Baishawan Beach
White coral sand, turquoise water, and room to breathe
About
(Baishawan) stretches along the southern tip of Taiwan's Hengchun Peninsula as the longest beach on the peninsula — roughly 491 metres of white coral sand. The water runs turquoise and the shoreline stays low on development, kept that way by Kenting National Park's protective designation. It's a relaxed place: no resort clutter, no hawker rows, just open sky and the soft crunch of coral underfoot. The lighthouse hill backdrop gives the beach a quietly dramatic frame, especially in the softer light of late afternoon.
How to get there
From Hengchun town the drive takes around 20 minutes by car; from Kenting town allow about 25 minutes. A small roadside lot offers free parking, though spaces are limited — arrive early on weekends or you'll be circling. Ferry access is also possible. The beach sits within Kenting National Park, so park rules apply from the moment you arrive.
Who it's for
For couples
The low development and relaxed pace make a genuinely quiet escape for two — long walks on white coral sand with a lighthouse hill on the horizon and almost no commercial noise to break the mood.
For families
The flat sand and easy access are practical wins for families, but note there are no formal accessible facilities on-site, no food vendors, and pets are not permitted inside Kenting National Park — come prepared with snacks, sunscreen, and an eye on the designated swimming zones for younger swimmers.
Our take
Rip currents are a real hazard at — stay inside the designated swimming zones and treat the flag system as non-negotiable. With that said, this is one of the most rewarding beaches in southern Taiwan for anyone who values space and natural integrity over resort convenience. The white coral sand is genuinely distinctive, the turquoise water earns its reputation in the dry season, and Kenting National Park's protection has kept the development pressure off in a way that's increasingly rare on this peninsula. Come between May and September for swimmable conditions and manageable visitor numbers. Skip October through March — the northeast monsoon makes the sea rough and the wind relentless. No food on-site, no camping, no pets: know that going in and you'll have a very good day.
What to do
The beach itself — Baishawan — is the main event, and its length means you can walk a good stretch without retracing your steps. Just under 3 kilometres away, Houbihu offers a change of coastal scenery worth the short drive. Nearby, the Fengchuisha Dune Area is an active aeolian dune system where monsoon winds push sand across the road in winter — a striking natural spectacle about 3 kilometres from the beach. If you want broader context for the region, the Kenting National Park Visitor Center is the main hub for Taiwan's southernmost national park, about 15 kilometres away.
The northern end of the beach, where the lighthouse hill rises behind the white coral sand, is the most photogenic frame on the peninsula.
Shoot from the waterline looking back toward the hill at golden hour for the strongest contrast between turquoise water and the warm-toned sand. The open, low-development shoreline also rewards wide-angle shots that emphasise the beach's unusual length and emptiness.
Where to eat
There are no restaurants at the beach itself, so eat before you arrive or pack your own supplies. The nearest dining options are back toward Kenting town: steamed buns around 7.6 kilometres away, beef noodle at roughly 8.1 kilometres, and Milano Pizzeria Kenting serving pizza at about 8.2 kilometres.
Where to stay
Amanda Hotel Kenting is the closest option, sitting about 5.4 kilometres from the beach. Further along toward Kenting town, both YOHO Beach Resort and A-Shin Choco Farm are around 7.3 kilometres away.
Photography
The lighthouse hill backdrop makes the northern end of the beach the strongest compositional anchor — shoot in the hour before sunset when the light warms the white coral sand and the turquoise water deepens in tone. Early morning, before other visitors arrive, gives you the clearest foreground sand and the calmest reflections along the shoreline.
Good to know
Rip currents are possible here — swim only within the designated swimming zones and never ignore the flag warnings. Do not collect coral or sand: removal is prohibited inside Kenting National Park and carries real penalties. Camping on the beach is not permitted, so plan your day accordingly. Avoid visiting between October and March, when the northeast monsoon drives strong winds and rough surf that make swimming inadvisable.
Map
Nearby places
墾丁卡米克 特色民宿|硫泉泡湯、手作早餐、銀河草原|官網訂房最優惠
Amanda Hotel Kenting
日和灣居 Sunshine Liv.
YOHO Beach Resort
A-Shin Choco Farm
Fengchuisha Dune Area
Hengchun Old Town Walls
Kenting National Park Visitor Center
Things to see around Hengchun
Fengchuisha Dune Area
Active aeolian dune system where monsoon winds push sand across the road in winter.
Hengchun Old Town Walls
Kenting National Park Visitor Center
Main visitor hub for Taiwan's southernmost national park.
Frequently asked
The information on this page is provided for guidance only and may evolve. Access conditions, safety and infrastructure can change without notice. Always check official sources before traveling.
Other beaches in the region
Reviews of this beach
- No reviews yet, what a shame — leave yours and share your experience.
Photo credits
Sources and licenses for the photos shown above.
- Photo 1 — bigheadmogi · source · CC BY-ND 2.0
- Photo 2 — paularps · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 3 — paularps · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 4 — paularps · source · CC BY 2.0
- Photo 5 — Prattflora · source · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Photo 6 — bigheadmogi · source · CC BY-ND 2.0