippines, Taiwan is an archipelago. It consists of not just one, but 168 islands — including the main island and numerous smaller ones. Today we’ll look at the country’s most-visited “offshore” and outlying islands; some are just a short ferry ride from the main island, while a few are located further away… closer to China!

Although the main island already features lots of amazing destinations, there is so much more to discover! Pristine beaches, colorful reefs and diving spots, historic sites, and many more await those who dream of exploring the beautiful islands of Taiwan!

Discover These Breathtaking Offshore Islands of Taiwan

For this article, we’ve gathered 10 of the most popular offshore islands in Taiwan. Each island or group of islands certainly has its own charm, with places that will surely take your breath away!

Cijin Island

Cijin Island is situated just off Kaohsiung City, in the southern part of the country. Getting there is quick and easy — just a 10-minute ferry ride from the Kaohsiung Port! In fact, the island is so near that you can include it in your Kaohsiung travel itinerary!

What can you do in Cijin? For starters, check out the unique artworks on the coast, and take pictures of the views from Cijin Fort. Then, you can either walk or rent a bike to explore the rest of the island. If you visit in the summer, you can join a sandcastle event, the “Cijin Black Sand Festival” — named after the long, black sand beach on the far side of the island.

Green Island

Green Island is located off the southeastern coast of Taiwan; it is part of Taitung County. Perhaps the most popular feature of the island is Zhaori Hot Spring, which is one of only three “saltwater hot springs” in the entire world! The island also has great spots for scuba diving, snorkeling, and other water activities.

To reach Green Island, go to Taitung Fugang Fishing Port and take the a 50-minute ferry ride to Ludao Nanliao Fishing Port on Green Island. Another option would be to ride a small plane (Transair) from Taitung Fengnian Airport. The flight takes around 15 to 20 minutes, although seats are limited and booking is recommended.

Keelung Islet

Keelung Islet is a small “island” just off the coast from Keelung Port, in the northern part of the country. When you go on a “boat tour” to the island, you can explore the lighthouse and marvel at the breathtaking views of the sea as well as the main land.

A tour of the island can easily be part of your Keelung travel itinerary, which may include visits to nearby parks, temples, and of course, the famous Keelung Night Market!

Kinmen Island

Kinmen Island, or more officially — Kinmen County — is located just 10 kilometers off the coast of Xiamen City in Fujian Province, China. Historically, Communist and Nationalist forces fought here in 1949, when the latter withdrew from the mainland. As a result, there are quite a number of “military relics” on the island, including tanks and anti-landing spikes on the beach.

To commemorate the fallen soldiers during the battle, the Juguang Tower was constructed in Jincheng Township on Kinmen. Built and completed in 1953, the tower is one of the island’s major landmarks.

Notably, Kinmen is also known for products such as sorghum wine, sorghum vinegar, peanut candy, ceramics, and porcelain. You can travel to the island by taking a direct flight from Taipei Songshan Airport to Kinmen Shangyi Airport.

Orchid Island

Orchid Island is part of Taitung County; it is home to the Dao, the most isolated indigenous group in Taiwan. So when you go there, you are not just visiting an island, but a unique culture with their own history, traditional attire, housing, equipment, and handicrafts. The island is also known as the site of the Flying Fish Festival, which is one of the traditional ceremonies of the Dao people.

To reach Orchid Island, take a two-hour ferry ride from Taitung Fugang Fishing Port. You can also take a 25-minute flight via Transair, although seats are limited and booking is recommended.

Matsu Islands

Like Kinmen, the Matsu Islands (or Lienchiang County) are located off the coast of Fujian Province, China — far from the Taiwan mainland. It is comprised of 36 islands and islets, including five major islands: Nangan, Beigan, Dongyin, Dongju, and Xiju.

The islands are named after Matsu, goddess of fishermen and the sea. Aside from featuring historic sites and traditional products, the Matsu Islands are also known for the phosphorescent algae that illuminate the coasts during spring and summer. These lights — a mesmerizing sight — have been dubbed as the “blue tears” of Matsu.

How to reach Matsu Islands? One method is to take a ferry ride from Keelung Port to Nangan Island or Dongyin Island… a journey that takes eight to 10 hours. Another option is to take a flight from Taipei to either Nangan Airport or Beigan Airport. Traveling via plane takes around 50 minutes to one hour.

Sanxiantai Island

Situated on the eastern coast, this island is one of the country’s most beautiful attractions. The term “Sanxiantai” literally means “three immortals platform,” named after three large standing rocks on the island. According to legend, three immortals (deities) rested on the island and left their footprints, hence the name.

Going to Sanxiantai Island is easy; there’s a long, dragon-shaped footbridge that connects it to the mainland. The island and the bridge are located between Taitung and Hualien Counties, though it is much closer to Taitung and is governed by Taitung County.

Penghu Islands

The Penghu Archipelago is composed of 90 islands, located in the Taiwan Strait. There are four main islands that are connected by long bridges; the capital, Magong, is on the biggest island.

Penghu is known for its traditional houses, temples, delicious cuisine, and the Penghu Fireworks Festival, which takes place during spring. The islands also have many fish traps (or fish weirs), built to trap fish at high tide. The most famous one is the “Twin Hearts Stone Weir,” which features a unique “double hearts” shape. Because of this, the site has become a popular spot for couples!

To reach Penghu Islands, go to Chiayi Budai Port, then ride a boat to Magong, Penghu. The journey takes around 80 to 90 minutes.

Xiaoliuqiu Island

Situated off the coast of Pingtung County is Xiaoliuqiu, also called “Little Liuqiu” or “Lambai Island.” It is the only inhabited coral island in the country, known for its fantastic snorkeling and diving spots. The island is also famous for the numerous giant sea turtles (more than 800 of them!) that live around it.

To go to Xiaoliuqiu Island, take a 30-minute ferry ride from Pingtung Donggang Wharf. Depending on whether you took a public or private transport vessel, you will disembark at either Dafu Fishing Port or Baishawei Fishing Port.

Turtle Island

As you may have guessed, Turtle Island (or Guishan Island) is shaped like a turtle; it is located off the coast of Yilan, on the country’s eastern coast. What makes this island unique is that it’s uninhabited… and it’s an active volcano!

Turtle Island features hot springs, military tunnels, and volcanic fumaroles (openings). To get there, you’ll need to book a day tour from Wushi Harbor, which is north of Yilan City. Usually, these tours include going around the island; you might be lucky to see some dolphins and even whales! You can also choose to go on the island for a limited time, or simply view it from the boat.

As you can see, each island is unique, and you’d be amazed by the many natural sights, along with the island’s history, legends, and cultural attractions. If you are looking for a truly memorable travel experience, consider going to these offshore islands!

Speaking of memorable, we mentioned that some of these islands celebrate various festivals. Check out this article to learn more about the traditional festivals that the Taiwanese celebrate every year.