Guishan Island Whale and Dolphin 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 the Northeast Coast, visitors can enjoy coastal scenery and magnificent giant reefs, and now can also 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, where many fish gather, making it one of Taiwan's top three fishing grounds and a hotspot for whale and dolphin sightings, with up to 17 species observed, including spinning dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, false killer whales, and pilot whales. The best season for whale and dolphin watching is from April to the end of September. It’s a good idea to board a whale-watching boat to Guishan Island, embarking on a summer marine adventure, where the captain will stop at locations based on their experience of whale and dolphin sightings. As everyone eagerly searches for glimpses of these marine spirits, they leap out of the water one after another, sometimes playfully hiding and seeking with passing fishing boats. Their adorable appearances and graceful movements will undoubtedly leave visitors amazed! Also not to be missed are the stunning gradient colors of the sea. The underwater hot springs caused by volcanic terrain change the color of some seawater, creating layers of deep and shallow hues alongside milky blues, exuding a romantic and dreamy atmosphere! Most whale and dolphin watching itineraries also include a scenic tour around the island, allowing visitors to experience Guishan Island's rich geological landscapes and marvelous natural phenomena, including underwater hot springs, sulfur fumaroles, turtle tail displays, the Spectacle Cave, Turtle Rock cliffs, Turtle Egg legends, Guishan sunrise, and the Turtle with a Hat, collectively known as the "Eight Scenic Views of Guishan." The unique turtle island scenery is not easily observed all at once, as it depends on factors like weather and tides, adding to the mystique of these legendary eight views. The main ferry terminal to the small island is primarily at Wushih Harbor in Toucheng. Whale-watching boats can be categorized into two main types: one type is modified from fishing vessels originally used for ocean fishing activities, and the other type consists of newly built vessels specifically designed for passenger transport in the past two years. Each type of vessel has its strengths in terms of visibility and comfort, allowing visitors to choose the most suitable whale-watching boat to explore the infinite charm of Guishan Island. Whale and Dolphin Watching Tips: The best time for dolphin watching is from 5 AM to 12 PM; for whale watching, the best time is from 12 PM to 3 PM. In the afternoon, in addition to spotting dolphins, the chances of seeing whales are also higher. Identifying different whales and dolphins can be done by observing their spouts' height, shape, visibility, group behavior, size, and physical characteristics such as dorsal fin position, shape, color, body shape, head shape, as well as their behavior when breaching, cruising at the water's surface, and tail raises during diving procedures, which are all primary methods for distinguishing between whale and dolphin species while whale watching.
