![[Offshore Life] OffshoreLifeStudio Sets Sail for Gueishan Island's Dreamlike Milk Sea](/_images/8907b11c79a1-1440w.webp)
In the mid-16th century, Portuguese sailors passing through the waters of Taiwan cried out "Ilha Formosa!" Although this phrase means "Beautiful Island" in Portuguese and was never formally given as a name, the compliment carries more than enough weight to capture the beauty of Taiwan's islands.
Our Taiwan — 36,000 square kilometres of world-class scenery beyond count. How many have you witnessed with your own eyes?
Unwrapping a Rare World-Class Wonder — Gueishan Island's Milk Sea
Last summer's headline voyage saw OffshoreLifeStudio's wake stretching all the way to Yilan in eastern Taiwan, exploring new waters and seeking out the most coveted destination of the moment: Gueishan Island.
A crisp boundary between milky-white water and the open sea — this is Gueishan Island's Milk Sea, which has captivated all of Taiwan. It is something you simply must see for yourself.
Gueishan Island sits 6 nautical miles (approximately 10 km) east of Wushih Harbor in Toucheng, Yilan, rising from the Pacific as a volcanic island. Its earliest name was Pipe Islet; on international nautical charts it appears as Five Lions Islet, while the people of Toucheng often call it Turtle Island or Turtle Islet. Because of its active volcanic geology, the island harbors sulfurous vents and submarine hot springs. When these springs erupt and mix with seawater they turn it milky white, drawing a vivid boundary against the surrounding blue — and creating the Milk Sea that has become a sensation in recent years. Yilan, often called Taipei's backyard garden, lies along the Northeast Coast coastal highway where Gueishan Island is a landmark everyone recognises. But have you ever actually cast off the lines and sailed out to explore this island from the sea? To witness firsthand the dramatic geology that rivals the Greek Aegean, and the entrancing Tiffany-blue Milk Sea?
The turtle's head of Gueishan Island, facing away from the coastal highway, boasts geological formations of breathtaking artistry — sheer cliffs and rugged rock faces that rival those of the Greek Aegean.
A Sailor's Simple, Unadorned Day
Every morning at 4 a.m., the crew and I rise on schedule to run through the day's preparations. As punishing as that daily alarm is, it earns us the most energising reward of the day: sunrise. A hand-poured cup of Kenyan AA estate coffee fills the entire cabin with its fragrance, and the moment it washes over your palate, the corners of your mouth curl up ever so slightly — and you're not quite sure whether to nod or shake your head. A nod means: "Yes, this is life." A shake of the head means: "I blow myself away."
Green Book (2018) " My father used to say , whatever you do , do it 100 %. When you work, work . When you laugh , laugh . When you eat , eat like it's your last meal . "
Gradually I've grown accustomed to this sunrise routine — worlds apart from the bleary-eyed, dead-faced reveille of military service. Each day, the blazing red dawn charges you up like a battery. The mirror-flat sea makes you hesitate before breaking its stillness with a bow wave, as if you'd be vandalising a painting. In the gentle breeze you linger in a state of high-quality laziness, Lofi Jazz drifting from the speakers, your mind briefly convinced you've reached some enlightened, carefree stage of life — until a fishing boat's rough stern wake has the guests lurching toward the railing.
In summer, the northeastern coastline sits in the lee of the prevailing wind. Because the southwest monsoon cannot cross the Central Mountain Range, the waters around Gueishan Island lie as calm as a lake.
Have You Seen Taiwan's True Beauty?
In Taiwan, the government's most reliable method of promoting tourism seems to be replication — the stinky tofu from Tainan night markets showing up in Shenkeng, Taipei; an endless stream of shipping-container structures; buildings with every inch of their walls painted in wild murals. God damn… that's not quite ideal. Because I love mountains and the sea, I started by bringing friends, then guests, and recently even foreigners. Do you realise just how extraordinary Taiwan's natural landscapes and waterways are? Forget your phones, cameras and something not important when you are here. Among the 30 voyages to Gueishan Island last year, the comment that warmed my heart the most came from a Finnish passenger who said, "Do you know how special you are?" — then added, "Do you know how special it is?" — then, in accented Mandarin, concluded: "This place deserves to be known by the world! But I know about the Taiwan government…" before ending the conversation with an exasperated Ugly Face, no resolution in sight.
Guests who joined last year's voyages all praised Gueishan Island as a destination worthy of international attention. Striking the right balance between heritage preservation and commercial development demands careful planning on our part.
Hey — Instagram-worthy spots come in different leagues, so why not aim for a higher tier? Challenge yourself with scenery that is raw and utterly unaffected. Please… Taiwan's most beautiful café, Taiwan's most beautiful container structure, Taiwan's most beautiful church, Taiwan's most beautiful blah, blah, blah… Come on. Taiwan really is beautiful — but have you seen its real beauty?
The Masterpiece of Nature.
You might be thinking: "Hey Ray, aren't you being a bit intense!?" We'll leave that question for your own eyes and time to answer.
See you in the summer.
Stay tuned for the special 2020 OffshoreLifeStudio events at Gueishan Island's Milk Sea in Yilan.
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