Coral, turtles, diving, and rare saltwater hot springs: southern Taiwan’s Green Island and Liuqiu Island
- Rare saltwater hot springs, easily accessed coral, and the world’s deepest postbox make the very bumpy ferry ride to Green Island worth it
- On the other side of southern Taiwan, enjoy the sea life, great rock pooling, and laid-back vibe on Liuqiu Island
Stepping onto the small passenger ferry to Ludao, or Green Island (population: 3,000), few of my fellow travellers show any trepidation.
Although the island is only 50 minutes east of Taitung’s ferry port, I have been warned that the choppy waters off southeastern Taiwan can make for an uncomfortable ride.
And indeed, water sprays the ferry windows and the generous allocation of plastic vomit bags is put to use, but thankfully not by me.
Nevertheless, the journey will prove to be worth it.
The ferry docks at Nanliao Harbour; the terminal serving Taiwan’s seventh largest island is little more than a long thin shed, with a few restaurants nearby.
I am staying a five-minute walk north of the harbour, on the road towards the island’s tiny airport. This is the main commercial strip, complete with restaurants, convenience stores, gift shops and a small pharmacy.
