Guishan Island
Guishan Island (or Ku-suann-tó, Gueishan Island, Steep Island, Turtle Island, 龜山島, Guīshāndǎo, Gueishandǎo, Kuei1-shan1-tao, Kweishan Island, Kueishan Island), is an island in the Pacific Ocean, part of Toucheng Township, Yilan County, Taiwan and located 10 km east of port of Kengfang Fishery Harbor in the northeast corner of Taiwan. The island's name is derived from the resemblance of the topography of the island to that of a turtle. The island is a dormant volcano that last erupted in 1785.
In 2000, the island was incorporated into the Northeast and Yilan Coast National Scenic Area as a maritime ecological park and officially reopened to tourists. Currently, it is managed as a tourist destination and natural conservation area, but there are restrictions on visitors numbers due to environmental protection (capped at 400 on weekdays and 500 on weekends). It used to be a military zone where public access was restricted.
Open Water Swimming
- The Swim Challenge to Guishan Island is a 10 km open water swim held in early July.
- It is part of the Taiwanese Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming, a series of three marathon swims in Taiwan.
Taiwanese Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming
The Taiwanese Triple Crown includes three solo unassisted marathon swims:
- 10 km Guishan Island
- 15 km Xiaoliuqiu Island
- 35 km Green Island to Taiwan mainland
