Compared with the Nangan–Beigan ferry, which runs 18 times a day each way and takes 15 minutes, the boat to Juguang is a bigger commitment. There are three departures from Nangan's Fuao Harbor, at 07:00, 11:00 and 14:30, and the bureau schedule needs 40 minutes to reach the first island. The same boat then calls at the second island and loops back to Nangan, so the time you board for the return depends on where you are.
November is an odd month, so the boat reaches Xiju first. It leaves Xiju at 07:50, 11:50 and 15:20 and Dongju at 08:10, 12:10 and 15:40, getting back to Nangan at 09:00, 13:00 and 16:30. In December the loop runs the other way, Dongju first, and the two islands swap return times. The adult fare is NT$250 whichever island you choose.
Three departures, and a return time that depends on your island
November (odd month): boarding on Xiju
| No. | From Nangan: Fuao Harbor passenger building | From Juguang: Xiju Qingfan Harbor and Dongju Mengao Harbor |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 07:00 | 07:50 |
| 2 | 11:00 | 11:50 |
| 3 | 14:30 | 15:20 |
November (odd month): boarding on Dongju
| No. | From Nangan: Fuao Harbor passenger building | From Juguang: Xiju Qingfan Harbor and Dongju Mengao Harbor |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 07:00 | 08:10 |
| 2 | 11:00 | 12:10 |
| 3 | 14:30 | 15:40 |
Maritime and Port Bureau schedule for the Nangan–Juguang route, identical every day from 1 to 13 November 2026, matching the odd/even month rule published by the county, the Matsu National Scenic Area and South North Shipping. Checked 30 October 2026. December is an even month and the order reverses. Maritime and Port Bureau – Matsu (Nangan) – Matsu (Juguang) schedule · 2026-10-30
NT$250 to either island
Dongju or Xiju, the price does not change: NT$250 one way for an adult, NT$125 half fare, and free for children under 3. The English page of the scenic area shows NT$160 for this route, but the county booking system, the operator and the scenic area's Chinese page all give NT$250.
You qualify for half fare at 65 or older, as a child of 3 to 11, or with a disability certificate, which also covers one necessary companion; bring proof.
| Adult | NT$250 |
| Half fare | NT$125 |
| Under 3 | Free |
County booking system fare table for Nangan–Juguang and South North fare list, no expiry date given. Checked 30 October 2026. Matsu maritime booking system – fares · 2026-10-30
Fuao on the way out, Qingfan or Mengao on the way back
For the trip back, the Matsu National Scenic Area asks passengers to buy their ticket at the Dongju or Xiju counter before 07:30 for the first boat and before 15:00 for the last one.
Nangan: Fuao Harbor passenger building
Tickets to Juguang are sold on the ground floor of the Fuao passenger building, where the Beigan boats also leave. The first boat goes at 07:00, so allow time to get to the harbor from your guesthouse.
Juguang: Xiju Qingfan Harbor and Dongju Mengao Harbor
Juguang Township is two islands with one pier each: Qingfan on Xiju and Mengao on Dongju (also written Meng'ao). Both waiting rooms sell tickets back to Nangan, and you board at whichever island you are on. The map pin marks the Qingfan pier on Xiju.
South from Nangan, one loop past two islands
Juguang lies south of Nangan and is made up of Dongju and Xiju. The boat does not shuttle back and forth: in odd months it runs Nangan, Xiju, Dongju, Nangan, and in even months Nangan, Dongju, Xiju, Nangan. In the bureau schedule the first leg takes 40 minutes, the hop between the islands 10 and the last leg 50.
Planning a visit to Dongju or Xiju
- Check the month
Odd months (January, March, November…) go to Xiju first, even months to Dongju first. From 1 December the order and the return times swap islands.
- Tides can move a sailing
South North posts day-specific changes. On 29 October, for example, the second boat left at 10:00 instead of 11:00 because the high tide made berthing difficult.
- Buy the return on the island
The waiting rooms at Mengao and Qingfan sell tickets; be at the counter before 07:30 for the first boat and before 15:00 for the last.
- Helicopter when boats stop
The scenic area says the public can apply for the Nangan–Dongju helicopter, run by Ling Tian Aviation (凌天航空), only when sea conditions have stopped the boats.
- Island-hopping within Juguang
To move only between Dongju and Xiju, Juguang Shipping runs a separate Dongju–Xiju boat four times a day each way, about 10 minutes, NT$80 adult when bought on site.
The boats on the Juguang loop
The county lists two boats on this route. The N-Bei Star (南北之星), built in Singapore in 2021, measures 497 gross tons, carries 321 passengers and cruises at 35.8 knots; the Donghai Pearl (東海明珠), built in Taiwan in 2015, measures 355 gross tons and carries 204. The November schedule registers the N-Bei Star, but either can be used on the day.
Apart from the monthly switch, South North Shipping publishes changes for single dates in the Matsu Daily News and on the booking system: earlier, later or cancelled sailings that apply only to that day. If you arrive on the Keelung night boat, you land at the same Fuao Harbor, but whether you make the 07:00 to Juguang depends on when that night's ship arrives.
Before you sail to Juguang
How often does the boat to Juguang run?
Three, at 07:00, 11:00 and 14:30, all from Fuao Harbor.
In November, does the boat reach Dongju or Xiju first?
Xiju. Odd months go west first, even months east first, so in December the boat reaches Dongju first.
Latest departure from Dongju back to Nangan?
In November, 15:40 from Mengao, arriving at Nangan at 16:30 in the bureau schedule. In December, with Dongju first in the loop, the last departure from Dongju becomes 15:20.
Latest departure from Xiju?
In November, 15:20 from Qingfan; it calls at Dongju before heading back to Nangan.
Is the fare different for Dongju and Xiju?
No. Both cost NT$250 for an adult and NT$125 half fare; children under 3 travel free.
Can a tide change the times?
Yes. South North posts day-specific changes when a high tide or rough sea makes berthing hard; on 29 October the 11:00 left at 10:00.
Where do I buy the ticket back to Nangan?
At the Mengao pier waiting room on Dongju or the Qingfan pier waiting room on Xiju, before 07:30 for the first boat and before 15:00 for the last.