Best beaches in Taiwan – Lonely Planet
Beaches may well not be the to start with factor you believe of for a vacation in Taiwan.
The small island is effectively recognized for its night time markets and vibrant mountaineering in subtropical climates that make for fantastic town-breaks, allowing for both equally locals and tourists alike to escape the metropolis grind. Nonetheless, whilst climbing is an unofficial national activity in which locals deal with extra than 260 peaks around 3000m-significant (9842ft), weekends are generally expended by the sea far too with residents jumping on a significant-speed practice for a quick dip in pristinely amazing waters.
With much more than 1600km (995 miles) of coastline, there are golden and black-sand shorelines in Taiwan’s north which are finest for swimming, sunbathing and canoeing whilst to the east, surfers discover themselves in paradise without the need of having to struggle for gnarly waves. Regardless of whether you are seeking for relatives-pleasant beach locations with a resort experience, surf spots or snorkeling activities, Taiwan’s beach locations are properly value touring for. In this article are the very best.
1. Fulong Seashore, New Taipei Metropolis
Best beach for people
If it is your very first time in Taiwan, you will definitely be dependent in the cash city of Taipei. If you experience you have used plenty of time roaming the night time markets and concrete town partitions of the town, soar on the train for 1.5 hrs and come across by yourself at Fulong Seaside. A well known desired destination on weekends, Fulong is best on weekdays so that you have far more than 3km (1.9 miles) of golden sand seemingly to by yourself for a tranquil swim or sunbathe. The quiet waters also make the location an great location for windsurfing, canoeing and kayaking wherever the Shuangxi river flows out to the ocean. Throughout the months of May well to July, the Fulong Sand Sculpture pageant is a fun, relatives party drawing in thousands of people today. Beware of the sweltering warmth while – summer season is hot in Taiwan!
2. Wai’ao Seaside, Yilan
Finest volcanic seashore
Sitting down on the northeastern side of the island, Wai’ao Seashore is an excellent position for vacationers to check out and practical experience some of the excellent points that Taiwn is recognized for. Just 45-minutes by prepare from Taipei Primary Coach Station, Wai’ao seashore is found in Yilan county, which has waterfalls, mountain biking trails and the Jiaoxi very hot springs all within a limited distance of every single other for a enjoyable-filled weekend absent from the town. The seaside alone is unique simply because the sand is made from black volcanic ash – so comfortable that it would make for the perfect landing place for paragliders and kite-surfers who skip their mark. This is also a great seashore for rookie surfers with numerous lessons available. If you’re hoping to spot dolphins, get a take a look at to nearby Turtle Island.
3. Kaohsiung beach and Cijin Island
Very best seaside for foodies
Every person in Taiwan is a closet foodie and it is no magic formula that Kaohsiung in the south is 1 of the very best locations for seafood – specially large crab which is served around noodles. A quite touristy vibe can be observed in the previous town, which I are inclined to avoid except I require to neat off for the duration of the summertime with a giant bowl of shaved ice served up with sweetened red bean paste. Otherwise, it is really ideal to expend your time by the beach with a giant umbrella, sunbathing and just chilling out to your favorite tunes. There are a whole lot of terrific destinations to eat bordering the seashore and you can select from neighborhood-frequented seafood restaurants, fusion eating places and my favorite, family-operate places serving straightforward and nostalgic dwelling cooking. A little bit farther afield off the coast of Kaohsiung is the small island of Cijin, a interesting put to take a look at for its sandy black shorelines.
4. Gangkou Seaside, Kenting
Ideal for evening surf and fairly sunsets
The populated industrial districts of Kenting Night Market and Baisha Bay are frequented by travelers searching for lively nightlife, but if you prefer to uncover your own space by the water or have a quiet evening of surf, head out to Gangkou Beach to admire the sunset. Taiwan’s browsing local community favors Jialeshui on Hengchun Peninsula for its scenic waters on the country’s southernmost stage. Surrounded by forested mountains, the seashore is like Fulong Seaside with a river intersecting, but the coolest factor is that a single of the breaks flows back and can make for a weird practical experience attempting to get back on your board. When the swell picks up, you get barrels way too, but on scaled-down times, the breaks are good for longboarders with glides again in direction of the beach. Less than Star Lab is a good put to heat up after your surf.
5. Nanwan Seaside, Kenting
Very best seashore for water athletics and functions
Nanwan Seashore in Kenting is one of Taiwan’s favourite shorelines purely because it is regarded as the “prettiest” browsing seaside in the state. There are a large amount of crowds who really like to get pictures of the turquoise blue waters so assume to struggle for your very own house if you materialize to go on a weekend. The beach front is excellent for family members and working day-trippers who enterprise out to the east close of the beach to hire banana boats and jet skis, but if you are severe about browsing, the west finish is where you ought to go where by the swell is tamed, yet, in all probability as well uncomplicated for a lot of execs.
Though you’re right here, you genuinely need to test neighborhood seafood. Piccolo Polpo is a wonderful place for refreshing seafood with an Italian twist or if you want something additional Taiwanese, it has to be Ashing Cafe for a successful evening meal with locals.
6. Laomei Beach front, New Taipei City
Ideal strange seaside
If you come about to be in Taiwan in between April and May perhaps, head straight to Laomei seaside for 1 of the most unconventional beach experiences you can find on the tiny island. A beach front blended with a reef, Laomei was designed hundreds of thousands of decades ago when the Datun Mountain erupted and fashioned volcanic rocks on the beach front. Only noticeable for the duration of lower tide at that time of yr, the algae attached to the rocks creates significant environmentally friendly ripples climbing up over the sand, contrasting with the cerulean waters. It’s well worth a picture even if you really don’t have an Instagram account to make your friends jealous. Around 8km (5 miles) absent is Yangmingshan Nationwide Park is a single of the most revered hiking, strolling and cycling areas for Taiwanese inhabitants and a fantastic location for peak to peak hikes.
7. Jinzun Beach, Donghe
Very best beach for severe surfers
Found in Donghe, Jinzun Beach is Taiwan’s unofficial surf cash (professional surfers like Jin Le Shui) with the seashore web hosting Taiwan’s National Surf Levels of competition every November. This is not a area for newbies while since the split from the shore tends to be very quick and you require to be self-confident in manoeuvring your board. Qualified surfers like the daring waves through the wintertime, which are very awesome, even when compared to significant surf beach locations close to the world like all those uncovered in Hawaii and Australia. Over and above surfing the little fishing village practically translates as “golden goblet” and the 3km (1.9-mile) extend of beach is fantastic for seaside cliff walks, fishing and just admiring the stunning beach.
8. Zhongao Beach front on Xiao Liu Qiu, Lambai Island
Best beach for diving and snorkeling
The obvious waters surrounding lots of of Taiwan’s tiny inlets and islands make for great snorkeling and diving adventures. Just one of the best is the volcanic island Xiao Liu Qiu positioned 15km (9 miles) off Taiwan’s southwest coast. Consider a ferry ride from the mainland, and on a dive or snorkel tour, sightings of eco-friendly turtles and unique species of fish are just about guaranteed. Zhongao Seaside is the greatest on Xiao Liu Qui island and is popular for other pursuits these types of as kayaking and paddle boarding. If you remain for additional than just one day be sure to also visit Vase Rock, an unconventional rock development shaped like a mushroom.