Summer months has south winds, and with that we get murky, dark bluish, green water. Winter months we get north winds, and with that we get clean, blue, beautiful water.
The beach at Dong Gang is about 2 kilometers long, and shallow. We have to launch from the water's edge. The beach starts at the southern end of a sizable harbor and you can see the island of Shao-Lio-Cho about 10 km straight out from the beach. There is a coast guard station with lifeguards and lots of shady trees with seats to rest in.
Aside from typhoon season, which runs from May until October, we get lots of sunny days with wind. The rain here comes in torrents, and coupled with the steep high mountains in Taiwan, the runoff after a storm leaves lots of tree limbs, logs and other debris floating along the shores that eventually washes up on our beaches. The water is warm here, but the wind gets cold in December, so you'll need a light wetsuit until about March.
Aside from typhoon season, which runs from May until October, we get lots of sunny days with wind. We get days with strong wind and use a 9 or smaller, and we get days when we need a 16 or bigger.
You will have to rent a car in Taiwan. You can fly into Taipei or Kaohsiung. Dong Gang is about an hour south of Kaohsiung. Follow the 3 freeway all the way to the end. Turn right on the 17 and go straight until you come to a very large Fire Department. Pass the Fire Department and turn left at the next traffic light. You will see a brown sign, in English, that says something about the Dong Gang harbor. Follow that road, it winds around to the left and back to the right. When you see a white Coast Guard tower, park. You're there.
