Chin-Sui
- Wave, Freeride
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Small waves
- Spot Type
- Moderate
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Chin-Sui is a sandy, medium-sized beach spot near Zhuangwei that works best with NE/SE winds. Across the main wind season (January to March and October to December), riders can expect trade-wind conditions that are commonly reliable during the winter northeast monsoon period. Kitesurfing is the primary focus here for intermediate riders, with conditions also attracting more advanced riders when the wave setup cooperates. Typical kitesurfing wind is reported around 15–30 knots. The shoreline includes visible wave breakers (concrete tetrapods), so even though the beach itself is sandy, careful launch and landing management is essential. For windsurfing and surfing, the winter monsoon period is again the most supportive window. Surfing can be exposed and more choppy when the wind is onshore (NE), while conditions can groom when wind turns offshore (reported W), improving swell shape. Wingfoiling is possible but described as challenging due to wave action and potential shallow sandbars close to shore. Seasonally, the spot sits in a tropical marine climate: rainy and stormier periods are associated with the southwest monsoon (June to August) and broader wet-season activity. Water temperatures vary from the high teens in winter to around 28–30°C in summer, so a wetsuit plan by month is important.
- NE/SE trade winds with strongest months from October to March
- Clean, sandy water/launch area
- Surfing and wave potential in winter conditions
- Clean water with a sandy medium-sized launch area
- Consistent NE/SE trade-wind pattern in the best season
- Good mix of wave and freeride potential for kitesurfing in winter
- Wave breakers/tetrapods along the shoreline create launch/landing hazards
- Shore break and possible strong currents depending on conditions
- Wind sports are most consistently good in winter (October to March); summer conditions can be more variable
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NE, SE
- Wind Range
- 15–30 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade-wind pattern with NE/SE winds typical of the season.
- Reliability
- High during the winter northeast monsoon season
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts
- Best Months
- January, February, March, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Small waves
- Beach
- Sand
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Medium — Sources describe small-to-medium waves overall.
- Launch
- Medium — Sandy beach with moderate space; limited in certain sections by tetrapods.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy — Some sources describe launch difficulty as easy; another describes it as moderate due to tetrapods in certain sections.
Through the year
Quiet on weekdays; busier with local riders on windy weekends.
June to August (southwest monsoon); rainy and stormier conditions also associated with the broader wet/typhoon period in the region.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Reliable winter spot for wave and freeride; NE/SE trade winds with small-to-medium wave conditions suitable for intermediate riders (with expert sessions also possible depending on conditions).
- Kite Sizes
- 7–12 m²
Suitable during the winter monsoon, offering bump-and-jump or wave-riding opportunities.
- Sail Sizes
- 4.5–6 m²
Rideable but challenging due to wave action and potential for shallow sandbars close to shore.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited
- Min Depth
- Approximately 1.5 meters past the shore break
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Rideable waves, particularly during winter months or when swell is generated by offshore typhoons.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NE, E, SE
- Swell Height
- 0.5–2 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid
- Shelter
- Exposed
- Wind Effect
- NE wind creates chop; offshore W wind grooms the swell.
- Bigger Swell
- Can close out in very large swells.
- Wave Quality
- Average
- Wave Power
- Moderate
- Wave Shape
- Mixed
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Ride Length
- Medium — Waves can be short and punchy or longer depending on the sandbar configuration.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Chin-Sui in the full forecast view.
Chin-Sui wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–17 ktsGusts 37 kts
- Direction
- N356°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2417 kts
- Windy days
- 1/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.9–4.2 m8s period
- Temperature
- 21–29 °C
Over the next 7 days, Chin-Sui is forecast for daytime winds of 1–17 kts, peaking around 17 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 37 kts. The prevailing direction is N. Waves run 0.9–4.2 m with a period of about 8s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Wave breaker (including concrete tetrapods along the shoreline)
- Strong currents (can occur depending on conditions)
- Shore break
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — No dedicated on-site rescue base for wind sports.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency number 112 (plus 110 for police reported in the region); emergency response handled by Taiwan Coast Guard and local fire department units.
Rules of the spot
No specific formal regulations found; standard right-of-way rules apply among local community.
- Be extremely careful of the tetrapods when launching or landing, as they can catch lines or pose a collision risk.
- Miles of soft sand beach; commonly reported as quite safe away from the wave-breaker sections.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Zhuangwei
- Nearest Town
- Yi-Lan
- Parking
- Parking is available near the coastal embankment or along small access roads.
- Access
- From Taipei get to Yi-Lan (I-lan), then get to the coast and find Chin-Sui.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- Mandarin Chinese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and hotels are available in Zhuangwei and the nearby city of Yilan.
- Food & Drink
- Local eateries are available in Zhuangwei, a short drive from the beach.
- Equipment Rental:
- No dedicated rental shops directly on the beach; most riders bring their own gear.
- Gear Storage
- Limited storage at local surf clubs in the northern part of the region.
- Gear Repair
- Minor board repairs can be handled locally; specialized kite/sail repair may require arranging a trip to Taipei.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
Yilan Coast near Zhuangwei blends rugged Pacific scenery with nearby cultural sites and hot-spring recovery options, plus easy access to local food areas such as night markets.
Iconic volcanic island off the coast, popular for whale watching and boat tours.
Architectural landmark showcasing the history, culture, and ecology of Yilan County.
Natural flat-ground hot springs ideal for post-session recovery.
One of Taiwan’s most famous night markets with local Yilan specialties such as mutton soup and scallion pancakes.
Family-friendly beach area with facilities, cafes, and paragliding landing zones.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Chin-Sui?
The best overall months at Chin-Sui are January, February, March, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Chin-Sui?
Chin-Sui works with NE, SE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Chin-Sui?
Recommended equipment sizes at Chin-Sui: Kitesurfing: 7–12 m² · Windsurfing: 4.5–6 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 15–30 kts.
What skill level is Chin-Sui suitable for?
Chin-Sui suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Windsurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Advanced · Surfing: Intermediate.