August in Taiwan is hot, sunny, and humid—it’s the second hottest and rainiest month of the year. It’s great for dolphin watching, mountain trips, and beach time, but the heat can be intense, especially in the afternoons. If you’re not used to the heat, plan for indoor activities or go to the mountains to stay cool.
There are no public holidays in August. Peak tourism, high prices, and the risk of typhoons make August a less ideal time to visit. If you are planning a Taiwan trip in August, contact us for help.
Weather Averages in August:
- Temperature range: 26–33°C (79–91°F)
- Total rain: 33 cm (13 inches)
- Rainy days: 13
- Humidity: 78%
- Sunshine hours/day: 7 hours
Content Preview
- August Climate Comparison
- The Best Things to Do in Taiwan in August
- Typhoon Season Tips
- What to Wear in August
- Recommended Tours for Taiwan in August
August Climate Comparison (Averages) for Taiwan’s Top Tourism Areas
August in Taiwan is hot, humid, and rainy, with typhoons likely. Taipei sees about 6 hours of sunshine daily, with heat amplified by the city. Tainan gets the most rain, with intense tropical storms making it feel even hotter. Hualien has less rain than the west but is more likely to face typhoons later in the season. The Penghu Islands enjoy 8 hours of sunshine but feel extremely hot due to high humidity and little shade.
| Taiwan city/area | Daily High | Daily Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taipei (NORTH) | 34°C (93°F) | 27°C (81°F) | 34 cm (13 in) |
| Tainan (SOUTH) | 33°C (91°F) | 26°C (79°F) | 48 cm (19 in) |
| Hualien (EAST) | 32°C (90°F) | 25°C (77°F) | 26 cm (10 in) |
| Penghu Islands (WEST) | 32°C (90°F) | 27°C (81°F) | 23 cm (9 in) |
The Best Things to Do in Taiwan in August
1. See the Summer Fireworks Spectacles
In August, you can watch evening fireworks displays at the Taipei Summer Festival and other places around the island.
The Taipei fireworks are at the Dadaocheng Pier Plaza every Wednesday at 8:30 pm until about August 20. Each display lasts about 5-8 minutes long.
Before the fireworks, you might want to visit the Taipei night markets for a meal. Ningxia Night Market is conveniently close to the Dadaocheng Pier area. You could walk between them. Evenings are often still sweltering, so standing by the water is more comfortable, especially if there is a breeze.
2. Hike on Taiwan's Highest Mountains
The tallest mountain in Taiwan, Mount Yushan, is famed for hiking in East Asia. In Chinese, Yushan means Jade Mountain. It is 3,952 meters (12,966 feet) tall. It is in Yushan National Park (At the border of Kaohsiung City, Nantou County and Chiayi County), and nearby shorter peaks are also worth climbing.
Mount YushanThe advantage of going in August is to escape from hot weather. Be aware that temperatures drop as you climb higher, and if there’s any windchill. At the top of Yushan, the average high temperature is a pleasant 9°C (48°F) in August.
The total rainfall for August in Yushan is extremely high at 52 centimeters (20 inches). Be careful not to be caught on the mountains during a typhoon or tropical storm by watching the weather forecasts closely.
3. Enjoy Taiwan’s Good Beaches in August
In Taiwan in August, the weather is great for swimming and sunbathing. So, you can enjoy tropical temperatures on Taiwan’s beaches in August like those in Thailand.
July and August have the most comfortable swimming sea temperatures of about 29°C (83°F) on average at most of the best beaches. Children and the elderly feel more comfortable when the sea temperatures are over 30°C (85°F) on the hottest days.
The Penghu Islands have some of the best beaches. You could marvel at stunning basalt formations, soak in the crystal-clear ocean, and enjoy the blue skies. It’s the perfect summer escape! Just don’t forget your sunscreen.
Beach at Penghu Islands4. See Dolphins and Whales Off the Eastern Coast
Hualien is one of the best places in Asia for watching dolphins, and August is one of the best months. The best months are from June to September.
In August, Hualien has an extremely high wet bulb temperature, but dolphin watching on a boat and the sea breeze can provide a respite from that. Check out our tour including Hualien: 4-Day Scenic Tour to Yilan and Hualien.
Nearby beaches are recommended, but Hualien gets a scorching 8 hours of direct sunshine daily on average that could give many people heatstroke in the afternoons. It is important to cover up and wear a sunhat.
Typhoon Season Tips
A summer typhoon usually lands in August. Check the weather reports, because when they arrive, there will be a lot of weather alerts and safety tips. Many businesses close temporarily. It is a good idea to find and stay inside good shelter during a typhoon.
In the event of a typhoon: Stay in your hotel or good shelter and rebook transportation etc. arrangements (or relax and let China Highlights’ travel experts do it if you’re traveling with us). The storm should pass in one or two days.
During rainy weather, you could still go to the big city museums such as the National Palace Museum in Taipei, but avoid going out in high winds or when there’s a flood risk.
What to Wear in August
Bring summer clothing. The extreme UV radiation with an August average of 13 hours of daylight and 7 hours of sunshine makes it important to cover your skin with light and breathable clothing.
In order to prevent sunburn and heat strokes, wear a sunhat and drink plenty of water. Try to stay out of direct sunshine or plan some indoor activities.
Taiwan's weather in August is changeable with afternoon thunderstorms common, so bring rain protection, too. Especially if you will be going to mountainous areas, where a wind/rain-proof layer is advisable for higher altitudes.
Here is a packing list for a few essentials in Taiwan:
- Sneakers, running shoes, or sandals. Some people say Crocs are suited for the wet and humid weather
- Beach sandals
- Poncho or umbrella
- T-shirts and shorts
- Thin long-sleeved cotton shirts and trousers or long skirts
- Sunhat
- Swimwear
- Polarized glasses for the glare
Recommended Tours for Taiwan in August
If you are visiting Taipei or just waiting on a flight layover at Taiwan International, our 1-Day Private Taipei City Tour with Michelin Star Lunch is a great option for an expertly-arranged day tour. Meals, airport reception, and comfortable private transportation are provided. Or check out other itineraries:
- 7-Day Classic Taiwan Tour — Visit Taiwan's most scenic places, such as Jiufen Gold Rush Town, Sun Moon Lake, Puli Town, and Alishan.
- See more Taiwan tour packages
We will make the best of Taiwan’s weather and highlights. Contact us for a personalized Taiwan tour.
Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Taiwan
| January | February | March | April |
|---|---|---|---|
| May | June | July | August |
| September | October | November | December |
For a summary, see The Best Times to Visit Taiwan.