An outside reef peak roughly 150m offshore marks Gongs, located about 17km south of Hualien along Taiwan's rugged east coast highway. NE to SE swells wrap around the exposed submerged reef and produce peaks that can left and right, jacking sharply on the outside before walling toward shore. Low to mid tide is the window, when the reef is shallow enough to shape the wave properly. NW offshore winds keep it clean. The spot handles real size, reportedly breaking big on the right swell, but consistency is medium at best and interval matters. Intermediate surfers willing to deal with technical access will find an uncrowded, occasionally powerful peak with near-zero local surf scene. Bottom: submerged reef. Season: NE swell season, autumn through winter. Consistency: medium. Surfing is technically illegal along this stretch of coast south of Hualien, so keep a low profile and know that water entry and exit here demands planning every single session.
Virtually no local surf scene. Reports suggest zero regular surfers and even local fishermen are surprised anyone surfs here. Weekend crowds are essentially nonexistent. The main pressure is the coast guard, not other surfers. Keep a respectful, low-key presence.
Drive approximately 17km south of Hualien on the coastal highway to YanLiao Harbour. A county park at the harbour has parking, legal camping, and toilets. The surf is about 200m south of the lot. Do not surf the beach break directly in front of the parking area. Getting in and out of the water across this rocky coast requires real attention. Paddle from near the jetty rather than walking the shoreline at mid or high tide, when surge through beach-stabilization pilings makes the approach sketchy. River and estuary influence can affect water quality.
Jici Beach, just north near Hualien, offers a sandier option with beach peaks when Gongs is not cooperating. Further south, Cheng Gong is a more reliable left reef and point worth the extra drive when a solid swell is running.
Forecast by Windy.app
