East Coast

Note: The beaches are organized geographically starting from the North and heading South.

Yilan 宜蘭

Waiao Beach 外澳海灘

Waiao Beach 外澳海灘

An amazing “surfers” beach with great quality sand and a whole lot more. Waiao Beach can be reached in just under 1 hour by car (depending on traffic) by taking the No. 5 Freeway from Taipei City. From Yilan City it is a 30 minute drive north while it will take around 40 minutes coming from Luodong. The beach is also just a stone’s throw away from the Waiao Train Station, so taking the Taiwan Rail is definitely an option.
With lush green hills in the background and a view of Guishan Island off the coast, can be very picturesque. Though on a scale much smaller than Kenting, the town next to the beach is developing into somewhat of a “beach town”, and the summer surf competition attracts a whole lot of activity to the area. There is a lot of good things that could be said about this beach.

Yongzhen Seaside Park 永鎮濱海遊憩區

Yongzhen Seaside Park 永鎮濱海遊憩區

17 minutes by car almost directly east from the Yilan City center, you can find a scenic area called Yongzhen Seaside Park; however, before we go any further, it needs to be said that swimming at this beach is restricted.

The beach, however, is quite pretty and a great view of Guishan Island (“Turtle Mountain” Island), from a perspective which makes it quite obvious how it got its name. This alone is could make the trip by worth it for you, especially if you like taking photos. There are also bike rentals available and paths to bike on. The stairway that leads down to the beach is perhaps 3 stories, so if you have trouble with stairs beware. Also, if you are planning a trip, make sure to check the map well or set your GPS, because it is easy to miss the entrance when driving.

Wuweigang Beach 無尾港海灘

Wuweigang Beach 無尾港海灘

If you drive for about 30 minutes southeast from Luodong Township or 40 minutes from Yilan City, you can make to rocky and sandy beach called Wuweigang Beach (“no tail harbor”).

The beach has more of an "isolated beauty" quality to it. It is a nice place to take a seaside walk or sit and watch the waves – or if you are inclined to, bring a boogie board or surf board and catch one. The break can be pretty rough, depending on the season, so it’s not a great place for swimming.

Neipi Beach 內埤海灣

Neipi Beach 內埤海灣

In Su’ao Township, located just south of the flatlands of Yilan County, you can find a fabulous beach called “Neipi”. It is about 38 minutes by car from Yilan City or from Taipei you can arrive after only spending 1 hour and 10 minutes behind the wheel (if traffic is okay).

WARNING: because of the steep slope of the beach, undertows can occur, so children should not be playing in the water nor should be adults who are not familiar with undertow. Take every precaution to protect your own safety and the safety of those you are with. Please check the warning signs posted.

The beach is very large and aesthetically pleasing, it often attracts windsurfers and kite boarders, but you will likely see very people swimming here due to the reason mentioned above.

Dong'ao Shequ Beach 東澳社區海灘

Dong'ao Shequ Beach Coast Park 東澳社區濱海公園

Heading south from Yilan City you should be able to make it to Dong’ao Shequ in around 40 minutes. From Taipei it will take about 1h 20 (with no traffic issues).The Dongao Station is only 1.1 km from the beach, if you would prefer to travel via rail, this is also an option.

Like its neighbor 12km to the north (Neipi), the beach at Dong’ao Shequ is large and beautiful. One big difference, however, is that Dong’ao pebble rather than sand.

Dong’ao is also situated in the parts of the eastern coast which are much less populous, so those who are used to the modern conveniences of urban centers need to beware, that stuff ain’t here. There is one Family Mart (it is still Taiwan), and a gas station, but that is about it. Please use caution on the beach and take notice of any sign postings.

Aiqing Suo 愛情鎖海灘

Aiqing Suo愛情鎖海灘

Only 3.2 km south of the Dongao Station (Dong’ao Shequ, above), is another lovely little beach called Aiqing Suo (“love lock”) Beach. The beach, which is right behind the Fenniaolin Harobour, is small and rocky, and very pretty.

The beach is in an area that is very low in population; there are a few buildings across from the harbor and a restaurant (that that may or may not be open when you visit), but that is about it.

Nanao Shenmi Beach南澳神秘海灘

Nanao Shenmi Beach南澳神秘海灘

Now a one hour and 10 minute drive from Yilan City (taking the #5), or 1h 40 minutes coming from Taipei, very interesting beach called Nan’ao Shenmi Beach (Nan’ao “Mysterious” Beach). The beach can also be reached in about an hour and 20 minutes heading north from Hualien City.

The name says it all. Walled in by a steep rock face and often covered by low hanging clouds, Shenmi Beach certainly can feel mysterious at times. Adding to this sensation, as you walk down the beach, you can find caves and a waterfall.

Hualien 花蓮

Xiaoqingshui Beach 小清水海灘

Xiaoqingshui Beach 小清水海灘

2 hours south of Yilan City by car or 40 minutes to the north of Hualien, resides a small and very picturesque beach called Xiaoqingshui (“little clear water”). The beach is for the azure blue water that hugs its shore.

The beach is quite difficult to access and is typically done so via kayak from the neighboring Chongde Beach (see below), which, at its north beach access, is about 4 km away.

Chongde Bay 崇德海灣

Chongde Bay 崇德海灣

Also about 2 hours from Yilan City or 40 minutes from Hualien, is a 5 km long beach called Chongde. The beach is located right next to the Chongde Train Station, however to access the beach you will need to walk about a 1 km towards the south or 0.7 km to the north. The beach is a mixture of sand and pebbles. It is not a popular swimming destination, but the coastal cliffs to the north of beach make for very scenic kayaking.

Manbo Beach曼波海灘

Manbo Beach曼波海灘

This beach is a 22 minute drive north of Hualien. Geographically speaking, the beach is separated from Chongde Beach to the north by the Taroko Gorge’s “Liwu River” (立霧溪) and from Qixing Beach to the south by the Sanjhan Creek (三棧). Similar to the two neighboring beaches, Manbo Beach is composed of a mixture of sand, pebbles, and small round rocks. Manbo's sand portion constitutes much more than the others, however.

Qixingtan Beach 七星海灘

Qixingtan Beach 七星海灘

Qixingtan is located just north of the Hualien City center. Travelling by car it will take about 10 minutes to get there.

Qixingtan is the most famous beach on Eastcoast -- at least among locals. When the weather is fair, the whitish pebble beach and the blue waters mirrored by white clouds and blue sky give the beach its special appeal. The waves can be large at times, so make sure you are paying attention when you are playing near the water's edge.

Niushan Beach 牛山海灘

Niushan Beach 牛山海灘

A 45 minute drive south from Hualien City will bring you to a secluded beach called Niushan”.

This black sandy beach with round flat stones sprinkled here and there is very picturesque, but is known to have strong currents at times, so check with the locals before getting in the water. There is also a privately operated camp area and lodge next to the beach (牛山呼庭) for those who want to get away from it all for a few days.

Jiqi Beach 磯崎海灘

About an hour drive south from Hualien City you can find a nice beach spot called Jiqi Beach.

Towards its middle, the beach is neighboring a wetland area where water buffaloes graze in the ruffs. The south side of the beach has a designated water activity area that attracts swimmers, body boarders, surfers and those who are just happy enough getting their ankles wet. The flat smooth sand near the water’s edge also make it quite suited for skim boarding.

Taitung 台東

Tuoxian Qingren Beach脫線情人沙灘

Tuoxian Qingren Beach 脫線情人沙灘

Perhaps the most remote beach on the main island of Taiwan, Tuoxian Qingren Beach is about 2 hours drive from Hualien City or about 1.5 to 2 hours coming from Taitung City (driving from Kaohsiung or Taipei it is about a 4.5 hour drive)

Jinzun Beach金樽海灘

Jinzun Beach金樽海灘

50 minute car ride from Taitung City, meaning that if you are coming from Kaohsiung, you have about an hour and 20 minutes’ drive ahead of you. Coming southbound from Hualien, it will take you about 2h 40 minutes by car.

Though this beach is remote (by Taiwan standards), in 2017 surfers from around the world travelled here to take part in the Taiwan Open of Surfing. This 3km beach called “Jinzhun” (golden goblet) got its name on account its swooping curves of its shoreline. It is a beautiful beach and a great place to surf, however, because of the steep slope of the beach, undertow may be a problem, so it is not designated for swimming.
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Qianqiao Beach 鉛橋海灘

Qianqiao Beach 鉛橋海灘 (Dulan Beach 都蘭海灘)

About 20 minutes south of Jinzhun Beach or 30 minutes’ drive north from Taitung City, you can find another beautiful surfers’ beach tucked away down a narrow farm road (off the No 11 highway). This beach goes by the name of Qianqiao Beach or Dulan Beach.

The beach is big, sandy and beautiful, but there are no facilities in the surrounding area, so if you play in the water, expect to leave the beach a little salty. There is a surf shop nearby for anyone who would like to try his or her hand at paddling out to catch some waves.

Shanyuan Beach 杉原海濱渡假村

Shanyuan Beach 杉原海濱渡假村

A 20 minute drive north of Taitung City will get you to Shanyuan Beach – a big, yellow, sandy beach which is a good place for playing in the water and swimming. The water is quite clear and looking up to the north the scenery is beautiful.

Situated behind the beach is a would-be resort that is not operating due to procedure violations and several other disputes.

Taimali Beach太麻里海灘

Taimali Beach太麻里海灘

About half an hour by car traveling south from Taitung or 2.5 hours coming from Pingtung or Kaohsiung will get you to Taimali Beach. If you catch the train to the Taimali Station you can also walk to the beach in about 10 Minutes.

This is a big, sandy beach mixed with pebbles is really a nice spot. Most of the time it is quite quiet, however, come New Year (the Western, Gregorian “New Year”, that is), this beach is packed with people waiting to get the first glimpse of the rising sun that will mark the beginning of the next trip around the sun – as well as those who are there for the Taimali Bikini Run （太麻里沙灘路跑）.