How to Get to Orchid Island Taiwan: Taitung vs Kenting Ferry Comparison & Tips to Avoid Seasick

Planning your trip to Orchid Island Taiwan and not sure whether to take the ferry from Taitung or Kenting? This Orchid Island ferry guide compares my ferry experiences from both routes and shares tips to avoid getting seasick on the way as well as tips on how to get to Orchid Island Taiwan.

• Unique Orchid Island attractions and Orchid Island restaurants
• 5 amazing snorkeling spots in Orchid Island, including hidden gems
• Best spots to watch sunrise and sunset on Orchid Island, Taiwan

Ferry experiences from Taitung and Kenting to Orchid Island Taiwan

Taitung to Orchid Island round-trip ferry

The first time I traveled to Orchid Island Taiwan was in July. We took the ferry directly from Taitung Fugang Fishery Harbour right after a 3 days 2 nights trip in Taitung city. 

The ferry from Taitung to Orchid Island departs at 7am, and the return trip leaves at 10 am. Both rides were with the Green Island Star ferry company (綠島之星).

The Green Island Star ferry itself was comfortable, with plenty of seating and no major issues. But despite the sunny weather on both days, the actual ride between Taitung and Orchid Island was crazily rough.

How long is the ferry ride from Taitung to Orchid Island Taiwan

The official estimate for the ferry ride from Taitung to Orchid Island Taiwan is about 2 hours, but the one I took ended up taking around 2.5 hours to reach Orchid Island.

Ferry experience (Taitung – Orchid Island route)

The night before our ferry trip to Orchid Island, we stayed at a guesthouse just a 10-minute walk from Taitung Fugang Harbour. We woke up before sunrise and walked to the harbour to catch the ferry. Although the weather was great that day—sunny with no rain—the ride was incredibly rough. 

The ferry was rocking like a rollercoaster and passengers around us were getting seasick. The whole boat was filled with the sound of vomiting and the noise of the engine, with one little kid crying out, “Help me!” after getting sick. It was honestly quite terrifying.

Luckily, neither my friend nor I got seasick, mainly because we had only eaten white bread for breakfast and taken seasickness pills before boarding (thankfully my friend brought some and insisted I take them). 

As soon as we got on the boat, we put on our headphones and closed our eyes to rest. Every time I opened my eyes, I could see the boat was rocking, making me feel worse, so I tried to keep it closed the whole journey. When we finally got off, it felt like my body was still floating. It was such a terrible and uncomfortable experience that I will probably never forget.

The return trip wasn’t as bad, with fewer people getting sick, but the boat still rocked quite a bit. Luckily, we took seasickness pills again, so we were fine.

When we shared our scary ferry experience with a local shop owner in Orchid Island, he told us, “you should’ve taken the ferry from Kenting to Orchid Island instead, it’s much smoother than from Taitung”. 

Taitung to Orchid Island ferry ticket price & where to buy ticket?

The ferry ticket from Taitung to Orchid Island costs around NTD 2,300–2,600 per person (full fare). Discounted prices avaliable for children and seniors.

I booked my round-trip tickets to Orchid Island in advance through this website. It’s really important to reserve your ferry tickets a few weeks or even 1-2 months ahead, especially during peak travel seasons, as tickets can sell out quickly. Another good thing is, I was able to get the full fare tickets at a discounted price offered on the site.

Once you book through the site, you will receive an e-ticket. On the day of your trip, you just need to go to the ticket counter to exchange it for a paper ticket before boarding, instead of needing to queue up to buy tickets or worry about tickets being sold out.

I highly recommend booking your Taitung–Orchid Island ferry tickets through this reliable website too.

Ferry from Kenting to Orchid Island Taiwan

After having a terrible first ferry ride from Taitung to Orchid Island—and hearing locals say that the route from Kenting is much smoother with calmer seas—I decided to take their advice for my second trip in May.

This time, I spent 4 days and 3 nights exploring Kenting first, then took the ferry directly from Kenting Houbihu Harbor to Orchid Island Taiwan.

The ferry from Kenting departed at 7am, and the return trip left at 9am. The ferry was also from the Green Island Star (綠島之星) ferry operator, as I did from Taitung, but the experience was totally different—and so much better!

How long is the ferry ride from Kenting to Orchid Island Taiwan

The ferry from Kenting to Orchid Island is officially estimated to take around 2 hours, and that was pretty accurate based on my experience.

Ferry experience (Kenting – Orchid Island route)

Before we set off, I saw the weather forecast saying it would rain in both Kenting and Orchid Island, so I was expecting rough waves and a rocky ferry ride. And since I had experienced that awful ferry ride from Taitung route last time, I made sure to bring the seasickness pills and took it before boarding the ferry.

But surprisingly, even though it did rain for a few days and the weather was pretty windy and cloudy, the ferry from Kenting to Orchid Island was way smoother than I expected!

Besides a couple of big waves that made the boat rock a bit, the rest of the ride was pretty smooth. No one around us seemed seasick, which was a huge difference compared to the Taitung ferry.

The return trip back to Kenting was even better—super calm the whole way. My friend even spent the whole ride reading a book and didn’t feel sick at all!

Kenting to Orchid Island ferry ticket price & where to buy ticket?

The ferry ticket from Houbihu Harbor in Kenting to Orchid Island also costs around NTD 2,300–2,600 per person (full fare). Discounts available for children and seniors.

I bought my ferry tickets for the Kenting to Orchid Island route in advance through this site and got a discount on the full fare. I received an e-ticket and just swapped it for a paper ticket at the counter on the day of my trip. It was super convenient—saving time and hassle.

I highly recommend you to buy the Orchid Island ferry tickets on this trusted website as well!

What is the recommended transportation on Orchid Island?

Once you arrive on Orchid Island, your main options for getting around are scooters and cars.

Since most of the roads on Orchid Island are narrow and parking spots are limited, renting a scooter is the most common and convenient way for tourists to explore the island—it gives you more freedom to move around exploring hidden Orchid Island snorkeling spots.

If you’d like to reserve a scooter in advance, you can book one here. That way, you can pick it up right at the harbour when you arrive and start your island exploration right away. Instead of having to worry about finding a scooter rental shop after a long ferry ride.

I personally think it’s super convenient! Plus, booking in advance might get you a discounted price, making it cheaper than renting on the island when you arrive (NTD 500 per day).

If you are traveling with a lot of luggage, you can pay the scooter rental shop to help transport your bags from the harbour to your guesthouse or hotel. You can also arrange for them to take your luggage back to the harbour on the day you leave Orchid Island.

I’ve asked the owner of Yunchen Scooter Rental (雲晨機車出租) to help me out. He charged NTD 100 per bag for a one-way trip, or NTD 500 for more than five bags. The owner was really kind. However, since I rented the scooter on-site, I paid the regular price of NTD 500 per day, without any discount, and had to fill up the gas before returning the scooter.

I recommend calling those scooter rental shops on the discounted list beforehand to check what are the rates for luggage transport to and from the harbour.

If you prefer not to drive a car or ride a scooter, you can also hire a private car to tour around Orchid Island.

Ferry Tips for Traveling to and from Orchid Island Taiwan

• Book your ferry tickets through a reliable website. I personally recommend this site—I used it for both of my trips to Orchid Island and it was super convenient and fast to get the tickets.
• If you book your tickets in advance, make sure to follow the instructions on your e-ticket. You will need to go to the ticket counter at least 40 minutes before departure to exchange your e-ticket for a physical boarding pass.
• During peak travel seasons (especially summer), it is essential to book your ferry tickets early. Ferries from both Taitung and Kenting to Orchid Island can sell out quickly, and the queue for buying a ticket on the day often gets really long. I usually book my tickets at least 3 weeks to a month in advance. I also recommend booking round-trip tickets—not only to secure your return seat, but most of the time you will even get a discount here.
• Whether you are planning to travel from Taitung or Kenting to Orchid Island, always check the weather forecast before your trip. During the monsoon or typhoon season, the sea conditions can get really rough. This increases the chance of seasickness and even the ferry cancellations. Be extra cautious a day or two before departure.

Tips to avoid getting seasick on the ferry ride to Orchid Island

• Take seasickness medicine! Make sure to take it 20–30 minutes before boarding, not when you feeling sick. After taking the ferry to Orchid Island four times, I’ve learned that bringing seasickness pills is a must! Even if you usually don’t get motion sickness, I still recommend bringing some—just in case.
• Eat something light before the ride. Avoid oily foods, sweets, or eating too much. I usually go for plain toast, a bit of salad, or bread without any heavy fillings—just something simple and easy for your stomach.
• Once you are at your seat, close your eyes to rest. Try to rest or even sleep if you can. When the waves get rough, watching the movement can really make you feel sick. It’s much better to just keep your eyes closed during the bumpy journey.
• Bring headphones. If someone nearby starts throwing up loudly (it happens), or if other passengers are talking loudly or kids are being noisy, having headphones helps give you peace and a chance to rest.
• Pack some peppermint oil. It’s great for soothing nausea—just put a little under your nose, on your temples, or the back of your neck. It gives a cooling sensation and helps you breathe easier. I personally find it really helpful.
• Wear loose, comfy clothes. Go for things like cotton t-shirts, sweatshirts, wide-leg pants. Avoid tight jeans, leggings, or high-neck tops. Tight clothing, especially around the waist, can make your stomach feel uncomfortable when you feel seasick.

Is taking a flight to Orchid Island better or taking a ferry?

There are 2 ways to travel to Orchid Island from Taiwan mainland. One is taking a small flight and the other option is to take the ferry.

Taking a flight from Taitung to Orchid Island usually only takes about 30 minutes. However, the flight is a very small flight (19 seats) as the airport in Orchid Island is short and small, and the operation is highly dependent on the weather.

As for ferry, there are two ferry ports you can choose from—Taitung on Taiwan’s east coast and Kenting in the south—giving travelers more flexibility. So for those who feel they can handle the boat ride, or they do not like the idea of taking a small flight, taking the ferry to Orchid Island is usually the preferred option.