The Penghu archipelago is located 64 kilometers west of Taiwan's main island, comprising 64 islands with a maritime area of 10,000 square kilometers, making it Taiwan's most important offshore islands destination. Basalt geology formed from volcanic eruptions tens of millions of years ago created Penghu's unique columnar jointing landscapes, with such impressive geological wonders found in only a few places worldwide including Penghu, the Giant's Causeway in Ireland, and the columnar volcanic rocks in Nanjing, China.
Since the 16th century, Penghu has served as a key trade fortress in East Asia, with the Dutch and Spanish successively occupying and fortifying the area. During the Kingdom of Tungning period, it became an important defensive stronghold, and during the late Qing dynasty, steamship routes established stops here. Control of Penghu was directly related to navigation safety in the Taiwan Strait, which explains why Penghu has always played a key role throughout history.
To visit the basalt coastline in Penghu, take a ferry or plane to Penghu's main island and drive east along Provincial Highway 203 to the Chiyue Parking Lot, which offers the best views of the columnar basalt on Dongbong Island. Here, you can clearly see the spectacular sight of hexagonal rock columns approximately 20 meters high arranged in neat rows.
The Penghu Ocean Fireworks Festival is Taiwan's most spectacular summer event, with fireworks launched for about 60 days from July to August each year. The 2023 edition attracted an astonishing 300,000 spectators. During the festival, fireworks are launched every Friday and Saturday evening at 9 PM from Magong's Guanyin Pavilion for 15 to 20 minutes. The highlight is the "Ocean Fireworks Show" featuring 800 drones. When the fireworks are launched from Guanyin Pavilion's waterfront plaza, the flames reflect on the sea surface creating a double visual effect.
Free viewing spots include Guanyin Pavilion Waterfront Plaza (closest distance, capacity approximately 5,000 people), the seawall on the west side of Guanyin Pavilion (where you can enjoy both sunset and fireworks), and the Penghu University of Science and Technology athletic field (spacious area with convenient parking). It is recommended to arrive 30 minutes early to secure a spot, and bring mosquito repellent and picnic mats. During the festival period, accommodation prices in Magong city center increase by 50% to 80%, so advance booking is advised.
Kueitou Mountain Moses Splitting the Sea is the most magical geographical landscape in Penghu, located in Beiliao Village, Hubu Township. During low tide (twice daily), a natural walkway approximately 300 meters long emerges, connecting Kueitou Mountain with Chiyue on the opposite side, creating the "Moses Splitting the Sea" phenomenon. This seabed walkway is composed of basalt and coral reefs, and you can walk to Chiyue on the other side in about 15 minutes. The intertidal zone is ecologically rich, with common sightings of sea cucumbers, starfish, and various shellfish.
The best viewing time requires checking the daily tide schedule. It is recommended to choose days during spring tides (around the first and fifteenth days of the lunar calendar) for the most obvious splitting effect. The daily low tide period lasts approximately 2 hours, so it is recommended to arrive 10 minutes early to avoid missing it. The Kueitou Mountain parking lot can accommodate approximately 50 passenger cars. There is no shade nearby, so sun protection is essential in summer. This attraction is free to enter, but there is no public transportation to reach it. You must drive or ride a scooter to get here.
Penghu snorkeling and water activities feature Taiwan's richest coral reef ecological area. Water temperatures remain between 22 and 28 degrees Celsius year-round, with visibility reaching 15 to 20 meters. Snorkeling fees are TWD 800 to 1,200 per person, including equipment, instructors, and insurance. Popular snorkeling spots include Shanshui Beach, Shili Beach, and Xianjiao Islet (requires boat transportation).
Water activity options are diverse: Banana boat is TWD 300 to 500 per person (10 minutes), Jet ski is TWD 400 to 600 per person (15 minutes), SUP stand-up paddleboarding is TWD 500 to 800 per person (1-hour experience), and Undersea walking is TWD 800 to 1,000 per person (helmet-style underwater walking). It is recommended to choose reputable operators with lifeguard certifications for better safety assurance.
Recommended snorkeling operators: Leisure Snorkeling (Magong city center, 4.5-star rating), Undersea Walking (Shanshui Beach, professional instructor guidance), Qimei Snorkeling (Qimei Island, richest underwater ecology).
Penghu seafood is Taiwan's freshest freshly caught seafood. Fishing vessels return to port early every morning, and the day's catch is delivered directly to restaurants and markets. Penghu specialties include mullet squid (abundant from April to August, commonly called "small squid"), anchovies (deep-fried is the classic preparation), seven-hole shells (also called "Penghu shells," with a chewy texture), and nori (abundant in winter, accounting for 70% of Taiwan's total production).
Seafood costs vary depending on the restaurant tier: Regular seafood restaurants cost TWD 500 to 800 per person for fresh seafood hot pot or stir-fried dishes; mid-to-high-end seafood restaurants cost TWD 1,000 to 1,500 per person for premium ingredients like lobster and red mud crabs; the Zhongzheng Road Seafood Street, frequented by locals, has over a dozen established restaurants with relatively reasonable prices.
Recommended seafood restaurants: Dock People Seafood (closest to Magong Port, live lobster caught and prepared on the spot), Meidongfang Seafood (locally recommended, reasonable prices), Zhaoxilu (traditional house restaurant, great atmosphere).
Penghu transportation is primarily by air. Direct flights from Taipei Songshan Airport to Magong Airport take approximately 50 minutes, with one-way tickets ranging from TWD 1,500 to 3,000 (significant seasonal variation), with approximately 15 to 20 flights daily. Taichung Chingtsenkeng Airport has direct flights taking approximately 45 minutes, one-way TWD 1,800 to 2,800. Kaohsiung Xiaogang Airport has approximately 8 flights daily, one-way TWD 2,000 to 3,200.
For ferry services, the ferry from Taichung Port or Chiayi Budai Port to Magong takes approximately 2 to 3 hours, with one-way fares from TWD 600 to 1,000. Seasickness is common when weather is unstable.
Island transportation is most convenient by renting a scooter. Daily rental in Magong city center ranges from TWD 500 to 800 (mostly 125cc). Prices increase 20% to 30% during peak season (June to September). When renting, be sure to check brakes and tire pressure, and remember to bring your motorcycle license. For larger groups, chartering a car with driver for a full-day tour costs TWD 600 to 1,000 per person, offering more flexible scheduling.
Complete answers to common Penghu travel questions are as follows:
"When is the best time to visit Penghu?" — The best time to visit Penghu is from May to September each year. May to June has stable weather and relatively affordable accommodation. July to August is the hottest season but coincides with the Ocean Fireworks Festival. September offers pleasant autumn weather ideal for water activities.
"When is the Penghu Fireworks Festival?" — The Penghu Ocean Fireworks Festival is held annually from July to August, lasting approximately 60 days. Fireworks are launched every Friday and Saturday evening at 9 PM from the Guanyin Pavilion Waterfront Plaza in Magong. In 2024, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Penghu's city establishment, the festival was specially extended through the end of September.
"How do I get to Kueitou Mountain in Penghu?" — Kueitou Mountain is located in Beiliao Village, Hubu Township. Driving north from Magong city center along Provincial Highway 203 takes approximately 15 minutes. No buses service this area, so you must drive or ride a scooter. The parking lot can accommodate approximately 50 passenger cars.
"Which snorkeling operator is best in Penghu?" — Highly-rated snorkeling operators in Penghu include Leisure Snorkeling (Magong city center, includes round-trip transportation), Qimei Snorkeling (Qimei Island, rich underwater ecology), and Shanshui Snorkeling (closest to Magong). Fees range from TWD 800 to 1,200 per person, including equipment and instructors.
"How much are Penghu flight tickets?" — Taipei Songshan to Magong one-way tickets range from TWD 1,500 to 3,000; Taichung to Magong TWD 1,800 to 2,800; Kaohsiung to Magong TWD 2,000 to 3,200. Booking 30 days in advance typically yields better deals.
For deeper comparisons of water activity prices and snorkeling operator reviews, refer to the complete Penghu water activities guide and snorkeling merchant pages. When planning your Penghu itinerary, it is recommended to first confirm the fireworks festival dates and Kueitou Mountain tide times. These two experiences are the most representative of Penghu, and proper timing coordination ensures you make the most of your visit.
