Home Destinations Taiwan Green Island Guide Green Island Attractions About 🇹🇭 ไทย🇬🇧 English🇨🇳 中文🇪🇸 Español🇫🇷 Français
🤿 Dive Guide · Updated 2026

Green Island
Diving & Snorkeling in Taiwan

A 16 km² volcanic island 33 km off the Taitung coast · Pacific visibility of 20–30 m · 8 dive sites from beginner reef to advanced wall dives · Manta rays in season · One of only 3 saltwater hot springs on Earth — the complete underwater guide to Taiwan's best-kept secret.

Dive Season
Apr – Oct
How to Arrive
15-min flight / 50-min ferry
Visibility
20–30 m
Min. Stay
2–3 nights
Home › 🇹🇼 Taiwan › Green Island › Diving & Snorkeling Guide
Why Dive Here

A Volcanic Island in the Open Pacific — with Visibility to Match

Green Island (綠島, also known as Lyudao) is a 16 km² volcanic island sitting 33 km out in the Pacific Ocean off Taitung. Most of the coastline falls within a national marine park, and the underwater environment reflects that protection: reef coral as dense as anywhere in East Asia, water clarity that regularly hits 25–30 metres, resident sea turtles, and seasonal manta rays. Above water, the island holds one of the rarest geological phenomena on the planet — Zhaori Hot Spring (朝日溫泉), a naturally heated saltwater pool formed by seawater seeping through volcanic rock. There are only three saltwater hot springs like it in the world. The other two are in Iceland and Italy. You can soak in one here at 5 am while the sun rises out of the Pacific. That is a hard thing to top.

🤿
8 Dive Sites, All Levels
Beginner reefs to advanced wall dives and a live volcanic vent — all within 17 km of coastline
🐢
Resident Sea Turtles
Green turtles cruise the reef at Chaikou and Shilang year-round — encounters on most morning dives
🌊
Seasonal Manta Rays
Chongnan Bay, April–October: Manta ray passes with wingspans up to 5 m. Peak July–September
♨️
World's Rarest Hot Spring
One of 3 saltwater hot springs on Earth. Open from 5 am — soak as the Pacific sun rises

* Taiwan law requires foreign nationals to hold an International Driving Permit (IDP) to legally ride a scooter. Obtain one from your home motor authority before travelling. Some rental shops offer low-power E-Scooters that do not require a motorcycle licence.

Getting There

Flight or Ferry — Choose What Suits You

✈️
Fly from Taitung
Taitung Airport (TTT) → Lyudao Airport (GNI)

Daily Air Corporation operates 4–6 flights per day on 19-seat Dornier aircraft. The flight takes just 15 minutes and offers extraordinary aerial views of the island. Book online at the Daily Air website.

Pros: Fast, no seasickness, weather-independent. | Cons: Pricier, seats sell out fast in summer.

Approx. NT$1,800 return
⛴️
Ferry from Taitung
Fugang Harbour, Taitung → Nanliao Pier, Green Island

2–3 sailings per day, crossing time 50 minutes. Buy tickets online well in advance for April–September. Cheaper than flying but can be rough when Pacific swells arrive.

Pros: Budget-friendly, more departures. | Cons: Can be very rough; occasional cancellations Oct–Mar.

Approx. NT$460 return

Honest advice: If you're prone to seasickness, or travelling October–March, fly. The ferry is excellent value April–September when the Pacific is calmer. Once on the island, transport is by scooter hire (NT$400–600/day) or E-Scooter for those without an IDP. Most guesthouses offer free transfers from the pier or airport — confirm when booking.

8 Dive Sites

Green Island Dive Sites — Beginner to Advanced

Every site around the island is different. Pick the ones that match your certification level and what you most want to see.

Beginner Suitable from Open Water certification
Shilang shallow reef dive site, Green Island Taiwan — colourful coral and visibility 🪸 Shallow Reef1 Beginner
Shilang (石朗)
Shilang Diving Area · Max depth 12 m

The island's most popular dive site and the entry point for most first-timers. Shallow, calm, and packed with marine life — large coral bommies shelter damselfish, wrasse, and the occasional resting sea turtle. Current is gentle year-round. Dive shops use this site for Discover Scuba sessions.

📏Depth: 3–12 m
🎯Best for: Snorkeling, Discover Scuba, Open Water divers
💡Tip: Arrive early — visibility is best 07:00–09:00 before the afternoon tour boats arrive
Sea turtle underwater at Chaikou snorkeling park, Green Island Taiwan 🐢 Sea Turtles2 Beginner
Chaikou (柴口)
Chaikou Snorkeling Park · Max depth 15 m

The easiest entry of all eight sites — a small sandy beach with no current to fight. Green turtles forage along the reef here more reliably than anywhere else on the island. The official Chaikou Snorkeling Park rents masks and fins on-site, making this the go-to spot for families and non-certified visitors.

📏Depth: 5–15 m
🎯Best for: Snorkeling, Open Water divers, families
💡Tip: The reef starts about 30 metres from the beach — just swim straight out
🎫 Book Snorkel Tour on Klook NT$800+
Intermediate Advanced Open Water recommended
Da Bai Sha barrier reef dive site, Green Island — open water diving Taiwan 🌊 Open Water3 Intermediate
Da Bai Sha (大白沙)
Da Bai Sha · Max depth 20 m

Green Island's largest white-sand beach fronts a wide barrier reef that extends well into open water. The white sand reflects ambient light, giving exceptional visibility even at depth. Diverse fish life, including schools of snapper and occasional parrotfish. Moderate current — best dived in the morning before afternoon chop sets in.

📏Depth: 8–20 m
🎯Best for: Advanced Open Water and above
💡Tip: Current increases in the afternoon — schedule morning dives here
Gong Guan deep dive site Green Island — pelagic fish in open Pacific water 🐟 Pelagics4 Intermediate
Gong Guan (公館)
Gong Guan · Max depth 25 m

On the island's southern tip, Gong Guan opens further into the Pacific than any other site. Large pelagic species come in — hammerhead sharks make occasional appearances, barracuda school regularly, and large grouper lurk in the deeper sections. Stronger current than the northern sites requires more experience. Local guide recommended.

📏Depth: 15–25 m
🎯Best for: Advanced OW with current experience
💡Tip: Always dive with a local guide who knows the current patterns at this site
Advanced Wall dives and special sites
Stone Lighthouse wall dive Green Island Taiwan — deep wall covered in sea fans 🗿 Wall Dive5 Advanced
Stone Lighthouse (石燈塔)
Stone Lighthouse · Wall Dive

A full vertical wall dive that drops beyond 30 metres. The wall face is draped in the yellow gorgonian sea fans that are endemic to Green Island's waters. Early-morning dives occasionally produce hammerhead sightings along the wall edge. Strong current, strong surge — Rescue Diver level or above strongly recommended.

📏Depth: 15–40+ m
🎯Best for: Rescue Diver and above, wall dive experience
💡Tip: Must be booked through a dive shop whose guides know this specific site — not for independent diving
Tian-Lao Tea-Pot submerged volcanic vent dive site Green Island Taiwan 🌋 Volcanic Vent6 Advanced
Tian-Lao Tea-Pot (天然茶壺穴)
Submerged Volcanic Vent · Unique Ecosystem

The rarest dive on the island — a submerged volcanic vent that gently releases gas bubbles, exactly like a kettle about to boil (hence the name "natural tea pot"). Chemosynthetic organisms colonise the vent area, creating a microecosystem found nowhere else in Taiwan. Requires a guide who knows the precise location.

📏Depth: 20–30 m
🎯Best for: Advanced divers, guided dive only
💡Tip: Only a handful of local guides know this site — ask specifically when booking
Manta ray at Chongnan Bay dive site Green Island Taiwan April to October 🦅 Manta Rays7 Intermediate
Chongnan Bay (重南灣)
Manta Ray Site · April – October

Green Island's most celebrated dive for experienced divers. Oceanic manta rays with wingspans up to 5 metres pass through this channel April–October, using the underwater topography as a cleaning station. Watching a manta glide overhead in open blue water is one of the defining experiences of diving in Asia. Pre-dawn departures — 05:00–06:00 — give the best encounter rates.

📏Depth: 15–30 m
🗓️Season: April–October (peak July–September)
💡Tip: Book a 5 am departure — manta encounters drop off sharply after 07:00
Yellow gorgonian sea fan coral forest endemic to Green Island Taiwan 🌿 Endemic Coral8 Intermediate
Yellow Fan Coral Forest (海柳)
Gorgonian Sea Fan Reef · Endemic Species

The golden-yellow gorgonian sea fans that carpet Green Island's underwater cliffs are endemic to these waters — you will not find them anywhere else in the world. Dense colonies fan out across the wall face, creating photogenic underwater landscapes that draw underwater photographers from across East Asia. Never touch the fans — damaged specimens take decades to recover.

📏Depth: 10–25 m
🎯Best for: Advanced Open Water and above
💡Tip: Reef-safe sunscreen only — conventional sunscreen bleaches these corals and stresses the endemic fans
No Cert Needed

Snorkeling & Intro Dives — Jump In on Day One

Three great snorkel spots, gear rental on-site, and Klook tours that handle everything.

🏖️
Shilang Coast
The best beginner snorkel spot — shallow reef 3–8 m, crystal clear water, resident turtles. MuyuTime B&B sits directly beside it. Walk out of breakfast and into the water.
🐠
Chaikou Snorkeling Park
Official snorkel zone with gear hire (NT$200–300) and lifeguards on duty. Safest option for families with children. Sea turtle sightings are frequent here.
💎
Sleeping Beauty Rock Area
The famous rock formation shaped like a reclining woman. The waters below hold a shallow reef — snorkel and photograph the landmark in the same visit.
Gear & Tours

What It Costs — Honest Prices

🎫
Klook Snorkel Tour
NT$800–1,200 per person, includes mask, fins, life jacket, and a guide who knows where the turtles are. Best option for solo travellers or anyone who wants someone to point things out.
🤿
Discover Scuba (1 Day)
NT$3,500 per person. No cert required — an instructor accompanies you throughout and you reach up to 12 m. Available at Lyudao Diving Center and several other shops. Does not count as PADI certification.
📜
Open Water Course (4 Days)
NT$15,000 per person. Full PADI (or equivalent) certification — theory, pool skills, and four open-water dives. Walk away able to dive anywhere in the world. Worth doing if you plan to keep diving.
Beyond the Reef

Things to Do on Green Island That Aren't Underwater

♨️
Zhaori Saltwater Hot Spring (朝日溫泉)
One of only three saltwater hot springs in the world. Open 5:00–24:00. A 5 am soak with the Pacific sunrise rising in front of you costs about NT$200 and takes about an hour — it's one of the great small experiences in Taiwan.
🗿
Niou Tau Rock + Sleeping Beauty Rock
Two dramatic volcanic rock formations on the coastline. The bull-head (Niou Tau) and the reclining woman (Sleeping Beauty) are Green Island's most photographed landmarks — both easily reached on the 17 km scooter loop.
🕊️
Human Rights Memorial Park (綠島人權文化園區)
Green Island served as Taiwan's political prison during the White Terror era (1950s–1980s). The former prison is now an open-air museum — sobering, thoughtful, and important context for understanding modern Taiwan. Free entry.
🏛️
Lyudao Lighthouse
The white lighthouse on the island's northern cape is a perfect sunrise spot if you're not doing the hot spring. Walk up before 06:00 for the best light over the Pacific.
🛵
Scooter Loop — 17 km Coastal Road
NT$400–600/day. Good roads, ocean views around every bend, completable in three hours. Requires IDP — or choose an E-Scooter from rental shops that don't require a motorcycle licence.
🌙
Stargazing
Green Island has among the lowest light pollution of any inhabited island in East Asia. On clear nights the Milky Way is visible to the naked eye. Lie on the beach after dinner — no equipment needed.
Where to Stay

4 Hand-Picked Guesthouses — From Beachfront to Dive-Focused

Green Island has no international hotel chains. Accommodation is almost entirely small B&Bs and homestays. Book April–September at least two weeks in advance.

MuyuTime B&B Green Island — highest-rated stay, directly beside Shilang dive site
B&B · Beachfront at Shilang
MuyuTime B&B (木魚時光)
Highest score on the island — Booking.com 9.6 from 113 reviews. Walk out the front door straight onto the Shilang snorkel reef. The obvious choice for divers.
From NT$1,800/night
Read Full Review →
Tube18 Green Island — iconic cylindrical room design, indoor pool
Design Hostel · Village Centre
Tube18 (綠島涵館)
Tubular rooms that look like no other accommodation in the world. 391 reviews, score 8.8. Indoor pool. The Instagram-famous choice on Green Island.
From NT$1,600/night
Read Full Review →
Lian Chinq Diving B&B Green Island Taiwan — dedicated dive resort with full gear
Dive B&B · Full Equipment
Lian Chinq Diving B&B (連慶莊園)
Purpose-built for divers — full gear storage and washing facilities, on-site dive shop, and island dive trips arranged from the property. Premium service for serious underwater enthusiasts.
From NT$2,800/night
Read Full Review →
Green Island Bay Resort — largest property on the island, full facilities
Resort · Best Facilities on Island
Green Island Bay Resort (海灣會館)
The largest property on Green Island with a swimming pool, restaurant, and free ferry transfers. Best option for families or groups who want more than a basic homestay.
From NT$2,600/night
Read Full Review →

See all 6 reviewed Green Island stays →

Plan Your Trip

Keep Planning — Related Green Island Guides

🏝️

Green Island Attractions

Zhaori Hot Spring, the Human Rights Park, Lyudao Lighthouse, Sleeping Beauty Rock — the full island attraction guide beyond diving.

Read Guide →
🚢

Green Island Day Trip from Taitung

Can you visit in a day? Ferry timetables, what to prioritise, and whether it's worth staying overnight — an honest answer.

See Day-Trip Plan →
⚖️

Penghu vs Green Island vs Kenting

A direct comparison of Taiwan's three main island destinations — which suits your travel style, budget, and time available.

Compare Islands →
FAQ

Diving Green Island — Every Question Answered

How do I get to Green Island — ferry or flight?
There are two options. Fly from Taitung Airport (TTT) to Lyudao Airport (GNI) in 15 minutes with Daily Air — fares around NT$1,800 return. Or take the ferry from Fugang Harbour in Taitung — 50 minutes, roughly NT$460 return. Ferries can be rough when Pacific swells arrive. If you're prone to seasickness, fly. In peak season (April–September) book both tickets and accommodation at least two weeks in advance.
Do I need a diving certification to dive at Green Island?
Snorkeling needs no certification whatsoever. Klook snorkel tours run NT$800–1,200 and include all equipment. For SCUBA, Open Water (or equivalent) is the standard minimum. Without a cert, you can do a Discover Scuba session (NT$3,500) — supervised introductory diving with an instructor. This does not count as PADI certification but lets non-certified divers reach up to 12 m.
What makes Zhaori Hot Spring so special?
Zhaori Hot Spring (朝日溫泉) is one of only three saltwater hot springs in the world — the other two are in Iceland and Italy. Seawater percolates through the volcanic bedrock and re-emerges as a naturally heated pool beside the rocky shore. It opens at 5:00 am. Soaking at sunrise while the Pacific turns pink in front of you is genuinely unlike anything else in Taiwan. Entry is approximately NT$200.
When is the best time to dive at Green Island?
April to October is the prime window — calm seas, visibility 20–30 m. Manta rays at Chongnan Bay are seen April–October, peaking July–September. November to March brings the northeast monsoon: rough seas, frequent ferry cancellations, and many guesthouses closing for the season. Diving is still possible in winter for experienced divers who don't mind choppy conditions, but the logistics are much harder.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a scooter?
Yes. Taiwan law requires foreign nationals to hold an IDP to legally ride a scooter. Get one from your home motor authority before you travel. Rental prices are NT$400–600 per day. Some rental shops offer low-power E-Scooters without a motorcycle licence requirement — ask when you arrive. Most guesthouses provide free transfers from the ferry pier or airport.
What should I pack specifically for diving at Green Island?
Essential items: reef-safe sunscreen (regular sunscreen bleaches coral and harms the endemic gorgonian fans), a prescription dive mask if you wear glasses, seasickness tablets for the ferry, and a waterproof dry bag for documents and your phone. WiFi on the island is limited — download Google Maps or Maps.me offline before you board the ferry. A full-length rash guard protects against sun and incidental coral contact.
Ready to Go

Pick Your Dive Sites
and Book Before the Island Fills Up

Open the full Green Island city guide for accommodation, food, and a 2-day itinerary — or search for stays and book now before peak season sells out.

📖 Full Green Island Guide 🏨 Search Green Island Stays →
🤿 Book Dive Tour Green Island Guide