【屏東 墾丁】Kenting Guide
This post contains affiliate links, meaning EVERLASTYING will earn a commission if you purchase through our link at no extra cost.
Read my disclosure for more information. I appreciate your support 🤍
There's something about Kenting that hits differently the moment you arrive.
Maybe it's the salty ocean breeze, the palm trees lining the road, or the fact that you're officially at the southernmost tip of Taiwan — where the Pacific Ocean, the Taiwan Strait, and the Bashi Channel all converge. Whatever it is, it works.
We only had one night here, and honestly? It wasn't enough.
Between the stunning sunset views at SkyeBay, the freshest seafood of our entire Taiwan trip, a morning dip at Baisha Beach, and an accidental café stop that looked exactly like Greece — Kenting surprised us in the best way.
Whether you're road-tripping down from Kaohsiung, squeezing in a quick overnight trip like we did, or planning a full beach week, here's everything you need to know before you go.
get to know Kenting
Kenting's name literally means pioneers. Ken 墾, meaning to cultivate, and Ting 丁, meaning male laborer.
Long before tourists were packing the beaches every summer, this stretch of southern Taiwan was home to the indigenous Paiwan people, who have lived here for many centuries. Archaeologists have found 17 prehistoric sites in the area, with some dating back over 4,000 years. The Paiwan people's deep connection to the land — its forests, coastline, and coral reefs — is woven into everything here.
Fast forward to 1984: Kenting became Taiwan's first modern national park, established by Chiang Ching-kuo to protect a landscape that had been slowly damaged by farming and development. That decision preserved the coral reefs, tropical forests, and dramatic cliffs that make Kenting one of the most ecologically rich corners of the island.
Today it draws millions of visitors a year — 5 million in 2016 alone — making it the most visited national park in Taiwan. It's a bit touristy? Sure. But there's a reason people keep coming back.
getting around Kenting
Kenting is one of those places where having your own transportation to get around is probably the best. Here's how to get to Kenting and how get around Kenting!
— Getting to Kenting
🚄 From Taipei
Take the High-Speed Rail (HSR) from Taipei Main Station to Zuoying Station in Kaohsiung (~2h 15min, NT$1,490). From Zuoying, head to Exit 2 for the Kenting Express Bus.
🚌 Kenting Express Bus (from Kaohsiung/Zuoying)
Bus 9189 departs directly from Zuoying HSR Station Exit 2 to Kenting — affordable, straightforward, and no transfers needed.
A one-way ticket is NT$371, and you can grab it at the ticket booth just outside Exit 2, or pre-purchase on Klook so you don't have to think about it on the day. The ride takes about 2h 15min to nearly 3 hours depending on traffic — budget extra time on weekends and holidays.
— Getting around Kenting
🛵 Scooter (highly recommend!)
Honestly, this is the move in Kenting.
Rentals are easy to find near the main beach and Hengchun bus station, and having a scooter unlocks beaches and spots that are basically impossible to reach by bus.
Expect to pay around NT$300-800/day depending on the type of scooter you’re renting.
Gas scooters require an International Driver's Permit (IDP), but electric scooters don't require a license since they run at lower speeds — a great option if you don't have an IDP. Just know that most rental shops don't include insurance, so ride carefully! You can also book a scooter in advance through Klook.
🚗 Car rental / drive yourself
If you're road-tripping south like we did, driving is genuinely one of the best ways to experience the East Coast of Taiwan. The coastal scenery heading down is gorgeous and you can stop whenever you want.
where to dine
OCT.SUN Coffee
While we were leaving Kenting, my partner had this café saved and suggested we all stop for a quick coffee and pastries before heading to Kaohsiung — and I'm so glad we listened.
We had to park a little bit farther away and walk over since there was no parking in front. But the moment we walked closer to the cafe, it felt like we'd been transported to Greece.
White walls, blue-accented tiled roof, people lounging by the rocks with ocean waves splashing onto the sandy shore. It was stunning.
There's indoor and outdoor seating available. We initially started outside, but the sun was a little too intense for us to leisurely sit outside without becoming burnt charcoal — so we moved inside, where the interior was cozy, cooler, and intimate.
The menu has a great selection of unique drinks and coffee, and there's even oat milk available! I went with the oolong oat milk tea, and it was so refreshing. We shared a couple of pastries too.
The perfect last stop before driving down to Kaohsiung.
SkyeBay Club Restaurant
This was hands-down one of the best and most freshest seafood meals of our entire Taiwan trip.
We ordered the fresh catch of the day and some seafood dishes, and everything was incredible — the kind of seafood that makes you wonder why you ever eat it anywhere else. Highly recommend eating here even if you're not staying at SkyeBay Club.
— Iconic Bites in Kenting —
Fresh seafood — Pepper clams, oysters, and tiger prawns. Get them at the night market or a local seafood spot near the harbor.
Grilled corn — A classic night market staple, weirdly satisfying.
Stinky tofu — You either love it or you run away from it. But in Kenting? Try it at least once.
Kenting Night Market 墾丁夜市 — one of the longest night markets in Taiwan and known for their seafood stalls!
where to explore
Baisha Beach 白沙灣
On our last morning in Kenting, we decided to hit the beach for a quick swim before hitting the road — and I kid you not, it was incredible.
500 meters of fine, shimmering white sand, stunning blue water, and the most perfect ocean temperature — with some gnarly waves if you're into that. Kenting's ocean stays in the 70s-80s°F (low-to-mid 20s°C) year-round, so even visiting in January, we were fully swimming, and I somehow came back to the hotel with a tan lol.
⚠️ As tempting as it is — and trust me, the sand is incredibly soft — please don't take any sand, rocks, or seashells home as a souvenir. Leave it for the next person to enjoy. The best souvenir from Baisha Beach is the photo you take and the memory you keep.
— More Iconic Kenting Spots —
Eluanbi Lighthouse (鵝鑾鼻燈塔) — One of the most unique lighthouses in the world — it's fortified, with a protective wall originally built because of attacks by local Indigenous tribes after its construction in 1883.
Kenting National Forest Recreation Area (墾丁國家森林遊樂區) — Lush tropical forest, coral reef tunnels, caves, and a viewing tower with sweeping views of the coastline and mountains. Fairy Cave is the standout.
Longpan Cliff and Grassland (龍磐公園)
Shadao Beach (砂島) — You can't swim here — it's a fully protected environmental area — but it might be the most photogenic spot in all of Kenting. The sand is actually made up of crushed shells and coral fragments built up over thousands of years, which gives it that impossibly white, fine texture. Unfortunately, the beach had to be closed to visitors after people began taking the sand home, and it was even being collected and sold to places like Hawaii and Japan. Now you can only view it from a designated lookout, but honestly? The view from there is still stunning.
Hengchun Old Town (恆春古城) — Just a short drive from Kenting, Hengchun is the only walled town in Taiwan where the ancient gates are still standing — originally built during the Qing Dynasty in 1879.
experiences worth booking
⚠️ Book these in advance — they sell out fast during peak season!
where to stay
Whether you're here to swim or surf at the beach or just one night on a south Taiwan road trip, Kenting has options across every budget.
SkyeBay Club
We stayed here for one night and I still think about it.
Beautiful beachfront property, stunning views, an incredible restaurant, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to cancel your next stop and just... stay. Chef's kiss.
Perfect for couples or anyone who wants a proper splurge on the coast.
— Find Your Perfect Stay in Kenting —
Taiwan vlog!
-
Kenting National Park Official Site
Briannica: Kenting National Park
Round Taiwan Round: Shadao
Weather2Travel: Best Time to Visit Kenting
HopOnWorld: Getting from Kaohsiung to Kenting
Taiwanderers: Kenting Express Bus 9189 Timetable
YOU MIGHT ALSO LOVE
Kenting sits at the very southern tip of Taiwan — where three bodies of water meet, the ocean is warm year-round, and one night is somehow never enough. From beachfront stays and the freshest seafood you'll ever eat, to a café that looks straight out of Greece — here's your guide to doing Kenting right.