National park · Taiwan
South Penghu Marine National Park澎湖南方四島國家公園
Go only if you will sleep a night on Dongjiyu or Dongyupingyu: day boats give you 1–2 hours ashore. Ferries run roughly Apr–Sep and stop in the northeast monsoon; entry itself is free.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
358 km² (138 sq mi)138 sq mi (358 km²)
approximate
Established
2014
Best months
May–Jun
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Taiwan ↗Check visa-exemption length, passport validity and the online arrival card (TWAC) on the official sites before you fly.
- Taiwan ↗An EasyCard (or iPASS) covers MRT, buses, local trains and many convenience-store purchases; buy one at the airport or a station.
- Taiwan ↗When a local government declares a typhoon day, transport and sights can close for the day; follow the official notice, not the forecast alone.
- Penghu ↗Scooter and car rental needs a Taiwanese licence or an IDP with a Chinese translation inside; check yours before you fly.
- Penghu ↗ATMs cluster in Magong and thin out elsewhere; most small shops take cash only.
At a glance
- Country
- Taiwan
- Area
- 358 km² (138 sq mi)138 sq mi (358 km²)
- Land area is tiny (a few km²); the park is mostly sea. Boundaries and the exact figure vary by source (check).
- Established
- 2014
- Best months
- May–Jun
- Permits
- For some areas
South Penghu Marine National Park is Taiwan's ninth national park and its second marine one: four small islands — Dongjiyu, Xijiyu, Dongyupingyu and Xiyupingyu — plus a scatter of islets and the reef and basalt sea floor between them, in the south of the Penghu archipelago. There is almost no visitor infrastructure: no shops, a handful of beds, one lighthouse, a ruined Japanese military site and a lot of open water. That is the point. Come for the boat crossing, the basalt shore, the snorkelling and the dark, quiet nights — not for a trail network.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2014.
Size and age
358 km² (138 sq mi)138 sq mi (358 km²) · national park since 2014
Land area is tiny (a few km²); the park is mostly sea. Boundaries and the exact figure vary by source (check).
Why go
- Taiwan's newest national park and one of its least visited: on many days the only other people are the boat crew.
- Basalt cliffs, sea caves and clear reef water that most Penghu visitors never reach.
- Dongjiyu's 1911 lighthouse and the overgrown Japanese military site on the same island.
- A genuine island night: no shops, no traffic, and a sky with nothing between you and it.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanNortheast monsoon; ferries stop, crossings rough
- FebMonsoon; no reliable boat
- MarSeason opening depends on the year; ask before booking
- AprBoats resume; water still cool
- MayCalm seas, warm days, before the crowds
- JunWarm water, long days; rain showers
- JulHot; typhoon season begins
- AugTyphoon peak; sailings cancelled at short notice
- SepStill warm; storms tail off
- OctLate-season boats; wind picks up
- NovMonsoon; services wind down
- DecMonsoon; crossings unreliable
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reef fish and coral on the snorkelling groundsMay–Sep · Best in calm, clear water after a few windless days. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Seabirds and terns around the isletsApr–Jul · Keep distance from nesting islets. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Snakes on the islandsApr–Oct · Stay on paths and use a torch after dark. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Migrating fish and stronger swellOct–Mar · The northeast monsoon closes most boat services. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Magong
Ferry from Magong Nanhai Harbour to Wangan, then a smaller boat south to Dongyupingyu or Dongjiyu.
2–3 h
Open the page →
From Wangan
Local boat from Wangan fishing harbour to Dongyupingyu, Dongyupingyu and Dongjiyu; ask at the harbour the day before.
40–70 min
From Jiangjun, Tainan
Seasonal ferry from Jiang Jyun Fishing Port direct to Dongjiyu.
about 1 h
From Xijiyu
No pier: the island is seen only from the water, on a boat passing the Blue Cave.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Dongjiyu | The largest island: lighthouse, Japanese military remains, a cement road and most of the beds. | Open; walk or rent a scooter. |
| Dongyupingyu | Basalt shore, Chifu Temple and a couple of guesthouses. | Open; on foot only. |
| Xiyupingyu | North-shore basalt landscape and quiet coves. | Open; on foot only. |
| Xijiyu | Uninhabited island with the Blue Cave sea arch. | No pier; viewed from a boat only. |
| Marine zone | Coral and reef between the islands, the reason the park exists. | Snorkel and dive with local operators; some areas restricted (check). |
Sketch map
- 1Magong Nanhai Harbour · Ranger station≈23.566, 119.572Main departure point for the south islands.Map ↗
- 2Wangan fishing harbour · Ranger station≈23.361, 119.508Transfer point for boats continuing south.Map ↗
- 3Dongjiyu lighthouse · Viewpoint≈23.261, 119.670Map ↗
- 4Dongjiyu village · Sleep≈23.254, 119.669Guesthouses and the island's few buildings.Map ↗
- 5Dongyupingyu · Village≈23.256, 119.513Chifu Temple and guesthouses.Map ↗
- 6Xiyupingyu north shore · Beach≈23.272, 119.506Map ↗
- 7Blue Cave, Xijiyu · Cave≈23.251, 119.609Boat view only; no landing.Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Island positions are approximate, taken from public map data; the park's official centre point is 23.2500, 119.6667.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No gate and no entry ticket; you pay for transport and any guided activity (check). |
| Return ferry, Magong or Wangan to the south islands | TWD 800–1,500 (≈ US$30–50) | person | 2026 estimate; varies by route, operator and season. |
| Day boat from Magong with snorkelling | TWD 1,800–3,000 (≈ US$60–100) | person | 2026 estimate; includes lunch and gear on most trips. |
| Snorkelling or SUP from a Dongyuping guesthouse | TWD 500–1,000 (≈ US$17–35) | person | 2026 estimate; book with your room. |
| Scooter rental on Dongjiyu | TWD 400–600 (≈ US$14–20) | day | 2026 estimate; the island is small enough to walk. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Boat seat permit or guide
Bed on Dongjiyu or Dongyupingyu permit or guide
Snorkelling or diving no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- NT$800–1,500≈ US$30–50
- NT$1,800–3,000≈ US$60–100
- NT$500–1,000≈ US$17–35
- NT$400–600≈ US$14–20
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Marine National Park Headquarters — South Penghu Marine National Park before you go.
Park rules
- No shops, no ATMs
- Bring all cash, water and food you need; guesthouses sell meals only if you order ahead.
- Stay on paths
- Basalt edges are loose and snakes sit in the grass; do not walk the cliff tops at night.
- Reef and wildlife
- Do not stand on coral, touch marine life or land on nesting islets; some reef areas are closed (check).
- Litter
- Carry everything back to Magong; island waste handling is minimal.
- Drones
- Permission from the park authority is required; assume no unless you have it in writing (check).
Where to stay
In the park
Dongjiyu guesthouses
A handful of family-run rooms (roughly NT$2,000–2,200 for a double, 2026 estimate); some include breakfast and offer lunch and dinner for a set price.
In the park
Dongyupingyu guesthouses
One or two places (roughly NT$1,700–2,600, 2026 estimate); a deposit is usual and meals must be ordered days ahead.
Near the park
Magong
Full range of hotels and hostels on Penghu's main island; the fallback when boats are cancelled.
Safety
Sun and heat high
Cancelled sailings medium
Rough crossings medium
Snakes and uneven ground low
No medical facilities medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Boarding ferries and small boats involves steps and, at some harbours, a gangway that moves with the swell.
- Dongjiyu has a cement road but no pavements; Dongyupingyu and Xiyupingyu are footpaths over rough ground.
- There are no accessible toilets or facilities on the islands; plan around Magong.
Visiting lightly
- Book with operators who anchor away from coral and brief you on not touching the reef.
- Order meals at your guesthouse so food is brought in for known numbers rather than wasted.
- Take all rubbish back to Magong, including batteries and plastic.
- Keep your distance from nesting seabird islets and from the Blue Cave's rock walls.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter South Penghu Marine National Park?
Nothing. There is no gate and no entry ticket. Your costs are transport and activities: a return ferry from Magong or Wangan is roughly NT$800–1,500 per person, a day boat with snorkelling roughly NT$1,800–3,000, and a bed on Dongjiyu or Dongyupingyu roughly NT$1,700–2,600 for a double (2026 estimates).
What are the best hikes in South Penghu Marine National Park?
There is no trail network. The walks are short: the lighthouse and Japanese Army Site on Dongjiyu (1–1.5 h), the basalt north shore of Xiyupingyu (1–2 h), and the paths around Dongyupingyu. All are easy, exposed and without shade or water.
When is the best time to visit South Penghu Marine National Park?
May, June and September. Seas are calm, the water is warm enough for snorkelling and boats run on schedule. July and August are hot with typhoon risk; from about November to March the northeast monsoon stops most sailings.
How do I get to the park?
From Magong Nanhai Harbour by ferry to Wangan, then a smaller boat south to Dongyupingyu or Dongjiyu, about 2–3 hours in total. There is also a seasonal ferry from Jiang Jyun Fishing Port near Tainan straight to Dongjiyu, about an hour.
Can I visit as a day trip?
Yes, but you will see very little. Day boats give you roughly 1–2 hours ashore plus snorkelling time. Sleeping one or two nights is what makes the crossing worth it.
Is there anywhere to stay or eat?
A few family-run guesthouses on Dongjiyu and Dongyupingyu, and nothing else. There are no shops and no ATMs. Order meals with your guesthouse at least three days ahead; some include breakfast.
Can I visit Xijiyu and the Blue Cave?
Only from a boat. Xijiyu has no pier, so the Blue Cave and the island's cliffs are seen from the water on a passing trip.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go