Seashores will not be the very first thing you consider for a trip in Taiwan.
The tiny island is well-known for its night time markets and vibrant mountain climbing in subtropical climates that make for excellent city-breaks, permitting each locals and vacationers alike to flee the town grind. But, while mountain climbing is an unofficial nationwide sport the place locals deal with greater than 260 peaks over 3000m-high (9842ft), weekends are sometimes spent by the ocean too with residents leaping on a high-speed prepare for a fast dip in pristinely cool waters.
With greater than 1600km (995 miles) of shoreline, there are golden and black-sand seashores in Taiwan’s north that are greatest for swimming, sunbathing and canoeing; whereas to the east, surfers discover themselves in paradise with out having to combat for gnarly waves. Whether or not you’re in search of family-friendly seashores with a resort really feel, surf spots or snorkeling actions, Taiwan’s seashores are properly price touring for. Listed below are the most effective.
1. Fulong Seashore, New Taipei Metropolis
Greatest seaside for households
If it’s your first time in Taiwan, you’ll absolutely be based mostly within the capital metropolis of Taipei. In the event you really feel you’ve spent sufficient time roaming the night time markets and concrete metropolis partitions of the town, leap on the prepare for 1.5 hours and end up at Fulong Seashore. A preferred vacation spot on weekends, Fulong is greatest on weekdays so that you’ve greater than 3km (1.9 miles) of golden sand seemingly to your self for a quiet swim or sunbathe. The calm waters additionally make the situation a perfect place for windsurfing, canoeing and kayaking the place the Shuangxi river flows out to the ocean. Throughout the months of Could to July, the Fulong Sand Sculpture competition is a enjoyable, household occasion drawing in hundreds of individuals. Watch out for the sweltering warmth although – summer time is sizzling in Taiwan!
2. Wai’ao Seashore, Yilan
Greatest volcanic seaside
Sitting on the northeastern facet of the island, Wai’ao Seashore is a perfect place for vacationers to go to and expertise among the wonderful issues that Taiwn is understood for. Simply 45-minutes by prepare from Taipei Predominant Prepare Station, Wai’ao seaside is positioned in Yilan county, which has waterfalls, mountain biking trails and the Jiaoxi sizzling springs all inside a brief distance of one another for a fun-filled weekend away from the town. The seaside itself is exclusive as a result of the sand is comprised of black volcanic ash – so delicate that it makes for the right touchdown spot for paragliders and kite-surfers who miss their mark. That is additionally a fantastic seaside for newbie surfers with many courses accessible. In the event you’re hoping to identify dolphins, take a go to to close by Turtle Island.
3. Kaohsiung seaside and Cijin Island
Greatest seaside for foodies
Everybody in Taiwan is a closet foodie and it’s no secret that Kaohsiung within the south is among the greatest locations for seafood – significantly big crab which is served over noodles. A really touristy vibe could be discovered within the outdated city, which I are likely to keep away from except I want to chill off through the summer time with an enormous bowl of shaved ice served up with sweetened purple bean paste. In any other case, it is best to spend your time by the seaside with an enormous umbrella, sunbathing and simply chilling out to your favourite tunes. There are numerous nice locations to eat surrounding the seaside and you may select from local-frequented seafood eating places, fusion eating places and my favourite, family-run locations serving easy and nostalgic dwelling cooking. Barely farther afield off the coast of Kaohsiung is the tiny island of Cijin, a cool place to go to for its sandy black seashores.
4. Gangkou Seashore, Kenting
Greatest for night surf and fairly sunsets
The populated industrial districts of Kenting Evening Market and Baisha Bay are frequented by vacationers in search of vigorous nightlife, however in the event you desire to search out your personal area by the water or have a quiet night of surf, head out to Gangkou Seashore to admire the sundown. Taiwan’s browsing neighborhood favors Jialeshui on Hengchun Peninsula for its scenic waters on the nation’s southernmost level. Surrounded by forested mountains, the seaside is like Fulong Seashore with a river intersecting, however the coolest factor is that one of many breaks flows again and makes for a bizarre expertise attempting to get again in your board. When the swell picks up, you get barrels too, however on smaller days, the breaks are nice for longboarders with glides again in the direction of the seaside. Underneath Star Lab is a pleasant place to heat up after your surf.
5. Nanwan Seashore, Kenting
Greatest seaside for water sports activities and actions
Nanwan Seashore in Kenting is one in every of Taiwan’s favourite seashores purely as a result of it’s thought to be the “prettiest” browsing seaside within the nation. There are numerous crowds who like to take footage of the turquoise blue waters so anticipate to combat in your personal area in the event you occur to go on a weekend. The seaside is right for households and day-trippers who enterprise out to the east finish of the seaside to rent banana boats and jet skis, however if you’re severe about browsing, the west finish is the place you need to go the place the swell is tamed, but, most likely too simple for a lot of execs.
Whilst you’re right here, you actually should strive native seafood. Piccolo Polpo is a pleasant place for recent seafood with an Italian twist or if you would like one thing extra Taiwanese, it needs to be Ashing Restaurant for a successful dinner with locals.
6. Laomei Seashore, New Taipei Metropolis
Greatest uncommon seaside
In the event you occur to be in Taiwan between April and Could, head straight to Laomei seaside for some of the uncommon seaside experiences yow will discover on the tiny island. A seaside mixed with a reef, Laomei was created tens of millions of years in the past when the Datun Mountain erupted and fashioned volcanic rocks on the seaside. Solely seen throughout low tide at the moment of 12 months, the algae connected to the rocks creates massive inexperienced ripples rising up over the sand, contrasting with the cerulean waters. It is price a photograph even when you do not have an Instagram account to make your folks jealous. Round 8km (5 miles) away is Yangmingshan Nationwide Park is among the most revered mountain climbing, strolling and biking areas for Taiwanese residents and a fantastic place for peak to peak hikes.
7. Jinzun Seashore, Donghe
Greatest seaside for severe surfers
Situated in Donghe, Jinzun Seashore is Taiwan’s unofficial surf capital (professional surfers desire Jin Le Shui) with the seaside internet hosting Taiwan’s Nationwide Surf Competitors each November. This isn’t a spot for newbies although as a result of the break from the shore tends to be fairly brief and you want to be assured in manoeuvring your board. Skilled surfers love the daring waves through the winter, that are fairly cool, even in comparison with massive surf seashores world wide like these present in Hawaii and Australia. Past browsing the small fishing village actually interprets as “golden goblet” and the 3km (1.9-mile) stretch of seaside is great for seaside cliff walks, fishing and simply admiring the beautiful seaside.
8. Zhongao Seashore on Xiao Liu Qiu, Lambai Island
Greatest seaside for diving and snorkeling
The clear waters surrounding lots of Taiwan’s little inlets and islands make for excellent snorkeling and diving adventures. Among the finest is the volcanic island Xiao Liu Qiu positioned 15km (9 miles) off Taiwan’s southwest coast. Take a ferry trip from the mainland, and on a dive or snorkel tour, sightings of inexperienced turtles and distinctive species of fish are virtually assured. Zhongao Seashore is the largest on Xiao Liu Qui island and is standard for different actions equivalent to kayaking and paddle boarding. In the event you keep for greater than someday you’ll want to additionally go to Vase Rock, an uncommon rock formation formed like a mushroom.
YouTube video participant
