Taiwan, surrounded by the sea,
boasts numerous scenic fishing ports and limited regional marine cultural experiences.
Also, do not miss out on the local delicacies.
Follow our footsteps,
to explore three-star gold-rated fishing ports (Formosa Race), rigorously assessed by experts and mystery shoppers
to experience Taiwan's rich array of marine activities and fishery education.
Follow a whale-watching cruise to encounter these sea creatures.
It is the perfect choice for your light trip!
The peak season for whale watching is from May to September each year, with an 80-90% chance of spotting cetaceans.
Taking a whale watching cruise offers not only guided commentary on the cetaceans but also an introduction to the surrounding geography and marine culture. When cetaceans are spotted, you can witness them riding the waves at the bow and spinning through the air, with explanations that provide a deeper understanding of their behavior. If you're lucky, you might even encounter smaller whales or larger species like killer whales and sperm whales!
*The video features a rare Cuvier's beaked whale filmed in Hualien.
There is a warm Kuroshio Current in the eastern waters of Taiwan, which not only brings abundant fish resources but also attracts cetaceans to come and forage. Therefore, whale-watching activities primarily take place in the waters off Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung. People can also see specific schools of fish in different seasons, such as the Flying Fish Festival from April to June every year, where there is a chance to see sailfish or dolphinfish chasing flying fish in the Hualien–Taitung open waters.
Four Main Whale Watching Locations
The best time for whale watching is from May to September each year. During this period, the weather is usually quite hot, and whale watching trips last at least 2-3 hours. Suggest bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, a sun hat, a light jacket, and a water bottle to avoid sunburn and heatstroke. If you are prone to seasickness, you can take seasickness medication one hour before departure.
When taking a whale-watching cruise trip, you need to bring your ID card or photo ID, and foreign tourists need to bring their passports."

How to choose a friendly whale watching cruise? You can choose whale-watching operators with the Ocean Conservation Administration's ""Friendly Whale Watching 2.0 Label."" When cetaceans are spotted, their boats will slow down and maintain a distance of more than 50 meters, and they will adhere to the following ""5 Don'ts and 1 Keep"" rules:"