Surfing at WAI'AO in Yilan | waiao surfing
First-TimeSurfingExperienceontheNortheastCoastText:JoeHenley; Photos:MaggieSongTaiwanasasurfingdestinationusedtobeawell-keptsecret,knownonlytointrepidexplorersofwavesworldwide.Thishaschangedsignificantlyinrecentyears,however,andsurfingbeachesaroundtheislandhavebecomehotspotsattractingsurfersfromnearandfar.AmongthehottestisatWai’aoinYilanCounty,aconvenientlyreachedspotthatisidealfornovicesurfers.WhentravelersthinkofsurfinginEastAsiaitisthewave-ridinghotspotofBali,whereeveryonefrombeginnertosu...
First-Time Surfing Experience on the Northeast Coast
Text: Joe Henley; Photos: Maggie Song
Taiwan as a surfing destination used to be a well-kept secret, known only to intrepid explorers of waves worldwide. This has changed significantly in recent years, however, and surfing beaches around the island have become hotspots attracting surfers from near and far. Among the hottest is at Wai’ao in Yilan County, a conveniently reached spot that is ideal for novice surfers.
When travelers think of surfing in East Asia it is the wave-riding hotspot of Bali, where everyone from beginner to surfing professional can enjoy the famed breaks at beaches like Kuta, Dreamland, and Medewi, that most likely comes to mind.
While Taiwan does not have the sheer number of surf spots nor the imposing waves of that Southeast Asian haven, the breaks this island does possess, especially those along its eastern shores all the way down to the far south, are slowly making a name for thems...