A concierge that already knows Orchid Island
NUM holds 143 places in and around Orchid Island. Text it what you want, in any language. It finds three real places that fit, open now, and books the one you pick.
Three nights on Orchid Island. Somewhere simple for lunch near Kaiyuan Port?
Three places near the port that fit. Want me to book one?
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What is in the Orchid Island directory
Built from open map data, kept current, and never ranked by who paid, because nobody can pay. Placement is not for sale on NUM. Counted October 10, 2026.
Orchid Island at a glance
Orchid Island (Lanyu) is a volcanic island in the Pacific southeast of Taitung and home of the Tao people, who call it Pongso no Tao. Visitors come for the coast road, the reefs and the Tao villages, with their carved tatala canoes and low traditional houses. It is a living community with its own rules, not a resort.
Known for
Flying-fish season 飛魚季
The Tao year is built around the flying fish, from the fish-calling ceremony around February–March to the season's close in September–October. Dried fish hang outside homes.
Tatala canoes 拼板舟
Plank-built, carved and painted boats. Don't touch them or sit in them.
Ivalino underground houses 野銀部落地下屋
Traditional houses set down into the ground. They are private homes, so ask before entering or photographing.
Taro 芋頭
A Tao staple, grown in wet fields around the villages.
Five-Hole Cave 五孔洞
Sea-eroded caves on the coast road.
Dragon Head Rock 龍頭岩
One of the coast's named volcanic rock formations.
Getting there
Ferries run from Taitung's Fugang Fishing Harbor to Kaiyuan Port (about 2 to 2.5 h, longer when they call at Green Island). From about mid-March to mid-October they also run from Houbihu in Kenting (about 2 h). Daily Air flies 19-seat planes from Taitung Airport (about 25–30 min). From Taipei, first get to Taitung by train (about 4 h) or plane (about 1 h).
Getting around
A coast road circles the island, and most visitors rent a scooter near the port or the airport. You need a licence valid for motorcycles; for foreign visitors that means an International Driving Permit that covers them.
When to go
Roughly April to September, when ferries run most days. From October to March the northeast monsoon cuts sailings: under the winter schedule (as of October 2026), government-subsidized boats run from Taitung only on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and alternate Sundays, the Houbihu route stops, and wind also grounds flights. The main flying-fish catch runs from about February to June; visitors are welcome, but stay clear of beaches and boats in use.
Local tip
Don't touch, climb on or sit in a tatala canoe. Keep off launch beaches when boats are out, and ask before photographing people, homes or ceremonies.
Facts checked October 3, 2026. Transport and openings change, so NUM checks them again.
Where NUM looks in Orchid Island
Districts NUM covers here.
- Lanyu Township (Orchid Island) 蘭嶼鄉
How NUM works in Orchid Island
- 1
Text NUM what you want
A table, a massage, a driver, a pharmacy. In your words, in your language.
- 2
Get three real places
Checked, open now, and close to where you are. Nobody paid to be on the list.
- 3
It books the one you pick
The confirmation stays in your thread. A real person is one message away.
Questions about NUM in Orchid Island
How many restaurants does NUM know in Orchid Island?
21 in and around Orchid Island, from the open map data NUM builds its directory on. NUM does not list all of them at you. It picks three that fit what you asked for, and says why.
Can NUM help me find a hotel in Orchid Island?
NUM knows 44 places to stay here. It finds the one that fits and hands you to the licensed partner who books it, so you always know who you are booking with.
Can I visit Orchid Island in winter?
Yes, but plan for disruption. Under the winter schedule (as of October 2026), government-subsidized sailings run from Fugang only on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and alternate Sundays, the Kenting (Houbihu) route is suspended until spring, and strong wind grounds flights. Build in spare days.
What should visitors know about Tao customs?
The tatala canoe matters deeply to Tao families, so don't touch it. Keep your distance from ceremonies unless you are invited. During flying-fish season, don't swim or dive off beaches where boats launch. Ask before taking photos of people or homes.
What language can I message NUM in for Orchid Island?
Whatever you write in. NUM answers in the language of your message, and in the script you used, which for Chinese means Traditional stays Traditional.
Does it cost anything?
Not for travelers. Booking through NUM is free and nothing is added to your bill. NUM Plus and NUM Pro are optional and only add room.
For businesses in Orchid Island
If you run somewhere here, list it free. No account needed: add your place or update its details, and NUM checks them before they go live. Taking bookings through NUM is a separate, optional sign-up.
- Free to list, no account needed
- NUM checks every listing before it goes live
- Nobody can pay to be recommended