Things to Do in Green Island, Taiwan: Dive, Snorkel, Soak

Green Island is a small volcanic island off the east coast of Taiwan, and it packs an outsized amount of character into a tiny footprint. I have circled it on a scooter, drifted over its coral gardens, and soaked in its hot springs by the sea, and every stay has left me planning the next. Here is my list of the best things to do.

Dive among the corals and sea turtles

For me the diving is the biggest reason to come. Green Island is ringed by some of the healthiest coral in Taiwan, with steep drop offs, abundant fish, and sea turtles that glide through the shallows. I have done some of my favorite dives here, floating over coral walls and resting turtles. Snorkelers get plenty of reward too, since much of the good stuff sits in shallow water you can reach from the beach or a short boat ride. I always bring my own mask and schedule my water time around calm, sunny weather, because that is when the island shows off its clearest visibility.

Scenic ride around the ring road

The island is small enough to circle by scooter in about an hour, but I never do it that fast. The ring road hugs a dramatic volcanic coast, climbing past cliffs, sweeping over headlands, and dipping between coves, so there is always another view around the next bend. I stop constantly, at the lighthouse on the northwest point, at the green hills that gave the island its name, and at lookouts where the Pacific crashes far below in white spray. On a clear day the whole loop is gorgeous, and I save it for the late afternoon light when the coast glows gold and warm and the shadows grow long across the water.

Soak in the hot springs by the sea

Green Island has one of the world’s rare saltwater hot springs, bubbling naturally out of the shoreline and warming the seawater that filters through the volcanic rock. The Zhaori Hot Springs are the big draw, and I have watched the sunrise from the warm water more than once, floating in the heat while facing the open ocean as the sky turns pink and orange. It is an unforgettable way to start a day, and most people make a dawn visit part of their routine, moving quietly to the pools before the light arrives. Around the island there are also a few quieter steam vents and small seeps where the volcanic heat shows itself, and I always save time to simply soak and watch the waves.

Walk into the prison history

The island has a quieter, heavier history woven through its beauty. For decades it was a notorious prison and exile colony, and the remains of that era sit on the island, giving depth to a place known mostly for swimming and sun. I have walked the old whitewashed prison buildings and the former political prison complex, both preserved as museums, and found the experience deeply moving. They tell the story of Taiwan’s darker political past and the people who were held here through difficult decades, and they give the island a layer most visitors never expect. I would not skip them, because they make the rest of the trip feel richer.

Find the hidden coves and viewpoints

Beyond the must see sights, Green Island rewards slow, curious exploring. I have parked my scooter at several small bays and private coves, sometimes the only person on a strip of sand that opens onto brilliant blue water. There are also viewpoints perched along the cliffs, including a rock famous for its unusual shape and the best swaths of sunset color on the west side, where I have sat and watched the sky burn out over the Pacific. The island is compact enough that none of these are far apart, but together they never feel repetitive, and every circuit passes something I had not noticed the time before.

Snorkel the bays and beaches

Some of the easiest and best snorkeling is right off the shore, which I love because I can decide on the spot. I have seen bright coral gardens and swarms of fish within meters of the sand at a few protected coves, especially on the calm, sheltering side of the island where the wind cannot ruffle the surface. The water is clear, especially early in the morning before the breeze and the boat traffic pick up, and the shallow reefs are easy for beginners. I bring an underwater camera and make a few lazy snorkel sessions part of every day, choosing my spots based on where the surface is calmest and the light is best.

Eat the local seafood and island food

A day spent in the water builds a serious appetite, and Green Island has the food to satisfy it, with fresh squid and fish served simply in the island’s small restaurants. I always plan a meal around freshly grilled catch, and I have come to love the local specialty dishes that use the island’s own produce and the seaweeds gathered along its shores. The cold drink stops by the harbor and the casual noodle shops round out an easy eating day. It is unpretentious food that suits the island’s mood, and I never leave feeling hungry.

My closing advice

Green Island is small but never boring, especially if you mix the water with the history and the coast. Give it at least two or three nights so you can dive, snorkel, soak at dawn, and still find time to just ride slowly and explore at your own pace. Rent a scooter, check the weather, and pack a mask, sunscreen, and enough curiosity to stop at every cliff you like the look of. I am certain this little island will hold on to you the way it holds on to me, and you will leave already thinking about the next crossing.