大鵬湾国家風景区

Dapeng Bay is a protected wetland area in southern Taiwan, formed around a circular lagoon connected to the ocean by a narrow channel. The coastal zone shelters migratory and wading birds along with marine life, with shallow waters bordered by sandbanks and patches of mangrove.

The area was designated a protected zone in the late 1980s after centuries of use by fishing communities. The transition aimed to preserve ecosystems while promoting sustainable tourism.

Fishers still work with small wooden boats in parts of the lagoon, using methods passed down through generations to catch clams and mullet. The maritime heritage shapes the rhythm of daily life in nearby villages, where nets and fish traps line the waterside paths.

A visitor center on the northern edge of the lagoon rents bicycles and kayaks, and organizes guided tours along the waterside paths. Wheelchair-accessible routes and adapted facilities make it easier to explore the shoreline.

The lagoon formed through a narrow opening to the sea, creating pronounced tidal patterns that shift water levels noticeably twice a day. These currents attract fish and birds that distribute themselves differently depending on the tide.