Sail on the Lagoon, Cycle Around, and Enjoy the Sunset Scenery
Located on the south-west coast of Taiwan, Dapeng Bay has got Taiwan’s largest bag-shaped lagoon with only one inlet. It features in its distinctive natural lagoon scenery. This national scenic area includes Dapeng Bay Scenic Area and Liuqiu Scenic Area, with the size of 2764 hectares. It is the southernmost habitat of Taiwan mangrove forest. There used to be oyster farming. Numerous oyster racks and oyster shells formed a distinctive islet. There are restaurants, and visitors could take a boat to have a scrumptious meal and admire the delightful scenery. After it officially became national scenic area, the authorities put constant effort to plan up recreational facilities and develop ecological areas. It is a scenic area with diversified elements, blended with Donggang’s fishery and local cultures. There are two recommended ways to look around Dapeng Bay.
Land
Wetlands Tour：Visitors can ride a bike on the bike lanes along the bay to enjoy the intriguing scenery of the fishing village or check out the eco-system of the mangrove forest. Those who would like to visit with a car ride can drive on the Round-The-Bay Road and leave their cars at the Wetlands Parking Lot to have a tour at the wetlands. It will be a great experience to observe the six wetlands with unique arrangements and different functions to explore the biodiversity there.
Water
Amazing Lagoon Tour：The most popular way to visit this place is to take a yacht tour at the lagoon. The yacht guides will tell you fascinating stories and show you the charming lagoon. You can also paddle a canoe or hold a small competition or join the unparalleled mangrove tour. Or you can have a windsurfing, get a SUP surfing lesson or set a sail to see the bridge lifting. All will be an unforgettable sea and shore tour experience in Taiwan.
Bridge Opening Show
The Dapeng Bay Cross-Sea Bridge is the only scenic bridge in Taiwan that can "open". To allow tall-masted sailboats to enter and exit, the bridge deck will open up like a Transformer. This usually takes place at 17:00 (summer) or 16:30 (winter) on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays (it is recommended to check the official website before departure). Watching the huge bridge deck slowly rise is a truly magnificent sight. At night, the bridge also features a light sculpture show, which is a favorite among photography enthusiasts.
Coral Reef Island, Sea Turtle Paradise, Clear Blue Water, Diving Heaven
Liuqiu is a small coral island located at southwestern Taiwan with the size of 6.8 square kilometers and one lap around the island is 12km. This coral island is abundant in beautiful sightseeing resources. The winter winds do not affect and hinder the sightseeing activities here. It is a perfect destination for all seasons. The local people are all very friendly and hospitable, and there are temples for local religions everywhere. You can also stroll around to see the leisurely sceneries of fishing villages with a relaxing pace. It only takes about 30 minutes by boat from Donggang to get to the exhilarating Liuqiu island, which is with fantastic attractions and rich in biodiversity and cultures.
Visitors are encouraged to rent an electronic bike to tour around the island. For ecological sustainability, there is a cap on the number of visitors for entering the well-known intertidal zone. Due to the ban on fishing net, the green sea turtle population at the island has increased lately and the biodiversity is much more abundant. Liuqiu is working hard to become a low-carbon eco-friendly island. When you visit this small island, you may have the chance to see the green sea turtles or even swim with them.
Liuqiu is a great destination for a two-day tour. Every season shines with different beauties on this island. Your first day can begin with its captivating sunrise and then go to try out various water activities, such as snorkeling, scuba diving. You also can explore the well-known must-visit intertidal zone when it is at low tide with professional guides. At night, it is easy to find a place without light pollution, and you can just look up at the starry night and see the far-distance Kaohsiung City’s night view to end this LOHAS day. Or, if you prefer not to join any activities, it is also a popular option to only take a deep relax here, just idling your free time away with the sound of waves by the azure sea.
Swim with Sea Turtles
The absolute must-do experience when visiting Liuqiu is "swimming with sea turtles"! This place boasts a globally rare high density of sea turtle populations and is hailed as a sea turtle paradise, with a sighting rate of almost over 90% when the weather is good. Whether you choose easy snorkeling or a more in-depth scuba diving experience, you can spot large green sea turtles elegantly swimming nearby in waters such as Vase Rock and Beauty Cave. The sight is incredibly therapeutic. If you’re lucky, you might even see their cute appearance as they graze on the algae on the reef.
Intertidal Zone Eco-Tour
Liuqiu has a very rich intertidal zone ecosystem, and this is a special activity that must be timed with the tides. Led by guesthouses or professional guides, put on reef shoes and walk into the exposed reef area after the tide recedes to observe creatures like sea urchins, sea cucumbers, sea hares, and brittle stars up close. It is perfect for families and nature lovers.
Motorcycle Island Tour
Liuqiu Island is small and compact, making it most suitable for leisurely exploring on a motorcycle. The attractions along the way are well worth stopping for. Beauty Cave has a beautiful trail along the mountain and the sea; Shan Zhu Gou (Wild Boar Ditch) is densely wooded, making you feel as if you’ve walked into a cool, Jurassic-like primitive forest; and Wu Gui Dong (Black Ghost Cave) offers the adventurous fun of crawling through rock caves and spectacular ocean views.
In addition, the classic landmark Vase Rock next to the port, the humorously shaped Indian Rock, and the IG-famous check-in spot Net-Red Driftwood are all free, must-see scenic spots. Finally, we highly recommend heading to Sunset Pavilion, which offers the most expansive view on the island and is the best place to watch the sun slowly sink into the sea horizon and enjoy the stunning twilight.
Dapeng Bay Sailing Festival
Set Sail with the Wind, Cruise the Bay, and Enjoy the Sea Breeze and Free Sailing Time!
Dapeng Bay Marine Festival shows the bay’s many faces. Yachting, sail-boating, and canoeing are all held at the bay’s lagoon. In the bayside park, at night, arts and cultural performances take place. Working with local businesses, the organizer even offers small tours. There is also a coastal open market to explore. Visitors can watch a big sailing competition, visit the bay’s fishery village and learn about its culture and food, enjoy a keel-boating experience, and “hunt” world-famous gold-award chocolate. Come and enjoy Dapeng Bay in such different ways.
Local Food Market and Sunset Concert
The event venue gathers Pingtung's distinctive local cuisine, creative handmade crafts, and agricultural specialties, allowing you to sample the famous Pingtung chocolate and rich coffee all at once. The most anticipated event, the "Sunset Concert," is a standard feature, with the stage set up by the bay, rocking from the afternoon well into the evening. You can sit casually on the lawn, listening to live performances against the backdrop of the sunset and sailboats, enjoying the ultimate 'Chill' atmosphere.
Sailing Competition
The highlight of the Dapeng Bay Sailing Festival is undoubtedly the concurrent "Dapeng Bay National Sailing Championship." This is not only a benchmark aquatic event in Taiwan but also attracts hundreds of top competitors from all over the island each year.
The competition categories are highly diverse, encompassing the magnificent Keelboats, various types of Dinghy sailboats that demand delicate handling, and the speedy Windsurfers. Due to Dapeng Bay's unique lagoon topography, with stable wind conditions and safe waters, the sight of hundreds of sails setting off simultaneously, with multi-colored sails interwoven across the azure sea, is truly spectacular.
Water Activities
The keelboat experience is the most popular activity! You can board a sleek catamaran or a keelboat, piloted by a professional captain, allowing you to sit gracefully on the deck, enjoy a drink, feel the sea breeze, and admire Dapeng Bay from a sea perspective. A variety of water activity experiences, such as SUP (Stand-Up Paddling) and canoeing, are also offered, allowing participants to fully enjoy the fun of water sports.