Kenting tide times

Mean tidal range at Kenting is approximately 1.0 m — mixed semidiurnal, with two highs and two lows per day. Spring tides at new and full moons push toward 1.4 m; neap tides can reduce the daily range to 0.5 m or less. The South China Sea geometry at the tip of the Hengchun Peninsula produces a more attenuated tidal signal than Taiwan's Pacific northeast coast.

Kenting has the most accessible coral-reef snorkelling in Taiwan — fringing reefs in 1 to 5 m of water reachable directly from several beaches in the national park. Water clarity is typically 10 to 20 m on calm days. Tide state affects snorkel conditions: mid- to high tide puts more water over the shallow reef flat, makes entry easier, and reduces the risk of accidental contact with the coral. Low-tide reef walking is prohibited in the national park to protect the live coral. Enter the water from the sandy patches between reef sections, not by walking across the reef.

October through April: the northeast monsoon season. The South China Sea side of the peninsula is sheltered from the northeast wind, producing calmer sea and better water clarity for snorkelling and diving. Summer (May through September) brings warmer water but also the annual 'Luoshan' southwest wind event and summer typhoon season, which can close beaches for days at a time. The Hengchun area is Taiwan's warmest winter destination — a consistent draw for Taiwanese and Japanese visitors escaping the cool north.

Hengchun township, 10 km north of the Kenting resort zone, contains Taiwan's best-preserved walled city. The Hengchun Old City walls — completed in 1879 during the Qing dynasty — ring the historic town centre with four original gates still standing. The walls are walkable; the south gate and the surrounding old streets hold the highest concentration of period architecture. It is one of only a handful of intact historical city wall systems remaining in Taiwan and a worthwhile half-day visit when combined with the national park beaches.

No prediction is guaranteed. Data on this page comes from Open-Meteo Marine modelling (typical accuracy ±45 minutes on timing, ±0.2–0.3 m on height) and is intended as planning guidance only. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) is the authoritative source for tidal predictions in Taiwan. Tidal predictions at the southern tip of the peninsula can differ slightly between the South China Sea and Pacific sides — CWA's Kenting gauge data is the reference for the national park area. This site does not accept responsibility for decisions made based on these predictions.