Smile Ocean Homestay — Cheapest on the island, best value on Green Island
Smile Ocean Homestay (微笑海洋青旅) is the answer for budget travellers who want to experience Green Island without the financial pain — from just NT$1,200 per night, the lowest rate on the island. Sitting in the heart of Nanliao, the island's only town, it's a short walk from restaurants, convenience stores, and the ferry pier. The hosts manage everything: free harbour transfers, scooter bookings, diving packages. A score of 9.0 from 102 reviews proves that cheap doesn't have to mean cheerless.
Green Island (绿岛 / Ludao) sits just 33 kilometres off the Taitung coast, but it feels like a different world. The water runs deep turquoise over intact coral reefs, one of only three saltwater hot springs on the planet bubbles up beside the sea, and a 17-kilometre scooter loop reveals open-ocean views at every bend. This is one of the few islands in Asia that hasn't yet been overrun by mass tourism. Smile Ocean Homestay is the most affordable gateway to all of it.
"The hosts arranged the ferry, scooters, and even drove me to the ATM since they're cash-only. Didn't speak English but Google Translate worked perfectly — better service than hotels three times the price."
The address at No. 102-6 Nanliao is the most practical location on the island for a budget traveller. Nanliao is Green Island's only real town — the 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, restaurants, scooter shops, and ferry pier are all within walking distance. If you arrive by the last ferry of the day or get caught in a rainstorm, you won't need to scramble. Shilang Beach, the island's top snorkelling spot, is a 15-minute walk or a 3-minute scooter ride away.
Breakfast comes as a NT$50 coupon per person redeemable at a nearby breakfast shop. It sounds modest, but for a typical Taiwanese breakfast — egg roll (dan bing), soy milk, or a steamed bun — NT$50 covers a full meal. That's a better deal than the "breakfast included" sign at many hotels that deliver a packaged muffin and a banana. Rooms are clean, air-conditioning works, beds are comfortable, Wi-Fi is stable. Everything matches what you pay. No luxury flourishes, nothing to complain about either.
What genuinely sets Smile Ocean apart from similarly priced guesthouses is the hosts' role as local concierge. Free transfer from Nanliao Harbour. Help booking scooters from a reliable shop (not the most expensive one at the pier). Organised packages for snorkelling, SUP, and scuba diving through vetted operators. Multiple reviewers noted that although the hosts don't speak English, they manage everything smoothly via Google Translate — and will personally drive guests to the ATM since the property is cash-only. That kind of attention to detail is hard to find at any price point.
Rooms range from twin doubles (approx. NT$1,200–1,500) to family rooms sleeping four to six (approx. NT$4,500–5,500 total per night). The per-person rate becomes even more attractive for groups. As a two-star homestay, the furnishings are functional rather than stylish: no blackout curtains, no minibar, no sea views from the window. Some reviewers have suggested adding a shower curtain and improving door seals — fair feedback that reflects guests setting sensible expectations and finding small, fixable gaps.
The real highlights of any stay on Green Island happen outside the accommodation. Zhaori Hot Spring — one of only three saltwater hot springs in the world — sits right on the coastline, lit at night by the stars (15 minutes by scooter). Shilang Underwater Post Box lets you mail a waterproof postcard stamped beneath the sea. The Blue Cave on the east coast glows naturally in the dark. The 17-km scooter loop is arguably the island's single best activity. Green Island rewards any visitor regardless of where they sleep, but Smile Ocean keeps total trip costs at their lowest.
One firm caveat: the homestay closes during the off-season, roughly October through March, when tourist numbers thin dramatically. Peak season runs June through August — book four to six weeks ahead minimum. Long weekends around Dragon Boat Festival or Moon Festival sell out months in advance. If your schedule is flexible, April–May and September–October offer calm seas, clear water, and no crowds — easily the best months to visit.
In short, Smile Ocean Homestay is the right choice for budget-conscious travellers who come to Green Island to dive, scooter, and soak in the world's rarest saltwater hot spring — not for those expecting resort amenities or ocean views from the pillow. At NT$1,200–1,800, you get a clean bed, reliable AC, a breakfast token, and hosts who make the logistics of island travel genuinely easy. That's everything you need before heading out to one of Taiwan's most spectacular and unspoilt islands.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Incredibly helpful hosts — arranged everything via Google Translate without any friction
- ✓ Free harbour pickup; drove guests to the ATM (cash-only policy)
- ✓ Best price on the island by a clear margin — outstanding value
- ✓ Central Nanliao location: restaurants, 7-Eleven, and harbour all walkable
- ! Cash payment only — no credit cards accepted
- ! Hosts speak Chinese only; English communication via Google Translate
- ! Basic furnishings; no sea views from rooms
- ✓ Best price-to-quality ratio on the island — nothing comes close at this rate
- ✓ Scooter and diving bookings arranged efficiently through reliable local contacts
- ✓ Clean rooms, cold AC, reliable Wi-Fi
- ✓ Walking distance to all Nanliao services and dining
- ! Small rooms with basic décor; no ocean view from the window
- ! Scooter hire arranged through homestay can be slightly pricier than shopping around at the pier
- ! Cash only — plan ahead
- 💡If you want ocean views from your bed or resort-style facilities — Smile Ocean is a straightforward budget homestay in town with no sea-facing rooms → consider Green Island Bay Resort or Twinkle Ocean for harbour-side views and a more polished setup.
- 💡If you forget to bring cash or rely on card payments — the homestay is cash-only and the island has very few ATMs → withdraw NT$ at Fugang Harbour or Taitung before boarding the ferry, or ask the hosts to drive you to the ATM on arrival.
- 💡If you plan to visit between October and March — the homestay closes for the off-season and most island services scale back significantly → aim for April–September for the full Green Island experience, or April/May and September/October for quieter crowds with all facilities open.