Guishan Island Whale Watching Introduction
Guishan Island was listed as one of the coolest small islands in the world by the internationally renowned nature website "WHEN ON EARTH". At the northeastern coast, besides enjoying the coastal scenery and majestic rocky reefs, visitors can now take a boat to the mysterious small island off the coast of Yilan, exploring the Blue Highway and playfully journeying into Guishan Island! The waters near Guishan Island are shallow and many fish gather here, making Guishan Island one of Taiwan's top three fishing grounds, as well as a popular spot for whale and dolphin sightings with up to 17 species, including spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, false killer whales, and orcas. The best season for whale and dolphin watching is from April to September. It is advisable to take a whale watching boat to Guishan Island for a summer marine adventure, where the captain will make stops based on his experience at locations where whales and dolphins have been spotted. As eager visitors seek these oceanic spirits, they will occasionally leap from the water, sometimes playfully hiding from passing fishing boats. Their adorable appearances and graceful movements are sure to provide endless surprises! Don't miss the stunning gradient of the sea; volcanic underwater hot springs change the color of some seawater, creating a beautiful mix of deep and shallow tones along with milky blue hues, creating a romantic and dreamy atmosphere! Most whale and dolphin watching tours also include a scenic island tour, allowing visitors to experience the rich geological landscapes and mysterious natural phenomena of Guishan Island, including underwater hot springs, turtle island fumaroles, the swaying of the spirit turtles' tails, the Eyeglass Cave, turtle rock cliffs, the legend of turtle eggs, Guishan sunrise, and the capped spirit turtle, collectively known as the "Eight Views of Guishan". The unique scenery of Turtle Island is not easily observed at the same time and depends on the weather and tidal factors of the day, adding to the mystery of these legendary eight views. The main departure dock for the small island is from Wushi Harbor in Toucheng. Whale watching boats can be divided into two categories: one type is modified recreational fishing boats originally designed for sea fishing activities, while the other type consists of newly constructed vessels built specifically for passenger use in the past two years. Both types of boats have their strengths in terms of visibility experience and comfort, allowing visitors to choose the most suitable whale watching boat for their needs to explore the infinite charm of Guishan Island. Tips for Whale and Dolphin Watching: The best time to watch for dolphins is from 5 a.m. to noon; the best time to watch for whales is from noon to 3 p.m. In the afternoon, there is a higher chance of seeing whales in addition to dolphins. Ways to identify different species of whales and dolphins include the height and shape of their spouts, visibility, group behavior, body size, and physical features such as the shape and position of dorsal fins, color, body shape, head shape, as well as breach behavior, surface cruising behavior, and the rising of the whale tail (diving patterns), etc., are the main methods for distinguishing whale and dolphin species during whale watching.
