The Most Windiest Place You've Never Heard Of: Penghu Island, Taiwan

If you're a kitesurfer with a fondness for strong wind and big air, Penghu Island in Taiwan might just be your next go-to destination. Rumored to be the windiest place in the Northern Hemisphere, apparently it is possible to kitesurf here over 200 days a year, making it one of the best kitesurfing destinations in the world. Tucked away in the Taiwan Strait, Penghu is a secluded spot that even the most seasoned kitesurfer might overlook.

If you're looking to visit, here's some info on this hidden big air paradise.

Basic Spot Info

Best Time to Go: The windy season is long and lasts from September until May. However, in September and early October typhoons in the region can make kiting temporarily impossible for two different reasons – typhoons hitting the island would make conditions too extreme, while typhoons passing in a certain distance can suck up all the air around them resulting in a few wind-less days in Penghu.

Average Wind Speed: During the windy season, the average wind speed ranges from 30 to 45 knots - so be sure to pack your smaller kites! 

Best Wind Direction: The prevailing wind direction is from the northeast, making spots on the western coast ideal. East and southeast winds are also suitable for certain beaches.

Bring: Water temperature is very pleasant in October and does not require a wetsuit but when we hit the winter months Jan/Feb, we'd recommend a 2/3. 

How to Get There

You can reach Penghu Island by taking a flight from Taipei or other major Taiwanese cities. Penghu Airport serves domestic flights, and there are also ferry services available. Once on the island, renting a scooter or car is the best way to get around.

By Plane: If you're flying from an international location, Most likely you’ll arrive at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) where you will need to take a bus to Taipei Songshan Airport, or take the train/HSR to connect to the other places. There are some international flights that may go to Kaohsiung or Taichung if you want a more direct route. Most flights land at Penghu Airport (MZG) 澎湖

By Ferry: You can take the ferry from mainland Taiwan to get to Penghu. Most of the boats leave from Budai Harbour in Chiayi, but you may also be able to get ferries in Kaohsiung and Tainan. The ferries sail to Magong Nanhai Harbour 馬公南海碼頭 aka the main island of Penghu. Taking the ferry to Penghu is a cheaper option but does also require more time. Standard ferries take about 4 hours journey, though if you get a fast ferry from Chiayi it takes just 1.5 hours. Reminder that since Penghu is REALLY windy, ferries are way more likely to be cancelled than flights.

Kite Beaches

Longmen Beach (龍門沙灘) stands out as the prime kiteboarding destination in Penghu, with a regular group of 4-8 enthusiasts enjoying side-shore winds on most windy days. Located on the east side of the main island, the beach features a kilometer-wide bay, ideal for wave riding and jumps off both flat sections and waves. Accessible via narrow yet paved roads from Longmen village, the southern part of the bay offers the best wave riding, necessitating a kite traverse. Amenities like parking and restrooms are centrally situated, while caution is advised during low tide when rocks emerge, creating shallow areas less than 1 meter deep, impacting falls and landings.

Baikeng Beach (白坑沙灘) emerges as a superb choice for those seeking flat water conditions. This extensive beach is shielded from both the north and the east, ensuring a wave-free experience. It is advisable to visit during high tide to fully appreciate the site, as the water becomes notably shallow and rocks become visible during low tide.

Guoye Beach Kitesurfing conditions do not depend on Tide on this spot. Chop, Small waves and Medium waves spot. It is a kitesurfing spot for riders of Any Level.

Qing Luo Beach if you are looking for flat water in Penghu this is the spot. Ride at high tide as the location gets small at low tide. There are a variety of objects in the water to be aware of including poles and the reef. Outside the cove you will find chop. The wind here will be offshore during the peak season. Steady with some wind shadows around the gravel hills.

Local Kite Schools

There are two places to rent gear on Penghu & meet up with local kiters. Be sure to check out Penghu Kitesurfing Center and Liquidsport Penghu Resort. 

Coworking Spaces

We didn't find any dedicated coworking spaces near the spot, but luckily WiFi is pretty great all around the island so it should be easy enough to work from a cafe or wherever you're staying!

Local Gyms

There are some general fitness centers can be found in the main towns like Magong.

Places to Stay

The wind high-season happens to be the low-season for tourism, so you do not overlap with the summer crowd. Prices of accommodation tend to be lower and plenty of options. There an abundant places to stay on the island, but here are some of our recommendations to stay with like-minded kiters:

Liquidsport Penghu Resort: Situated on the northern side of Penghu Islands, it's only 5 minutes on the scooter while Qing Luo and Bai Keng are only 2 minutes ride. They offer package deals to the Wind and Kite surfer inclusive of accommodation, meals, transport and equipment leaving more quality time on the water.

Sunrise B&B Run by father and daughter team, Jan and Karen, the Sunrise is a bona fide B&B with ocean views, fresh morning coffee and English-speaking hosts. Rooms are bright, airy and comfortably furnished, and there's a great communal lounge area with a panoramic view of the ocean. The B&B is in Guoyeh, 12km east of Makung, close to some great beaches. Scooter, bicycle, kitesurfing and sea-kayaking equipment are available for rent. As a plus, Karen previously held the record for the highest WOO female jumper in the world, so she may be able to give you some tips ;) 

Kitesurfing Bed and Breakfast Located in Penghu, Taiwan, Kitesurfing Bed and Breakfast offers an array of facilities that cater to both adventure seekers and relaxation enthusiasts.

Groceries

Supermarkets and local markets in Magong City provide a range of groceries. Consider stocking up on essentials as some kitesurfing spots may be in more remote areas.

Activities for No Wind Days

Hiking Adventures:

• Chixi Scenic Area: Explore the hiking trails around Chixi, offering panoramic vistas of the coastline and the surrounding beauty of Penghu.

• Daguoye Columnar Basalt: Penghu County is synonymous with the basalt volcanic pillars that line the coast. While there are many places where you can observe this natural showpiece, the Daguoye Columnar Basalt (大菓葉玄武岩) is the most accessible spot on Penghu’s many islands.

• South Penghu Marine National Park: Situated in Penghu’s southernmost waters, South Penghu Marine National Park comprises four main islands and its surrounding waters. Included in the park are other smaller islets. You can only arrange a visit by tour due to its remote location.

Temples to Visit:

• Tianhou Temple (天后宮): Dive into Penghu's spiritual side at Tianhou Temple, a historical shrine dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea.

Historical Sites:

• Erkan Historical Village (二崁古厝): Immerse yourself in Penghu's history at Erkan, where well-preserved traditional houses provide a glimpse into the island's past.

• Four-eyed Well (四眼井): Uncover the mystery of the Four-eyed Well, a historical site believed to have been dug during the Qing Dynasty.