White sand and turquoise water at Longmen Beach — Photo: 琳晞

Whitecaps off the Penghu coast. — Photo: Penghu Kitesurfing Center

A wing foiler in the chop off Penghu. — Photo: Penghu Kitesurfing Center

Taiwan

Nov · 95% rideable

Penghu, Magong

What it's actually like

Wing foilers, the north-easterly averages 24 to 26 kt from October to February. On lighter days the local kite centre switches to hydrofoil lessons, though it asks for solid skills and a support network.

Penghu is an archipelago of 90 islands out in the Taiwan Strait, with Magong as its main town. The local kite centre puts the wind down to the strait itself: high pressure squeezed and accelerated between mountains of up to 3,000 metres on either side. It describes 20 to 40 knots on a daily basis and calls Penghu probably the windiest place in Asia.

October to February is the season, and it is strong. Since 2017, in every one of those months at least 87 days in a hundred clear 12 knots for three daylight hours. In December and January almost every day does. Over those hours the wind averages 24 to 26 knots, and in January more than nine days in ten are windy at every hour from 8am to 6pm. June to August are the quiet months. A January session here is nuking, and you will feel it.

Accounts of how hard it blows differ, so plan for the top of the range. A rider’s report from a seventy-day trip in 2013 put typical winds from November to April at 40 to 60 knots. It found 4, 5 and 7 metre kites the most used. It found forecasts of 30 knots or less harder to trust, often lighter than predicted. At the 2020 Penghu Kitesurfing Invitational Regatta the organisers recorded 35 to 40 knots on the opening day, against 20 to 25 knots at earlier editions.

You get three beaches, all named by the kite centre. Longmen Beach, a minute’s ride from its B&B, has excellent waves once the wind is over 30 knots and is best one hour after high tide. In lighter wind or at low tide it is friendlier for newcomers. Qinglou Beach, about ten minutes away, is flat water in a small cove, best at high tide. Linto Beach, on the south side, is offshore in winter; in summer the wind shifts south and it becomes the hydrofoil spot.

The launch at Qinglou has some sharp coral. The 2013 report found the local beaches littered with debris, coral and sharp objects that can puncture or tear a kite, and its group damaged four kites on the trip. Strong wind, changing tides and a shallow bottom make wind swell common, so expect moderate waves. The report advised against self-launching, self-landing and riding alone, and asked for intermediate or advanced skills and a support network before riding here. It counted only four or five local kiters on the island.

Winter here is cold, so pack the wetsuit first. The 2013 report called for a 3 or 5 mm wetsuit and a neoprene hood, with gloves and booties not essential. The quiet summer months also fall in Taiwan’s typhoon season, which normally runs from May to November.

Flights run to Penghu from Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, Chiayi and Kaohsiung, and the kite centre’s van collects from the airport within ten minutes of a call. The scene is small and the wind is serious, so come with solid skills, or come to learn with the centre and ride where it sends you.

When it's good

Is it for you?

LevelNot checked yet
Longmen in lighter wind or at low tide is friendlier for newcomers.
WaterMillpond to head-high
Qinglou is flat in its cove at high tide; Longmen has waves above 30 knots.
LaunchBooties on
Sharp coral and debris on the beaches and at Qinglou, a risk to kites.
WetsuitBoardies
Sea about 26 °C in November: boardies weather, with a rash vest at most.
AprèsLights out at nine
No bar within 5 km, but 4 places to eat: early nights, early sessions.
CostNot checked yet

Where to launch

Conditions change. Check local rules and conditions before you ride.

Launch

Longmen Beach

Waves, best at 30 knots and over, one hour after high tide.

For kite, windsurf. Directions: Google Maps · Apple Maps
Qinglou Beach

Flat-water cove, best at high tide.

For kite, windsurf. Directions: Google Maps · Apple Maps
Linto Beach

South side of the island, the hydrofoil spot.

For kite. Directions: Google Maps · Apple Maps

In an emergency

Coastguard 118
Ambulance and fire 119
Police 110

Getting there

Nearest airportPenghu (MZG). Penghu Airport is close to Magong, with domestic flights in from Taiwan, so you land near the water.
Getting aroundScooter. The kite centre rents scooters with trailers and will collect you from the airport, so your boards ride with you.

Stay, learn and rent

Full details for every place are in the Pocket Guide.

Sunrise BnB

The kite centre’s own B&B, a minute from Longmen Beach and its waves.

Liquid Sport B&B

B&B five minutes from the airport, with winter packages covering meals, transport and equipment.

Pocket Guide

Penghu, Magong, in your pocket

Everything you need on the beach in one PDF. Save it to your phone and it works with no signal.

01The month: wind, conditions and water02Every hazard, and the local rules03The launches, with maps04Getting there with kit05Stays, schools and kit hire06Where every score comes from

Penghu, Magong

When it's good

Is it for you?

Where to launch

Longmen Beach

Qinglou Beach

Linto Beach

In an emergency

Getting there

Stay, learn and rent

Sunrise BnB

Liquid Sport B&B

Penghu Kitesurfing Center

Liquid Sport B&B

Penghu, Magong, in your pocket

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