TW · Taitung County · 22.05°N 121.53°E

orchid island

Remote volcanic island of the Tao people, with carved canoes and wild coastline.

Best time
April to October, when the sea is calmer. Flying fish season runs roughly from spring to early summer. In winter, monsoon seas often cancel boats and flights.
How long
2–3 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Taipei (about 5 hours), then on to Taitung by plane or train. From Taitung, the ferry takes about 2–2.5 hours, or a small plane takes about 25 minutes. In summer, ferries also run from Houbihu in Kenting.
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TW · Taitung Countyorchid island22.05°N 121.53°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Remote volcanic island of the Tao people, with carved canoes and wild coastline.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingOrchid IslandTW, Taitung County
KLorchid island
≈ 3,001 km from KL, as the crow flies
Lesser Orchid Island on a bright sunny day.

Photo: Yi-hsuan Lin · CC BY-SA 2.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A remote volcanic island off Taiwan's south-east coast, home of the indigenous Tao people. Life here still follows the sea and the flying fish season, with carved canoes on the beaches, traditional houses and a wild coastline to ride around.

Makan

  1. Flying fishDried and grilled, or in fried rice at the island's cafés.Map ↗
  2. TaroThe Tao staple, grown in wet fields around the villages.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Round-island rideA scooter loop of under 40 km around the island, past cliffs and odd rock formations.Map ↗
  2. Tao villagesSee the carved, painted tatala canoes on the beaches and the old semi-underground houses at Ivalino.Map ↗
  3. SnorkellingClear water and coral close to shore, with plenty of tropical fish.Map ↗
  4. TianchiA crater lake in the island's interior, reached on a muddy forest hike. Go with a local guide.Map ↗
  5. Night skiesVery little light pollution, so the stars along the coast are something else.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Ask before photographing people, homes or canoes, and don't touch the canoes. Some Tao customs are strict, especially in flying fish season.
  • Leave a spare day before your flight home. Bad weather often cancels boats and planes.
  • Bring enough cash. There are very few ATMs on the island.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.