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Add one more ocean activity to your list — watching the sunrise is no longer limited to mountaintops. Kayaking is suitable for all ages; the instructor says he has taken guests ranging from 70-year-olds down to 3-year-olds, and it's even an ocean activity that your furry dog can join in on. Worried you won't be able to paddle? That you'll drift off course? Or fall behind the group? Don't be! An instructor in a motorized dinghy accompanies you at all times and will tow your kayak when needed, getting you back to the group as swiftly as a high-speed rail — at Wuyan Cape in Dongao, there's a spot perfectly suited for friends who are a little nervous around the water but willing to give kayaking a try.
Gathering at 4 a.m. and paddling hard from the start. Photo credit: 溜溜
"The golden glow of sunrise spills across the sea — join us as we watch the world from the horizon. The courage to ride the waves; the adventure of a deserted beach; the romance of a lone kayak; a truly one-of-a-kind life experience. No seasonal restrictions, only professional guidance. Come paddle with us through breathtaking natural sea caves and explore the starting point of the Central Mountain Range!" — 天天彎彎獨木舟
The Beauty of Wuyan Cape, Dongao
Wow — those photos are stunning! I stumbled across sunrise photos shared by instructor Tiantian by chance. The combination of kayaking and a sunrise feels like a buy-one-get-one deal: even if the sunrise doesn't cooperate, you still get the experience of paddling on the water. We gathered at the Dongao convenience store at 4 a.m. to stock up on snacks and grab breakfast, then headed to the beach to collect our gear — helmets, life jackets, and paddles. Everyone huddled under the faint glow of a lone streetlight while the instructor explained the different paddle faces.
Before launching, the instructor runs through the paddling plan. Photo credit: 溜溜
Although the sky had not yet brightened, faint streaks of purple and blue were already seeping through the gaps in the clouds on the horizon. Watching the waves crash endlessly against the shore and listening to the rumble of pebbles rolling back with each surge, the quiet of the dark night was broken by our group's enthusiastic "1-2, 1-2" chant as we practiced. Before we launched, the instructor briefed us on the paddling plan — what we'd see along the way, where he'd stop to take photos, how the signal for grouping up works, how time would be allocated, and what to do if anyone had trouble or fell behind.
The jelly-like sea before sunrise. Photo credit: Fungogo 天天彎彎趣走走
Then came the moment I had been buzzing with excitement for — hitting the water. However, launching and landing a kayak are the most dangerous parts, so the instructor had everyone enter one boat at a time, practicing left and right turns within a designated area to build coordination with their paddling partner. In the blink of an eye, a golden egg leapt above the sea's horizon, its orange light painting the sky and casting a brilliant orange path across the water — in that instant, life felt full of possibility. Paddling toward a hidden, untouched cove, riding the waves on our open-sea journey, it turned out to be surprisingly simpler and safer than I had imagined. I had half-expected to capsize, but in the end the only water I got on me was splashed by a clumsy paddling partner. Along the way we passed a nameless waterfall — a mere trickle that I almost missed — before ducking through a sea cave and officially arriving at Wuyan Cape.
Paddling through a sea cave toward the hidden cove at Wuyan Cape. Photo credit: Fungogo 天天彎彎趣走走
Where Is Wuyan Cape, Dongao?
"Wuyan Cape" — a secret spot seldom heard of — lies tucked away on a headland between Nanfang'ao and Dongao in Yilan. This tombolo is also the starting point of the Central Mountain Range. Hidden from view beneath the Suhua Highway and accessible by no official road, the undeveloped Wuyan Cape has remained a secret sanctuary where you can slip away and soak in the wonders of nature.
Wuyan Cape — the starting point of the Central Mountain Range. Photo credit: Fungogo 天天彎彎趣走走
Towering rocks stand firm all around, and sea caves of every size spark the imagination and ignite an irresistible urge to explore. A gravel beach stretching roughly 400 metres curves into a beautiful, solitary smile with every incoming wave.
The small, natural bay is pristine and unspoiled. Even though it was summer holiday season, a good number of people had still signed up for the sunrise tour. Kayaks from various operators lined the gravel beach in a scene that looked like a beach assault — but far more fun. We had about an hour of free time: snorkeling, sunbathing, snacking, paddling, and exploring sea caves. Because this place is normally unreachable, the underwater world was cleaner and clearer than I had expected. Apparently, if you're lucky enough to come at night, you might witness green bioluminescent tears that rival the famous blue tears of Matsu!
Imagining that paddling through the sea cave leads straight to the Jurassic era. Photo credit: Fungogo 天天彎彎趣走走
The beach lined with kayaks from numerous operators. Photo credit: Fungogo 天天彎彎趣走走
Was it fun? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. Tiring? It wasn't exactly easy. The tour I chose was instructor Tiantian's Fungogo 天天彎彎趣走走. After comparing prices with other kayak operators, I found the standard rate is around NT$1,650, with the main price difference being whether or not you pay extra for a boat tow on the return trip. After getting in touch with instructor Tiantian, he added me to a LINE group to make it easy to organize a group and pick a date — no more worrying about a tour not running due to too few sign-ups. The instructor keeps everyone updated in real time, making communication smooth and effortless. The sunrise tour wraps up around 10:30 a.m. — friends with energy to spare can plan a mini Yilan getaway and make a full day-and-night trip of it; otherwise, it's best to hit the Xueshan Tunnel early to avoid the notorious traffic jams. One of the biggest draws of Tiantian's tours is that the instructor not only takes photos during the trip but also edits them afterward and creates a customized video for each group as a keepsake.
A hidden secret cove. Photo credit: Fungogo 天天彎彎趣走走
Tips from Someone Who's Been There:
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If you're prone to seasickness, take motion sickness medication beforehand.
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Pack some snacks to keep your energy up — when you head out that early in the morning, hunger sneaks up on you before you know it.
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Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen — yes, it's a sunrise tour, but you have no idea whether the sun will rise faster or you'll paddle faster (please use reef-safe sunscreen).
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Make big gestures when the instructor is taking photos — everyone's wearing the same gear, and you don't want to be impossible to find!
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If you're not confident about the return paddle, just pay the extra fee for a boat tow back — you've been up since the crack of dawn and everyone's tired.
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On the way back, either leave early or wait until late to enter the Xueshan Tunnel to avoid peak hours — otherwise you're guaranteed to hit a major traffic jam.
Another great joy of kayaking is sharing the fun with friends. Photo credit: Fungogo 天天彎彎趣走走
Instructor Tiantian's passion for promoting kayaking grew out of his student years in Canada, where he paddled across countless lakes both large and small. Returning to Taiwan, he noticed that a lack of ocean knowledge and misconceptions had left many of his friends afraid of water activities. What started as a simple personal desire to go kayaking in Taiwan gradually evolved into a mission: Taiwan's ocean is beautiful — why not share that beauty and help more people fall in love with the sea in his own way.
The instructor also shared how lakes and coastlines in Canada are equipped with comprehensive information boards — tide charts, water-condition advisories, emergency contact details — along with life jackets on site, and occasional water police patrols checking whether kayaks carry the officially required first-aid kits and life jackets. This is something Taiwan could genuinely learn from.
Paying extra for a boat tow back gives you a completely different perspective of Wuyan Cape from afar. Photo credit: Fungogo 天天彎彎趣走走
Currently, Fungogo 天天彎彎趣走走's kayaking tours operate primarily along Taiwan's east coast — Yilan and Hualien — from May through the end of September. Interested friends are welcome to reach out via the Facebook page for more details. Beyond kayaking, many outdoor enthusiasts also make the trek to Wuyan Cape by rock climbing, and the beauty of the cape — savoured after all that physical effort — along with the thrill of mission accomplished, makes it all the more rewarding. Whether you come here to climb, paddle, snorkel, camp, or simply sit and stare into the distance, please be a responsible visitor: take all your belongings and rubbish with you when you leave, just as you came. Let this secret spot keep its mysterious, untouched allure.
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