spot guide
Asia - Taiwan
Penghu
Kitesurfing One Of The Worlds Windiest Places
Updated: January 23, 2019
Looking for one of the best places to kitesurf in the world? With strong winds blowing consistently and great waves allowing you to boost big, Penghu island is the best place to kitesurf in Taiwan. It is among our list of top kiteboarding spots in Asia, as well as top kitesurfing spots in the world! The water is incredibly blue, best seen from above as you push your kitesurfing jumps to new heights! The strong wind here is incredibly steady. A predictable forecast and great kitesurf-friendly accommodation makes planning a kitesurfing trip here less stressful.
Play
Bring your smallest kites when flying to Penghu and get ready to send it into another atmosphere! The wind builds while in peak season, due to the large masses on either side of the Taiwan Straight. Penghu is located perfectly to harness all that strong steady wind. During this time there is a large gathering of three meter kites riding fun large waves. You can also get your adrenaline need filled using these waves to propel you to new heights. KAReN HOU, calling Penghu home, currently tops the Woo Leaderboards for female big air. No need to get overwhelmed, Penghu is a beginner friendly spot as well. It is impressive to see Karen soaring through the air at over 20 meters high at Longmen Beach then come ashore to teach a lesson to the next kitesurf enthusiast.
Local Kitesurf information
air temperature
Average During Peak Season: 15-25 °C
water temperature
Average During Peak Season: 17-25°C
Longmen Beach
Bai Keng Beach
Qing Luo Beach
Linto Beach
wind speed
Peak Season: 25 – 45 Knots
Popular Kite Sizes: 3 m – 9 m
Rumored to be the windiest place in the Northern Hemisphere. It is possible to kitesurf here over 200 days a year, making it one of the best kitesurfing destinations in the world.
Longmen Beach
ability level
With lessons available this location is suitable for beginners. The wind and waves makes this spot epic for any intermediate and advanced kitesurfer who is into flying high or riding some fun waves. With a low number of kiters frequenting this spot you may need to self land and launch. Talk to locals there is usually an anchor set up as high winds make any other form of self landing and launching dangerous. Be aware of your surroundings: big waves, high winds and various obstacles.
water conditions
The water here comes from the deep sea, meaning less sediment and amazingly clear blue water. Even on high wind days it is possible to see far into the water. On the north and south side of the beach there are reefs that will be hidden at high tide, talk to locals for specifics. Cliffs are found downwind, on the south side of the beach. We were informed by Jan Hou, owner and operator of the amazing Sunset B&B, that the waves are best one hour after high tide, and can also be nice a couple hours before high tide. The waves are not too powerful and are fun for jumping or surfing.
wind
The wind here is side onshore during the peak season. The wind is steady; even when it is strong it is not very gusty. It builds its strength being funneled through the landmasses of Taiwan and China.
special considerations
Few people around, self launching might be required // Watch out for trash // Keep an eye out for the reef // Be aware of cliffs down wind // Talk to other riders small launching area everyone should be aware of the surroundings
Launching & Landing
There is a nice grassy area to set up your equipment. It is not too large but if the communication is good everything will go smoothly. There are many sand bags available to use on the beach. These are essential as the wind here is frequently so strong that even boards can go flying! There is a section of sand where everyone will stand to launch, sometimes you can find an anchor here for when you need to self launch or land.
Self Launching Considerations
Low Tide Considerations
CHeck out our video below for sweet Penghu footage!
Bai Keng Beach
ability level
Lessons are done here though appointment. There is a nice shallow area for beginners. Flat water can be found here for intermediate to advanced riders who enjoy this. When the tide is low you may need to ride elsewhere.
water conditions
Large area when the tides are high which include a shallow area for learning and flat water. It will then get deeper and more choppy as you make your way across the channel. Low tide makes for a small riding area.
wind
This beach is located south of a small hill, so the north side of the riding area can have a large wind shadow with peaks season wind direction of; side shore and side onshore. Can get gusty due to hill and shadow.
special considerations
Watch out for trash // The beach has a lot of coral, be careful of your kite // Watch for the reef // Tide dependent // Watch for boats in the channel
Launching & Landing
This beach looks long and wide, however, most of the width is made up of coral. Look for the small patches of sand to set up your kite and minimize chances of getting pinholes from coral. There might not be any other kitesurfers there so be prepared to self land and launch.
Qing Luo Beach
ability level
With no other kitesurfers around this area is suited for intermediate to advanced skill level with someone who is comfortable self landing and launching. The wind blows offshore with a small beach across the small cove for emergency exit.
water conditions
If you are looking for flat water in Penghu this is the spot. Ride at high tide as the location gets small at low tide. There are a variety of objects in the water to be aware of including poles and the reef. Outside the cove you will find chop.
wind
The wind here will be offshore during the peak season. Steady with some wind shadows around the gravel hills.
special considerations
Very few people around, self launching is required // Self landing can be difficult on your kite with the coral // Watch out for obstacles in and out of water
Launching & Landing
Small parking area that will double as your landing and launching area. Look for a spot with the least amount of coral and debris as you will likely have to self launch and self land.
Linto Beach
ability level
This spot is suited for the off season. Lessons for this spot need to be prearranged.
water conditions
Wide open, choppy area. No substantial waves or flat water. Decent depth for foiling.
wind
The wind during the peak season will be off shore. Wait for the summer months, Penghu’s “off season” as this is a great spot during this time. Off season, in the summer, the wind shifts direction and comes from the south making it side shore to side on shore.
Launching & Landing
Wide open beach, with frequent beach goers. Prepare to self launch and land.
Lessons & Rentals
Sunrise bed & Breakfast
Penghu Kitesurfing Center
Located close to Longmen Beach, Sunrise Kitesurfing Center can meet all of your needs for lessons and rentals. They will give a discount on lessons if you are staying at their location.
Liquid Sport Bed & Breakfast
Penghu Windsurf/Kitesurf Resort
Located close to Bai Keng Beach, Liquid Sport provides package deals for accommodation and equipment rental. Windsurfing lessons are available here.
Non-Wind Activities
Penghu is made up of over 90 different islands. During the peak wind season the non-wind activities are more limited due to the winter weather but there are still many things to sight see during that time. Summer time brings less wind but numerous activities to keep you busy! Penghu is a popular tourist destination for many locals during the holidays.
Peak Season Non-Wind Activities
Cycle around the islands
With many islands being connected by a variety of bridges there are plenty of things to see. Breathing the fresh air of the islands of Penghu cannot be over stated. This is truly a magical place! You can rent a motorbike, bicycle or van all from the local Sunrise BnB. Roads are fairly flat and well-maintained. Road cycling here is popular.
Visit museums, historic sights and geologic formations
There is so much to see and appreciate about Penghu; we were unable to see too much due to timing and a great amount of wind. A small typhoon hit during our stay which was amazing for kitesurfing but left us with little time to explore the lovely and rich culture that Penghu has to offer. There are many colorful temples throughout Penghu, historical fishing villages and lovely natural scenery. Various unique geological formations can be found around the island.
Off Season Non-Wind Activities
(In Addition to Peak Season Activities)
Diving TOurs
Taiwan is home to some beautiful diving sites, both around the mainland and off of Penghu. Ocean Channel Diving is one of the main outfitters on the island offering certifcation courses, rentals and trip organization. PADI center Xing Ren Diving Center also operates highly rated tours.
Beaches
Penghu has beautiful sandy beaches that you can enjoy both above and below the water. With crystal clear blue water there is some amazing snorkeling. Some beaches are only reachable by boat tour, the most notable of these is Jibei beach. A forty minute boat ride from Penghu, this beach is a sand bar surrounded by clear blue water.
Please note that we were not in Penghu for the summer, off wind, season. Which means that all of the above non-wind activities were not completed by us so we cannot speak to how great anyone’s experience will be. We found that many people here do not speak English so any tour or communication heavy activity could be difficult.
Stay
Getting There
airport And Language Information
Nearest International Airport: Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) in Taipei, Taiwan
Language: There are a few official languages recognized in Taiwan. Over 80% of the population speak Mandarin Chinese. The further South you go the more people speak Taiwanese Hokkien. Other National Languages include Hakka and Formosan languages.
Learning a few phrases such as hello in any local language goes a long way and will surely earn you some smiles.
Mandarin Chinese: Hello-Nǐ hǎo [nee-haow]// Thank You-Xièxiè [syeh-syeh]
Taiwanese Hokkien: Hello – Lí-hó [lee-ho]// Thank You – Lo Lat
(In Penghu most people speak Mandarin)
Visa, Vaccine and Currency Information
Visa Information: Many countries are granted a 90 stamp to enter and visit Taiwan for free. If you plan to visit for longer then 90 days you will need to apply for a visa.
Click on the links below for further information
Recommended Vaccines: Hepatitis A
Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (NT or TWD)
Limited ATM’s on the island make getting cash out ahead of time convenient. ATM’s are on the island located in some 7-11’s and at the PX Mart grocery store, along the 202 highway.
Rabies
Scroll Over To Find Out Whether Or Not Getting A Rabies Vaccine Is Right For You.
We had a bit of a rabies scare at one point during our Asia trip. We ended up visiting a hospital in Sri Lanka during the wee morning hours only to be laughed out of a consultation room (apparently, cat scratches are not always deserving of a rabies vaccine!). While each case is different, through our little adventure we were informed most rabies vaccines are typically started as a series of shots after a potential transfer of rabies. Check with your medical provider to see what they would recommend. If possible, see if you can get your home providers email information so you can easily contact them abroad!
Japanese Encephalitis
Scroll Over To Read About How We Got Our Vaccines Abroad
We've been told by numerous medical advisors that this is only a concern if you are staying for a duration of greater than 30 days in rural areas. We chose to get the vaccine due to our extended itinerary and visits to rural areas throughout Southeast Asia. These shots were quite expensive in the United States and we decided to get the vaccine in Kandy, Sri Lanka! We had a great experience and were able to save some money. IAMAT is an excellent resource for finding English speaking doctors abroad.
The Sunrise B&B, where we stayed, recommended having cash before arriving in Penghu. We did need to get money out when on the island and we went to the local grocery store. in Huxi Township where there was an ATM.
Travel To Location
Below are some options for travel from Taipei and a few options for travel from Tainan. Be aware that during the peak season the only options will be fights while in the off season when the wind is calmer they will also run ferries.
PEAK SEASON TRAVEL
Taipei to Penghu
Plane
- Duration: 50 minutes
First, the CHEAPEST CHECKED BAG FEE EVER!!!! Seriously, the airlines here offer an amazing deal on checked baggage! Bags are charged per kilo, versus shape (great for coffin style bags!). Flying to Penghu is easy, fast and won’t break your budget. During the peak season, travel by plane is the only option as the ferry does not run during this time. Two airlines offer flights from Taiwan to Penghu. We flew both UniAir and Mandarin Airlines, each was easy and inexpensive.
Tainan to Penghu
Plane
- Duration: 35 minutes
Again, the CHEAPEST CHECKED BAG FEE EVER!!!! Also, is the fastest and easiest option and during the peak season the only option to arrive in Penghu from Tainan. Checking luggage did not start until one hour before the flight and the boarding process was simultaneous to security so you cannot go through security until they call your seat for boarding.
Our Airline Experience on Mandarin Airlines and UniAir
Mandarin Airlines
We flew Mandarin Airlines from Penghu to Taipei below is what we paid
- Tickets: 1,150 NT each
- Carry-On Bags: Free, 7 Kg and under
- Checked Bags: Free for two 30 kg bags (but usually First 10 kg free, then 11-17 NT per kg)
- Total Cost for Two People: 2,300 NT (75 USD)
We were informed that Mandarin Airlines can run behind and we were delayed about 45 minutes. Once in the air the flight was smooth, polite crew and a juice box was provided.
UniAir
We flew Uni Air from Tainan to Penghu below is what we paid
- Tickets: 1,150 NT each
- Carry-On Bags: Free, 7 Kg and under (they weighed our carry-on)
- Checked Bags: 420 NT each (First 10 kg free, then 12-20 NT per kg)
- Total Cost for Two People: 3,140 NT (101 USD)
We were informed that Uni Air tends to be consistently on time. The flight departed on time. Once in the air the flight was smooth, polite crew and a juice box was provided.
Bought your return ticket already but the wind is still blowing strong?! No worries, these small airlines are very flexible in their ticketing options. With Mandarin Airlines, we were able to cancel our ticket online for a small fee (which amounted to about 9 USD for the two of us), receive a refund for the original flights, and rebook another flight leaving on a later date. Uni Air and Mandarin both have a small cancellation fee, with ticket prices staying reasonable even as dates near.
Ferry Travel During The Summer Season
(In Addition To Flights)
With inexpensive flight options, taking the ferry is not the most ideal option. If you’re set on avoiding flying, Taihua Shipping Company offers a ferry service. The website is in Mandarin and is tricky to navigate. We did not use this service and therfore cannot recommend, however for convinience we’ve provided some links below to Taihua Shipping’s website as well as a helpful website detailing ferry travel.
We stayed at the Sunrise B & B and really enjoyed our time there. We highly recommend staying here. They will pick you up from the Penghu Airport upon arrival. They will likely be out enjoying the wind so call or use WiFi to message them when your waiting for your bags and they will be there soon. We waited less then 10 minutes for our ride.
Traveling On The Island
In order to save some money, we opted to walk from sunrise B & B to Longmen Beach. There are two easy routes you can take, one along the main road and one along the sea wall. Most other guests rented scooters, complete with very cool gear trailers perfect for a quick zip down to the kite beach. Jan or Karen can arrange vehicle rentals; it may be a good idea to reserve ahead of time to ensure availability. Keep in mind having your international drivers license with motorcycle endorsement, is always helpful when renting a motorcycle in a foreign country.
Accomodation
Outside of the main city of Magong, much of Penghu is rural countryside, with little development for major tourism industry such as resorts or luxurious hotels. This plays well for the charm of the area, allowing the peaceful allure of a windy utopia to leave you feeling content rather than part of the typical tourist trail.
Sunrise B & B
Windsurf/Kitesurf Resort
The closest spot to Longmen Beach, this was where we stayed on our trip. We absolutely loved it! See our detailed description below for more information on the facilities offered at this B & B.
Liquid Sport B & B
Windsurf/Kitesurf Resort
Located Close to Bai Keng Beach, Liquid Sport provides another option for accommodation on Penghu. We did not stay here during our stay on the island but want to provide detailed information.
Staying at Sunrise Bed and Breakfast
Sunrise B & B offers five different accommodation options; Deluxe VIP, Deluxe Double, Standard Two-Bed, Standard One-Bed and Economy Single Room. The prices for these rooms depends on occupancy and length of stay. We stayed in a economy single room which was a great value and offered simple, clean housing. An added bonus was the view of Longmen Beach Kite Spot from our window! Please note the economy single room is available on a first come first served basis.
There are a variety of places at Sunrise to kick back and relax after a great day of kitesuring. The spacious building includes a large two story deck overlooking the water. Inside on the ground floor there are a couple of couches to hang out on as well as some room in the kitchen. On the third floor they have a common area complete with water dispenser, fridge and view of the South China Sea!
In addition to relaxing the B & B offers up key facilities to make your stay more comfortable. We appreciate how Karen and Jan have worked to make Sunrise B & B feel like a home away from home. Having access to a kitchen was a huge plus for us as we had not had access to a kitchen for a few months. Being able to pick up great produce and supplies at the local grocery store and cook to our hearts content was really fun for us. Another great perk was use of a washing machine, for free!! You can then hang your clothes to dry in the common laundry area. Coming from two people who have been doing their laundry in a 5 liter dry bag for a couple of months, being able to wash our clothes in an actual washing machine was incredibly exciting! Sunrise bed and breakfast stays true to their name, serving up a yummy variety of breakfast meals, more on this later!
Sunrise B&B Gear Storage
Sunrise B&B provided you everything you needed to keep you gear stored nicely. There are hoses and buckets to rinse your gear free of salt water, an outdoor shower with hot water to warm up after you change out of your wet suit, and plenty of space provided to hang your wet suit outside to dry in time for another windy session! Board racks are set up around the garage outside, with enough space to store bags out here as well. They even have room to pump your kite up to dry or do repairs, just ask Karen or Jan and they will let you know where the best place will be.
Karen and Jan are full of great knowledge about gear and repair issues as well. We had some issues with our gear while there and Jan helped us in fixing our equipment. Another guest tore his windsurf sail and Jan was able to fix that as well. Keep in mind gear repair is not advertised as something they provide as they may have other obligations.
Building their own kite community Jan and Karen are true pioneers. Like many people running a business, they need to be able to do everything. And they can! From accommodation to lessons to fixing gear, Jan and Karen do it all and make you feel like a welcome member of the community. We highly recommend staying at Sunrise B & B if you venture to Penghu. We are already looking forward to our next trip there!
- jan-hou.squarespace.com
- 0956-065-509 (Karen Hou) / 0956-065-519 (jan Hou)
- sunrisebnb2005@gmail.com
Sunrise BnB
Liquid Sport B & B
eat
Taiwan is the epicenter of some amazing food creations! Penghu is a bit more low key with its culinary endeavors, but is still home to some delicious bites. Staying at Sunrise B & B we were provided with some mouthwatering breakfasts prepared with local ingredients. We were also able to cook our own food using their kitchen, which we frequently took advantage of.. Penghu does have some amazing unique foods even when compared to the mainland of Taiwan. Check out our top recommendations on food to try in Penghu!
Top Local Eats
Cactus Ice cream
Cactus plants are found scattered throughout the island; their prickly sides bearing juicy purple fruits that some shops on the island have turned into a delicious treat! Prepare for purple tongues and satisfied sweet tooth’s! It’s possible to find cactus ice cream throughout Penghu, we found two popular stalls selling the treat just before the Penghu Great Bridge once you drive past the Baisha Township.
Seafood
Not surprising that an island famous for its fishing villages would be home to some great seafood! Fish, oysters and other various daily catches are frequent and fresh throughout the island. Suogang fishing harbor is a hot spot for fisherman coming in to unload their bounty. There are many seafood restaurants throughout Penghu and the occasional truck equipped with a loudspeaker announcing the goods for sale.
Beef Noodle Soup
Beef noodle soup is a staple on many menus throughout Asia, but particularly in Taiwan this traditional meal maintains popularity even in the age of cheese tea and instagram famous fried chicken. A steaming, tantalizingly aromatic bowl of beef noodles will not be hard to find throughout Taiwan and on Penghu, though each bowl may vary slightly depending on the cook. We found the bowls of soup at Lao Cai Beef Noodle Restaurant in the town of Huxi Township (close to Sunrise B & B) to be a perfect way to warm up a body tired from a long session on the water.
Green Onion Pancakes
This might have been one of our favorite Taiwanese specialties! Green onion pancakes, or scallion pancakes, are a flaky savory treat that is perfect any time of the day! At Sunrise B & B we enjoyed them with a crispy egg on top and a healthy showering of white pepper for breakfast. At Tainan’s night markets we choose between a variety of seasonings and devoured the popular street snack.
Though pancake might elicit sweet, maple syrup-esque thoughts, scallion pancakes are more of a piquant flatbread loaded with green onions and brought to life in an oil filled pan. Absolutely delicious!
Dumplings
Hand made dumplings are a sight to see and a treat for your taste buds. Wonderfully spiced ingredients are delicately folded into tender dumplings, then steamed and served up in soup or on their own. Pork is a very common filling, as well as seafood. Taiwanese dumplings are a true culinary craft and a must try when visiting the country.
In Penghu, we loved the fresh pork dumplings made (right before your eyes!) at Lao Cai Beef Noodle Restaurant.
Peanuts
Okay, so maybe not the most exotic top local eat on our list but Penghu peanuts are a specialty known throughout Taiwan. Tending to be a bit crunchier and more firm than most peanuts, they are noteworthy more their aromatic qualities and yummy seasonings. A bit tricky to find, we lucked out with finding a great vendor near the harbor of the Penghu Great Bridge. Look for the giant inflated puffer fish lamp (yes, really!) and you’ll find a stall selling some deliciously spiced peanuts in small bottles. We especially loved the roasted basil flavor! Other variations include spicy and some seafood renditions.
Breakfast At The Sunrise BnB
Part of the delight in staying at Sunrise Bed and Breakfast is waking up, peeking outside the window to check out the wind situation and then scurrying downstairs to enjoy breakfast in a room filled with fellow wind stoked travelers. During our stay, breakfast rotated between three meals and included coffee or tea. The three meals were as follows: an egg topped green onion pancake, egg sandwich with corn, and an ham and egg breakfast sandwich. Simple, yet delightful!
Grocery Shopping
While there are numerous eateries around the island, many of the accommodation options here include the ability to cook your own food. This was something we took full advantage of! Close to Sunrise B & B is the township of Huxi where there are a few options for grocery stores. Our favorite of these was PX Mart which had a great selection of local vegetables, baked goods, seafood and meat options as well as our favorite, frozen green onion pancakes!
Lai Cao Beef Noodle Restaurant
PX Mart
Cactus Ice Cream Shop , Option 1
Cactus Ice Cream Shop, Option 2 & Penghu Peanut Vendor
Thank you for checking out our Spot Guide for Penghu, Taiwan!
We hope it helps you plan an amazing trip and get stoked to kite in a wonderful and unique place.
Feel free to email us with any thoughts, questions, comments or concerns:
