TAIWAN · YILAN · WILSON SUP
Taiwan's milky-blue sea: a SUP trip to Guishan Island
Off the coast of Yilan County (宜蘭縣) in northeastern Taiwan lies Guishan Island. Undersea hot springs around the island mix with the seawater and turn it a milky color. This water is called the Milk Sea, meaning a sea that shines like milk; its local name is Niunai Hai (牛奶海).
WILSON SUP's photos from an April 2024 tour show several ways to enjoy that scenery: time on a board close to the water, time resting on a yacht, and time in the same frame with the people you came with. If you're planning a trip, look at the departure harbor and current conditions along with the scenery in the photos.
- Area
- Toucheng Township, Yilan County, northeastern Taiwan
- Departure point
- Wushi Harbor (烏石港)
- Highlights
- Viewing the milky-blue sea · Relaxing on deck
- Check before booking
- Sea conditions · Waters where SUP is allowed
ON THE WATER · 10 PHOTOS
The Taiwan tour with Wilson, in photos
From paddling on turquoise water to resting on deck — swipe through the trip.
Tap a photo to view it larger.
STARBOARD TV · KENTING
The Kenting, Taiwan tour on video
In Kenting, in southern Taiwan, another SUP trip unfolds. Watch the local journey and tour videos with tour leader Kim Wooseok and Wilson.
Tour leader Wooseok's SUP tours, part 3 · Kenting, Taiwan with Wilson
A SUP tour of Kenting with tour leader Kim Wooseok and Wilson of Starboard Taiwan — surf spots and travel scenery in southern Taiwan.
Watch on YouTube ↗To Kenting, Taiwan with tour leader Kim Wooseok · tour short
A STARBOARD TV short introducing the October 2025 SUP tour of Kenting with tour leader Kim Wooseok and Wilson in Taiwan.
Watch on YouTube ↗THE SEASCAPE
The milky-blue sea is a view made by nature
Guishan Island (龜山島) is an island off Yilan County in northeastern Taiwan. Undersea hot springs rising from its volcanic terrain change the color of the surrounding water, creating a distinctive Milk Sea view that contrasts with the blue ocean.
The sea shows a different shade every day. Take your time watching how the milky swirls spread and where they meet the blue water. The route is set according to the day's sea conditions and local controls.
ON BOARD WITH WILSON
Between time on the board and ease on the yacht
The course WILSON offered in 2024 combined a large catamaran with STARBOARD SUP. It came with a SUP instructor, an open-water lifeguard and outdoor photo and drone staff, and you could join individually or charter the whole boat.
The appeal is less about having to stay on a board all day and more about splitting your time on the sea in different ways: paddling close to the water, then coming back on deck to take in the view. Current boats, gear, staff, photo services and joining conditions must be rechecked for the date you book.
START AT WUSHI HARBOR
The trip starts at Wushi Harbor, Taiwan
Boats to Guishan Island leave from Wushi Harbor (烏石港) in Toucheng Township, Yilan County. Searching maps for "Wushi Harbor" or "烏石港" works well. Meeting points can differ by boat even within the same harbor, so after booking, get the exact pier in the yacht area and the meeting time.
By public transport, you can plan around the Wushi Harbor transfer center on the Taiwan Tourist Shuttle (台灣好行) Green 19 and 18 routes. Check timetables and connections for your date, and avoid tight connections that arrive just before the boat leaves.
Before departure
Confirm the boat name, pier location, meeting time and required documents with the operator, and leave plenty of time for travel and boarding.
On the water
Viewing the Milk Sea and doing SUP are not the same thing. Where you actually paddle, and whether you go in the water, depend on the permitted waters, the day's sea conditions and on-site instructions.
After you're back
Have a meal around Wushi Harbor or add the Lanyang Museum and Waiao Beach. The sea program can run long or change, so keep your land plans relaxed.
KNOW BEFORE YOU PADDLE
The prettier the sea, the more you should check where you can go in
There are waters around Guishan Island where water activities are banned or restricted. Being able to see the Milk Sea from a boat does not mean you can SUP or swim there straight away. Do not enter the areas around the undersea hot springs or boat lanes on your own; follow the permitted areas confirmed by the operator and on-site controls.
The question "Is it OK for beginners?" has to be answered together with swimming ability, open-water experience, health, and the day's waves and wind. Tell the operator the ages and sizes of any children before booking, and check life jackets, board recovery and rescue support, and the rules for changes and cancellations in bad weather.
Pack light but bring what matters: a sun hat and rash guard, drinking water, waterproof storage, a change of clothes and a towel. If you worry about seasickness, ask a pharmacist or doctor before boarding about prevention that suits you.
PLAN THE RIGHT KIND OF TRIP
Seeing the island and landing on it are different trips
Cruising around Guishan Island by yacht and landing on the island are separate. To land, you need a landing application and ID check, and on the island you must move with a professional guide. First check whether your booking includes a landing.
The usual landing season for Guishan Island runs from 1 March to 30 November. This is not the operating period of any SUP tour, nor a promise of daily sailings. The island can close for typhoons, strong wind or high seas, so check the official notices the day before and on the day, as well as the operator's sailing notice.
When booking, also check the total price, minimum number of passengers for departure, included gear, whether photos are provided, and the cancellation and refund terms.
If you travel with a pet, check boarding conditions and the island's landing rules separately. Even if a dog appears in past photos, not every boat accepts pets, and animals cannot be brought onto Guishan Island without permission.
MORE THAN A BOAT TRIP
Keep northeastern Taiwan's sea in your trip on the way back
There's no need to wrap up the trip in a hurry once you're off the boat. Wushi Harbor has a seafood market and a yacht harbor, and adding the nearby Lanyang Museum brings local stories to the sea views.
If you want a slower pace, add Waiao (外澳) to your plans. Its beach and coastal walk face Guishan Island, so you end the day seeing from land the island you saw from the sea. Check conditions and availability separately for surfing or other water activities; a meal and a walk alone can make a full day.