12 Best Taiwanese Beaches
Taiwan doesn't immediately come to mind when it comes to beach holidays, but the country actually has many amazing sandy beaches and gorgeous coastlines.
Lintou Beach
This Taiwanese beach is not on a mainland island. It is located on the eastern side of the Penghu archipelago, which belongs to Taiwan. To get to the archipelago, you need a ferry from Chiayi or a fast plane from Taipei or Taichung. Lintou Beach is a gorgeous beach with soft white sand. One of the attractive features of this beach is that it is not very crowded. Most people tend to head to nearby beaches.
This stunning beach is located in the town of Hengchun in southern Taiwan. This beach became widely known after the release of the movie "Life of Pi", where it was used for filming. Despite its popularity, it is a little further from the main area of Kenting, so it is not so crowded here. It is a carelessly beautiful tropical paradise that you can explore on a private Pingtung country cruise. You can rent sun loungers and umbrellas which are much needed in the hot Taiwanese sun. There is also an opportunity to ride banana boats and rent jet skis. In the northern part of the beach there is a beach bar where you can order an ice cold beer or a fresh coconut.
This beach is located in a picturesque arched bay on the east coast of Taiwan in the village of Xincheng. Qixingtan is a hidden gem among Taiwanese beaches. Many people flock to Taroko National Park but forget to visit this beautiful place. This beach is pebbly and has extensive mountain views of the Taroko National Park. There are many authentic local restaurants nearby that sell food, ice cream and cold beer if you get hungry. If you've booked a room in the area, head to Qixingtang Beach at sunrise for one of the best sunrise views in Taiwan. Swimming is not allowed on this beach due to strong currents.
Zhonggao beach
This beach is located on Xiaoliuqiu Island, also known as Lambai Island, south of Kaohsiung City in southern Taiwan. You will find this cute little beach in the northern part of the island. This beach has pristine soft white sand and clear water. One of the best things about swimming on this beach is that you may be lucky enough to see sea turtles. This is one of the few places in Taiwan where you can see these sea creatures up close. Snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboarding are available on this Taiwanese beach. This is a great beach to visit because the currents here are not as strong as many other beaches.
Dawulun Beach, also known as Waimushan Beach, has an impressive mountain backdrop. This beach is located in northern Taiwan, near the city of Keelung. This is a local beach as not many tourists come here. Warm golden sand and perfectly clear water attract local residents. The water conditions are ideal for swimming, snorkelling and kayaking. The main tip when visiting this beach is to bring cash with you as there are no ATMs in Dawulun.
Gangkou beach
Another of the best beaches in Taiwan is Gangkou Beach. This beach is long and wide and covered with black sand. It may not be as impressive as other Taiwanese beaches, but the waves here are perfect for surfing. To get to the beach, cross the suspension bridge across the Gangkou River or head to the scenic Jialeshui Park along Chashan Road.
This beach is popular all year round because it is so close to the capital. During the summer months, a special atmosphere reigns when tourists, vacationers and locals alike flock to this Taiwanese beach. You should visit this beach between June and August when the International Sand Sculpture Festival takes place on Phulong Beach. Numerous artists from all over the world come to this beach to impress with their epic sand sculptures. It takes artists weeks to build these sculptures, so you can imagine how big they are.
This is another one of Taiwan's northeast beaches overlooking the Pacific Ocean and one of the best surf beaches in Taiwan. This large black sand beach is perfect for playing, walking, swimming and surfing. Directly in front of the beach, there is a fantastic view of Turtle Island. Try your luck on a paragliding flight where you can land right on the soft black sand.
Neipi Beach
The first thing you notice on Neipi Beach is the contrast between the black sand and the pearly blue ocean. Spending time on this beach is one of the best things to do in Yilan County. This beach stretches for 1 kilometer and is an ideal place for romantic evening walks. Behind the beach, you will find cute eateries and cafes if you follow the small path to the north end.
Little Bay Beach, or Xiaowang, is one of the many small beaches in Kenting, but also one of the most beautiful. Stunning rolling hills line this little bay, and a large underwater network makes swimming in Little Bay very safe if you're worried about the currents. Brilliant white sand and surrounding greenery make this beach inviting. This beach has showers, a beach bar, toilets and rental of umbrellas and sun loungers. They have everything you need to relax and unwind all day long.
Wanli beach
Many Taiwanese beaches are quiet and secluded, but Wanli Beach is not one of them, as it is close to the famous Yelu Geopark. The geopark has unusual geological formations that formed naturally thousands of years ago, and their shapes were carved by wind and water. Wanli Beach is in a built-up area with hotels, restaurants and resorts that are often crowded by tourists. Soft white sand stretches along the coastline against the backdrop of hills and hotels.
This is an enchanting beach that is well worth a visit, as not only is the beach itself nice, but there is also a park in the picturesque area of Chishington behind the beach with bike and walking paths. Rent a bike to ride for a great time.
The beach consists of pebbles, so it is worth bringing water shoes with you. Swimming on the beach is not recommended due to strong undercurrents, but you can certainly get your feet wet.