Orchid Island Taiwan Ferry Guide: Taitung vs Kenting Route Comparison & Tips to Avoid Seasick

Planning to take the ferry to Orchid Island but not sure which route to take? There are two options- Taitung or Kenting. Having taken both routes myself, I can tell you the experiences are very different. In this Orchid Island ferry guide I compare both routes, covering journey time, what the ride is actually like, and ticket prices. I also share practical tips to avoid getting seasick and a trustworthy website to book the tickets.

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

Ferry to Orchid Island from Taitung vs Kenting, which route is good for you?

As there are 2 ferry routes going to Orchid Island Taiwan, one leaves from Taitung on the east coast, and the other from Kenting in the south. Which one you take really depends on where you are planning to travel in Taiwan before you head over to Orchid Island.

If you are planning to visit the east side of Taiwan (Hualian, Taitung), the best choice is to take a ferry from Taitung.

If you are going to set off from the middle (Taichung, Nantou) or south (Tainan, Kaohsiung, Chiayi, Pingtung) of Taiwan, you can just go further down to Kenting to take the ferry to Orchid Island.

For travelers setting off from Taipei, either route is easy for you to reach.

From my personal experiences, for a more comfortable, smooth ferry journey, I’d recommend you take the route from Kenting, the south.

You can see the above short comparison video I took to see the real differences.

Below will share more detailed information about the 2 routes, to help you decide which route is suitable for you and plan your trip to Orchid Island, Taiwan.

Taitung to Orchid Island ferry

Taitung to Orchid Island ferry departs from Fugang Fishery Harbour (富岡漁港) in Taitung. The harbour is easy to reach by taxi from Taitung Train Station, and takes about 16 minutes.

As ferries set off early in the morning, there won’t be many taxis around, so to be on time and have a smoother trip, I’d recommend you book your taxi in advance. Or stay a night near the Fugang Fishery Harbour.

How long is the ferry ride from Taitung to Orchid Island

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

Ferry experience, what the ride is actually like

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 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 the next day before sunrise and walked to the harbour to catch the ferry.

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 rides between Taitung and Orchid Island were crazily 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”- so I noted it down to remember.

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

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

It’s really important to reserve your ferry tickets a few weeks or even 1-2 months ahead, especially during peak travel seasons (July, August), as tickets can sell out quickly.

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

Kenting to Orchid Island ferry

The Kenting to Orchid Island ferry departs from Houbihu Harbour (後壁湖漁港) in Pingtung County, in the south of Taiwan. Honestly, getting to Houbihu Harbour takes a bit more effort compared to departing from the east coast, but it’s totally doable.

I’d recommend spending a night in Kenting, or even turning it into a 3-4 days trip before heading to Orchid Island, it’s worth it if you haven’t been!

On the day of departure, you can go to Houbihu Harbour early in the morning by taxi. From our experience, we only asked our hotel to arrange a taxi the night before, which made it harder to find an available one. When we finally got one, the ride from Hengchun to Houbihu Fishing Harbour was only about 20 minutes but cost around NTD 500 per person.

So to easily find a taxi, and have chance of getting a cheaper one, I’d advise you to book it way earlier than us.

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

The ferry from Kenting to Orchid Island officially takes around 2 hours, and from our experience, it was right on schedule.

Ferry experience, what the ride is actually like

After having a terrible first ferry ride from Taitung (the east coast) to Orchid Island, and remembering locals from Orchid Island said that the route from Kenting is much smoother with calmer seas, I decided to take their advice for my second trip to Orchid Island, in May.

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

The ferry from Kenting departed at 7am, and the return trip left at 9:30am. The ferry was also from the Green Island Star (綠島之星) ferry operator, as I did from Taitung, but the experience was so much better!

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 book?

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

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

Tips for taking the ferry to and from Orchid Island

• 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.

More useful information about Orchid Island transportation

• If you are confident riding a scooter, it is recommended to do so when traveling in Orchid Island as the road is pretty narrow. You can 🔗 reserve a scooter in advance 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.