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🌊 2-Day 1-Night Plan · 2026

Green Island
2 Days, 1 Night — Complete Guide

Volcanic island · Asia's only saltwater hot spring · Snorkel with wild sea turtles

📅 Updated May 2026
About This Trip

A tiny island that packs everything in — you won't know what you're missing until you stay

Green Island isn't the kind of place you visit and leave the same day. Zhaori saltwater hot spring — one of only three in the world — plus snorkeling with real sea turtles plus a 16 km scooter loop around the whole island: you can't do all of this without an overnight stay. Day one, arrive, rent a scooter, ride the full loop, see Sleeping Beauty Rock, eat fresh seafood at Nanliao. Day two, wake before dawn for the hot spring sunrise, snorkel in the afternoon, then pick up deer sausage as a souvenir before the ferry home.

Day-by-Day Schedule

Hour-by-hour itinerary for both days

DAY
1
Arrive · Scooter loop · Nanliao seafood dinner
07:00 AM
Head to Taitung from TaipeiTake the HSR from Taipei to Taitung (2 hrs 20 min · NT$845) or fly direct from Taipei Songshan to Taitung (50 min · NT$1,200+). HSR is recommended if you're not in a hurry — cheaper and more scenic.
11:30 AM
Board the ferry from Fugang Fishing HarborFerry from Fugang (富岡漁港) to Nanliao — 50 minutes · NT$460 one way. Book in advance via KKday or Klook for package deals. Multiple departures daily — check the schedule before planning.
01:30 PM
Check in + rent a scooterMost guesthouses are near Nanliao. Rent an electric scooter for NT$300/day or petrol for NT$350/day. You must have an IDP (International Driving Permit) — a Thai license alone is not accepted.
02:30 PM
Scooter loop around the island — 16 kmRide counter-clockwise: Nanliao → Sleeping Beauty Rock (睡美人岩) → Pekingese Dog Rock → Guanyin Cave → east viewpoint → back to Nanliao. About 1 hour if you don't stop much. Stopping for photos at Sleeping Beauty from the hilltop is a must.
04:30 PM
Visit the Green Island Human Rights MemorialA former political prison from the authoritarian era, 1949–1990. Free entry. Takes 30–45 minutes. Located on the north side of the island — you'll pass it on the loop. A sobering history that gives this island far more meaning than just a resort destination.
06:30 PM
Fresh seafood dinner at NanliaoSeafood restaurants along the Nanliao harbor close early — 19:00–20:00. Come early. Must-try dishes: grilled stingray, garlic-fried black crab, fresh shrimp straight from local fishermen. Mid-range prices NT$300–500 per person.
09:00 PM
Stargazing under a truly dark skyGreen Island has no light pollution — proper darkness is rare in Taiwan. Walk just 500 metres outside Nanliao and you'll see the Milky Way. Best on moonless nights between April and August.
DAY
2
Saltwater hot spring · Snorkeling · Head home
05:30 AM
Zhaori Hot Spring — sunrise soakZhaori (朝日溫泉) is open 24 hours · NT$200 per person. Saltwater hot spring in the open ocean — one of only three in the world (the others are in Japan and Iceland). Watch the sun rise from the Pacific Ocean directly in front of you. This is the main reason to stay overnight.
08:00 AM
Breakfast + gather snorkel gearCongee or noodle shops open early in Nanliao. Rent snorkel equipment from a dive shop for NT$150–200, or book a guided snorkel tour for NT$500–800 including gear and guide.
09:30 AM
Snorkel at Shilang Bay or ChaikouShilang (石朗) is ideal for beginner snorkelers — clear water with visibility of 20–30 metres and sea turtles regularly spotted along the reef. Chaikou (柴口) is deeper, better for certified divers. Snorkeling requires no certification · Scuba diving requires PADI or SSI.
12:00 PM
Check out + souvenir shoppingThe island's signature souvenirs: deer sausage (鹿肉香腸) · deer wine · dried Taiwanese fish. Buy at shops in Nanliao before boarding the ferry. Deer sausage keeps frozen easily — no need to worry about it during travel.
02:00 PM
Ferry back to TaitungConfirm the ferry schedule in advance. Between September and March, ferries sometimes cancel due to strong winds. If you miss the ferry, there are daily flights (Daily Air or Uni Air · NT$800–1,200). From Taitung, take the HSR back to Taipei or onward to your next destination.
Trip Budget

Estimated costs for 2 days 1 night (per person)

TransportNT$2,400
AccommodationNT$2,000
FoodNT$1,200
Activities & TicketsNT$1,000
TotalNT$6,600
Estimated per-person cost · Includes HSR Taipei–Taitung + round-trip ferry + 2-day scooter rental + snorkel tour + Zhaori hot spring. Accommodation based on a mid-range guesthouse. Does not include souvenirs or airfare.
Travel Tips

5 things you should know before you go

🎫
Book a ferry + accommodation package
KKday and Klook offer packages combining ferry, guesthouse, and activities at a better price than booking separately. Some packages include scooter rental and a snorkel tour. Book at least 2 weeks ahead between April and August — the island is small and accommodation fills up fast.
🏍️
Scooter requires an IDP
An International Driving Permit (IDP) plus your home country license — you need both. Get your IDP before you leave at the Thai Department of Land Transport. Cost: 505 THB. No IDP? Rent a bicycle instead — the island is small enough to cycle in a day.
📅
The real tourist season is April–August only
September to March brings strong north winds, rough seas, and ferries cancelled without notice. Many restaurants and guesthouses close entirely. If you must visit during this period, fly instead of taking the ferry, and always have a contingency plan.
💵
There is only one ATM on the island
The single ATM is in Nanliao. Foreign cards work but carry fees. Bring NT$3,000–5,000 cash per person to be safe. Most restaurants and shops on the island only accept cash.
🍽️
Restaurants close before 20:00
It's a small island — restaurants open and close based on demand. During peak season many places sell out before closing time. Eat dinner before 19:00 to be safe. If your guesthouse serves breakfast, book it — morning options on the island are very limited.
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ · Common questions answered

How do I get to Green Island?
Option 1 — Fly: Fly from Taipei Songshan or Taichung to Taitung Airport (TTT), then take a 50-minute ferry from Fugang Fishing Harbor — NT$460 one way. Option 2 — Train: Take the HSR from Taipei to Taitung (2 hrs 20 min · NT$845) then transfer to the ferry. Option 2 is recommended if you're not in a rush — it's cheaper.
How many days do you need on Green Island?
2 days 1 night is the sweet spot for most visitors — enough to cover the saltwater hot spring, snorkeling, and the full scooter loop. A day trip is technically possible, but you'll miss Zhaori hot spring at sunrise, which is the island's single best experience and only possible if you stay overnight.
Do I need a diving certification?
No certification needed for snorkeling — just rent gear and jump in, or book a guided snorkel tour (NT$500–800) with an instructor. Scuba diving requires a valid PADI or SSI certification — dive shops will ask to see it. If you're not certified, snorkeling at Shilang is more than beautiful enough.
When is the best time to visit Zhaori Hot Spring?
Early morning 05:30–07:00 — soak in the saltwater hot spring while watching the sun rise over the Pacific Ocean. It's a scene you won't find anywhere else in Asia. Open 24 hours, NT$200 per person. During peak season it gets busy, so earlier means fewer crowds. Swimwear required.
Does the rainy season affect the trip?
Significantly. September to March brings strong north winds, rough seas, and ferries cancelled without advance notice. Many guesthouses and restaurants close. If you must visit during this period, book a flight (not a ferry) and always have a backup plan. The best window is April to August.
What is the total budget for a 2-day 1-night trip?
Approximately NT$6,000–9,000 per person · Includes: HSR + round-trip ferry NT$1,800–2,400 · 1-night guesthouse NT$1,500–3,000 · 3 meals NT$1,000–1,500 · activities (hot spring + snorkel + scooter) NT$800–1,200 · deer sausage souvenirs NT$300–500. Booking a KKday or Klook package usually brings the total down.
Green Island Travel Guide
Everything about the island — snorkeling, hot springs, scooters
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Top 10 Attractions on Green Island
Shilang · Zhaori · Sleeping Beauty Rock · Human Rights Memorial
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Green Island Day Trip from Taitung
Same-day return — ferry schedule, timings, prices
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