Ocean Encounter: Fishing Raft Lagoon Adventure

Taijiang Inner Sea and Qigu Lagoon
Qigu Lagoon is located in the northwestern part of Tainan City, covering an area of approximately 1,600 hectares, making it the largest existing lagoon terrain in Taiwan. Over 400 years ago, Taijiang Inner Sea had extensive shallow waters, but with the multiple course changes of the Zengwen River and sediment accumulation, the area of Taijiang Inner Sea has significantly shrunk, gradually forming the land of today's old Tainan city district. Qigu Lagoon has become one of the remnants of Taijiang Inner Sea, locally known as "Inner Sea." After Taijiang National Park was established in 2009, Qigu Lagoon was also incorporated into the national park's territory.

The area consists of the lagoon and multiple sandbanks, providing rich fishery resources such as fish, shrimp, and shellfish. Fishermen also use the lagoon for oyster farming, commonly hanging oyster strings on floating bamboo tubes or plastic tube racks. This area has also become an important habitat for birds, including resident birds that live in Taiwan year-round and migratory birds that visit during seasonal changes.

On the northern side of the lagoon waters, it connects to Qigu Salt Fields; the southern side is mainly aquaculture fish ponds. The Provincial Highway 61 bridge spans the edge of Qigu Lagoon, providing convenient access for visitors traveling to Tainan, and the long-span bridge is another landmark landscape over the lagoon.


The Provincial Highway 61 bridge is one of the landmark landscapes of Qigu Lagoon

Recreational Fishing Raft Island Experience
At Qigu Lagoon, local agritourism operators have launched distinctive "recreational fishing raft" experience activities. These fishing rafts are not traditional boats in the conventional sense, but are considered assemblies of multiple floats, called "tube rafts" due to their special configuration. This mode of transportation is not only safe but also managed under Tainan City's autonomous regulations, allowing passengers for sightseeing activities.

Well-known recreational fishing raft operators include "Long Hai Hao," "Long Shan Hao," and "Yong Shun Hao." "Long Hai Hao" was one of the first to start and obtain legal permits for recreational fishing rafts, providing visitors with safe and reliable lagoon tours. Visitors can pre-purchase their trips through "Farm Travel Supermarket."

These recreational fishing rafts depart from several docks in the Qigu area, leading visitors through the lagoon waters to the uninhabited island "Wangziliao Shan." Along the way, with the boat captain's guided tour, visitors can gain deeper understanding of local oyster and crab farming methods, and experience a unique feeling similar to visiting resort islands in Southeast Asia. Visitors can ask the guide any questions at any time. Through such interaction, they can enhance their understanding of local culture and industries, making the entire journey more meaningful and enjoyable.


Qigu Lagoon has several licensed recreational fishing rafts like Long Hai Hao for sightseeing tours

Leaving Taiwan for Wangziliao Shan
On the western side of Qigu Lagoon, there are several sandbanks formed by sedimentation, locally known as "shan" or "kunsen." These sandbanks serve as natural barriers for the lagoon, making waves in the lagoon waters relatively calm, more suitable for flora and fauna growth, and visitors traveling by tube raft don't need to worry much about seasickness. However, since the area and position of the sandbanks change over time, the lagoon's range may also gradually shrink.

After departing from the Qigu dock, Long Hai Hao arrives at the floating dock of Wangziliao Shan after about 20 minutes of sailing. Wangziliao Shan is approximately 4 kilometers long from north to south, with the widest point from east to west being only about 200 meters. It is an uninhabited island completely disconnected from Taiwan's main island, so at this point, visitors have actually left Taiwan Island!

The scenery by the dock creates an illusion of arriving at a resort island. Visitors stay on the island for about 25 minutes, during which they can follow the guided tour to learn about this magical uninhabited island, or stroll along the wooden boardwalk to take photos on their own. At low tide, visitors can see groups of soldier crabs foraging in the intertidal zone below the boardwalk. The natural landscape and rich ecology here add many highlights to the journey.


Wangziliao Shan's dock


The intertidal zone of Wangziliao Shan is home to many creatures

Taijiang National Park has planned a wooden boardwalk approximately 540 meters long on the island, with 1 entrance plaza and 4 viewing platforms. The windbreak forest in the center of the island is mainly composed of Casuarina trees, which can resist sea wind invasion. Visitors following the boardwalk through the windbreak forest can reach the west coast of Wangziliao Shan in just a few minutes, where they can gaze out at the vast Taiwan Strait.

Although Wangziliao Shan is an excellent spot for watching sunsets, the boat schedule may not allow visitors to watch the sunset on the island. Additionally, the island lacks water, electricity, and restrooms, and has no accommodation facilities, so visitors cannot stay overnight. When the boat leaves Wangziliao Shan uninhabited island to return, the boat captain will count the number of passengers to ensure no visitors are left on the island.

The National Park Administration pays special attention to accessible facility planning. The ramp design on the island meets accessibility standards and is suitable for wheelchair users to visit. However, due to tidal changes at the dock, fully accessible conditions cannot be guaranteed at all times. Those with needs are advised to with the boat operator in advance.


Follow the wooden boardwalk to reach the west coast of Wangziliao Shan and overlook the Taiwan Strait

Unlimited Grilled Oyster Feast
On the return journey, visitors aboard "Long Hai Hao" have the opportunity to make a brief stop at the oyster racks in the lagoon waters. Most of these oyster racks belong to the boat captain, and a limited number of visitors can step onto the oyster racks themselves, trying to pull up a heavy string of oysters by hand, experiencing the local aquaculture industry's operations.

After returning to the dock, visitors can enjoy a sumptuous grilled oyster feast. During the 1-hour dining time, oysters are unlimited. Visitors can also pay extra to order milkfish strips, shrimp, clams, beef noodles, and other delicious dishes. Milkfish strips may contain small bones, so be especially careful when eating.

The complete itinerary includes riding the recreational fishing raft, landing on the uninhabited island, and grilled oysters. Visitors are advised to set aside 3 hours to fully enjoy all activities. Since departure times are affected by tides and vary daily, advance reservations are recommended to the schedule and not miss this rare leisure experience.


Visitors step onto the captain's oyster rack to try pulling up oyster strings


After returning to Qigu, enjoy an unlimited grilled oyster feast

Visiting Taiwan's Westernmost Point
After leaving the Qigu dock, the distance north to Qigu Salt Mountain is not far and can be arranged for a combined visit. Heading south, visitors can go to the Dingtou'e Sandbank area, which has been dubbed the "Taiwan Version of the Sahara Desert" due to its unique terrain and scenery, attracting many visitors to explore.

The "Guosheng Harbor Lighthouse" on Dingtou'e Sandbank, also known as "Qigu Lighthouse," stands 32.7 meters tall. This location is equivalent to the westernmost point of Taiwan's main island, making it perfect for taking photos during an island-round trip, or for watching the sunset on the last day of the year to bid farewell to the year. Dingtou'e Sandbank is also one of the locations on the west coast with less light pollution, and many astrophotography enthusiasts seize the opportunity to photograph the Milky Way from flat ground.

In addition to Dingtou'e Sandbank, visitors can also stop by other agritourism establishments in the "Xinan Leisure Agriculture Area." This is one of the few leisure agriculture areas in Taiwan that includes fish ponds, oyster fields, and organic orchards, offering diverse agricultural and fishing experiences. Besides oysters and milkfish, visitors can pick tomatoes (called "kam-a-bit" in Taiwanese), organic guavas, organic mangoes, or strawberries depending on the season. Around October each year, rare black-faced spoonbills can be seen near Qigu and the Zengwen River estuary. These beautiful migratory birds add considerable ecological tourism appeal to Qigu Lagoon. This series of rich tourism activities allows visitors to deeply experience the natural and cultural characteristics of southwestern Taiwan.


Long Hai Hao
Address: Hailiao Dock, Longshan Village, Qigu District, Tainan City
Hours: 08:00-15:30
Phone: 0910-816952
Website: Link


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