Hengchun · Kenting — Your Host's Guide
We plan it, arrange the tickets, and tell you exactly where to go
🚗 Getting Around
🚄 HSR Zuoying → Hengchun
- Private shuttle (most convenient): ~1 hour, door-to-door. Host has a partner operator — sedan NT$2,500 · 9-seat van NT$3,000
- Kenting Express (weekends only): departs Kaohsiung Station, ~2.5 hrs, limited seats
- Bus 9117 / 9188: budget option, ~2–2.5 hrs
🛵 Local Transport: Scooter Rental
- 100cc / 125cc: standard car licence required (~NT$350–500 / day)
- Electric scooter: often available without a licence — confirm with rental shop
- Shops vary in quality — host has a trusted partner rental shop
🚗 Self-Drive
- Freeway 3 south → Hwy 1 / 26 to Hengchun, ~5 hrs 20 min from Taipei
- Parking available at both guesthouses — let us know if you have a large vehicle
🌊 Water Sports
"Nanwan and Houbihu are the two main water sports spots in Kenting — both about 10 minutes away." — Host
Houbihu Snorkeling Center
Snorkeling & Water SportsA trusted long-standing operator at Houbihu. Rich coral reefs, all equipment included. Go snorkeling solo or bundle with speedboat, banana boat and more.
💡 Available activities: speedboat, banana boat, snorkeling, big foot, flying fish, donut, jet ski
Nanwan Water Sports
Beach Water SportsThe most action-packed beach zone in Kenting. Two plans to choose from. Jet ski ~3 min, banana boat & other power rides ~5–7 min each.
🏖️ Umbrella & chairs · rinse voucher · float ring · bodyboard · volleyball — no extra rental needed
📦 Free locker 📸 Complimentary sea photo 🪙 Sports coins accepted
🅿️ Free parking (3 hrs per 2 guests booked)
💡 Plan B options: banana boat, big foot, flying fish, rock & roll boat, mambo, donut, jet ski
SUP Paddleboarding – Haibian Ashui (Wanlitung)
Advance booking required2-hour private session — your group only, no strangers mixed in. Minimum 2 people. Includes insurance, gear, and photos/video (free to keep via your phone). When the session is at Wanlitung, you can keep using the snorkeling gear on your own after the instructor wraps up. If conditions are poor, the instructor will take your group to Houbihu or Howan at no extra charge — but you must return together and can't stay behind.
Kenting Secret SUP – Houbihu / Little Bali
Advance booking requiredA 2–3 hour guided SUP adventure to the hidden coral reef waters of Houbihu and Little Bali. No swimming required — stand, sit, lie down, or just float. Pets ride free; bring your own pet life vest. Shuttle from the meeting point to the secret beach is included.
Sessions: 07:00 sunrise · 10:00 morning · 14:00 afternoon. Add-ons: drone aerial footage ($500/1 · $800/2 · $1,500/4–5 pax); mermaid costume ($300/person). Not suitable for guests with heart conditions, high blood pressure, or pregnancy.
🔗 More plans · Transparent SUP · Kayak · Boat → View on official siteIntroductory Diving (Sharkenting)
Advance booking requiredOur partner dive shop Sharkenting is literally next door — same row of buildings. Change into your swimwear, walk downstairs and over, get a lesson from the instructor, hop on their shuttle to the dive site, dive, and get dropped back at the guesthouse to shower and sleep. Zero logistics on your end.
Includes instructor, transfer, insurance, photos
💡 Already certified? Tell us and we'll put together a custom fun dive itinerary — exploring Hengchun Peninsula's underwater world across different seasons and sites.
Houbihu Glass-Bottom Boat / Semi-Submarine
SightseeingTwo ways to see the reef — stay dry on the glass-bottom boat, or go in for a dive.
Yule 168 Private Yacht
Advance booking requiredDeparting from Haikou Port, Checheng — ID card or passport is all you need. No licence required. Two charter options: a sunset cruise along the west coast (max 11 pax), or a full-day offshore fishing trip (max 7 pax).
Slots after 16:00 · split 11 ways, just NT$1,000 per person · from the water you catch both the sunset and the tail ridge of the Central Mountain Range in one view, an angle impossible from land · dolphins spotted on lucky days NT$11,000 / vessel


Reference schedule: 05:30 assembly → 15:00 end · deliberately capped at 7 to minimise line tangles — so every angler gets a proper experience NT$21,000 / vessel




💡 Captain Wu's father was a local fisherman — father and son have worked these waters for decades. Captain Wu founded Yule 168 to bring anyone who wants to experience the sea right to it. From first-timers chasing their first catch to big-game hunters, there's a route for every season. Rods and reels on board to borrow; consumables at their own Shunjin Tackle Shop next door.
Houbihu Yacht Cruise
Advance booking requiredPrivate yacht charter in Houbihu waters. Two partner operators to choose from. Priced per boat. Includes NT$2M accident insurance per person, instructor, and snorkeling gear (life vest, goggles, snorkel tube). NT$10,000 deposit/vessel, balance collected on board. Bad weather: reschedule or full deposit refund.
Water activities: yacht · snorkeling · jet ski (instructor-operated) · banana boat · sea scooter
09:00–11:00 · 12:00–14:00 · 15:00–17:00
09:00–11:00 · 12:00–14:00 · 15:00–17:00
09:00–13:00 · 13:30–17:30
09:00–13:00 · 13:30–17:30
09:00 · 14:00
09:00 · 14:00
💡 1H cruise route: Nanwan → Dawan → Xiaowan → Kenting → Banana Bay → Shadao → Eluanbi (may vary with conditions). 4H BBQ is a light spread, not a full meal. Personal details required from each passenger for insurance.
🏕️ Land Adventures
"Kenting isn't just about the sea. These are the land activities our guests keep coming back to." — Host
Jeep Adventure
Advance booking requiredPickup from the guesthouse or East Gate. Insurance included. Two routes to choose from.
Jiupeng Jeep & Dune Buggy
Advance booking requiredA three-in-one adventure: dune racing, river crossing, jungle trail. Taiwan's only desert-like terrain. Best paired with other east-coast sights into a half-day trip.
Kenting Sky Mirror
Advance booking requiredThree-in-one, ~110 minutes, priced per person. Stage 1 — self-drive dune buggy through the jungle (2 pax/buggy); Stage 2 — self-drive MiMi Car up the hill; Stage 3 — sky mirror photo shoot. Ticket includes instructor, insurance, unlimited photos with on-site photographer, and parking. MiMi Cars are 4-, 6-, or 8-seater (shop assigns type; 4- and 8-seaters have rear-facing seats). Driver needs a car licence; solo riders share with other guests. Suitable for all ages. Slots: 9:30, 11:00, 13:00, 14:30 — arrive 30 min early.
💡 Under 2 years old: free. Hours: winter 09:00–17:00 / summer 09:00–18:30
Harry Potter Forest Dune Buggy
OutdoorHarry Potter-themed jungle dune buggy — four-wheel drive tackles any terrain, cutting deep into the forest. 1–2 pax per buggy, priced per vehicle, 30 minutes. Ages 15 and up; minors require an accompanying adult.
Dinosaur Go-Kart Park
Family FunKenting's most popular racing venue. Two options: 270cc F1 go-karts on a smooth 600m track — pure speed; or Mario drift karts with in-track obstacles and spin-out mechanics — hilarious and surprisingly competitive. Both work for kids and adults. Open weekdays 9:00–18:00, weekends 9:00–19:00.
Kenting Farm (墾草趣)
Family FarmA family-friendly farm experience in Kenting. Every ticket includes a bucket of carrots — kids can feed the animals directly. Great for all ages. Open 09:00–18:00.
💡 Under 6 years old: free entry
Paintball & Water Gun Battle
Outdoor3 rounds, ~25 minutes total. Full gear included with accident and medical insurance. Suitable from Grade 1 up — if you can hold a gun, you can play.
National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium
Must-SeeSoutheast Asia's largest aquarium — three major zones including Coral Kingdom, Taiwan Waters, and Tidal Zone. Highly recommended for families. Arrive at opening time to avoid crowds.
💡 Under 6 years old: free entry
🎁 Guest-Exclusive Services
"Once you're checked in, I can arrange a lot for you — just let me know in advance and you won't have to run around." — Host Aomei
BBQ Ingredient Delivery
We work with two local suppliers to deliver fresh ingredients straight to the guesthouse — from premium wagyu and seafood sets to budget-friendly party packs. No need to track down vendors yourself.
Ask before check-in →Birthday Surprise Arrangement
We've curated 4 nearby local bakeries. Order ahead, and our host will pick up the cake so it's waiting when the birthday person walks in the door.
Ask before check-in →🗺️ Attractions
"Almost everything worth seeing on the Hengchun Peninsula is within 20 minutes of us — on foot or by car." — Host Aomei
Hengchun Old City Walls
Taiwan's best-preserved Qing-dynasty city walls with four original gates. A stroll around the full circuit takes about 30 minutes and is especially lovely at dusk. Free admission.
Nanwan Beach
Kenting's most popular beach — white sand, clear water, and the main hub for water sports. The most visited spot for swimming and sun. Free beach admission.
Chuhuo Natural Gas Flames
Natural gas seeps through mudstone fissures and ignites, creating a permanently burning flame — Taiwan's only site of this kind. Renovated in 2026 with a new "fire meets water" circular pool design, plus a stargazing glass pavilion and art installations. A popular night-time attraction in Kenting National Park. Free admission; best after dark when the flames are most vivid.
Guanshan
Also known as Gaoshanyan, at 152 m elevation and one of the Eight Scenic Views of Southern Taiwan. The entire hill is made of raised coral reef — three million years ago this summit was underwater, giving visitors a profound sense of geological time. As the sun sets over the Taiwan Strait, the coastline turns deep crimson and purple, earning the site its famous name "Guanshan Sunset Glow." A landmark boulder called the "Flying Rock" crowns the hilltop. Next to the century-old Gaoshanyan Temple (Fude Temple) a two-tiered pavilion offers the best vantage point. The local ritual: grab a freshly made savoury rice cake (鹹粿) from a stall and watch the sun go down. Free admission.
Longpan Park
Dramatic coral-limestone plateau overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Wild Formosan deer graze freely on the grassland. Best at sunrise — come early for the most dramatic light. Far from city lights, it's also an excellent spot for stargazing. Free admission.
Eluanbi Lighthouse
Taiwan's southernmost point — the boundary between the Pacific Ocean and the Bashi Channel, and one of Taiwan's Eight Scenic Wonders. The park sits on a raised coral reef with dramatic rock formations, dense tropical flora, and a prehistoric site dating back 5,000 years. The lighthouse, built in 1881, is known as the "Light of East Asia" and is one of the world's rare fortified lighthouses — now a protected heritage site. Best visited in the early morning for the light. Admission NT$60.
📅 Sample Itineraries
"Pick your travel style — the plan is ready. Just let us know if you'd like to adjust anything." — Host Aomei
👨👩👧👦 Family Trip Old City + Aquarium + Chuhuo 2 Days 1 Night
- Afternoon check in → kids splash in the guesthouse pool to burn off energy while parents unpack and relax
- Dinner pick: head to Hengchun Old Street for local eats, or stay for a BBQ
- Night: KTV / electric mahjong table for adults, kids in the game room
- Morning: Marine Aquarium at opening time (partner price NT$420 — 11am check-out, tip: load luggage before you go for a smoother day)
- Afternoon: Dinosaur Racing Park (kids love it)
- Dusk: Guanshan — sunset + local savoury rice cake → Chuhuo → drive home
🎉 Friends & Group Fun Water Sports + KTV + Chuhuo 2 Days 1 Night
- Arrive → Nanwan water sports (all-in-one pass NT$1,200)
- Night: guesthouse BBQ + KTV + electric mahjong table — then jump in the splash pool for a late-night swim
- Morning: Snorkeling or Jeep adventure (pick one — 11am check-out, tip: load luggage before you go for a smoother day)
- Afternoon: Longpan Park coral cliff walk → Hengchun Old Street cold drinks & shaved ice
- Dusk: Guanshan sunset → Sichongxi Hot Springs soak & dinner → drive home
🏄 Ocean Obsessed Diving + SUP + Sky Mirror 3 Days 2 Nights
- Arrive → Nanwan water sports afternoon session
- Night: guesthouse BBQ — soak in the splash pool afterwards to unwind
- Morning: scuba diving at Houbilake (NT$2,500)
- Midday: glass-bottom boat (NT$300)
- Afternoon: SUP stand-up paddleboarding
- Night: guesthouse KTV + electric mahjong table — a different kind of fun for night two
- Morning: Sky Mirror or Jiupeng desert jeep (11am check-out, tip: load luggage before you go for a smoother day)
- Afternoon: fresh seafood at Houbilake harbour → walk next door to Zhongzhou Beach for a swim
- Dusk: Guanshan sunset → Chuhuo → drive home
🌿 Slow Travel Old Street + Lighthouse + Longpan 2 Days 1 Night
- Arrive → evening at Hengchun Old Street (mung bean dessert, egg cracker biscuits, duck vermicelli soup)
- Evening pick: stroll the ancient city walls, spread a picnic mat on Nanwan Beach with drinks and the sound of waves, or unwind at a Xiaowan bar
- Back to guesthouse — late snack and chat by the splash pool, early night for tomorrow's energy
- Morning: Eluanbi Lighthouse (NT$60, best light at dawn)
- Check out by 11am → luggage in car
- Longpan Park coral cliff walk
- Afternoon: snorkeling (NT$400) or glass-bottom boat (NT$300)
- Evening: Sichongxi Hot Springs — dinner and a soak to wind down → drive home
Plan sorted — now just book your stay
Tickets arranged, activities recommended, and a host who knows every corner of Hengchun.
The two guesthouses sit directly across the street from each other — both within walking distance of a convenience store and supermarket.