Keelung | Keelung Island (Central Section) Landing (Harbor Trail, Coastal Trail, and Seaside Promenade) — Turning the volcanic island's coastline into a breathtaking blue poem ✨🏝️

#9月好去地方2025 Keelung Island has so much to offer, there's so much to share, so Heinrich has divided it into three travel moments. This article will introduce the "flat sea route" after arriving on the island—starting with a warm-up at Keelung Island's harbor trail, then walking along the cliffs to the coastal path, and finally watching the waves crash against the white rocks from the seaside promenade. Let's not talk about hiking and the lighthouse for now (that's for the next article), just spend your time enjoying the sea and the wind. • Destination | Keelung Island (Harbor Trail/Coastal Trail/Seaside Promenade) • Transportation | Boats typically board from Bisha Fishing Port, Badouzi, or Shen'ao. Schedules vary depending on the season and sea conditions. • Season | Relatively stable from April to October; sailings may be suspended during the northeast monsoon. • Recommended Stays | The total island visit duration is typically 2–3 hours; for this coastal walk, 60–90 minutes is ideal. • Tips | Always wear a life jacket when boarding the boat. Stay on the island's trails along the established routes. Always obey any closure/rockfall notices. Background | The Compromise and Beauty of a Volcanic Island and Conservation Keelung Island is an isolated volcanic island nestled in the ocean. Years of wind, waves, and joints have carved the hard igneous rock, resulting in the gray-black cliffs that plummet to the sea, reefs formed by collapses, and clear gravel bays. To balance conservation and tourism, the island has recently established clear routes for movement: hiking trails lead to the ridgeline and lighthouse; the coastal route is connected by the Harbor Trail, the Coastal Trail, and the Seaside Promenade, allowing most travelers to explore the island in a more gentle way. ⸻ My Real Walk: Three Coastal Routes, Three Rhythms ① Harbor Trail: Leaving the City in the Distance, the Sound of Waves in the Foreground Upon arrival, you first step onto the concrete harbor trail. To your right is the still waters of the dike, to your left is the harbor's outer sea, the wind combing the surface into shimmering sheets of aluminum foil. Looking back, you can see the shadows of the main island's mountains and a wall of clouds, while ahead lies the gray-black rock face of Keelung Island, like a knife-carved façade. How to Enjoy: First, stop at the edge of the mooring area for three minutes to let your ears accustom themselves to the rhythm of the waves and wind. Then, slowly walk outward, your vision naturally drawn to the texture of the rock face. Photo Tips: Keep the horizon in the lower 1/3 of the frame, leaving 2/3 for clouds; place a yellow bollard in the corner foreground to instantly create a sense of story. 📸 ⸻ ② Coastal Trail: Walk alongside the cliffs, reading a book written in stone As you go further, the trail begins to follow the cliffs. The rock face is covered in white streaks carved by salt spray and sea breeze, with occasional patches of green climbing up like velvet. Around corners, you can see blocks collapsed by joints, shaped like rounded puzzle pieces. The scene I saw: The sea was so clear I could see the bottom, barnacles and seaweed breathed freely on the reef, and a few sea buds in the distance acted like gatekeepers. The sea breeze blew directly, and the sun cast shadows on the rock face, creating a three-dimensional effect, making photos almost painstakingly retouched. Safety Notice: Sections with rockfall risks are fenced off and should not be crossed. If the waves are high, walk on the inner side and avoid areas covered in slippery black algae. Photography Tips: Use a 45° angled frame, EV -0.3; this will enhance the depth of the rock patterns. Position your subject at the intersection of light and shadow for an instantly clean overall image. ⸻ ③ The Seaside Promenade: White Rocks, Deep Blue, and a Place Where Time Slows Down The most relaxing section of the promenade is the one facing the gravel bay. The white and gray gravels have been polished into a smooth, rounded shape by the sea, and the waves slowly ebb and flow, like breaths of air. The view is expansive: gravel in the foreground, offshore rocks ahead, and the island's mountain range in the distance softened by the mist. I simply sat by the railing and stared blankly, not even bothering to grab my camera. How to Enjoy: Find a shady spot along the promenade, drink some water, and listen to the waves for five minutes. On a clear day, the rocks will transform from cold gray to warm silver. Photography Tips: Raise your camera slightly to create an arc from the gravel bay to the sea. Use a composition that emphasizes the scale of the entire island. 😍 ⸻ 8 Reasons I Recommend This Coastal Route 1. Spectacular, Zero-Entry Requirement: No climbing required, yet you can get up close to the rock faces and gravel bays. 2. Conservation-Friendly: Use the existing trails to avoid stepping on the fragile landscape. 3. Photographs Beyond the Picture: Gray-black rocks + blue sea + white rocks = simple and elegant in any photo. 4. Immersive Sea Conditions: Hear the waves, wind direction, and changing tides firsthand. 5. Flexible Pace: Enjoy a 30-minute brisk walk or a 90-minute leisurely stroll. 6. Suitable for both families and adults: The route is flat and easy to walk, with railings and viewpoints. 7. Complementary with the island circumnavigation boat tour: See the outline from the sea the day before, and see the details ashore today. 8. Split into sections for more enjoyment: This section explores the coastal route, and the next section explores the ridgeline and lighthouse for a complete and unrushed experience. ⸻ Practical Tips & Pitfalls (Must Read) ⚠️ • Boat Schedule/Time: Circumnavigation and landing are often packaged tours with fixed stay times. Arrive at the island via the coastal route, leaving 30–60 minutes for the hike (to be covered in the next article). • Equipment: Non-slip shoes, a hat, a light jacket, sunscreen, and water; the sea breeze can get cold over time. • Safety: Avoid rock climbing, crossing railings, or walking into slippery areas with black algae. Hold children's hands and keep them inside. • Environmental: Take all trash home; light items (invoices, plastic bags) can be blown away by the wind; leave no trace. • Weather Warning: If the sea conditions worsen and the boat is suspended, take a stroll at Bisha Fishing Harbor and have lunch at the fish market instead, which is equally satisfying. ⸻ Post-Cruise Supplies | Food Review (Including Address!) Bisha Fishing Port Tourist Fish Market Address: No. 211, Beining Road, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City My Must-Tries: • Mixed Sashimi: Lightly sweet, with a bright, crispy cut, and a clean, seafood-inspired bite. • Grilled Shredded Pork: Slightly charred on the outside, springy on the inside, and delicious with a simple sprinkle of salt. • Clam Soup: Refreshingly sweet and warming, perfect for a refreshing ocean breeze. Why Recommended: Closest to the dock, plenty of seating, and clear price signs. After taking photos of the sea and exploring the islands, a bowl of soup and a plate of fish will capture the day's excitement. 😋 ⸻ Photography Tips (Shoot Great Photos with Your Phone) 📱 • Harbor Trail: Place the yellow bollards/black and yellow bumper strips in the corners as visual anchors. • Coastal Trail: Capture the moment when the "light streak" falls on the rock ridges; stand at the edge of the shadows, facing the light source. • Coastal Promenade: Use a wide angle to create an arc in the gravel bay; adjust the EV setting to −0.3 for a deeper sea. • Colors: Blues, grays, and whites are rich enough, but avoid overheating the color temperature to maintain a refreshing feel. ⸻ Suggested Itinerary (Seaside Only) Half-Day Itinerary Bisha Island Boat Arrival → Warm Up on the Harbor Promenade → Admire the Rock Patterns on the Coastal Promenade → Relax on the Seaside Promenade → Return to the Harbor for a Fish Market Dinner Day Itinerary Morning: Arrive on the Island and Walk the Coastal Route → Afternoon: Marine Science Museum/Chaojing Park → Dusk: Zhengbin Colorful House/Heping Island Park → Evening: Keelung Miaokou Night Market ⸻ My Honest Experience Rather than conquering a specific altitude, I prefer to sit on the seaside promenade and let time slow down: the waves soak in the gravel, the wind dries my sweat, and the clouds change layers overhead. You'll suddenly realize that a journey doesn't necessarily mean reaching a destination; meticulously walking a section of the coast is the journey itself. In the next post, we'll go up the ridgeline again to see the Keelung Island hiking trail and lighthouse. 🫶 ⸻ Check-in Locations & Hashtags Keelung Island - Harbor Trail | Keelung Island - Coastal Trail | Keelung Island - Seaside Promenade | Bisha Fishing Harbor Tourist Fish Market (No. 211, Beining Road, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City) | National Museum of Marine Science and Technology | Chaojing Park #KeelungIsland #IslandClimbing #HarborTrail #CoastalTrail #SeasidePromenade #NortheastCorner #Badouzi #Bisha Fishing Harbor #SeaWalk #GeologicalTourism #KeelungTravel 🌊