Kenting Calling: My Epic Scooter Diaries Through Taiwan’s Southern Paradise!

     Taiwan! I’ve dreamed of this trip forever. Finally, I’m here. We’re kicking off our **Kenting Taiwan travel** adventure in the south. Then, we’ll head north to Taipei.

     As we left Kaohsiung, the ocean breeze hit us. It swept away city stress. The warm, salty air was invigorating. Lush tropical plants lined the roads. Palm trees swayed under the sun. They welcomed us to Kenting, a true Pacific gem. Watching the sunset dip below the horizon was incredible. The ocean shimmered in gold. What a view!

That endless ocean at sunset. Just wow!

     In Kenting, we saw so much. We visited Eluanbi Park and Sail Rock. Longpan Park and Chuanfong were also on our list. Maobitou Park and Baishawan Beach were stunning. Of course, we hit the National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium. We even chased the Guanshan sunset. It didn’t quite deliver, but it was still amazing!

     After checking in, we immediately rented scooters. (They call them ‘ji che’ here.) Scooters are the best way to explore Kenting. You can cruise along the coast. Or, you can zoom through country roads. Stop whenever you want. It’s super convenient.

Our ride for this Kenting trip!

I. Eluanbi Park

     Day two kicked off bright and early. We hopped on our scooters. We rode along Kenting Street’s coast, heading east. Our destination: Eluanbi Park. The morning sun kissed the ocean. Blue waters turned golden. Waves crashed on rocks, a gentle rhythm. The crystal-clear sea was breathtaking. We were totally hooked.

     Soon, we passed Sail Rock. Honestly, it looked more like a cat’s head to me. Not so much a sail! After a quick stop, we kept going. Eluanbi Park appeared quickly. The tour buses in the parking lot told us one thing: this is a must-see. We walked through some lush greenery. Then, the famous lighthouse came into view. It’s an icon of Kenting. The red and white tower stands tall on the cliff. It’s like a silent guardian. It watches countless ships pass by. From the viewing deck, the Pacific, Bashi Channel, and Taiwan Strait meet. Three different shades of blue swirl together. The vastness and beauty left us speechless.

Hotels and guesthouses packed along Kenting Street.

Sail Rock area. Looks like a cat’s head to me!

The ocean’s gradient colors were unreal. So beautiful!

Eluanbi Park parking lot.

Park entrance.

The park’s lawn.

Eluanbi Park’s Lighthouse.

II. Longpan Park

     After Eluanbi Park, we kept riding our scooters east. The vast Pacific stretched out on one side. Tropical plants covered the land on the other. Sea breeze from the Pacific hit our faces. My heart felt light, like a bird in flight. We stopped at a high point. The winding, long coastline of the Pacific was stunning. What an epic view!

Felt like Hainan Island’s scenic coastal road!

Longpan Park.

Jagged, crazy rocks.

III. Baishawan Beach

     Afternoon was all about Baishawan. The fine white sand was soft underfoot. Walking barefoot along the shore felt amazing. Waves tickled my ankles. The water was incredibly clear. I could easily spot schools of tropical fish. Of course, I had to jump in! Later, I just lounged on a beach chair. Sunglasses on, sun shining, listening to the waves. I soaked up the Pacific breeze. The scenery was epic. But the sun? Brutal! My arms and neck turned fiery red. They burned, then peeled. Talk about a souvenir!

Still got the tan lines!

Baishawan Beach.

Crystal clear water!

IV. Guanshan Sunset, Pingtung

    In the late afternoon, we drove to Guanshan. This spot in Hengchun, Pingtung, is famous for sunsets. CNN even named it one of the top twelve worldwide! We wound our way up the mountain road. We reached a two-story pavilion. As dusk settled, the sky exploded in brilliant orange. Clouds were edged in gold. They looked like a moving oil painting. Unfortunately, a giant cloud blocked the actual sunset. So, we missed the moment it dipped into the sea. Guess I’ll have to come back for that!

V. National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium

     We popped in for a visit. Honestly, it’s pretty much like any other aquarium. It showcases marine life. I felt it was just okay. If you’re short on time, you can definitely skip this one.

VI. Kenting Street Night Market

     I’d heard so much about Taiwan’s night markets. We definitely had to check one out! Kenting Night Market transforms at dusk. The street, usually a road, fills with food stalls. You’ll find all sorts of BBQ and Taiwanese snacks. There were even some performances. At one spot, I saw a ladyboy show. Talk about pulling out all the stops for customers! Honestly, it felt pretty similar to street food back home. But being in Taiwan made the vibe totally different.    

     I even spotted Xinjiang BBQ on the street. It just shows how connected cultures are! 

     The food stalls were bursting with amazing smells. Sizzling wild boar skewers, fresh off the grill, were calling my name. A sprinkle of salt and pepper, then a bite: crispy outside, tender inside. The mango shaved ice was piled high like a mountain. One spoonful was pure heaven. Sweet fruit and icy goodness. However, converted to USD, the prices felt a bit steep.

Ladyboy performance.

VII. Houbihu Fishing Harbor

     This is Hengchun’s biggest fishing port. It’s also the largest in Kenting National Park. You’ll often see fishing boats and yachts leaving the harbor together. It’s a paradise for snorkelers. If you love snorkeling or fresh seafood, this place is for you!

Time to try some sashimi!

A haven for snorkelers.

The color of this water! I couldn’t believe my eyes.

VIII. Maobitou Park

     Maobitou, or “Cat’s Nose,” is unique. It formed over tens of thousands of years. The ocean’s constant erosion shaped it. You’ll find lots of crazy, jagged rocks here.

IX. Small Bay by Kenting Street

     On our last morning in Kenting, we explored a small bay. It was right next to our hotel. The wind was whipping, and the waves were pretty big. This spot offered gorgeous ocean views. It’s also a surfer’s paradise!

Massive waves!

Surfers enjoying the waves.

     As we left Kenting, the coastline slowly faded. It disappeared in my rearview mirror. The sea here is simply pure blue. The wind feels gentle and warm. Kenting felt like a dream I never wanted to end. It wrapped my best memories in sea and wind. No matter how far I go, I’ll always look back.

Tips: Renting a scooter in Kenting is key. The area is a loop. You can split it into East and West routes. I recommend at least two days. This prevents rushing your trip.

📍 West Route: Kenting Street (Night Market) → Maobitou → Baishawan → Houbihu → Guanshan Sunset
📍 East Route: Kenting Street → Sail Rock → Shadao Ecological Protection Area → Eluanbi Park → Southernmost Point of Taiwan → Longpan Park → Chuanfong (Wind-blown Sand) 

    During summer, sunscreen is non-negotiable! Otherwise, that strong UV will leave you with a “memory” worse than any postcard.

So red!

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