Guishan Island Whale Watching Introduction
Guishan Island has been listed as one of the coolest small islands in the world by the internationally renowned nature website "WHEN ON EARTH." In addition to enjoying the coastal scenery and magnificent rock formations in the northeast corner, visitors can take a boat to the mysterious small island off the coast of Yilan, exploring the Blue Highway all the way to Guishan Island! The waters around Guishan Island are shallow, attracting many fish schools. This makes Guishan Island one of Taiwan's top three fishing grounds and a hotspot for whales and dolphins, with up to 17 species, including spinning dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, false killer whales, and long-finned pilot whales. The best season for whale watching is from April to the end of September, so it’s a great idea to board a whale-watching boat heading to Guishan Island for a summer maritime adventure. Based on the captain's experience, the boat will stop at locations where whales and dolphins have recently been spotted. As everyone eagerly searches for these ocean sprites, they will soon leap out of the water, sometimes playfully hiding from passing fishing boats. Their adorable appearances and graceful movements will undoubtedly be a delight! Don't miss the stunning gradient sea colors, where volcanic topography causes underwater hot springs to change parts of the seawater's hue, creating a layered effect of varying depths and milk-like blue shades, romantic and dreamy! Most whale-watching itineraries also include a scenic tour around the island, experiencing Guishan Island's rich geological landscapes and intriguing natural phenomena: the underwater hot springs, sulfur smoke, the tail of the spirit turtle, the Eyeglass Cave, the Turtle Rock cliffs, turtle egg legends, the sunrise over Guishan, and the turtle wearing a hat, collectively known as the "Eight Scenic Spots of Guishan." The unique scenery of the turtle island is not easily seen all at once, as it depends on daily weather and tidal factors, adding to the mystery of these legendary eight views. The main boat terminal for the small island is in Wushi Harbor in Toucheng. The whale-watching boats are mainly divided into two categories: one type has been modified from recreational fishing boats, while the other consists of newly built vessels specifically for passenger use in the past two years. Each type of boat has its strengths in terms of visibility and comfort, allowing visitors to choose the most suitable whale-watching boat for their outing to uncover the endless charm of Guishan Island. Tips for whale and dolphin watching: The best time to see dolphins is from 5 AM to 12 PM; the best time to see whales is from 12 PM to 3 PM. In the afternoon, not only can you see dolphins, but the chances of spotting whales are also higher. Identifying various whales and dolphins can include observing the height and shape of their spouts, visibility, group behavior, body size, and distinguishing features such as the shape and position of dorsal fins, color, body shape, head shape, as well as breaching, surface swimming behavior, and tail lifting (during diving), all of which are key methods for identifying species while whale watching.
