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Recreational Fishery

Taiwan, surrounded by the sea,

boasts numerous scenic fishing ports and limited regional marine cultural experiences.

Also, do not miss out on the local delicacies.

Follow our footsteps,

to explore three-star gold-rated fishing ports (Formosa Race), rigorously assessed by experts and mystery shoppers

to experience Taiwan's rich array of marine activities and fishery education.

Follow a whale-watching cruise to encounter these sea creatures.

It is the perfect choice for your light trip!

Top 10 Three-Star Gold-Rated Fishing Ports
  • Tamsui Second Fishing Harbor
    • New Taipei City
    • The harbor area is open 24 hours a day, with businesses operating from 11:00 to 20:00.
    Also known as Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf, it is conveniently near both New Taipei City and the Taipei metropolitan areas. The harbor's iconic sunset views and the dazzling nightscape of Lover's Bridge attract countless visitors. Besides watching the sunset, visitors can also take a ferry along the Blue Highway or walk along the boardwalk to enjoy the harbor scenery. Do not miss the fresh catch at the Tamsui Fish Market, a great place to feast on plump autumn crabs during the annual Wanli Crab Season.
  • Aodi Fishing Harbor
    • New Taipei City
    • It opens all year round.
    Aodi Fishing Harbor, located in Gongliao District, has a natural bay because mountains surround it on three sides. During the Japanese rule, people built small sheltered berths there. Coupled with abundant and delicious catches, the area not only has marine plants such as seaweed and kelp, but also significant catches of sailfish, greater amberjack, squid, neritic squid, lobster, and grouper, making it an important fishing base and seafood distribution center on the Northeast Coast. A seafood street has even formed outside Aodi Fishing Harbor, with dozens of seafood shops of all sizes offering travelers and shoppers the chance to savor seasonal seafood.
    Fishermen's Market: The fishermen's market is open for purchasing from 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM.
  • Yong'an Fishing Harbor
    • Taoyuan City
    • It opens all year round.
    Yong'an Fishing Harbor, also known as Kantouwu Port, is the only fishing port in Taiwan that integrates with Hakka culture. The port area boasts attractions such as a tourist fish market, a conch cultural park, and a sea-view bridge spanning the harbor, offering stunning views at sunset, making it a favorite among travelers and photographers. A visit to Yong'an Fishing Harbor offers visitors the chance to enjoy coastal scenery, savor local seafood at the fish market, and experience Hakka maritime culture, making it a perfect destination for both tourists and locals.
    The conch cultural park's business hours are: 09:00~17:00, and it is closed on Mondays.
  • Long Fong Fishing Harbor
    • Miaoli County
    • It opens all year round.
    Located in Zhunan Township, Miaoli Long Fong Fishing Harbor is adjacent to the West Coast Expressway and is a natural fishing port. Besides offering the freshest seafood at its direct sales center and tourist fish market, it also features the traditional local fishing method of ""Taiwanese Beach Seine,"" allowing you to experience firsthand the ancient fishing techniques and have a tug of war with the ocean, feeling the wisdom of our ancestors in their friendship with the ocean. Additionally, you can stroll across the sea-view bridge spanning the harbor to enjoy the beautiful sunset, take a walk on the surrounding windy-tracking beaches, and spend a leisurely time searching for crabs.
    The fish direct sales center's business hours are: 11:00~18:00, with fewer stalls on weekdays.
  • Wuqi Fishing Harbor
    • Taichung City
    • It is open from Monday to Friday 10:00~19:00, and on Saturday and Sunday 09:00~20:00.
    Wuqi Fishing Harbor, also known as Wuqi Harbor Tourist Fish Market, is located near attractions such as Gaomei Wetlands. It is a comprehensive recreational fishing harbor that combines fishery production, entertainment, sightseeing, and sales. Its vast hinterland can accommodate 300 fishing boats under 50 tons, offering seasonal catches year-round. The port area is well-equipped with sales areas, direct sales areas, dining areas, recreational fishing boats, and a rest park. Outdoors, Mediterranean-style lighthouses and three-dimensional marine murals provide opportunities for tourists to take photos, making it a great place to enjoy seafood on weekends.
    The fish direct sales center's business hours are: 10:00~18:00
  • Dongshi Fishing Harbor
    • Chiayi County
    • 09:00~21:00
    How can you miss the delicious taste of Dongshi oysters when you come to Dongshi, which is known as the ""hometown of oysters""! Dongshi Fishing Harbor, also known as Dongshi Fisherman's Wharf, is surrounded by endless oyster fields in the nearby waters. Paired with an orange sunset, it has become a classic piece of cultural scenery at Dongshi Fishing Harbor. Not only does this place offer grilled fresh oysters and a variety of seafood and oyster dishes, but it also has waterfront facilities, a Mediterranean-style Tropic of Cancer landmark, and a viewing platform for large ships entering the port. You can overlook the oyster fields on the view platform and head to the ecological sightseeing boat on the umbrella-shaped shoal to take in the surrounding harbor scenery.
    Water Dance Area: 10:00~17:00 on weekdays, 09:00~17:00 on holidays, with the water spraying area and timing subject to adjustment based on weather conditions.
  • Mituo Fishing Harbor
    • Kaohsiung City
    • It opens all year round.
    The renovated Mituo Fishing Harbor has a coastal spotlight corridor, a winding waterfront hallway, a safe water playing area, and friendly foot-washing pools, offering not only an option for an afternoon stroll and enjoying the sea view, but also a perfect place for families to observe the coastal ecosystem from the waterfront hallway. Besides taking children to play in the water and enjoy the sea view, it is also a great place to buy fresh seafood from the waters off Kaohsiung. Fishing boats arrive at the harbor as early as 5:00 AM for auctions of their catch, where you can buy popular daily delicacies such as grouper, red snapper, thornfish, neritic squid, and cuttlefish—the freshest seafood from the nearshore waters.
  • Wushi Fishing Harbor
    • Yilan County
    • It opens all year round.
    Located near the Lanyang Museum, Wushi Fishing Harbor was once Lanyang's largest port, bustling with merchants. After reconstruction, it has become a recreational fishing port offering seafood and whale-watching experiences. From the harbor, you can enjoy panoramic views of Guishan Island and watch the sunrise, or choose to take a boat trip for whale watching or visit Guishan Island for an ecological observation tour. The harbor's north breakwater has a wide, flat beach, a paradise for surfers. With its diverse recreational activities, Wushi Fishing Harbor attracts many visitors.
  • Nan-Fang-Ao Fishing Harbor
    • Yilan County
    • It opens all year round.
    Nan-Fang-Ao Fishing Harbor in Yilan has a unique topography: surrounded by mountains on three sides, it faces the sea on the other. Its distinctive harbor scenery differs from other port areas. The viewing platform along the Suhua Highway offers panoramic views of Nan-Fang-Ao's beauty. Besides enjoying the scenic views of Nan-Fang-Ao Fishing Harbor, consider visiting the First Auction Fish Market within the harbor. Its spacious and bright environment breaks away from the traditional image of a fish market. Here, fish are handled separately for selling and cleaning, and the market is certified with the HACCP food safety control system, providing a clean and comfortable shopping experience.
    The first auction fish market's business hours are: 09:30~17:30
  • Xinhu Fishing Harbor
    • Kinmen County
    • It opens all year round.
    "Xinhu Fishing Harbor is one of the three major fishing ports in Kinmen County and the main port for fishing in the Jinhu area. With its bunker-style observation pavilion, geometric-shaped tetrapods, shipyard tracks, and Kinmen's unique battlefield atmosphere, it offers a distinctive, slow-paced travel experience. The neatly arranged tetrapods, in particular, have become a must-see for Instagrammers. Combined with the distant lighthouse and azure seascape, it attracts countless visitors, bringing vitality to this small but beautiful Xinhu Fishing Harbor."
    A friendly reminder: Please be careful when shooting on the tetrapod.
On a Whale Watching Voyage! Encountering Sea Creatures
Experience a magical cetacean watching adventure at sea.

The peak season for whale watching is from May to September each year, with an 80-90% chance of spotting cetaceans.

Taking a whale watching cruise offers not only guided commentary on the cetaceans but also an introduction to the surrounding geography and marine culture. When cetaceans are spotted, you can witness them riding the waves at the bow and spinning through the air, with explanations that provide a deeper understanding of their behavior. If you're lucky, you might even encounter smaller whales or larger species like killer whales and sperm whales!

*The video features a rare Cuvier's beaked whale filmed in Hualien.

Where to go whale watching?

There is a warm Kuroshio Current in the eastern waters of Taiwan, which not only brings abundant fish resources but also attracts cetaceans to come and forage. Therefore, whale-watching activities primarily take place in the waters off Yilan, Hualien, and Taitung. People can also see specific schools of fish in different seasons, such as the Flying Fish Festival from April to June every year, where there is a chance to see sailfish or dolphinfish chasing flying fish in the Hualien–Taitung open waters.

Four Main Whale Watching Locations

Pre-Trip Preparation
  • 太陽眼鏡
  • 防曬乳液
  • 遮陽帽
  • 薄外套
  • 水壺
  • 暈船藥

The best time for whale watching is from May to September each year. During this period, the weather is usually quite hot, and whale watching trips last at least 2-3 hours. Suggest bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, a sun hat, a light jacket, and a water bottle to avoid sunburn and heatstroke. If you are prone to seasickness, you can take seasickness medication one hour before departure.

When taking a whale-watching cruise trip, you need to bring your ID card or photo ID, and foreign tourists need to bring their passports."

Friendly Whale Watching Rule
友善賞鯨 2.0 標章

How to choose a friendly whale watching cruise? You can choose whale-watching operators with the Ocean Conservation Administration's ""Friendly Whale Watching 2.0 Label."" When cetaceans are spotted, their boats will slow down and maintain a distance of more than 50 meters, and they will adhere to the following ""5 Don'ts and 1 Keep"" rules:"

  • Do not litter or dump any artificial objects into the sea.
  • Do not feed.
  • Do not touch.
  • Do not intentionally chase or surround cetaceans.
  • Do not break up or cut into the cetacean herds.
  • Keep a friendly distance while watching.
Whale Watching Guide in Taiwan Waters
Must-Eat Local Specialties and Delicacies
    • Keelung City
    • Squid
    • Squid, also known as small squid, neritic squid, or sió-kńg-á, is highly popular for its crisp, springy, and chewy texture, making it a common seafood ingredient on daily dining tables. The peak season for night fishing squid is from around July to September each year, which is also the season for the Keelung Squid Festival. During this time, suggest going directly to the production area to experience night fishing and treasure hunting at the Keelung Fish Market, savoring the fresh flavors of the sea through your senses.
    • Delicious Secret:
      • You can find dishes like squid rice noodles and blanched squid in places like Badouzi and Renai Market in Keelung.
    • Keelung Squid Festival Official Website
    • New Taipei City
    • Wanli Crab
    • Wanli's coastline has abundant crab resources, making it the most famous local catch–Wanli crab. Wanli crabs include the year-round delicious serrated crab, the delicate and fresh three-spot swimming crab, and the flavorful swimming crab. When autumn arrives each year, marking the start of the Wanli crab season, consider visiting Guihou Fishing Harbor, Yehliu Fishing Harbor, Fuqi Fishing Harbor, and Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf to savor the delicious crabs delivered directly from the source and experience the lively fishing port culture and markets.
    • Crab Eating Guide:
      • • The best season for eating serrated crabs and three-spot swimming crabs: approximately September to December.
      • • The best season for eating swimming crabs: Late October to January.
    • Wanli Crab Official WebsiteCrab Break News by Wanli Crab FB
    • Changhua County
    • Pearl Oyster
    • Oyster farming in Changhua has a history of over a century. Oyster farmers farm the oysters in the intertidal zone using a horizontal hanging method. During high tide, oysters absorb nutrients from the seawater, while during low tide, they are exposed to the air, resulting in small oysters with a chewy texture, hence the name ""pearl oysters."" Pearl oysters have firm, plump flesh, and their sweet flavor is like a concentrated essence of the sea. They are a must-try local delicacy when visiting Wanggong, Fangyuan Township, Changhua County, where you can enjoy various oyster dishes and savor the freshest seafood straight from the source.
    • Delicious Secret:
      • Oysters are available year-round, but they are best enjoyed in the summer, especially between the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival, when they are at their plumpest.
    • Yunlin County
    • Mullet Roe
    • Sihu and Kouhu Townships in Yunlin County are significant areas for mullet farming. Every winter, when the mullet are at their fattest, the coastal areas are filled with the sight of mullet roe being sun-dried. After processes such as salting, desalting, and sun-drying, the fresh roe develops a rich aroma and a vibrant orange-red color, with a slightly sticky and firm texture. Paired with garlic sprouts, white radish slices, or apple slices, the burst of sweet and savory flavor in the mouth makes it not only a must-have dish for the Lunar New Year but also an excellent gift choice.
    • Production Place Knowledge
      • Mullet roe is not limited to the southern region; Zhubei in Hsinchu is also a production area. They use the strong winds of Lunar September to produce high-quality mullet roe with excellent flavor.
    • Chiayi County
    • Dongshi Oyster
    • Dongshi Township in Chiayi has the highest oyster production in Taiwan. Plump and juicy Dongshi oysters have given rise to unique coastal snacks and dishes such as oyster fritters and oyster buns. In Dongshi, you will find oyster farmers busily preparing oysters, endless oyster fields stretching along the harbor, and the opportunity to enjoy authentic local delicacies made with fresh oysters and experience the forthright charm of grilled oysters. Highly suggest visiting to experience the local flavors and fishing village atmosphere.
    • Tainan City, Kaohsiung City
    • Milkfish
    • Milkfish farming is mainly in the south of Yunlin County, with Tainan, which has the highest production volume, being known as the birthplace of milkfish. Because Tainan can directly supply the freshest ingredients, it has developed a variety of culinary styles, such as milkfish soup, savory porridge, pan-fried fish intestines, and bone milkfish dorsal fin. Milkfish intestines, in particular, are a delicacy exclusive to the production area, forming a unique food culture in southern Taiwan. These traditional snacks attract countless gourmets, making Tainan a paradise for milkfish lovers.
    • Pingtung County
    • Sakura Shrimp, Bluefin Tuna, and Escolar Roe
    • When visiting Donggang, a city primarily focused on fishing, you cannot miss the delicious ""Three Treasures of Donggang"": sweet and crisp sakura shrimp, smooth and creamy escolar roe, and rich and flavorful bluefin tuna. The Bluefin Tuna Festival, held annually from May to July, is a must-see, offering not only the opportunity to sample seasonal bluefin tuna sashimi but also to participate in related interactive activities. At the Donggang Fishing Harbor's Fishery Products Direct Sales Center, discover a variety of seafood snacks and savor the delicious flavors of Donggang's Three Treasures.
    • Yilan County
    • Suao Mackerel
    • Mackerel, also known as ""hue-hui,"" is a representative catch of the Suao area, primarily caught at Nan-Fang-Ao Fishing Harbor. The peak season for mackerel is from December to January each year. The Nan-Fang-Ao Mackerel Festival, held around September or October before the primary season, is a highly recommended time to enjoy freshly caught mackerel and learn about local fishing culture and history. From food to culture, satisfy your taste buds and thirst for exploration!
    • Hualien County
    • Flying Fish and Skipjack Tuna
    • The Kuroshio Current flows through Hualien and Taitung, resulting in a predominantly migratory fish catch. During the flying fish season in summer, the area along Provincial Highway 11 on the east coast offers seasonal views of grilled and smoked flying fish – a must-try for travelers. Skipjack tuna's primary season in eastern Taiwan is roughly from April to August. In the past, fishing villages along Qixingtan developed a skipjack tuna-based bonito flakes industry. While sun-smoked bonito flakes are no longer the primary method, you can still enjoy various skipjack tuna-based delicacies, such as popcorn fish, popcorn and sashimi, at the production site.
    • Taitung County
    • Chenggong Sailfish and Dolphinfish
    • Summer and winter are the seasons when dolphinfish swim from south to north through eastern Taiwan, and Chenggong Fishing Harbor has the highest catch in the entire island. At Chenggong Fishing Harbor, you can not only enjoy the firm, deep-fried dolphinfish fillets, but also dolphinfish fish balls and fish steaks. Do not miss another local delicacy–sailfish. Chenggong sailfish sashimi, with its rich, oily texture and slightly bouncy mouthfeel, is deeply loved by gourmets. There are also many other sailfish dishes available locally. Besides enjoying the food, you can visit the unique Sailfish Temple, learn about the gradually disappearing sailfish culture, and embark on a culinary cultural journey.