Longmen Beach (Magong)
- Wave, Big air
- Best for
- Intermediate to Advanced
- Skill Level
- Flat, Chop, Swell, Medium waves, Big 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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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
Longmen Beach (Magong) on Penghu’s east coast is best known as a high-wind kitesurfing spot, driven most reliably by the winter Northeast monsoon. Wind is typically strongest from NNE through ENE, with the best wind months generally listed as January, February, March, October, November, and December. Winter conditions are consistently powerful, and many reports emphasize that the wind can be far too strong for casual or less-experienced riders. On the water, conditions are described as flat-to-choppy with big-wave potential. Kitesurfing is often split between a side that’s better for huge wave riding and air, and nearby flatter tidal areas that can work for freestyle. Tide matters for both launch width and for getting the most usable water and sections; high tide is frequently recommended. Surfing can also be excellent in the right swell and wind alignment: the bay can produce very large waves, with rideable sections reported on higher tides. NE/ENE wind direction can shift the surf from cleaner/offshore-like conditions toward chop depending on how it lines up with the swell and the beach orientation. Larger sets are reported to hold size but can become very challenging with strong currents. Safety planning is a major theme at Longmen. Hazards reported include very strong winds, strong currents/downwind drift, rough coral or coarse sand that can wear on kites, and possible flotsam. There’s also concern about the remoteness and limited immediate rescue, so the guidance is to use safety boat support in strong winds, respect harbor/fisher zones, and check tide and beach width before launching.
- Powerful winter monsoon winds (NNE/NE/ENE) for wave riding and big air
- Flat/tidal areas nearby can enable freestyle when surf/wind alignment is right
- Surf potential with large wave events and tide-sensitive sections
- Kitesurfing schools and gear rental availability through local providers
- Highly reliable winter monsoon winds for kitesurfing
- Wave riding with options from powerful surf to flatter freestyle/tidal areas
- Clean water reported during kitesurfing and surfing sessions
- Local kitesurfing presence and multiple schools
- Winter monsoon winds can be extremely strong and sometimes too much for many riders
- Currents/downwind drift can be significant
- Rough bottoms (coral/coarse sand) can be tough on kites
- Limited immediate rescue / lifeguards
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- NNE, NE, ENE
- Wind Range
- 20–50 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Northeast monsoon / winter monsoon trade-flow; very strong, consistent in winter.
- Reliability
- high in winter monsoon
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Winds can be gusty, especially outside peak monsoon consistency.
- Best Months
- January, February, March, October, November, December
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 5–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Chop, Swell, Medium waves, Big waves
- Beach
- Concrete — Conflicting beach composition reports: one source describes concrete, while another describes sand.
- Beach Size
- Medium
- Waves
- Huge — Huge wave potential reported for right-side riding in the bay.
- Chop Level
- Light chop — Reported as chop/flat-to-choppy depending on wind and swell.
- Launch
- Medium — Shingle/pebble (or sandy) beach launch area with space; self-launch/land can be challenging in strong winds.
Through the year
Low to moderate; rarely crowded even in peak season.
Typhoon season typically runs from July to September (regional note includes June to October risk).
By sport
What to expect for each.
Penghu’s best-known high-wind wave option: huge waves over 3 m on the right with flatter tidal areas usable for freestyle/wave riding on the left. Most reliable during winter monsoon (Nov–Mar) with strong NE/NNE/ENE winds.
- Kite Sizes
- 5–9 m²
High-performance wave and bump-and-jump style conditions in strong winter winds.
- Sail Sizes
- 3.7–5 m²
Possible when the swell/currents are manageable; winter winds can be challenging for beginners.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes — Reported as foil-friendly with a minimum depth guideline.
- Min Depth
- 1.5 meters
- Wing Sizes
- 3–6 m²
A huge shingle/shoreline bay can produce large surf (often over 3 m in strong conditions), with freestyle-friendly flatter/inside areas depending on tide and swell.
- Wave Direction
- Both
- Optimal Swell
- NNE, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- High — Often best on high tide when the bay opens up for usable sections.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed bay with limited shelter; conditions are wind-sensitive.
- Wind Effect
- Offshore wind for surf can create cleaner waves; with NE winds, conditions may add power but also create chop depending on exact alignment.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size but can become very challenging with strong currents; can unload/shift further along the coastline.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Reported as excellent/good depending on swell and wind angle.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Huge shingle bay can produce powerful waves, with rideable sections in suitable wind/swell.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Can range from peeling to more mixed behavior depending on swell/wind angle.
- Peel Speed
- Medium
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Can offer clean sections; typical ride distance reported around tens of meters depending on wave quality.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Longmen Beach (Magong) in the full forecast view.
Longmen Beach (Magong) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 6–30 ktsGusts 39 kts
- Direction
- NNE26°
- Strongest day
- Tue, Oct 2730 kts
- Windy days
- 6/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.7–2.5 m6s period
- Temperature
- 25–26 °C
Over the next 7 days, Longmen Beach (Magong) is forecast for daytime winds of 6–30 kts, peaking around 30 kts on Tuesday, October 27 with gusts to 39 kts. The prevailing direction is NNE. Waves run 0.7–2.5 m with a period of about 6s. 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
- Rough coral/super coarse sand that can be hard on kites
- Very strong winter winds (often too strong for many riders)
- Strong currents/downwind drift
- Remote feel with limited immediate rescue
- Possible flotsam in some areas
- Heavy shore break in big swells
- Occasional rocks near the bay edges and nearby harbor wall
- Strong wind can make self-launch/land challenging
Rescue & support
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Reported as limited / no dedicated on-site rescue indicated.
- Emergency Info
- Nearest major medical facility is in Magong City (about 15–20 minutes by car).
Rules of the spot
Follow standard kitesurfing safety practices; use a safety boat in strong winds; avoid harbor entry/fishing harbor zones and any areas where local fishers are operating.
- Taiwanese licence required on Penghu
- Keep clear of nearby active fishing harbor and harbor entry zones
- Check the tide as beach width changes significantly.
- Best sessions are typically on high tide (beach width/launch conditions).
- Rig a smaller kite than you think for winter winds.
- Meet local kite surfers and consider using a safety boat to avoid ending up in adjacent landing areas.
- Respect fisherman and stay out of harbor entry zones.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Magong
- Nearest Town
- Huxi Township
- Nearest Airport
- Penghu Airport (MZG / Maiji Airport) or Makong Airport (by flight into Penghu)
- Parking
- Parking available near Magong / Longmen Beach access point.
- Public Transport
- Buses connect Huxi Township to Magong but are infrequent; limited transport to the beach itself.
- Access
- East coast of Penghu main island, south of Guoye; accessible via local roads from Magong. Parking near the beach access point; public transport is limited and many visitors use scooter/car.
- Cost Level
- Budget
- Local Language
- Chinese (Mandarin) and Taiwanese Hokkien
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Guesthouses and B&Bs available in Huxi Township and Magong City; accommodation is available next to/near Longmen Beach.
- Food & Drink
- Few basic restaurants in Huxi; Magong (about 25 minutes away) has more variety with pubs and bars.
- Equipment Rental:
- Rental is available through local schools/hosts serving the eastern Penghu beaches; accommodation near the beach may also offer rental.
- Gear Storage
- Some local guesthouses/schools offer kite washing and storage facilities.
- Gear Repair
- Basic repairs can be handled by local kite schools in Magong; some providers can help with repairs at/near the spot.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Huxi area around Longmen is known for dramatic geological scenery (including basalt formations) and tourism tied to eastern sunrise viewpoints and coastal/tidal attractions, alongside a rural wind-sports atmosphere.
A famous spot for viewing the sunrise over the sea on the eastern tip of the island.
Impressive natural volcanic rock formations and traditional stone walls in the region.
A restored underground military tunnel complex open to tourists.
Numerous local restaurants serving fresh Penghu specialty seafood.
A tidal causeway that appears at low tide, allowing visitors to walk to an offshore islet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Longmen Beach (Magong)?
The best overall months at Longmen Beach (Magong) are October, November, December, January, February, March. The best wind months are January, February, March, October, November, December.
Which wind directions work at Longmen Beach (Magong)?
Longmen Beach (Magong) works with NNE, NE, ENE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Longmen Beach (Magong)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Longmen Beach (Magong): Kitesurfing: 5–9 m² · Windsurfing: 3.7–5 m² · Wingfoiling: 3–6 m². The typical wind range is 20–50 kts.
What skill level is Longmen Beach (Magong) suitable for?
Longmen Beach (Magong) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate to Advanced · Windsurfing: Advanced · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Intermediate.