Penghu

Islands Group of Taiwanese islands known for beaches and basalt

Penghu archipelago in the Taiwan Strait offers basalt cliffs, white-sand beaches, traditional open-ocean fishing harbors and water sports; visitors take boat tours and sample local seafood.

Main image
12.30 總統勗勉「陸軍航空特戰指揮部兩棲偵察營」、「海軍西嶼雷達站」、「海軍海鋒六中隊」及「海軍146艦隊」 (52594794657).jpg
12.30 總統勗勉「陸軍航空特戰指揮部兩棲偵察營」、「海軍西嶼雷達站」、「海軍海鋒六中隊」及「海軍146艦隊」 (52595704985).jpg
20070503 考察澎湖地區國軍戰備整備情況 --- 委員由吳副參謀總長陪同現場聽取簡報.jpg
713澎湖事件報導.jpg
A young girl from Taiwan was sunburned in Penghu.jpg
Chiang Chin-kuo visited Penghu with Leonard Seidman Unger.jpg
Euproctis taiwana-adult.jpg
Liolophura sinensis.jpg
Penghu basalt wall.jpg

Penghu, also known as the Pescadores, is an archipelago of roughly 90 islands and islets in the Taiwan Strait governed as Penghu County. The islands are composed largely of volcanic and basalt formations and feature extensive coastal cliffs, sea-eroded columns and sandy beaches.

Visitors come for beach recreation, coastal hiking, seafood cuisine and traditional fishing villages; diving, windsurfing and kiteboarding are popular where conditions permit. The main population and transport hub is Magong, which handles ferries and flights to the main island of Taiwan.

Historically the islands have been a maritime crossroads and were controlled at various times by regional powers; today they form a county with local government centred on Magong and several protected coastal and marine areas.

Penghu lies in the central Taiwan Strait between Taiwan and mainland China and is reached by ferry or short domestic flights from Taiwan’s main cities.

  • Island count: Comprises about 90 islands and islets scattered across the Taiwan Strait, governed as Penghu County.
  • Natural features: Known for basalt column coastlines, strong seasonal winds and clear sea conditions that support wind and water sports.

What to See #

  • Magong: Magong City - the administrative centre and main ferry/airport gateway to the archipelago, with historical temples and a waterfront promenade.
  • Penghu Great Bridge: Penghu Great Bridge - a long bridge connecting several islands, notable for its engineering and coastal views.
Penghu
Penghu County (Pescadores Archipelago), Taiwan
23.5025, 119.5053

Tips for Visiting Penghu #

  • Fly into Magong (Penghu) Airport or take the Kaohsiung-Penghu ferry depending on season-the airport gives faster, more weather‑resilient access to the archipelago.
  • Visit in summer for beach and boat activities when services to outlying islets run more frequently; off‑season is windier and some island services are reduced or suspended.
  • Base yourself in Magong town to access day trips to outer islets (like Qimei with the Double-Heart Stone Weir) and to catch ferries or local boats to geological sites and smaller villages that many day‑trippers miss.

Best Time to Visit Penghu #

Penghu is best in spring or autumn for pleasant weather and calmer seas; summer brings beach crowds and typhoon risk.

Spring & Autumn (best)
Mar-May, Sep-Nov · 16-26°C
Pleasant temperatures and calmer seas-ideal for beaches, cycling and outdoor sightseeing.
Summer (beach season)
Jun-Aug · 25-33°C
Warm and popular for visitors but subject to typhoons and stronger winds.
Winter
Dec-Feb · 12-18°C
Cooler and windier; quieter with fewer tourists.

Weather & Climate near Penghu #

Climate
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
30°
Warmest Month
10°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

Weather

0.9
UV Index
Moderate
10.7h daylight

February

Weather

1.1
UV Index
High
11.3h daylight

March

Weather

1.3
UV Index
High
11.9h daylight

April

Weather

1.6
UV Index
Very High
12.6h daylight

May

Weather

1.9
UV Index
Very High
13.1h daylight

June

Weather

2.2
UV Index
Extreme
13.4h daylight

July

Weather

2.5
UV Index
Extreme
13.3h daylight

August

Weather

2.2
UV Index
Extreme
12.8h daylight

September

Weather

1.9
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

October

Weather

1.5
UV Index
High
11.5h daylight

November

Weather

1.1
UV Index
High
10.9h daylight

December

Weather

0.9
UV Index
Moderate
10.6h daylight

Nearby Attractions to Penghu