Guishan Island Whale Watching Introduction
Guishan Island was listed as one of the coolest small islands in the world by the internationally renowned natural website "WHEN ON EARTH." Upon arriving at the northeast coast, in addition to admiring the coastal beauty and magnificent rock formations, you can now take a boat to the mysterious small island off the coast of Yilan, enjoy the blue highway, and explore Guishan Island! The waters near Guishan Island are shallow and have gathered many fish schools, making Guishan Island one of Taiwan's top three fishing grounds and a hotspot for whales and dolphins, with as many as 17 species present, including spinning dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, false killer whales, and pygmy killer whales. The best season for whale and dolphin watching is from April to the end of September, so you might consider taking a whale-watching boat to Guishan Island for a summer marine adventure. Based on the captain's experience, the boat will stop at locations where whales and dolphins have been sighted, and while everyone eagerly searches for the sea's spirits, they will leap out of the water one by one, sometimes playfully hiding from passing fishing boats. Their adorable appearances and graceful movements will surely surprise you! Another highlight is the stunning gradient of the sea. The volcanic landscape causes underwater hot springs to emerge, changing the color of parts of the seawater, creating a layered effect of varying depths and a milky blue hue, which is romantic and dreamy! Most whale and dolphin watching itineraries also include an island tour to experience Guishan Island's rich geological landscape and fascinating natural phenomena, such as underwater hot springs, the sulfur fumaroles of Turtle Island, the tail of the spirit turtle, the Eyeglass Cave, Turtle Rock cliffs, the legend of turtle eggs, the sunrise at Guishan, and the hat-wearing divine turtle, collectively known as the "Eight Scenic Wonders of Guishan." It is challenging to see all the unique views of Guishan Island at once, as factors like the weather and tides on that day can enhance the mystery of these legendary eight sceneries. The main boat dock for visiting the island is primarily Wushi Harbor in Toucheng. Whale-watching boats can be divided into two main types: one type is recreational fishing boats originally operated for sea fishing activities that have been modified, and the other type has been newly built in the last two years specifically for passenger use. Each type of vessel has its unique advantages in terms of visibility experience and comfort, allowing you to choose the whale-watching boat that suits you best to explore the infinite charm of Guishan Island. Tips for Whale and Dolphin Watching: The best time for dolphin watching is from 5 AM to 12 PM; the best time for whale watching is from 12 PM to 3 PM. In the afternoon, in addition to being able to see dolphins, the chance of spotting whales is also higher. Various methods for identifying different species of whales and dolphins include the height and shape of their spouts, visibility, group behavior, body size, physical characteristics (such as dorsal fin shape and position, color, body shape, head shape), as well as their leaping and surfing behaviors, and the arching of their tails when diving, among others, are the primary ways to distinguish whale and dolphin species during whale watching.
