Your ultimate guide to Penghu travelWhen's the best time to visit Penghu? Transport, weather, itinerary, and attractions all in one place

You can witness the biblical phenomenon of Moses parting the sea right here in Taiwan, at Penghu's Kueibishan Recreation Area. During low tide, a sandbar connecting the main island to the uninhabited Chihyu islet emerges, allowing visitors to walk directly across. To experience this natural wonder, you'll need to do a little planning: check the tide times online in advance. The safe window for crossing is only from three hours after high tide until two hours after low tide, and these times vary slightly each day, so plan ahead to avoid a wasted trip.

Penghu's Houliao Heaven Road is located deep within Houliao Beach in Baisha Township, a winding path that leads to the other side of the sea, creating incredibly dreamy photos. Like Moses Parting the Sea, this spot is best experienced at specific tides to capture its most beautiful moments. It's usually recommended to visit two hours before or after high tide for the most stunning views. During low tide, the surrounding rocks are exposed, while at full high tide, the water level can be too high and may cover the pathway, increasing the risk. However, be aware that the path here is very narrow and slippery, so exercise extra caution if you're visiting with children.

Chihsi Rock Waterfall, located in Penghu's Hsiyu, earns its name from the spectacular, waterfall-like columnar basalt formations. In front of the rock waterfall lies a defunct abalone farm, and at low tide, you can walk directly into the center for photos, capturing both the rock waterfall and the farm in one shot. Some have even called it "like stepping into the ancient ruins of Atlantis," where every photo is an Instagram-worthy masterpiece.

The Erkan Settlement, located on Penghu's Xiyu Island, is a 300-year-old village that preserves traditional Southern Min-style courtyard architecture originating from Kinmen, integrated with local Penghu coral stone walls. Walking through it feels like stepping back in time. Beyond its rich history and culture, the settlement is also home to many hidden culinary gems, including douhua, almond tea, and cactus ice cream, making it a perfect spot to spend a leisurely afternoon.

The Penghu Trans-Oceanic Bridge is a must-see for anyone visiting Penghu; it's almost as if you haven't truly been to Penghu until you've snapped a photo with its iconic arch. This bridge connects Baisha and Xiyu islands, stretching approximately 2.5 kilometers, making it Taiwan's longest bridge. On a beautiful day, you can sit by the bridge, take in the magnificent ocean views, and enjoy the gentle sea breeze—it's incredibly relaxing.

Fenggui is a fishing village on the south side of Magong, and its sea caves are known for the resonant sound of waves crashing against the rocks, which is why this recommended Penghu attraction is called "Fenggui Tingtao" (Wind Cabinet Wave-Listening). Right next to Fenggui Tingtao is a two-story white circular pavilion. Its unique, UFO-like shape has unexpectedly made it a popular photo spot. When you visit Fenggui, don't just listen to the sound of the sea—make sure to climb up to the UFO pavilion and snap a picture as if aliens have landed!

Penghu's underwater world is captivating, offering unique experiences like the majestic "underwater lavender forest" at Wangyou Island, sending a postcard to yourself from an underwater mailbox, or marveling at the vibrant coral reefs in Qimei Yuelli Bay.

Snorkeling prices in Penghu vary widely, as they are often bundled with day trips, SUP, and other water activities. We recommend comparing several options to find the itinerary that best suits your budget and interests. If you already hold a scuba diving or freediving certification, you can explore the underwater world even more deeply. Penghu also has many venues that offer certification courses, making it a delightful way to combine a vacation with earning your diving credentials.

Further reading: 【Penghu Diving Recommendations】

While SUP and kayaking are popular watersports available in any coastal city, what makes Penghu unique is its annual Fireworks Festival. Imagine paddling a kayak or SUP out to sea at night, getting an up-close view of the fireworks — could anything be more romantic? If you prefer to paddle during the day, we recommend renting a fully transparent kayak. Not only does it make for stunning photos, but you can also watch fish swim beneath your boat as you glide along, making for a truly relaxing experience.

Read more: 【Penghu SUP Recommendations】

For a fascinating deep dive into Penghu's ecology and the secrets of its intertidal zone, the Night Exploration of the Dragon Palace activity comes highly recommended. Beyond the incredibly detailed ecological explanations, you'll get hands-on with various creatures. Since the intertidal zone is wet and slippery at night, it's best not to bring your phone; the venue staff will kindly take photos of everyone with the different organisms. They even conduct a beach cleanup while exploring, making the experience both educational and fun. It's perfect for families, couples, or groups of friends.

Wakeboarding, also known as "freestyle waterskiing" or "waterskiing," is now an official Olympic sport. It involves balancing on a board similar to a snowboard, using the boat's power and the rope's pull to glide effortlessly across the water. You'll experience the thrill of skimming across the surface, and even non-swimmers can pick it up easily.

There are several wakeboarding venues in Penghu, each varying in price and whether they include insurance or photography services. However, all typically provide professional instructors for pre-activity training and full accompaniment during the session, so there's no need to worry about safety.

There are many recommended venues for squid fishing in Penghu, with prices around $400. The main differences lie in the boarding location, fishing spot, and whether the package includes squid sashimi, squid noodles, and other dishes. The entire experience lasts approximately 2.5 hours.

Even if you have no fishing experience, there's no need to worry. The boat will be equipped with specialized fishing rods and bait, and experienced coaches will teach you the techniques of night squid fishing hand-in-hand. Even if you don't catch anything, you can still enjoy the squid dishes provided on board. However, it's important to note that the peak season for squid is generally from May to September each year. It's recommended to come for night squid fishing in Penghu during this period for the best chance of a bountiful catch!

The Penghu Ocean Ranch is a new way to experience Penghu, emphasizing "the sea as a field, fish as livestock." Visitors can enjoy the fun of fishing in net cage aquaculture farms.

The main differences between the various Penghu Ocean Ranch venues are the boarding locations and departure times. However, most itineraries include all-you-can-eat oysters and seafood congee, an offshore BBQ, karaoke, and squid and cobia fishing. Some venues offer package tours that set sail at sunset or coincide with the Fireworks Festival, allowing guests to enjoy seafood while watching the sunset and fireworks for a truly romantic experience. The Penghu Ocean Ranch is highly recommended for anyone looking for a new way to explore Penghu!

The classic itinerary for visiting Qimei and Wang'an is a one-day island-hopping tour. You can buy boat tickets yourself, but many venues offer package deals that include round-trip boat tickets from the main island to both islands, scooter rental on the islands, and more. If convenience is your priority, these packages are highly recommended.

Qimei Island, located at the southernmost tip of the Penghu archipelago, is famous for iconic attractions like the Twin-Hearts Stone Weir, Little Taiwan, Wangfu Stone, and the Tomb of the Seven Beauties. A scooter ride around the island takes about an hour without stops. Wang'an Island is known for its Green Turtle Conservation Center, along with attractions such as Yuanyang Caves, Tiantai Mountain, and Hua Zhai Settlement. These two islands focus less on water activities and more on exploring Penghu's culture and ecology.

The South Penghu Four Islands comprise four main islands—Dongjiyu, Xijiyu, Dongyupingyu, and Xiyupingyu—along with several smaller surrounding islets. In 2014, this area became Taiwan's ninth national park, the South Penghu Four Islands National Park, renowned for its rich and precious marine ecosystem. Its stunning underwater coral reefs are an internationally acclaimed diving paradise.

Due to the islands' inconvenient transportation, we recommend booking an all-inclusive tour package. This not only solves the travel logistics but also ensures your safety and provides expert guidance and knowledge. Two must-see attractions among the South Penghu Four Islands are the Blue Cave on Xijiyu, where sunlight refracts on the water to create a mesmerizing blue sanctuary (no need to go all the way to Italy!), and a snorkeling trip to Wangyou Island to explore its underwater "lavender garden." These two experiences are often combined: a morning visit to Wangyou Island followed by an afternoon trip to the secret spot to marvel at the purple staghorn coral reefs, which truly resemble a beautiful, dreamlike lavender garden underwater.