Taipei is not usually known for its beaches, but there are some great beaches just outside the city on Taiwan’s Northern Coast, all within an hour’s journey from the city center. Popular activities on these beaches include swimming, Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, Diving, Snorkeling, Kayaking, Canoeing, sailing, Water Biking, SUP / Paddle Boarding, and more. Here is our guide to the very best beaches in Taipei.
🏯 Planning your trip to Taipei? 🏮
Here are some top travel tips for you:
- Best time to visit: April to November when the temperatures are nice and the water is warm
- How to get there: Taiwan High Speed Railway and Inter-City Bus
- Best places to stay: Fullon Hotel or Hai Xia Your Home
- Book tours and activities in Taipei on Klook
- Stay connected with a local SIM
- Rent a car to explore distant sights
When should you visit Beaches in Taipei?
In my opinion, the best beach weather in Taipei is from April-November, when the temperatures stay above 26 degrees Celsius. Summer is the best time to go when it is hottest and taking in the dip in the ocean is the most refreshing.
Winters can be cold (but not below freezing) and usually wet, but you can still enjoy the beaches or surfing in a wet suit.
Where to Stay:
We recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here).
We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here).
Safety and Etiquette at Beaches Taipei:
Taiwan has a unique beach culture that may be different than other countries. Please be aware of the following general information:
- Except for designated swimming areas that have a lifeguard, you are technically not allowed to swim anywhere else.
- The above rule can be avoided if you have a surfboard or fins.
- If you can’t swim, bring a life jacket and consider bringing fins and a board too. Don’t go out in open water above chest height without safety gear. This can save your life.
- Don’t go to the beaches when there are typhoons, strong winds, huge waves, or if a sea warning is in effect.
Tours in Taipei:
There are many tour itineraries that you can enjoy in Taipei that will take you to multiple destinations and arrange transportation. For more information, you can check out Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here, which are both great tour websites that can connect you with the right tour and tour guide for you.
Here are some of the post popular tours of Taipei on Tripadvisor:
- Yehliu, Jiufen & Pingxi Day Tour from Taipei
- The 10 Tastings of Taipei With Locals: Private Street Food Tour
- Full-Day Private Northern Taiwan Tour from Taipei with Pickup
- Full-Day Private Custom Taipei City Tour
- Beitou and Yangmingshan Day Tour from Taipei
- Half-Day Muslim Friendly Tour in Taipei City
- Private Taipei Tour for Families
Water and Beach Activities in Taipei:
Hiking, Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, sailing, Water Biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, River Tracing, River Rafting, River Tubing, Pack Rafting, ATVing, Horse Riding, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
How to get to beaches in Taipei:
Taipei’s transportation system is convenient and safe. There are many options you can consider to get around in Taipei below:
By Train: Gets you to beaches like Hepoinh Island, Fulong, and Wai’ao. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here.
By Bus: Buses can be tricky. Long-range buses such as Ubus and King Bus are easier to understand and cheaper than the local train. Most city buses will get you to the beaches along the north coast but it may take a while. You can also book tickets to travel to Shifen via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here.
By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire/charter a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD. You can search for options on Klook here or KKday here.
By Car: If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here.
By Scooter: Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Click here or here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here.
By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan’s landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan’s many Youbike bike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here.
For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here.
Map of Beaches:
Check out our map below of the beaches we will cover in this blog.
After we have introduced the beaches, will also rate the beaches from 1-5 (1 being the worst, 5 being the best) on the following criteria:
1. Sand quality
2. Crowds of people
3. Shower facilities
4. Ease of transportation
5. Lifeguards
6. Water Quality
7. Price
8. Waves
9. Activities
10. Overall cleanliness
We will also provide a ranked list of the top ten beaches further below.
Introduction to Taiwan’s top Beaches:
Qianshuiwan Beach 淺水灣
You can check out our full guide to Qianshuiwan here.
Baishawan Beach 白沙灣
You can book a Private Laomei Green Reef Day Tour from Taipei on TripAdvisor here.
You can check out our full guide to Baishawan here.
Zhongjiao Bay Beach 中角灣
You can book surfing lessons at Zhongjiao Bay on Klook here.
Check out our full blog on Zhongjiao Bay here.
Emerald Bay (Feitsuiwan) 翡翠灣
You can also book a SUP / Paddle Board experience here on KKday.
Check out our full guide to Emerald Bay here.
Dawulun Beach 大武崙沙灘
Check out our full guide to Dawulun Beach here.
Heping Island 和平島
Price:
80 NT per person
You can buy a discount entrance ticket to Heping Island Park on Klook here or KKday here.
You can also book a tour to Heping Island on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
Check out our full guide to Heping Island Park here.
Jinshawan Beach (Golden Bay) 金沙灣
Check out our full guide to Jinshawan here.
Fulong Beach 福隆海水浴場
There are many activities available here at Fulong Beach such as Windsurfing, SUP /paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and more on Klook here or KKday here.
You can also book tickets to the international Sand Sculpture Art festival on Klook here or KKday here.
You can also book a Private Full Day Fulong International Sand Sculpture Tour on TripAdvisor here.
We also recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, TripAdvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here).
We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, TripAdvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here).
Check out our full guide to Fulong Beach here.
Wai’ao Beach 外澳沙灘
You can purchase tours and tickets for many activities in Yilan such as Surfing, Kayaking, Horse Riding, River Tracing, River Rafting, River Tubing, Pack Rafting, Water Biking, Snorkeling, Canoeing, and many others through Klook here or KKday here.
You can check out our full guide to Wai’ao Beach here.
Su’Ao Neipi Beach 蘇澳內埤海灘
Check out our full guide to Su’Ao Neipi Beach here.
Ranking the Beaches:
Now that we have introduced the beaches, will also rate the beaches from 1-5 (1 being the worst, 5 being the best) on the following criteria:
1. Sand quality
2. Crowds of people (as in too many people is bad)
3. Shower facilities
4. Ease of transportation
5. Lifeguards (as in they harass you if you put your toe in the water)
6. Water Quality
7. Price (some beaches require a fee)
8. Waves
9. Activities
10. Overall cleanliness
Qianshuiwan Beach 淺水灣
1. Sand quality – 5
2. Crowds of people – 1
3. Shower facilities – 3
4. Ease of transportation – 3
5. Lifeguards – 3
6. Water Quality – 3
7. Price – 5
8. Waves – 3
9. Activities – 2
10. Overall cleanliness – 3
Total Score: 28
Baishawan Beach 白沙灣
1. Sand quality – 5
2. Crowds of people – 1
3. Shower facilities – 5
4. Ease of transportation – 2
5. Lifeguards – 2
6. Water Quality – 4
7. Price – 5
8. Waves – 4
9. Activities – 3
10. Overall cleanliness – 5
Total Score: 36
Zhongjiao Bay Beach 中角灣
1. Sand quality – 4
2. Crowds of people – 3
3. Shower facilities – 4
4. Ease of transportation – 3
5. Lifeguards – 3
6. Water Quality – 3
7. Price – 5
8. Waves – 5
9. Activities – 4
10. Overall cleanliness – 4
Total Score: 38
Emerald Bay (Feitsuiwan) 翡翠灣
1. Sand quality – 4
2. Crowds of people – 1
3. Shower facilities – 1
4. Ease of transportation – 3
5. Lifeguards – 5
6. Water Quality – 2
7. Price – 5
8. Waves – 3
9. Activities – 5
10. Overall cleanliness – 1
Total Score: 30
Dawulun Beach 大武崙沙灘
1. Sand quality – 5
2. Crowds of people – 1
3. Shower facilities – 5
4. Ease of transportation – 4
5. Lifeguards – 5
6. Water Quality – 2
7. Price – 5
8. Waves – 1
9. Activities – 3
10. Overall cleanliness – 3
Total Score: 34
Heping Island 和平島
1. Sand quality – 4
2. Crowds of people – 2
3. Shower facilities – 5
4. Ease of transportation – 3
5. Lifeguards – 2
6. Water Quality – 4
7. Price – 1
8. Waves – 1
9. Activities – 3
10. Overall cleanliness – 4
Total Score: 29
Jinshawan Beach (Golden Bay) 金沙灣
1. Sand quality – 4
2. Crowds of people – 2
3. Shower facilities – 2
4. Ease of transportation – 2
5. Lifeguards – 5
6. Water Quality – 3
7. Price – 5
8. Waves – 4
9. Activities – 3
10. Overall cleanliness – 3
Total Score: 33
Fulong Beach 福隆海水浴場
1. Sand quality – 5
2. Crowds of people – 2
3. Shower facilities – 5
4. Ease of transportation – 5
5. Lifeguards – 3
6. Water Quality – 3
7. Price – 3
8. Waves – 4
9. Activities – 4
10. Overall cleanliness – 3
Total Score: 37
Wai’ao Beach 外澳沙灘
1. Sand quality – 2
2. Crowds of people – 4
3. Shower facilities – 4
4. Ease of transportation – 5
5. Lifeguards – 5
6. Water Quality – 3
7. Price – 5
8. Waves – 5
9. Activities – 4
10. Overall cleanliness – 4
Total Score: 41
Su’Ao Neipi Beach 蘇澳內埤海灘
1. Sand quality – 1
2. Crowds of people – 4
3. Shower facilities – 2
4. Ease of transportation – 2
5. Lifeguards – 5
6. Water Quality – 3
7. Price – 5
8. Waves – 5
9. Activities – 4
10. Overall cleanliness – 4
Total Score: 35
Final Rankings:
#1 Wai’ao Beach 外澳沙灘
#2 Fulong Beach 福隆海水浴場
#3 Zhongjiao Bay Beach 中角灣
#4 Baishawan Beach 白沙灣
#5 Su’Ao Neipi Beach 蘇澳內埤海灘
#6 Dawulun Beach 大武崙沙灘
#7 Jinshawan Beach (Golden Bay) 金沙灣
#8 Emerald Bay (Feitsuiwan) 翡翠灣
#9 Heping Island 和平島
#10 Qianshuiwan Beach 淺水灣
According to the above, Wai’ao is the winner, but the others are close behind. But not all categories have equal importance; some things might be more important to you than others. You really have to visit all the beaches to know how each beach makes you feel.
Twitter Online Poll:
What is the best beach near Taipei?
台北附近最好的沙灘是那一個?If none of the above, please leave a comment.
— Foreigners in Taiwan □□ 外國人在台灣 (@foreignersinTW) August 28, 2023
Facebook Online Poll:
Final Conclusion:
We like Fulong the best, especially the part of the beach near the temple that has no lifeguard. It has awesome waves and shallow water, as well as showers and lots of food options nearby. However, Wai’ao and Baishawan are also awesome. Dawulun is cool too because it is so close to Taipei. These are the beaches that we frequent the most.
The above-mentioned beaches may not be your favorite beach near Taipei. Luckily we have a much larger list of beaches and places to visit along the North Coast for your reference in our guide to Taiwan’s North Coast here.
Guide to Taiwan’s Northern Coast 台灣北海岸
You can book a tour to Taiwan’s North Coast on TripAdvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
Check out our full guide to Taiwan’s Northern Coast here.
Don’t forget, there are tons of activities and fun to be had in Taiwan such as Hiking, Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, sailing, Water Biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, River Tracing, River Rafting, River Tubing, Pack Rafting, ATVing, Horse Riding, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, and more that you can book on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here.
Also be sure to check out our guide to Taipei here.
You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here.
