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Quick Overview: Taiwan Beaches Map & Best Beaches in Taiwan by Region (Cheat Sheet)
Looking at this Taiwan beaches map, you can plan your beach stops while traveling around the island. Most beaches are just 1-2 hours from major cities, so you can add beach time without changing hotels.
How Taiwan's Beaches Are Distributed
North Coast (1 hour from Taipei): Sandy beaches facing the East China Sea. Cooler water, often cloudy. Popular because they're close to Taipei - perfect for weekend trips. The volcanic geology creates both golden and black sand beaches here.
East Coast (Pacific Ocean side): Many pebble beaches instead of sand. This is Taiwan's surfing coast. Less developed because the mountains drop straight into the ocean. You come here for the views and waves, not lounging.
West Coast (Taiwan Strait side): Mostly industrial ports and mudflats. Few swim-worthy beaches. The ones near cities are more for sunset walks than swimming.
South Coast (Kenting area): Taiwan's only "beach resort" area. Warmest water, coral reefs offshore. Gets actual beach weather year-round. Most developed with hotels and beach activities. This is where Taiwanese go for beach vacations.
Islands (Penghu, Green Island): Clearest water, best snorkeling. White coral sand beaches. Penghu has calm beaches perfect for families. Green Island has great diving. Both need flights or ferries to reach.
| Beach Name | Location | Best For... |
|---|---|---|
| Fulong Beach | North Coast | |
| Waiao Beach | North-East Coast (Yilan) | Sandcastles, festivals, and family fun. |
| Baishawan | North Coast | Surfing for all levels and great Turtle Island views. |
| Baishawan | South (Kenting) | A popular and easy-to-reach spot for locals near Taipei. |
| South Bay | South (Kenting) | Famous white sand, clear water, and the Life of Pi movie scene. |
| Cijin Beach | South (Kaohsiung) | All water sports: jet skis, banana boats, and swimming. |
| Yuguang Island Beach | West Coast (Tainan) | A city beach with black sand, great for sunsets and local seafood. |
| Qixingtan Beach | East Coast (Hualien) | Pebble beach, mountain views, no swimming |
| Dulan Beach | East Coast (Taitung) | Surfing, bohemian vibe, indigenous culture |
| Shanshui Beach | Outlying Islands (Penghu) | Clear water, shell sand, family-friendly |
| Dabaisha | Outlying Islands (Green Island) | Diving, snorkeling, white coral sand |
Best Beaches in Northern Taiwan (Near Taipei) - Perfect for a Day Trip from Taipei
No.1 Fulong Beach - The Golden Sand Paradise (Best for Family)
If you are staying in Taipei, this is a beach you absolutely have to know about. It's one of the most popular spots in all of Northern Taiwan. Fulong is famous for its beautiful golden sand.
The beach has a very special feature. A river, called the Shuangxi River, flows right through the sand and into the sea. This creates an "inner beach" and an "outer beach". To get to the main ocean part, you walk across a long, cool bridge called the Rainbow Bridge.
The water on the inner, river side is very calm. This makes it super safe and great for families with kids.
very summer, Fulong hosts a huge International Sand Sculpture Festival. Artists from all over the world create amazing things from sand. It is also home to the Hohaiyan Rock Festival, one of Taiwan's biggest outdoor music events.
You can rent equipment for activities like windsurfing and kayaking. Right near the beach, there is an old train tunnel called the Old Caoling Tunnel. You can rent a bike and ride through it. It's a really fun side trip.
Before you go to the beach, grab a "Fulong bento". It's a famous local lunchbox sold at shops right outside the train station. They are cheap and delicious. It's the perfect beach lunch.
Fulong is very popular, so it can get crowded on weekends. If you can, try to go on a weekday. Also, you have to pay a small entrance fee to get onto the main sandcastle beach, so just be ready for that. It's totally worth it.
No.2 Waiao Beach (Yilan) - The Black Sand Beach for Surfers
Wai'ao is where Taipei surfers go. If you've never seen black sand before, this beach will blow your mind. It's on the east coast in Yilan county, but still easy to get to from Taipei.
Pure black volcanic sand beach. Small but striking - maybe 500 meters long. The waves here are consistent, which is why surfers love it. Surfing for Everyone!
It's also famous as the best place to learn how to surf in Northern Taiwan. There are many surf shops right by the beach where you can rent a board and get a lesson for cheap.
Water is colder than southern beaches. Best from September to April when the waves are bigger.
What to Do in Waiao Beach Else:
- Seeing Turtle Island: Right off the coast, you will see a big island that looks just like a turtle. This is Turtle Island (Guishan Island). The view is fantastic.
- Try Paragliding: For a real adventure, you can go paragliding. You fly from a mountain nearby and land right on the black sand.
- Get Coffee with a View: There is a big, yellow castle-like building on the hill. It's a Mr. Brown Coffee shop. Go there to get a drink and enjoy the fantastic view of the entire coastline.
The town has a very relaxed, surfer vibe. Don't expect big hotels or fancy restaurants. It's all about simple beach life. There are basic showers you can use to wash off the sand.
No.3 Baishawan (North Coast) - The Local's Favorite Beach Near Taipei
There are two famous beaches in Taiwan named Baishawan. This is the one on the North Coast, perfect for a day trip from Taipei. We'll talk about the other one (in Kenting) later.
Baishawan means "White Sand Bay" but the sand isn't actually white. It's more like light brown or beige. But it's still one of the better beaches near Taipei. This is my go-to beach when Fulong feels too crowded. It's quieter, prettier, and perfect for sunset.
The beach is about a kilometer long and curves in a beautiful half-moon shape. It's a classic, beautiful bay. Because it's a bay, the water is often calmer here, which makes it great for swimming. The mix of white sand, blue water, and the green hills around it is just lovely.
Take a long walk from one end of the beach to the other. At the edges of the bay, you can see some cool volcanic rock formations.
Getting There: From Taipei, it's 1 hour by car via the coastal highway. By public transport: MRT to Tamsui, then bus 862 or 863 (45 minutes). The bus stops right at the beach entrance.
Best Beaches in Southern Taiwan (Kenting National Park & Kaohsiung)
No.4 Kenting's Baishawan - The Real White Sand Bay & Movie Star Beach
Now THIS is actual white sand! This is the one in the far south, inside Kenting National Park. This is probably the most famous "paradise" beach in Taiwan. And it is one of Kenting's three white sand beaches (along with South Bay and Little Bay).
It is a half-moon bay, about 500 meters long. The sand here is the real star. It is soft and light-colored. It's made of tiny, broken-down pieces of shells and coral, which is why it's so fine and white-ish. It feels wonderful to walk on.
The water is another reason this place is famous. It is usually very clear. On a sunny day, you can see beautiful shades of blue and green (turquoise). The water is warm almost all year. It is perfect for swimming.
The bay is semi-protected, so waves are usually gentle. The swimming area extends about 100 meters out before it gets deep. Current is mild but present - don't swim out too far. Best swimming is 2 hours before/after high tide.
The beach is also famous because it was in the Oscar-winning movie, Life of Pi. The final scene, where the tiger leaves the boat and disappears into the jungle, was filmed here.
What to Do There
- Swim and Sunbathe: This is what the beach is made for. The water is clean and the sand is soft. It's a perfect spot to spend an afternoon.
- Try Water Sports: There is a special zone for water sports like jet skis and banana boats. This keeps them separate from the main swimming area, which is nice.
- Explore the Ends of the Bay: If you walk to the sides of the beach, you will find some interesting coral rock areas.
- Watch the Sunset: The beach faces west. This makes it one of the best places in all of Taiwan to watch the sun go down over the ocean. It is truly spectacular.
9 Best Beaches in Kenting for Swimming, Snorkeling or Surfing
No.5 South Bay (Nanwan) - The Action & Party Beach
South Bay is Kenting's main beach - the one in all the photos. South Bay is what it is - Taiwan's attempt at a beach resort. If you expect a fun, convenient beach with everything you need, you'll have a great time. Perfect for first-time Taiwan visitors who want easy beach access.
A 600-meter stretch of golden sand (not white, more like light brown). The beach is wide - about 100 meters at some points. The bay curves like a perfect half-moon, protected by headlands on both sides. Water is usually calm and warm. The sand is soft and clean - they groom it every morning.
What to Do There
- All the Water Sports: This is the number one reason to come to Nanwan. This is the main place for jet skis, banana boats, and all kinds of fun things you can be pulled by a boat. There are many shops renting everything right on the beach.
- Go Swimming: It's a great beach for swimming. There are special areas for swimming that are kept separate from the jet skis, so it is safe.
- Eat and Drink with a View: Right across the street from the beach, there are many restaurants, cool cafes, and bars. It is very easy to go from the sand to a seat with a cold drink.
No.6 Cijin Beach (near Kaohsiung City) - A City Escape with Black Sand and Great Seafood
If you are visiting Taiwan's second-biggest city, Kaohsiung, you have to plan a trip to Cijin Beach.
The sand here is black. It is not dirty! It is naturally black because of volcanic minerals in the sand. It is very fine and soft. Walking on a black sand beach is a very cool and unique experience.
The main beach stretches about 1 kilometer along the western shore. It's quite wide - maybe 50 meters at low tide. The sand is coarse and dark. Behind the beach is a bike path and windbreak forest. You can see Kaohsiungs skyline across the water.
The best thing about Cijin is not just the beach. It is the entire island. Think of this as a fun day trip, not just a beach trip. Cijin Island is famous for three things: the beach, bicycles, and fresh seafood. It has a fun, relaxed, and old-school vacation vibe.
I need to be honest with you about swimming. While you will see some people in the water, Cijin is not famous for swimming. The water is not as clear as in Kenting because it is next to a huge, busy port.
Families flying kites here. Old guys fishing from the shore. Couples taking sunset selfies. Kids building sandcastles with black sand (weird but cute). It's more "local city beach" than "tourist beach resort."
The Famous Seafood Street: This is why people really come. Right by the beach entrance. Grilled squid, oyster omelets, seafood soup, fish balls. Try the tomato-on-stick (sounds strange, tastes amazing). Prices are reasonable. Eat seafood then walk on beach = perfect afternoon.
Stunning Beaches on Taiwan's East Coast
No.7 Qixingtan Beach (Hualien) - Hualien's Beautiful Stone Coastline
Let's head to the beautiful East Coast of Taiwan. We are going to Hualien, right next to the famous Taroko Gorge. The beach here is called Qixingtan (七星潭).
It is one of the most beautiful coastlines in Taiwan. It’s a huge, long, curving bay. On one side, you have the deep blue Pacific Ocean. On the other side, you have the giant, green mountains of Taiwan rising up into the clouds.
This is not a sand beach! It is a beautiful stone beach. Instead of sand, the shore is covered with smooth, grey stones and pebbles of all different sizes.
You CANNOT swim here. It is very, very dangerous. Signs everywhere say "NO SWIMMING - DANGEROUS." They mean it. The waves look beautiful but create deadly undertow.
Many people visit Qixingtan at the end of a day trip to the famous Taroko Gorge. My advice is to think of it as a beautiful park by the sea, not a swimming beach.
Go there to see the amazing power of the ocean, take beautiful photos, and find a cool, smooth stone to admire before putting it back. It's a place for feeling the power of nature.
No.8 Dulan Beach (Taitung) - The Surfer's Paradise & Artsy Town
Dulan is special. The beach itself is just okay and isn't Instagram-pretty. The sand is dark. Trash washes up sometimes. The beach in Dulan is a mix of dark grey sand and small stones. It is a long, wild, and natural-looking beach.
The waves here are the main attraction. This is one of the best and most famous places to surf in Taiwan. The waves are good for both beginners and for people who are already good at surfing. Which is why people from all over the world come here
And the vibe is unmatched in Taiwan. Dulan is all about surfing and a slow, relaxed lifestyle. This is a place where people (many are foreigners who live here) come to surf, hang out, listen to music, and just chill. People come for a weekend and stay for months. It's about lifestyle, not looks.
The town of Dulan is a short walk or drive from the beach. It has a very cool, laid-back, bohemian feeling. It's full of artists, musicians, surfers, and interesting little cafes and shops.
The center of the town's social life is the Dulan Sugar Factory. It's an old, closed factory that has been turned into an artsy park.
Beaches on the West Coast (Including Tainan)
When people think of amazing beaches in Taiwan, they usually think of the East Coast or the south in Kenting.
The West Coast is different. It is where most of Taiwan's big cities and people are. The land is very flat, and the coast is often used for industry, ports, and fishing. The sand is usually dark grey or black, and the water is not the clear blue you see in other places.
However, if you are in the wonderful city of Tainan and you want to see a beach, there is a perfect spot for you.
No.9 Yuguang Island (Tainan)
This is probably the most popular "beach" near a major city on the West Coast.
This is not a tropical beach. It's a long, straight beach with fine, dark grey sand. The most famous thing about it is the big forest of tall, thin trees (casuarina trees) that runs along the edge of the sand. It feels very calm and a little wild.
Sunset is the number one reason to come here. Because it faces west, the sunsets at Yuguang Island are famous and truly beautiful. This is what everyone comes for.
Beaches on Taiwan's Outlying Islands
No.10 Shanshui Beach (Penghu) - A Real Beach
If you want that classic, beautiful beach vacation, you need to go to Taiwan's outlying islands. The most famous island group for beaches is Penghu.
Penghu is not just one island. On its main island, you will find one of the best beaches in all of Taiwan: Shanshui Beach. This is the kind of beach you see on postcards. Shanshui has fine, soft, golden-yellow sand.
The beach is a beautiful, long arc of gold, and the water is usually a clear, sparkling blue-green. Best of all, the water here is generally calm and perfect for swimming. It's a very popular spot for both locals and visitors to relax and play in the water.
My absolute best advice is to stay in a guesthouse in Shanshui Village. Don't just visit for the afternoon.
If you stay there, you can wake up and walk to the beach in the morning when it's quiet and peaceful. You can go for a swim, then go back to your room, and then come out again in the evening to watch the stars.
No.11 Dabaisha (Green Island) - The Coral Beach
Green Island, or Lyudao (綠島). This is a completely different experience from Penghu. Green Island is a small, volcanic island off the coast of Taitung. It's an adventure island, famous for world-class scuba diving and snorkeling.
And on this rocky, volcanic island, there is a beautiful white beach called Dabaisha. The name means "Big White Sand." From far away, it looks like a beautiful white sand beach. Up close, you can see all the little shapes of the coral. This is why the water here is so clear.
Snorkeling! This is the main reason to be here. The area around Dabaisha has amazing coral reefs and lots of colorful fish. You can walk into the water right from the beach and start exploring.
A Surfer's Guide: Top Taiwan Surfing Beaches
Forget the West Coast. Your main zones are the East Coast and the South.
Head to Taitung county on the east; the towns of Dulan and Donghe are the heart of Taiwan's surf culture. It's super relaxed with great waves. Down south, Jialeshui in Kenting is also famous and gets powerful swell.
Here is the most important detail: The seasons are opposite. The East Coast works best during the winter monsoon (Oct-Mar), while the South (Kenting) lights up from summer typhoon swells (Jun-Sep).
Frequently Asked Questions about Taiwan's Beaches
1. When is the best time to visit Taiwan's beaches?
It depends on where you go. For surfing on the East Coast (Taitung), the waves are best in winter (October to March). For the South Coast (Kenting), the best time is during the summer typhoon season (June to September) for both waves and sunny weather. Plan your perfect trip with our full guide to the best time to visit Taiwan.
2. Do I need to rent a car to get to the beaches?
A car is not necessary. The best way to get around is to rent a scooter. It is cheap and gives you the freedom to explore all the different beaches and surf spots along the coast. Everyone does it.
3. Are Taiwan's beaches safe for swimming?
Yes, the popular beaches are generally safe. Look for designated swimming areas marked with ropes and nets, like at Nanwan or Fulong. Always be careful of ocean currents, especially after a typhoon or during big surf.
4. What facilities are at the beaches?
Most popular beaches have public toilets and simple showers to rinse off salt water. You can also rent beach umbrellas and other gear. Many have small shops or food stands nearby for drinks and snacks.
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