Arguably the most well known among Taipei’s beaches, Fulong Beach runs just under two miles down the coast of Fulong Village in northeastern Taipei. Fulong’s waters are clear and usually calm, making swimming a favorite activity for visitors as well as water sports such as surfing and sailing. Its location at the mouth of the Shuangxi River also provides prime conditions for windsurfing and canoeing. Equipment rentals, including kickboards and inflatable rings, are available on site. Locals and tourists alike also enjoy the camping area, food courts and restaurants located along the coastline.
Near the town of Yehliu in Taipei, Green Bay Beach is a magnet for extreme-sports enthusiasts. Connected to the Howard Beach Resort Green Bay (greenbay.howard-hotels.com), this beach is one of six locations in Taiwan where you can paraglide with an instructor. The cost of admission includes use of the resort’s facilities, including the volleyball court and swimming pools, as well as modern amenities such as its Internet cafe.
White Sand Beach, also called Baishawan, is named for its coarse white sand formed from crushed seashells. Stretching a little over half a mile along the coast between the towns of Tamsui and Jinshan, the beach is notable for its pristine appearance and ban on motorized water vehicles such as jet skis. Its calm waters are suitable for beginning surfers, and surf shops dot the coastline to accommodate them. Dividers separating swimmers from surfers are clearly marked, allocating areas for each activity to keep visitors safe. The beach is more crowded on weekends, when Taiwanese locals leave the crowded cities.
For a literally picture-perfect view of the horizon, Waimushan in Keelung City offers a long stretch of coastline to traverse. A little more than three miles, Waimushan is the longest remaining natural seashore in Keelung. In warm weather, visitors swim in its waters, with the adjacent Octopus Swimming Pool an attractive option for people who don’t enjoy open water. The location is known for picturesque sunrises during the summer. A bike path parallel to the shoreline offers cyclists an alternate view of the beach, and more adventurous tourists can hike an hourlong trail in the nearby Zhongshan Valley.
