Surfing Waves

During the winter, Taiwan gets swell from the east coast. Its got some amazing waves with beautiful scenery with friendly locals.



Here is short video of my surf trip to there this winter: Please have a look, enjoy!

You were in 螺絲釘 and I saw 思思!

I surfed in Taitung in November. Was in the harbor to the side of the big contest site. 2 hours just me and my wife in 3-4 left and right waves connecting three breaks all the way to the beach

waikikikichan wrote:I surfed in Taitung in November. Was in the harbor to the side of the big contest site. 2 hours just me and my wife in 3-4 left and right waves connecting three breaks all the way to the beach

That spot is known as the little fish harbor. Sheltered from the wind and good for beginners. It is a uncrowded spot because all the "pros" wants to surf bigger and more powerful waves.

BaNZ wrote:You were in 螺絲釘 and I saw 思思!

Wow! Yes! I was in 螺絲釘! and you know 思思 too? thats great!
Do you surf often in Taiwan? Im also looking into surfing in Taiwan during the summer, but people told me the size is small unless typhoon hits. Do you know where can be a better option to surf around these season?

BaNZ wrote:

waikikikichan wrote:I surfed in Taitung in November. Was in the harbor to the side of the big contest site. 2 hours just me and my wife in 3-4 left and right waves connecting three breaks all the way to the beach

That spot is known as the little fish harbor. Sheltered from the wind and good for beginners. It is a uncrowded spot because all the "pros" wants to surf bigger and more powerful waves.

Yes BaNZ is right, it is still lots of fun!

NVUB wrote:

BaNZ wrote:You were in 螺絲釘 and I saw 思思!

Wow! Yes! I was in 螺絲釘! and you know 思思 too? thats great!
Do you surf often in Taiwan? Im also looking into surfing in Taiwan during the summer, but people told me the size is small unless typhoon hits. Do you know where can be a better option to surf around these season?

I'm from Taiwan and yes I know her. I don't live there anymore. They are right, the wave is small in summer but when tyhoon hits. It is amazing. Best waves ever but you have to be very careful. It is very dangerous.

I don't know other surf spots in Asia, but maybe other people on the forum can tell you about Bali.

Hi guys! I am going to Taiwan this november and heading to Donghe for some surf! Can anyone advise if rash guard is sufficient or will the water be chilly? I only have a vest and rash guard...I don't have a full wetsuit.

There isn't much inform on Taiwan surf beaches...and Donghe itself is quite big. When people mention Donghe surf where exactly is it...which part should i stay to be near the surf spot? is there any specific beaches/spot I can find for a Beginner (ya still a beginner after so many years...)

"little fish harbor" that was mention, do you have the chinese name of this place? Is there boards for rental?

Thanks!

There is a lot of information on Taiwan on the net but , rashy and vest would be OK November is when the Alaskan storm swell begin to grow and NE swell begin to prowl down the east coast from Taitung ( Taidong ) depending on we spell it are some great breaks. No basic beginner stuff as there is some power building. Be aware too that swimming and lifeguards are not common so you have to be self sufficient in looking after yourself.
There is Bashien Dong a spot I like , and others at various river mouths.
Note too that if a Typhoon is building the coast guard may call all surfers in. You will need to comply.
Hiring boards is mostly at populated beaches which look like this


Don't mess with the umbrella hire lady!!!!

some of the local hire shops have a select range of very pre-loved boards


there are a lot of foamies available like the blue and white striped one.


Typhoon but small surf near Taitung looks like this


However your trip should be good if you just follow the rules


Try Surf Taiwan as a look up site,they give you a seasonal breakdown and a few thoughts on spots.

Bashien Dong is suicidal when it is working. You definitely don't want to be there as a beginner. Only the pros surf there. The rip is deadly and the paddle is far.

Jaffa is right about the swell in November. It starts picking up and so does the wind. I would recommend a short wetsuit top or even a 2/2. The water is really warm but when you have the wind blowing, it isn't so warm. There is a few places to rent equipment on Donghe main street.

If you're a beginner, then Little fish harbour is your best bet. That's how you translate to Chinese, word for word. Just google for donghe surf hostel. There's about a dozen of hostel there. None of them are within walking distance. All about 1-2 miles from the break.

North Donghe- have cows and can only park on weekdays.
South Donghe- rivermouth packed during the weekends as it allows parking.
They are next to each other but separate by a rivermouth, so don't try and paddle across it.

There's also Jinzun left and Jinzun right where they host the annual surfing contest. They are safer but still deadly. The right wave smashes you against the cement boulders at high tide. You have to jump off the cement boulders to get in the water.

When there is swell in Donghe, I would say don't get in the water. There are a few very racist locals that is more than happy to surf over your head if you're a kook. There are mini boulders at the bottom and the shorebreak is deadly, definitely not suitable for beginners. Actually none of the spots in Donghe apart from Little fish harbour is safe for beginners.

You're so much better off going to Kenting (Jialeshui) to surf.

I was going to post the surf spot on this forum but I forgotten all about it!

Thanks Jaffa1949 and BaNZ.

Oh I was recommended to go Donghe as a place of interest + beginner spots >.<
So you would recommend Jialeshui over Little fish harbour?

P.S: is Jialeshui crowded like Kuta,Bali ? Read that it was ok last time but not sure of it now...

thanks!

Jialeshui is not crowded like Bali, there is a small crowd and mostly the the real beginners are over at Nanwan, there is enough beach that you can separate out a bit. the river mouth rock delta has some really nice waves and the straight beach up near the hotels is good for learners. Remember no lifeguards though.

Awesome. Thanks Jaffa1949!

Hope it can become my "permanent" surfing destination

Hi just wanted to update on my trip in Taiwan. Wouldn't call it a surf trip since we only get to surf for less than 3 hours due to time constraint T.T.

We end up going to Jialeshui and paid for a 3 hour lesson.
Was led to an area of the beach which IMO is very bad for beginner! It is near a "lake" which is connected to the beach.
Wave were mashy although it doesn't really matter since we only playing on whitewash...
The bottom are filled with rocks
Very strong side current

We are pretty much exhausted (esp my 2 friends who never surf before) by the time we get to the spot where the "coach" was waiting.

Maybe I am just led to the wrong area.
I wouldn't say i have as much fun as I had in Bali even w the crowded.

Sorry Jaileshui wasn't good for you , I could the rock delta of the river and lagoon provided an absolutely great break and since everyone ther could only go right , I had a solo on a really good small but shapely good left over the round rocks.
I can see why it would daunting for someone taking a lesson.
IMO lessons are best served on sand based beaches. Hard times anywhere for raw beginners no match fitness.

I don't think i was at the river. No matter...that's why I was asking for beginner spot.
Surely beginner will have a hard time anywhere but this is x 10 harder having to fight rocks and current all at once.

Saw the title and I thought it was going to be about the contest....saw some video from there a couple of days ago......they have waves there!

http://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/23 ... of-surfing

Laviz wrote:Hi just wanted to update on my trip in Taiwan. Wouldn't call it a surf trip since we only get to surf for less than 3 hours due to time constraint T.T.

We end up going to Jialeshui and paid for a 3 hour lesson.
Was led to an area of the beach which IMO is very bad for beginner! It is near a "lake" which is connected to the beach.
Wave were mashy although it doesn't really matter since we only playing on whitewash...
The bottom are filled with rocks
Very strong side current

We are pretty much exhausted (esp my 2 friends who never surf before) by the time we get to the spot where the "coach" was waiting.

Maybe I am just led to the wrong area.
I wouldn't say i have as much fun as I had in Bali even w the crowded.

Jialeshui is where I picked up a long term injury on my third day of surfing. My feet got stuck in between rocks and I got bashed by the wave when I was a beginner. There are also sea urchins down there. Every surf spot is the same, it can't be consistently good 365 days a year. I wonder who was your coach? Was it Afei surf shop? The lake isn't connected to the beach unless there was a lot of rain. If you went in Oct/Nov, it isn't good for beginners. The wind is strong and current is strong. This is when the surfing season starts. I agree with Jaffa that a sandy beach is more suitable for beginners. But over at Kenting, there is only two well known surf spots. Jialeshui and Nanwan.

And Nanwan is the sandy one, lots of soft board schools and lessons.

The Bondi Beach of Taiwan.

jaffa1949 wrote:And Nanwan is the sandy one, lots of soft board schools and lessons.

The Bondi Beach of Taiwan.

I do have some nice photos of me surfing in Nanwan, but can't find the digital copy. Got a printed one on my wall though lol. I wouldn't say it is bondi beach. It rarely has any waves, maybe 30 days a year.

Big H wrote:Saw the title and I thought it was going to be about the contest....saw some video from there a couple of days ago......they have waves there!

http://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/23 ... of-surfing

It was too windy at the contest, cross/onshore wind. But I guess it is better than no waves.