Penghu is an island group in the middle of the Taiwan Strait, with Magong its main town and airport. Taiwan’s Tourism Administration says its strong winter winds have made it an international spot for competitive sailing, and the kite centre here calls it probably the windiest place in Asia. The scene is small: a kite and wing centre with a B&B, a windsurf and kite B&B, and a handful of local riders.
October to February is the season, and it is strong. In every one of those months at least 87 days in a hundred clear 12 knots for three daylight hours or more, and in December and January almost every day does. The mean over those rideable hours sits between 24 and 26 knots, and the wind blows all day: in January more than nine days in ten are windy at every hour from 8am to 6pm. June to August are the quiet months, at under half. A January session here is nuking, and small kites are the rule.
Longmen Beach has waves that work best at 30 knots and over, best one hour after high tide.
Not yet checked against a weather station or an independent model, so treat these figures as a guide.
At a glance
Is it for you?
Skill levelBring your A-game
WaterMixed bag
Wind · OctUsually turns up
Crowds · OctHeavy in season
Local vibeFriendly enough
Water qualityUsually clean
NightlifeEarly nights
CostMid
Geek analysis
October in the record
87% of days clear 12 kt for three daylight hours or more.
In October the wind most often sits at 20 to 23 kt or 24 to 27 kt (17% of daylight hours each) and is over 12 kt from 8am to 6pm on at least half the days. See both charts in the full report
No weather station near enough to check these figures against.
October on the record
The month's own figures, not the year's average.
Rideable days27 of 31Nine Octobers in the record
DirectionNNE 22°
Wind, rideable hours26 ktMean over daylight hours at 12 kt+
Air25.6°CMaximum
Waves2.1 m82% of days run big
Take it with you
The full Penghu, Magong report
Seven sections over six pages, built from the same record as this page. A PDF you can read on the plane.
01Hour-by-hour & month-by-month wind02The month's own records03Full stays, schools & kit04Per-launch tide notes05Debris, strong wind & riding alone06Getting there, packing & best months07Sources, and their limits
WindChaser spot reportPenghu, MagongPenghu County, Taiwan · October87% of days clear 12 kt for three daylight hours or more.
When it gets busy
Crowds
Dec · High
Compiled research puts the busiest months at the start of the wind season, October to December, and the quiet ones in April to August. It is not a head count, and the local scene is small.
On the water
What October usually does
Wind directionWinter monsoonThe strong winter wind, October to February. No source read states its direction first hand yet.
Wind strength24 to 26 ktThe mean over rideable daylight hours, October to February, in the record. Rider reports go far higher.
When it blowsAll dayIn January more than nine days in ten are windy at every hour from 8am to 6pm.
Your playground
Launches & safety
Conditions change. Check local rules and conditions before you ride.
Launch
Hazard
Parking
School
Stay
Webcam
We haven't found published rules for this spot.
Local intel
Getting there & on the ground
Nearest airportPenghu (MZG)Penghu Airport, near Magong. Domestic flights from Taiwan.
On the groundOctober to FebruaryThe windiest months in the record. December and January are the pick.
Getting aroundScooterThe kite centre rents scooters and trailers and picks up from the airport.