Kayaking at Wuyan Cape, Dong'ao — Greeting the First Light of Dawn at the Starting Point of the Central Mountain Range

Add one more ocean activity to the list — watching the sunrise is no longer limited to mountain peaks. Kayaking is suitable for all ages; the instructor says he has taken guests ranging from 3 to 70 years old, and it's even an ocean activity you can enjoy with your dog. Worried you won't be able to paddle hard enough? 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, whisking you back to the group as swiftly as a high-speed rail. At Wuyan Cape in Dong'ao, there is a spot perfectly suited for friends who are a little afraid of the water but willing to give it a try.

"The golden rays of sunrise spill 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 single kayak gliding onward; an experience unlike any other. No seasonal restrictions, only professional guidance. Come with us as we pass through nature's masterfully sculpted sea caves and discover the starting point of the Central Mountain Range!" — 天天彎彎獨木舟

The Scenery at Wuyan Cape, Dong'ao

Wow — what stunning photos! I stumbled across sunrise photos shared by instructor 天天, and the combination of kayaking and a sunrise felt like a two-for-one deal. Even without the sunrise, you'd still get the experience of paddling. We gathered at the convenience store in Dong'ao 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 single streetlamp while the instructor explained the different sides of a paddle blade.

Although daylight had yet to arrive, faint threads of purple and blue were already slipping through the clouds on the horizon. Watching the waves crash continuously against the shore, listening to the rumble of pebbles being dragged back and forth by the surf, the silent night was shattered by our group of beginners chanting our 1-2, 1-2 cadence. Before launching, the instructor briefed us on the paddling plan — what we'd see along the way, where he'd stop to take photos for us, the signals for regrouping, how time would be divided, and what to do if anyone ran into trouble or fell behind.

Then came the moment I had been waiting for — getting in the water. Launching and landing a kayak are the most dangerous moments, so the instructor had us enter the water one boat at a time, then practice turning left and right and building coordination with our paddling partners within a designated area. A golden egg seemed to blink its way above the horizon in an instant, its orange glow painting the sky. A wide orange avenue stretched across the surface of the sea, and in that moment life felt full of possibility. Paddling toward a secret, undiscovered cove, riding the wind and waves, the journey turned out to be far simpler and safer than I had imagined. I had braced myself for the possibility of capsizing, but in the end the only water I got on me came from my paddling partner splashing me with the oar. Along the way we passed a nameless waterfall — its trickle was so gentle I almost missed it entirely — then ducked through a sea cave and arrived at Wuyan Cape.

Where Is Wuyan Cape, Dong'ao?

Wuyan Cape is a little-known hidden gem tucked between Nan'ao and Dong'ao in southern Yilan — a protruding headland that is also a tombolo, and notably the starting point of the Central Mountain Range. Hidden from view beneath the Suhua Highway, it is not easy to spot, and with no formal road leading there, this undeveloped cape remains a secret refuge where visitors can temporarily escape and soak in the beauty of nature.

Massive boulders stand tall and encircle the cape, and sea caves of all sizes spark the imagination and an irresistible urge to explore. A gravel beach stretching roughly 400 metres curves gently with each wave, forming a beautiful and solitary smile.

The small natural bay is pristine and untouched. Even during the summer holiday season, the sunrise tour group was a sizeable one — kayaks from various operators were lined up along the gravel beach, creating a scene that looked almost like a beach landing. We had about an hour of free time to snorkel, sunbathe, snack, paddle around, and explore the sea caves. Because this spot is normally unreachable, the underwater world was far cleaner and clearer than I had expected. I'm told that on lucky nights, you can even spot blue-green bioluminescent sea sparkle to rival the famous blue tears of Matsu!

Was it fun? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. Easy? Not exactly. For this trip I chose instructor 天天's Fungogo 天天彎彎趣走走. After comparing prices with other kayak tour groups, the going rate is around NT$1,650, with the main price difference being whether you pay extra for a tow back on the return. After getting in touch with instructor 天天, he added me to a LINE group so I could form a group and pick a date — this also eliminated any worry about a tour being cancelled due to low numbers, as the instructor updates the group in real time. The whole booking process was easy and efficient. The sunrise tour wraps up around 10

a.m., so those with energy to spare can plan a short trip around Yilan and make a full day and night of it — otherwise, it's best to head into the Xueshan Tunnel early to avoid the notorious traffic jams. One of the biggest draws of instructor 天天's tours is that, in addition to taking photos during the trip, he also edits the photos and creates a customized video for each group as a keepsake.

Tips from Someone Who's Been There:

• If you're prone to seasickness, take motion sickness medication beforehand.

• Bring some snacks to keep your energy up — heading out that early, hunger sneaks up on you before you know it.

• Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. It's a sunrise tour, but there's no telling whether the sun will rise faster or whether you'll paddle faster (please use ocean-friendly sunscreen).

• Make big, expressive movements when the instructor is taking photos — everyone is wearing the same gear, so make sure you can be spotted!

• If you're not confident about the return paddle, pay extra for the tow back — you've been up since the early hours and everyone's tired by then!

• On the way home, either leave early or wait until late to enter the Xueshan Tunnel to avoid peak hours — otherwise you're guaranteed to hit heavy traffic.

Instructor 天天's passion for promoting kayaking grew out of his student life in Canada, where he paddled across lakes big and small. After returning to Taiwan, he noticed that friends around him shied away from ocean activities due to a lack of knowledge and misconceptions about the sea. What started as a simple desire to go kayaking in Taiwan gradually evolved into a mission: Taiwan's ocean is beautiful — why not share that beauty with more people in his own way?

The instructor also shared that in Canada, detailed information is readily available at lakes and beaches — tide tables, water condition advisories, emergency contact information — along with life jackets provided on site. There are even occasional water police patrols to check whether kayaks are equipped with the officially required first-aid kits and life jackets. This is something Taiwan could well learn from.

The Fungogo 天天彎彎趣走走 kayak tours currently operate mainly along Taiwan's east coast — in Yilan and Hualien — from May through the end of September. Those interested can contact them via the Facebook page for more details. Beyond kayaking, there are also many outdoor enthusiasts who reach Wuyan Cape by rock climbing, relishing the beauty of the cape after the physical effort — and the thrill of having accomplished something special. In this forgotten secret place, whether you come to climb, paddle, snorkel, camp, or simply do nothing at all, please be responsible: take all your gear and rubbish with you when you leave. Leave no trace, so that this hidden gem can remain wild, pristine, and mysterious for those who come after.

Extended reading:

• Fungogo 天天彎彎趣走走 Facebook Page

• Sailing Toward the Blue — A Whale-Watching Journey to Turtle Island, Yilan