'Dive Into Taiwan' Penghu – A Fascinating Collision of Cultural Heritage and Natural Landscapes on an Island Full of Surprises

Penghu is located to the west of Taiwan's main island and is Taiwan's largest outlying island. Volcanic basalt formations are found throughout, creating a diving environment unlike any other in Taiwan. The entire island group is shaped by the interplay of volcanic basalt and marine erosion, resulting in a rich and varied landscape that is one of Penghu's must-see highlights. Situated between mainland China and Taiwan, Penghu has been a strategically contested location since ancient times, and the island is consequently rich in historical remnants — artillery fortresses, tunnels, and ancient temples — all of which combine to make this a wonderfully surprising island where culture and nature collide. A visit is highly recommended.

How to Get to Penghu

There are many ways to reach Penghu, including by air and by sea. We have listed the available options in detail below:

By Air:

• Taipei Songshan to Penghu: multiple daily flights operated by Uni Air, Far Eastern Air Transport, and Mandarin Airlines.

• Taichung Ching Chuan Kang to Penghu: regular daily flights operated by Uni Air and Mandarin Airlines.

• Kaohsiung: regular daily flights operated by Uni Air and Mandarin Airlines.

By Sea:

• Chiayi: You can take a speedboat from Chiayi Budai to Penghu, with a journey time of approximately 80 minutes. When seas are rough, it is advisable to take seasickness medication before boarding. Ferry operators to choose from include Mantianxing, Kaishuan No. 6, Kaishuan No. 3, Taiji Star, Baili Ferry, and Happy Star.

• Kaohsiung: You can take the Taiwan-Penghu Ferry (台華輪). Due to its large tonnage, you can even drive your car directly onto the vessel, and it is considerably less likely to cause seasickness. Departures are available in both the morning and at night, so you can choose according to your itinerary. Watching the sunrise from the deck at dawn is also a wonderful option.

Getting Around Penghu

Penghu's main island is quite expansive, generally divided into the Northern Loop and Southern Loop routes. Each can be planned as a full day of sightseeing to fully savour Penghu's unique scenery. Although the Penghu County Government has arranged shuttle bus services, for the sake of travel convenience, getting around the main island by scooter is still the recommended approach. While riding a scooter along the sea breeze is one of Penghu's great pleasures, local police are strict about enforcing helmet laws — make sure you always wear one!

Eating in Penghu

Penghu is extraordinarily rich in culinary offerings. As the island's economy is almost entirely based on fishing, the main catches differ between winter and summer, meaning you can enjoy incredibly fresh local seafood throughout your visit. Don't hesitate to ask your guesthouse host to recommend their favourite seafood restaurants. In addition, popular Penghu souvenirs such as brown sugar cake and XO sauce are well worth picking up to bring home. In short, when you come to Penghu, the only thing to do is dive into the local food scene with abandon!

Here we recommend two beloved local eateries — both long-established neighbourhood favourites where you can taste the natural sweetness of the food and feel like a true Penghu local. The first is Penghu Fishing Harbour Noodle Shop, recommended by Brother Ye of Island 77. Tucked away beside Penghu's yacht harbour, this unassuming little restaurant is almost always packed — and the fact that most of the customers are local residents and fishermen tells you everything you need to know. Order a bowl of noodles and some side dishes at an amazingly reasonable price (the pig tongue and tendon are must-orders), and the broth is full of depth and flavour. Highly recommended for first-time visitors to Penghu looking to fill up properly!

Penghu Fishing Harbour Noodle Shop

Address: No. 4-1, Linhai Road, Magong City, Penghu County 880

The second restaurant we recommend is Jinsuo Harbour Eatery, located in Suogang Village, about a 30-minute ride from Magong. It's best visited when you're doing the Southern Loop of the main island — combine it with a stop to admire the North and South Stone Towers of Suogang. The must-order dishes here are the glutinous rice cake and sticky rice dumplings, which are absolutely heavenly with the dipping sauce. The clear, delicate rice noodle soup made from locally caught fresh fish is another highlight, and all the side dishes are wonderfully well-seasoned. Since you've come this far, make sure you order everything that catches your eye and take your time savouring every bite!

Jinsuo Harbour Eatery

Address: No. 1671, Suogang Village, Magong City, Penghu County 880

Penghu's Cultural Heritage

Because of its location between Taiwan and mainland China, Penghu has had recorded ties with the mainland since the Yuan Dynasty. From the Ming Dynasty onward, with the arrival of the Age of Exploration, Penghu stepped onto the world stage — visited and contested by the Dutch, the French, Ming Dynasty loyalists, the Qing regime, and Japanese colonial rule. On this, Taiwan's largest outlying island group of 90 islands, all these influences have woven together to create a remarkable tapestry of cultural sparks. When you come to Penghu, make sure to take the time to appreciate the great historical monuments left behind from each of these eras.

Military Heritage

Penghu's main island likely has the highest density of artillery fortresses in all of Taiwan. Beyond the well-known sites such as Xiyu East Fort, Xiyu West Fort, and Jinguitan Battery, many more fortresses are tucked away across the islands, waiting to be discovered by the curious explorer. Some of these fortifications were used across both the Qing Dynasty and the Japanese colonial period, and their architecture conceals a variety of clever defensive design features well worth examining closely. Unfortunately, the county government has yet to develop these sites comprehensively — if they were reorganised and restored to a standard comparable to Japan's approach to heritage preservation, they could become truly remarkable tourist attractions!

A Confluence of History

Beyond its fortresses, Penghu is home to many other historical sites well worth visiting. The most readily accessible today are the traces of daily life left behind by Han Chinese settlers during the Qing Dynasty era — including places of worship and traditional village clusters. Some distinctive structures, such as lighthouses, have been preserved in their original form due to restricted access, and have become favourite photography destinations for visitors.

Penghu is said to have three abundances: many elderly residents, many temples, and many nightclubs. Of Penghu's 90 islands, only 19 are inhabited — yet there are 180 temples, including 120 Wang Ye (Royal Lord) temples, while Mazu temples are actually in the minority.

Penghu's Natural Landscape

Penghu is composed of basalt rock formed from cooled volcanic lava. The unique basalt structures, combined with the action of marine erosion, have created a remarkable variety of landforms scattered across both the main island and the outlying islets — another must-see highlight when visiting Penghu. Some of the outlying islands have even been designated as seabird sanctuaries, helping to preserve Penghu's rich biodiversity. When visiting any of the marine erosion landform sites, please stay on the designated paths to avoid accidental falls and injury.

Scuba Diving in Penghu

Penghu is located in the central Taiwan Strait, where the gently rising seabed allows warm Kuroshio branch currents and the nutrient-rich China Coastal Current to bring abundant nourishment to the surface layer. This supports thriving communities of both soft coral and hard coral, which in turn attract a wide variety of migratory fish. Penghu has been one of Taiwan's most important fishing grounds since ancient times. The fish species here differ considerably from those found around Taiwan's main island, meaning divers in Penghu can enjoy a distinctly different marine life experience.

The Penghu South Islands (南方四島) have in recent years been actively developed into a national park through government initiatives, and with the sustained attention of many ocean conservation advocates, their ecosystems have gradually recovered their former richness. This area is referred to as Taiwan's "seed bank," a title that reflects how well suited its environment is to nurturing marine life. The South Islands encompass the four main islands of Dongyu Ping, Xiyu Ping, Dongji Yu, and Xiji Yu, along with 13 surrounding smaller islets.

The northeast monsoon prevails over Penghu in winter (October through March of the following year), while the southwest monsoon takes over in summer. The annual number of strong-wind days reaches 223, leaving only 132 days suitable for marine activities. The recommended season for scuba diving is July, August, and September, and even then, sea conditions before and after typhoons can further reduce the number of suitable diving days. The annual average sea temperature is 23.7°C, with winter water temperatures ranging from approximately 12°C to 26°C and summer temperatures from 23°C to 31°C.

Currents in the Penghu area are primarily influenced by the China Coastal Current and the Kuroshio. Except during extreme weather events such as typhoons or cold surges, currents flow steadily in a consistent direction. One area that does require special attention is tidal changes: in certain locations, the local topography can generate sudden whirlpool-like currents (known among divers as "washing machine" currents), and divers should take particular care. It is also strongly advised not to dive during periods of tidal change. When planning any dive activity, please contact a local dive shop or boat operator who is familiar with the waters, in order to minimise diving risks.

Dongji Yu & Xiji Yu Dive Sites

Dongji Yu is a basalt island, and apart from the sandy areas on either side of the harbour entrance, most of the coastline consists of sea cliffs and marine erosion features — shore diving is not recommended here. Coral reefs surround the island on all sides; the shallow eastern flat is a calm area suitable for snorkeling, while the northeast section, close to a marine abrasion platform, offers rich topography and abundant fish life ideal for recreational diving. The Lavender Forest area in front of Donggong Temple sits at a depth of just 3–5 m, and its magnificent purple coral gardens can be appreciated by snorkeling alone — making it an excellent wide-angle photography dive site.

Popular dive sites: Donggong Front, Daping Front

Xiji Yu features coral reefs along its southern side, with abundant basalt formations in the surrounding waters. Large garland-shaped fleshy soft corals are widespread, with fish schools weaving through them — making it an excellent destination for a dive trip.

Popular dive sites: Huahuan Park, Xiji Castle

Dongyu Ping & Xiyu Ping Dive Sites

Dongyu Ping is a mesa-shaped basalt island. The coral here is dominated by Acropora, Montipora, and staghorn coral species. The eastern side of the island features formations such as Giant Rock Reef and Five-Metre Reef, where rocky outcroppings rise dramatically from the sandy bottom, creating rich and varied topography. Currents are relatively strong, flowing from southeast to northwest. Marine erosion channels and sea caves are prominent throughout this area, and marine life is abundant.

Popular dive sites: Tazai North, Laizaiwei, Five-Metre Reef, Giant Rock Reef, Zhongzai West, Erwen South

Xiyu Ping is a Penghu natural ecological reserve; landing on the island and diving in its surrounding waters is not permitted. However, its towering sea cliff formations and the surrounding islets make it a highly sought-after dive destination. According to a 2009 survey report, Xiyu Ping has the highest coral coverage rate among the South Islands, and as a result, its coral ecosystems and marine species diversity are relatively rich.

Popular dive sites: Ecological Corridor, Qingtian Rock, Xiyu Ping North, Sand Maze

Related Links:

• Penghu Island 77 Dive Club

• From Spearfishing to Marine Tourism: Island 77's Ye Shenghong on the Transformation of a Fishing Village and the South Islands

• Kyo Liu (京太郎) on Facebook