6 Beautiful Offshore Islands To Visit Around Taiwan

Photo by CHEN MIN CHUN/Shutterstock

6 Beautiful Offshore Islands To Visit Around Taiwan

While Taiwan has plenty of unique sights on the mainland, if you're looking for the real island life experience, you'll need to head to some of the other smaller islands lying off the coast. These offshore islands have some of the most beautiful scenery and beaches in the area.

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6 Beautiful Offshore Islands To Visit Around Taiwan

Penghu

Beautiful view in Penghu, Taiwan

Photo by FenlioQ/Shuttestock

An archipelago of 90 beautiful islands, Penghu contains some of the best beaches and snorkeling spots in the country. Just a short journey from the mainland of Taiwan, these islands are full of incredible places to visit, from golden sandy beaches to impressive volcano-shaped rocky coastline. It's one of the most popular offshore islands in Taiwan for a good reason, you'll find some of the most beautiful beaches around Penghu.

For those with a little more time, some of the outlying islands around Penghu offer incredible scenery and rock formations that are well worth exploring. The small island of Jibei also has a long stretch of sandy beach on the south side that's a must for beach enthusiasts.

How to get to Penghu

Lambai Island (Xiaoliuqiu)

Xiaoliuqiu, Liuqiu Island, Taiwan

Photo by Sean Yeh/Shutterstock

Towards the south of Kaohsiung, Lambai Island or Xiaoliuqiu is one of the most beautiful islands in Taiwan, known for the crystal-clear ocean surrounding its coastline. Apart from just the pristine waters, the island is full of incredibly unique rock formations and beautiful beaches that have propelled Lambai Island to become a popular domestic tourist spot in Taiwan. As the island is still not very well known outside of Taiwan, it means it's hardly ever crowded.

How to get to Xiaoliuqiu/Lambai Island

Orchid Island (Lanyu)

Lanyu or Orchid Island Taiwan

Photo by Wulong Tommy/Shutterstock

Orchid Island or Lanyu is far towards the south of Taiwan, a short journey from the east coast of Taitung. A different side of Taiwan you won't find on the mainland, the island is full of unique landscapes, fascinating local tribes and a relaxing seaside atmosphere.

For those interested in seeing the aboriginal culture of Taiwan, there's no better place than Orchid Island where the Tao tribe have lived for hundreds of years.

How to get to Orchid Island

Green Island

Peculiar rocks and cave beside seashore on Green Island, Taiwan

Photo by www.istockphoto.com

Another beautiful island off the coast from Taitung, Green Island is slightly closer and a little easier to get to.

Green Island is famous for its coastal outdoor hot springs, one of only three salt-water hot springs in the world. Apart from just relaxing in the healing hot springs, you can also see beautiful views out over the ocean and the island's jagged coastline.

How to get to Green Island

Matsu Islands

Qinbi Village, Matsu Islands, Taiwan

Photo by Richie Chan/Shutterstock

At over 200 kilometers from the main island of Taiwan, it's no so surprising that Matsu seems vastly different to the mainland. Located just off the coast from China, the Matsu islands might not have beautiful golden beaches like Taiwan's other offshore islands, however the islands are known for some beautiful coastal towns, that make you feel like you've been whisked off to somewhere in the Mediterranean.

How to get to the Matsu Islands

Guishan Island

Turtle Island, Taiwan

Photo by weniliou/Shutterstock

Off the northeast coast of Taiwan, Guishan Island or Turtle Island is a small but beautiful island that's popular as a day trip from the eastern city of Yilan. The island and its surrounding waters are a famous spot for whale and dolphin watching, which can often be seen from boats.

The name of Guishan Island comes from the island's unique appearance of a turtle when viewed from different points around the coastline.

Getting to Guishan Island

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