A complete guide to visiting Taiwans' Islands: Green island (Lüdao), Lanyu, Penghu and Lambai (Liuqui)

Introduction to Taiwans islands

When I first planned my 8-month stay in Taiwan, I had no idea about the smaller islands dotting its coastline. But let me tell you, these little gems - Green Island (Lüdao), Lanyu, Penghu, Kinmen and Lambai (Liuqiu) - are absolute gems if you're looking to experience a different side of Taiwan. During my first visit to Taiwan in 2015, the friends I made there invited me to join them on a trip to Penghu, and when I came back to the country last year, it was clear that I would use my time to also explore the other islands.

Getting to these islands takes a bit more effort than hopping on the high-speed rail from Taipei to Kaohsiung. But trust me, the extra planning is worth it. Each island has its own unique vibe, from pristine beaches and vibrant coral reefs to fascinating cultural experiences and landscapes that'll make your jaw drop.

However, I would say not all of the islands will please every type of traveler - read on to find out which island might be for you. Also, if you're pressed for time, there are plenty of sights in mainland Taiwan to keep you occupied for at least two weeks. It all depends what experience you're looking for!

Map Overview

Let's start with an overview of where the different islands are located around Taiwan:

All about Green Island (Lüdao)

Green Island, or Lüdao as the locals call it, is a tiny volcanic island that - for being only about 15 square kilometers - offers a lot of activities. I would suggest you spend around 2 days here. That will give you plenty of time to explore without getting bored (it's a really small island, after all). If you really love snorkeling, you can stay even longer - we met a woman that was on the island for a week to have enough time to check out all the snorkeling spots.

Things to do:

• Go Snorkeling and Diving: Some of the best coral reefs in Taiwan are right here. If you're into underwater adventures, you're in for a treat.
• Take a bath in the Hot Springs: Ever bathed in a saltwater hot spring while gazing out at the ocean? The Zhaori Hot Springs on Green Island let you do just that. It's one of only three saltwater hot springs in the world! Pro tip: go at sunrise or sunset for an extra magical experience.
• Enjoy the Scenic Beauty: Rent a scooter and cruise around the coastal road. The views of the Pacific Ocean and rugged coastline are beautiful.
• Take a History Lesson: Visit the former Green Island Prison, now a human rights memorial park. It's a sobering but important reminder of Taiwan's martial law period. I did not know anything about this part of Taiwans history even though I lived there in 2015 - it's super interesting and even though the museum is small, it's well made.

Getting there:

Fly from Taipei to Taitung, or take the train from Kaohshiung to Taitung. You can then either fly to Green Island or hop on a 50-minute ferry. Be forewarned though: The ferry ride can be quite choppy depending on the season.

Where to stay and eat:

For a full list of recommendations (as well as all places to visit mentioned above), head to our Google Map. Here are a few tips:

• Yakitori 島上串串: Delicious Yakitori restaurant
• Dérive 那裏 Café: Nice cafe to chill in and get some good coffee
• 綠島 塩·空間旅宿SHIO ROOM: Cute homestay with a cafe

All about Lanyu (Orchid Island)

Lanyu, also known as Orchid Island, is where you go if you want to feel like you've stepped into a completely different world. It's home to the indigenous Tao (or Yami) people, and the island's culture is unlike anything else you'll see in Taiwan. Of all the islands in this article, Lanyu is the one with the least developed tourism infrastructure.

Things to do:

• Learn about the Indigenous Culture: Check out the traditional Tao underground houses and learn about their unique culture
• Flying Fish Festival: If you're visiting between March and June, you might catch this cultural event.
• Hike: To the Lanyuqixiang Station for some killer island views, or to Great Heaven lake
• Snorkel or dive: Similar to Lüdao, Lanyu has beautiful coral reefs you can explore, e.g. with Lanyu Flying Fish Snorkeling or Lanyu Fun

Getting there:

Getting there: Fly from Taipei to Taitung, or take the train from Kaohshiung to Taitung. Then catch a small plane to Green Island or ferry to Lanyu. The ferry first stops on Green Island, so you could easily combine the two islands in one trip. Just be advised that the crossing from Green island to Lanyu is usually very choppy (even more so than from Taitung to Green island!).

Where to stay and eat:

For a full list of recommendations (as well as all places to visit mentioned above), head to our Google Map. Here are a few tips:

• 鎮蘭居民宿: Really nice homestay
• Ya You Restaurant: Serves very good traditional food
• Ba Fen Bao Breakfast Restaurant: You can get good breakfast here

All about Penghu

Penghu, or the Pescadores Islands if you're feeling fancy, is actually a group of 90 islands and islets in the Taiwan Strait. It's a mix of golden beaches, historical sites, and some seriously good water sports action. If you're into Kite Surfing, this is the place to be!

You'll probably base yourself on the main island, Huxi Island, and in Magong. From there, you can explore more islands as well as drive around the main island by scooter.

Things to do:

The best way to explore the main island is by scooter - take a day and drive around the island to the sights listed here.

• Hit the beaches: The beaches of Penghu are white-sand beaches with little shade - they won't win any prices internationally, but are nice for some sunbathing and water fun. I recommend 內垵遊憩區, Shili Beach 嵵裡沙灘, Shanshui Beach 山水沙灘 and Aimen Beach 隘門沙灘.
• Windsurfing / Kite surfing: If you're into windsurfing, you're in luck. The conditions here are excellent, especially during the windy season (September to mid January).
• Explore temples and traditional houses: You shouldn't miss the Tianhou Temple, dedicated to the sea goddess Mazu; Duxingshi Village and Erkan Historic Village.
• Eat Seafood until you drop: There is abundant dresh seafood that'll make your taste buds dance with joy.
• Basalt columns: Visit the Daguoye Columnar Basalt Nature Reserve
• Explore smaller islands: Take a boat tour to explore some of the smaller, uninhabited islands

Getting there:

You can fly directly to Penghu from Taipei, or take a ferry from Chiayi or Kaohsiung.

Where to stay and eat:

For a full list of recommendations (as well as all places to visit mentioned above), head to our Google Map. Here are a few tips:

• 鎖港天嚐遞酒餐酒bistro&酒吧&宵夜所: Very nice Bistro with great food!
• The Garden Tapas & Bar: Not only good food, but also great cocktails.
• Penghu Clouds Inn: Very cute homestay with incredibly nice owners (this is where we stayed).

All about Lambai (Liuqui)

Lambai, also called Liuqiu or Xiao Liuqiu, is a small coral island that's perfect if you want to slow down and enjoy island life at its most chill. It's known for its laid-back vibe, beautiful beaches, and loads of sea turtles!

Lambai surprised me - somehow I did not expect much, but I just couldn't get enough of watching and swimming with the turtles. Don't worry about "finding" them or joining a guided tour: On Lambai, you just step into the water and there they are.

Things to do:

• Island Time: Experience that relaxed island lifestyle and friendly local culture.
• Snorkeling: One of the best places in Taiwan to see sea turtles just doing their thing in nature. The island is also surrounded by coral reefs.
• Geological formations: Check out the Vase Rock, Beauty Cave, and other cool geological formations
• Fresh seafood: An abundance of restaurants serve tasty fish and other seafood

Getting there:

Take a ferry from Donggang Harbor in Pingtung County. You can get to Donggang by bus or taxi from Kaohsiung.

Where to stay and eat:

For a full list of recommendations (as well as all places to visit mentioned above), head to our Google Map. Here are a few tips:

• 珍滿竹風味餐廳: Delicious Taiwanese cuisine.
• 沙驢塔可 Salud Taco: You probably wouldn't expect this on a small Taiwanese island, but these are some great Tacos!
• Coffee 'n Fins: Great coffee!

Which Taiwanese island should you visit?

Okay, so you're probably thinking, "These all sound amazing, but I can't visit them all!" (I mean, you could, but that would be one long vacation.) Here's a quick guide to help you choose:

• Green Island: Go here if you want a bit of everything - hot springs, snorkeling, and easy navigation on a compact island.
• Lanyu: Perfect if you're into off-the-beaten-path adventures and want to experience unique indigenous culture.
• Penghu: Great for beach bums, water sports enthusiasts, and history nerds who want a mix of relaxation and exploration.
• Lambai/Liuqiu: Choose this if you're all about seeing sea turtles, enjoy snorkeling, and want to experience that laid-back island life close to the main island of Taiwan.