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ISLAND-HOPPING Guide

Taiwan Offshore Islands Transport Guide

Last Updated: 2026/01/06
Taiwan's beauty extends far beyond the main island. From the basalt columns of Penghu to the historic battlefields of Kinmen, and the diving paradises of Green Island and Orchid Island. Each island requires specific transport planning. This guide covers the essential flight and ferry information for Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu, Xiao Liuqiu, Green Island, Orchid Island, Guishan Island, and Keelung Islet.

1. Penghu (澎湖) - The Archipelago

Penghu is the most popular island destination, famous for its fireworks festival and beaches.

✈️ By Plane (Fastest)

Flights land at Penghu Magong Airport (MZG). Flight time is approx. 30-60 minutes.

  • Airlines: UNI Air (立榮), Mandarin Airlines (華信).
  • Departure: Taipei (TSA), Taichung (RMQ), Chiayi (CYA), Tainan (TNN), Kaohsiung (KHH).

⛴️ By Ferry (Detailed Guide)

Taking a boat is a popular option, especially from Chiayi.

1. Chiayi Budai Harbor (嘉義布袋港) - Most Popular

  • Operators: Mantianxing (滿天星), Taijet (海有航運/太吉之星), Triumphant (凱旋海運).
  • Features: Shortest ride (~80-90 mins). High frequency.
  • Note: These three companies often operate a joint schedule; you usually cannot specify a particular boat.

2. Kaohsiung New Bin Pier (高雄新濱碼頭)

  • Operator: Penghu Ferry (澎湖輪).
  • Features: Large luxury liner. Can transport cars/motorcycles. Offers sleeper cabins. Slower (4-5 hours).

3. Tainan & Taichung (Seasonal)

  • Operators: Pescadores Ferry (百麗航運 - Blue Magpie/Leopard).
  • Note: Taichung routes are seasonal and less frequent. Check schedules ahead.
Booking Tip: Use KKday (Penghu Ferry Tickets) to book tickets easily. ⚠️ Important: Please double-check your departure city (Chiayi, Kaohsiung, or Tainan) before booking!
1. Penghu (澎湖) - The Archipelago
Photo Credit:
1. Penghu (澎湖) - The Archipelago
Photo Credit:

2. Kinmen (金門) - Battlefield Culture

Kinmen is historically significant and lies very close to Xiamen, China. There are NO passenger ferries from Taiwan main island to Kinmen; you must fly.

✈️ By Plane Only

Flights land at Kinmen Shangyi Airport (KNH).

  • Airlines: UNI Air (立榮), Mandarin Airlines (華信).
  • Departure Airports: Taipei Songshan (TSA), Taichung (RMQ), Chiayi (CYA), Tainan (TNN), Kaohsiung (KHH).
  • Flight Time: Approx. 50-70 minutes.
Mini Three Links (小三通): From Kinmen, you can take a 30-minute ferry to Xiamen (China). Passport and Visa/Mainland Travel Permit are required.
2. Kinmen (金門) - Battlefield Culture
Photo Credit: riNux from Taipei, Taiwan, CC BY-SA 2.0 | Official Source 🔗

3. Matsu (馬祖) - The Blue Tears

Matsu consists of Nangan, Beigan, and other islets. It is famous for the 'Blue Tears' phenomenon in spring.

✈️ By Plane

  • Airlines: UNI Air (立榮), Mandarin Airlines (華信).
  • Routes:
    - Taipei (TSA) ➝ Nangan (LZN) or Beigan (MFK).
    - Taichung (RMQ) ➝ Nangan (LZN).
    - Kaohsiung (KHH) ➝ Nangan (LZN) (Operated by Mandarin Airlines).
  • Note: Matsu airports are often affected by heavy fog in spring (March-May), leading to cancellations.

⛴️ By Ferry (Keelung)

For a unique experience or when flights are cancelled, take the boat from Keelung Harbor.

  • Vessel: New Taima Ferry (新臺馬輪) or Taima Star.
  • Schedule: Usually an overnight trip (approx. 8-10 hours). Departs Keelung at night (around 10 PM) and arrives in Matsu the next morning. It allows you to sleep on the ship.
3. Matsu (馬祖) - The Blue Tears
Photo Credit: lienyuan lee, CC BY 3.0 | Official Source 🔗

4. Xiao Liuqiu (小琉球) - Sea Turtles

A coral island near Pingtung. No airport. You must take a ferry from Donggang (東港).

Step 1: Getting to Donggang Harbor

Since there is no train station in Donggang, you need to transfer:

  • From HSR Zuoying Station (Recommended): Take the Taiwan Trip Bus 9127D (大鵬灣琉球線). It departs from Exit 2 of Zuoying Station and goes directly to the Donggang Ferry Terminal. (~50 mins).
  • From Kaohsiung Main Station: Take buses operated by Kaohsiung Bus or Pingtung Bus towards Donggang.
  • Via Train + Taxi: Take a train to Chaozhou Station (潮州火車站) or Pingtung Station, then take a taxi (approx. 20-30 mins) to Donggang.

Step 2: The Ferry

Ride time is approx. 20-30 minutes.

  • Private Boats (民營交通船): Frequent (every 20-30 mins). Arrives at Baishawan Harbor (Tourist favorite).
  • Public Boats (公營交通船): Less frequent. Arrives at DaFu Harbor.
4. Xiao Liuqiu (小琉球) - Sea Turtles
Photo Credit: Special Star Sand (特別的星沙)

5. Green Island (綠島) & Orchid Island (蘭嶼)

Both islands are accessed primarily from Taitung.

To Green Island (Ludao)

  • ⛴️ Ferry: Departs from Taitung Fugang Fishery Harbor (富岡漁港). Ride time ~50 mins. Seas can be rough; prepare motion sickness medicine.
  • ✈️ Plane: Operated by Daily Air (德安航空) from Taitung Airport. Only 19 seats per plane. Extremely hard to book. Flight time ~15 mins.

To Orchid Island (Lanyu)

  • ⛴️ Ferry:
    1. From Taitung Fugang Harbor (~2.5 hours).
    2. From Kenting Houbihu Harbor (Seasonal: April-Sept only, ~2 hours).
  • ✈️ Plane: Daily Air from Taitung Airport. ~25 mins. Highly recommended to book 2 months prior.

How to get to Fugang Harbor?

Take a train to Taitung Station, then take the 'Dongland' Bus (普悠瑪客運) or a Taxi (approx. 15-20 mins, ~NT$300) to the harbor.

5. Green Island (綠島) & Orchid Island (蘭嶼)
Photo Credit: Tao People of Orchid Island (蘭嶼達悟族)

6. Guishan Island (龜山島) & Keelung Islet (基隆嶼)

These are restricted ecological islands. You cannot stay overnight (mostly), and permits are required.

🐢 Guishan Island (Turtle Island)

  • Departure: Wushi Harbor (Yilan).
  • Transport: Take Train to Toucheng Station (transfer to bus/taxi) OR take Bus 1877 from Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center directly to Wushi Harbor.
  • Note: Open March-November. Wednesday is for academic research only. You must book a tour boat that handles the landing permit for you.

🌊 Keelung Islet

  • Departure: Bisha Fishery Harbor (Keelung Badouzi).
  • Transport: Take Train to Keelung Station, then transfer to Bus 103 or 104 to Bisha Harbor.
  • Note: Hiking to the lighthouse requires an advanced permit application via boat operators. Boat ride is ~20 mins.
6. Guishan Island (龜山島) & Keelung Islet (基隆嶼)
Photo Credit: Keelung Islet Lighthouse (基隆嶼燈塔) - Chien-Ping KAO, CC BY-SA 4.0 | Official Source 🔗
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The Bridge to the Real Taiwan

About the Author | Uly Zih (子幼羽)

"From Pingtung to Taipei. Commuting between two cities, but embracing the whole island at heart."

Stepping Out of the Comfort Zone

Born and raised in Pingtung, Southern Taiwan, I used to be an introvert who preferred the comfort of home. However, my university life at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) marked a turning point. Determined to change, I applied to become a Special Cadre at the NTUST Association of International Affairs (AIA).

I still vividly remember the leader's words during my interview: "Most of our members are international students far away from home. I want you to be the bridge that connects them with local activities in Taiwan."

That mission defined my university years. Through organizing events and planning projects, I learned to see Taiwan through the eyes of a traveler. To broaden my horizons, I spent a month on a working holiday in Australia and actively participated in language exchange events in Taipei. These experiences taught me not just how to communicate, but what travelers truly seek in a foreign land.

Why I Built "TaiwanMe"

The spark for this website came during a "Travel and Life" general education class. Listening to a classmate present a "day trip route around South Taipei", I was struck by a realization: the streets I cycled through every day were filled with stories I had completely ignored.

I realized then: It’s not that Taiwan looks the same everywhere; it’s that our busy lives have stripped us of the energy to explore.

My Vision

This is the beginning of TaiwanMe.

Although my physical journey often shuttles between just two points—Taipei and Pingtung—my heart has expanded to embrace the entire island of Taiwan.

I created this website to be that "bridge" once again. Whether you are an international traveler or a local resident, I hope this platform helps you discover the hidden gems of this island—and perhaps, like me, find a renewed love for the land we stand on.

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Rediscovering the Lost
"Tâi-uân Bī"

The Story Behind "TaiwanMe"

I recently discovered a beautiful linguistic harmony: "Taiwanese Flavor" (台灣味) is pronounced Táiwān wèi in Mandarin, Tâi-uân-bī in Taiwanese Hokkien, and toiˇ vanˇ mi in Hakka. These remarkably similar sounds across languages inspired the name TaiwanMe.

Tracing the roots further, the name "Taiwan" itself originates from the Siraya indigenous term Taywan. Early Siraya people referred to the sandbars near the Taijiang Inner Sea as Teyoan or Taioan, meaning "the place where strangers or foreigners live."

To me, TaiwanMe embodies this fascinating cultural tapestry—a dialogue between the diverse ethnic groups and histories that define our island.

It started with a moment of realization. While hosting international students, I watched them queue endlessly for commercialized "hotspots" and trendy shops. As a local, I found myself unable to share the deeper, authentic stories of my own land.

It wasn't until a general education class, where a classmate vividly described the very alleys I cycled through every day—my rental place, the campus corners—that it hit me: Taiwan isn't mundane; we've simply lost the energy to explore it amidst our busy lives.

Our mission is simple: The Real Taste of Taiwan.

You won't find cliché tourist traps here. Instead, we guide you to the authentic scenery hidden in ordinary alleys—stories worth telling. Whether you are a first-time traveler or a long-time resident, we hope to accompany you in finding that unique, irreplaceable Taiwanese sentiment.

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The Vision

Many visit Taiwan, but few truly see it.

TaiwanMe was created to unveil the island’s best-kept secrets. Whether it's the profound indigenous culture of Pingtung or the mystical Water Lantern ceremonies in Keelung, we exist to help you find the real taste of Taiwan.

But our vision goes deeper than just tourism. We aim to not only offer foreign travelers a genuine opportunity to deeply understand Taiwan, but also to inspire locals to rediscover the beauty of the land they call home. We believe every corner of this island has a story waiting to be told—and heard.

To Our Potential Partners

To be completely honest with you—we are just getting started. We are a young platform, and we know we have a long way to go. We believe that trust and reputation are earned over time, not overnight. Right now, our primary focus is on pouring our hearts into creating the best content possible, rather than seeking commercial spotlight or formal advertising partnerships. We want to make sure we are truly providing value before we ask for your investment.

That said, we never say no to a good conversation. If our mission resonates with you, or if you see the potential in what we are building—even while we are still in our early days—we would be honored to hear from you. Whether you have a suggestion, a story to share, or simply want to support a growing team, please feel free to reach out.

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