Taiwan Aquatic Adventure: Top 5 Favorite Water Activities to do in Summer

As we all know, Taiwan is a beautiful island surrounded by blue ocean. In Taiwan’s ancient history, because of its charming and natural appearance, Portuguese sailors called Taiwan ‘Formosa,’ literally ‘beautiful’.

Every summer, Taiwan attracts many foreign visitors to do water activities here and spend a wonderful summer. The weather in Taiwan is absolutely appropriate for water-activity lovers. As summer vacation approaches, if you can’t resist the water, come to Taiwan and have fun. Let’s party in Taiwan.

What kinds of water activities you may participate in?

It’s always a shame not to be able to try them all on a short trip. Here we’ve selected top 5 water activities that you really should join in Taiwan. Let’s take a look!

1. Surfing：Test Your Ability at the Top of Sea

If you are looking for an exciting water activity in summer, surfing is absolutely your top choice. Many great surfing spots in Taiwan are accessible for foreign surfing goers.

Favorite Surf Spots in Taiwan

Speaking of where to surf, you can refer to the following list recommended：

Jinzun Fishing Harbor, Taitung County(台東金樽)：

Taitung County is situated in eastern Taiwan. Jinzun is considered one of the best places to surf in the area thanks to its big waves, and it has hosted international competitions such as the Taiwan Open of Surfing.

Wai’ao Beach, Yilan County(宜蘭外澳)：

Yilan County, in northeastern Taiwan, is known for delicious rural food and natural beauty. Wai’ao is a hit spot for doing water activities. It’s quite well-noted for its black-sand beach. Many surf guides list Wai’ao as one of the top surf spots in Taiwan, and it is especially good for beginners.

Jialeshui, Pingtung County(屏東佳樂水)：

Jialeshui Scenic Area is governed by Kenting National Park (墾丁國家公園). Kenting lies in Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島) of Pingtung County, which is in the southern part in Taiwan. Jialeshui boasts a variety of rock formations shaped by waves and wind. A great number of travelers who are fond of water activities prefer surfing on high waves in Jialeshui.

Already picked up one of the surf spots in mind? Perhaps you might be concerned about where to reach a qualified surf coach to guide you. Relax, plenty of options for you. Actually, lots of surfing centers can be found nearby these 3 famous surf spots. You can sign up for a surf camp with intensive training over the summer vacation, or simply take a one-day lesson, which is more common for fast-paced travelers. 

2. Diving：Into Mysterious World Undersea

Taiwan is rich in places suitable for water activities. On Taiwan’s main island, Kenting in Pingtung County is the most popular summer beach destination.

Check out those offshore islands for more great diving spots:
Lanyu Orchid Island: Taiwan Island Paradise for Your Summer Escape
The Summer Getaway in Taiwan: Xiao Liu Qiu Island
Taiwan Summer Journey：5 Activities to Do on Penghu Islands
Taiwan Offshore Islands: Traveling in Penghu / Kinmen / Matsu / Green Island / Orchid Island

Why is Kenting so popular for diving?

Briefly speaking, it’s because of Kenting’s diversity. Kenting is a national park where the environment is protected. However, travelers can still drive cars or take transportation inside, and savor natural scenery along coastline. For all travelers, Kenting is just like a paradise full of marine life.

Moreover, it’d be a shame if you didn’t dive here. In Kenting, you can easily find dive centers that provide diving services such as equipment rental and sales. Some dive centers arrange boat dives for scuba-diving beginners, and of course participants will be taught and accompanied by PADI-qualified instructors. Diving instructors are passionate and willing to answer your questions.

When you dive into the sea, you will be astonished at new different experiences, from enduring water pressure to appreciating abundance marine life under sea. If you are lucky, you may even time your trip with Kenting’s famous coral spawning, which usually happens in spring.

After exploring beautiful marine life undersea, you may be interested in becoming a certificated diving instructor. In that case, some centers also welcome students for instructor courses. And if you don’t want to carry heavy equipment, try snorkeling. You get the same chance to dive undersea and enjoy swimming around in a colorful world.

Other Favorite places for snorkeling / diving:

Mainland Taiwan:

Long Dong (Dragon Cave) (龍洞)

Waimushan(外木山)

Bitou Cape(鼻頭角)

Scroll down to check out the map location

Offshore Islands (離島)

Penghu Islands(澎湖群島)

Green Island (綠島)

Lanyu(Orchid Island)(蘭嶼)

Xiao Liuqiu(小琉球)

3. Rivertracing：Chase the Beauty of Waterfall

If you prefer more adventurous water activities to beat the summer heat, try river tracing (canyoning upstream to waterfalls). If you are new to it, we strongly suggest going with a professional guide or coach and proper gear, as mountain streams can rise quickly after afternoon rain. It’s important to get familiar with some knowledge regarding local climate, geographical environment, river condition, etc.

Thinking of visiting a waterfall, you might think that waterfalls are mostly positioned at countryside, far away from city center. Let’s clarify that it’s not. Not every waterfall is difficult to access. In Taipei or New Taipei City, it’s easy to find several waterfall selections in Pingxi District(平溪區) and nearby Pingxi, as many foreign visitors know, is well-known for releasing sky lanterns. Wanggu Waterfall(望古瀑布) and Huiyao Waterfall(灰窯瀑布)are close to each other. Both boast mind-blowing scenery and are less crowded than other waterfalls nearby, such as Shifen Waterfall (十分瀑布) and Lingjiao Waterfall.

In chase of waterfall, at the same time, you feel your body soaked and get cool. Perhaps, if finally reaching the destination, you’ll gain a sense of achievement－wow, another milestone established.

4. Having Fun on Yacht：Bravely Sail with Summer Wind

Yacht is regarded as the most fun kind of water transportation. It’s always exciting and heart-accelerating to take a glance of magnificent scenes along coastline at a fast speed. This summer, you shouldn’t miss out on this water activity. Why not hold a party on a yacht? While you are refreshed by the ocean breeze, you and your friends can also shelter from the summer heat inside.

Enjoy close conversation accompanied by snacks and beer. If you can’t sail a yacht yourself, no problem: book a charter with a licensed captain.

Favorite Spots for Yacht

In Kenting, the paradise of water activities mentioned above, you can join a fun yacht tour.

Also, besides holding a party on a yacht, you get fairly more choices to experience. For example, why not take a try of fishing, snorkeling or scuba-diving. Once you take part in a tour with diving part included, then the yacht will take you to a specific area for diving. And you get the chance to know how it feels to jump off a yacht into an ocean. Since it’s so romantic to take a glimpse of sunset with the loved one, many engaged couples shoot their wedding photos on a yacht to include prominent ocean view in their life-long memory.

Regarding yacht tours, summer is definitely more popular than winter. So, if you visit Kenting and would like to take a yacht tour, it’d be better to reserve a yacht in advance to avoid wasting time under the hot sun. By the way, you may have fun on yacht when you visit Penghu Islands, too. Therefore, if you’ve just done the squid fishing, remember not to skip this water activity.

5. Whale Watching Tour：Track Their Undaunted Movements

Animal lovers will be glad to know that Taiwan is an island home to diverse kinds of aquatic animals. In Yilan County and Hualien County, located eastern Taiwan, you can join a whale and dolphin watching tour, and get ready to see dolphins and, if you are lucky, whales swimming in the Pacific Ocean. Boats mainly run from spring to autumn (roughly April to October) and are cancelled in rough seas, so book with a licensed operator and check the season before you go.

Favorite Places for Whale Watching: Yilan and Hualien

It’s so relaxing to take a close glimpse of whales. Whales appear powerful when they surface, then suddenly vanish below the horizon. Their movements make wonderful memories. Sometimes, dolphins swim around a cruise boat as greeting to travelers. Yilan’s whale watching boats leave from Wushi Harbor in Toucheng (頭城) and often circle Guishan Island (Turtle Island, 龜山島); landing on the island itself requires advance application and is only possible part of the year.

Some tourism agencies have planned package tours including exploring on-land. As a result, if joining this type of tour, you can see whales and also have a look at mysterious landscape in some green islands near Yilan coastline. Besides attending exciting water activities, having more laid-back one is also a great decision as well.

Hualien County in eastern Taiwan is an excellent choice as well. Hualien is just close to Pacific Ocean, and is well-known for abundant marine life. There is even a Hualien Farglory Ocean Park(遠雄海洋公園) a marine theme park.

Wow! Now you can see that Taiwan is a dream island for a good time in summer, right? Then what are you waiting for? Plan your summer trip with our Taiwan tours or find a local guide.

Cover photo: Pwjg, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons