Baishawan: Most Accessible Beach From Taipei
One of the best things about living in Taipei is the easy access to nearby mountains and ocean. Although there are fewer beaches in northern Taiwan and they can’t compete with their southern counterparts, decent options for sand and surf still exist, reachable from the city in a day trip.
One of your best bets for a nearby beach is Baishawan on the northern coast of the island. Literally translating as “White Sand Bay,” it’s got everything you need: sparkling ocean with decent surf, nice enough sand for lounging on without feeling overcrowded, and nearby shops for food and board rentals. The best part: it’s totally doable in a day trip from Taipei.
To reach Baishawan Beach, you’ll first need to take the MRT north all the way to the end of the red line. Once in Tamsui, you can take the 862 or 863 bus across the road from the station. The ride is between 45 min – 1 hour from Tamsui, but the good news is that the bus will drop you right next to the beach. The stop you want to get off at, called Baisha Bay, is pictured above.
Follow this path next to the bus stop for the short walk down to the sand!
Cross the bridge and you’ll reach the northeast side of the beach.
The beach wraps around into the distance, so there’s plenty of space to find a spot. It wasn’t very crowded on a sunny Sunday afternoon in November.
There are a few stores nearby in case you need a bite to eat. Right next to the Fish & Chips joint is a rental shop for surfboards and paddle boards. The owner was busy teaching a group of foreigners how to use their paddle boards when we went to check it out so we didn’t get a chance to chat. Inquire within for pricing!
We had a very pleasant day at the beach. Locals and foreigners alike were lounging for hours, periodically taking dips in the ocean despite the occasional warning on loudspeakers not to enter the water due to the waves. Apparently, lifeguards don’t enforce beach closures because there were a dozen people on surfboards and paddle boards catching waves.
There was a mix of families with children and dogs playing in the sand, older folks sprawled out under tents, and young people venturing into the waves. A beach cleanup crew swept through while we spent the afternoon lying out under the sun.
What’s the vibe?
A soft sand beach that’s relatively uncrowded in off-season months. There are restaurants and rental shops nearby to get food, surfboards, and paddle boards. Baishawan attracts a mixed crowd of all ages and backgrounds. It was sunny and somewhat wavy when we visited.
Worth it?
Yes! We had a nice afternoon in the sun and the waves. Our day trip from Taipei was broken up with a visit in Tamsui that added to the experience.
Would you go back?
There are other beaches we’d like to check out in the north of Taiwan, but we’d definitely head back to Baishawan when the ocean calls!
Last updated: November 2018
| Baishawan Beach |
| Chinese Name: 白沙灣 |
| Hours: Summer (May - Sept): 9am - 6pm Winter (Oct - Apr): 9am - 5pm |
| Phone: +886-2-8635-5100 |
| English Address: Baisha Bay, Shimen District, New Taipei City |
| Chinese Address: 新台北市石門區白沙灣 |
