Taiwan Surf Guide: East & South Coast Waves

Overview Waves Seasons Attractions Surf Trips

Taiwan surf guide

Uncrowded waves in warm water: river-mouths, cobblestone points, beach breaks and the odd mellow reef on the East and South Coasts.

Although a small island located between Japan and the Philippines, Taiwan has remained one of the least crowded wave rich destinations on the planet. Waves can be found on the East Coast, South East and South West Coasts where there’s everything from river-mouths, boulder-lined beaches, sandy beaches, the odd reef and reeling points. The waves around Jinzun Harbour are the focal point for surf competitions – but there are many more (arguably better) waves on offer. The user friendly nature of the waves, the incredible mix of Chinese and Japanese culture and the amazing food, hot springs, markets, diving and cycling add further spice to a unique surfing destination that is a real undiscovered gem.

Ready to go? Our Taiwan Surf Tours include a bilingual surf guide, private van, accommodation and breakfast.

What we love

Waves suitable for all levels of surfers.

Friendly locals and an emerging surf culture.

Lots to do besides surfing; great food, markets, hot springs, diving, etc.

Warm water and great weather with a climate similar to that of Hawaii.

Taiwan surf regions at a glance

East Coast: rivermouths, beach breaks and points such as Donghue, with NE swells in the northern winter; our base is the town of Taitung.

South Coast: picks up SE and SW swells, including typhoon swells in summer, with waves like Nanwan, a lined-up right over mellow reef and sand.

Getting around: to score the best waves you need to be mobile; on our Taiwan Surf Tours you get a dedicated van and guide/driver.

Seasons are typical patterns, not forecasts: talk to us about conditions before you book.

Where to surf in Taiwan

To get the best waves you need to be mobile – and local knowledge certainly helps! Depending on the time of year, the better waves are on the East, South East or South West Coast. The southern half of the country sees more consistent swells than the north.
There are waves in Taiwan suitable for all levels of surfers – from beginners to pros and families.

Best Surf Breaks in Taiwan

Nanwan

On the south coast. A lined up right, running over a mellow reef and sand bottom. Best swell; March/April + July-October

TAIWAN SURF TOURS

Donghue

On the east coast. A rivermouth setup with numerous peaks. Best swell: October-April

TAIWAN SURF TOURS

Frames

A fantastic cobblestone break with abundant a-frames. More suited towards shorter boards, but can be fun on any craft depending on the tide.

TAIWAN SURF TOURS

Lankys

A beautiful break with an easy paddle out, offering hackable sections and coverups. Has a bigger outside section and offers a bit of wind protection.

TAIWAN SURF TOURS

Jin Shan

Also known as Green Bay or Golden Mountain is a popular summer break with waves for beginners and a beach party vibe.

TAIWAN SURF TOURS

Bashien Dong

Long, boulder-lined point break that lines up great walling lefts on big NE swells and NW winds.

TAIWAN SURF TOURS

Tea Point

Loving long period groundswells, this fast left is a sight to behold and is a great wave once you know where to enter and exit. You’ll be hooting down the line for a good couple of hundred meters.

TAIWAN SURF TOURS

Zippers

A rippable right if ever there was one! Offering plenty of opportunities for tight-to-the-pocket turns. And if that’s not enough, there are other spots (rights and lefts) you can see close by too.

TAIWAN SURF TOURS

Familia

Really fun right and left, rippable on any tide and suitable for any craft. Depending on the banks there are usually a couple of peaks. Fun for the whole family.

TAIWAN SURF TOURS

Palms

A great spot with areas suitable for foiling, longboard and shortboards all in one area. And the fishing’s not too shabby here either!

TAIWAN SURF TOURS

Blue Lagoon

A dominant right, but still some lefts on offer, and more often than not there are another couple of peaks within easy paddling distance too. Suitable for all boards.

TAIWAN SURF TOURS

Iso

A fast right with a deep water paddle out. Simply take off, point and go! Surrounded by tropical, monkey filled forests and numerous little bays.

TAIWAN SURF TOURS

Taiwan surf breaks by level

Taiwan is mostly fun, “everyman” waves rather than heavy slabs, with something for every level.
Beginners: Jin Shan’s summer waves for beginners, and Jialeshuei’s lefts and rights for all abilities, best near the rivermouth.
Intermediate: Lankys’ easy paddle and hackable sections, Zippers’ rippable right and Familia’s peaks for any craft.
Experienced: Tea Point’s fast left in long-period groundswell, Iso’s fast right and Bashien Dong’s walling lefts on big NE swells.

Taiwan Surf Season

South Coast: March–April and July–October
Water temp: 24–28℃ / 75–82℉. Climate: 25–32℃ / 77–89℉.
The western Pacific, southeast of Taiwan, is the most active place on Earth for tropical cyclones. Activity is lowest in February, builds through June and spikes from July to October. This coastline and peninsula best handle swell angles from the E, SE and SW.
East Coast: October–March
Water temp: 22–25℃ / 72–77℉. Climate: 20–27℃ / 68–79℉.
The sparsely populated East Coast offers a host of rivermouths, beach breaks and point breaks. Storms forming near Japan send NE swells, the ideal angle for this coast (the same storms push swell to Hawaii in its winter).

Attractions

The missions between surf breaks take you through pretty towns and breathtaking mountainous scenery. Snorkelling, diving, go-karts, waterfalls, waterholes, bike routes and hot springs are all great post-surf options. Your surf guides will also take you to the best night markets and day markets too - an absolute must-do while in Taiwan. At most local traditional restaurants (let your guide take you to the best ones based on your choice) you can score a delicious three-course meal and drinks for less than $20.

The Country

Taiwan is a mountainous island of majestic peaks, rolling hills and plains. Add to this tropical lowland forests (monkey-filled), fertile plains where mango, pineapples, bananas and rice are grown (plus tea plantations on some mountains) and rich fishing waters surrounding the island, you’re certainly not going to go hungry in picturesque Taiwan!
With periods of Dutch and Spanish settlement as well as Chinese and Japanese rule, and its indigenous tribes, its history and culture is both complicated and fascinating.
Taiwan is a first world country and its primary exports these days are high-end tech – namely computer chips and medical equipment. Taiwan also has one of the best medical systems in the world.

Getting There

Fly into Taipei or Kaohsiung (KHH). Kaohsiung is closer to the South Coast; for the East Coast, many guests take the 50-minute flight from Taipei. Airport transfers are included on our Taiwan Surf Tours.

Travel Information

Time Zone

UTC+08:00

Currency

New Taiwan dollar (NT$)

Calling code

+886

Electric

110V, Plug type: A,B

Taiwan Surf FAQs

Quick answers to the questions we hear most about surfing Taiwan. Tap a question to open it.

Yes. Taiwan has uncrowded waves on its East, South East and South West coasts: river-mouths, cobblestone points, beach breaks and the odd mellow reef, in warm water. It is mostly fun, “everyman” waves rather than heavy slabs, and pretty much whatever board you ride at home, you can ride in Taiwan.

It depends on the coast. In the northern winter, storms off Japan send NE swells to the East Coast. In summer, typhoon swells reach the south and lower east coasts, and the South Coast also picks up SE and SW swells. Tell us your dates and we’ll match you to the right coast.

Yes. There are waves for all levels, from beginners to pros, including Jin Shan’s beginner-friendly summer waves and Jialeshuei’s lefts and rights for all abilities. Hire boards are available, and the guides know what works where on each tide, wind and swell.

Our Taiwan Surf Tours include quality accommodation, a private van with a bilingual surf guide/driver, airport transfers, breakfast and trips to surf and non-surf activities. We don’t mix bookings: you get a dedicated vehicle and guide, and surf times are up to you, as often as you like each day.

Fly into Taipei or Kaohsiung. For the East Coast, many guests take the 50-minute flight from Taipei, and airport transfers are included on our Taiwan Surf Tours. Guests often combine Taiwan with Japan, as flights between the two are cheap and quick.

Warm: about 22–25°C (72–77°F) on the East Coast in its season and 24–28°C (75–82°F) on the South Coast. Away from the surf there are hot springs, night markets, temples and great food.

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