Written/Compiled and Reported by MOOK Travel Life Network’s Liao Qiyu
Laomei’s Green Reef Slots presents a breathtaking view of lush greenery set against the setting sun. (Image source / New Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
The volcanic rock geology is suitable for the attachment and growth of seaweed. Every winter, when the northeast monsoon prevails, seawater splashes against the shore and nourishes the surfaces of the reef slots, allowing green seaweeds such as “Ulva lactuca,” “Ulvella lens,” and “Enteromorpha compressa” to thrive. As the seasons change, the dead seaweed remains harden into a thin layer of lime, upon which new algae continue to attach and grow. This continuous cycle of life and death eventually builds up this stunning algal reef.
Laomei’s Green Reef Slots, a beautiful sight that never fails to amaze. (Image source / New Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
The Green Reef Slots are typically visible from mid-March to early May, with the period around April’s Tomb Sweeping Festival being the most beautiful.The Green Reef Slots coastline stretches nearly 2 kilometers, with neatly arranged coastal grooves covered in seaweed, creating vibrant green slots that paint the entire shoreline in brilliant green. The most stunning scene occurs when seawater crashes against the slots, sending up sprays of sea foam, making the waves burst like fireworks along the shore — a breathtaking spectacle.
The unique reef slot landscape often attracts photographers to capture its beauty. (Image source / New Taipei City Tourism Bureau)
As seasonal winds and sunlight conditions change, the seaweed gradually disappears under prolonged sun exposure, only to return and repaint the coast in vibrant green the following year. This is why the seasonal beauty often draws many photographers and tourists eager to witness this limited-time natural wonder. However, it’s important to note that the Green Reef Slots are under survival pressure due to visitor trampling. Therefore, visitors are encouraged to enjoy the view from the sandy shore and avoid stepping onto the reef slots. Especially the tops of the slots are very slippery and dangerous—if you slip and get injured, it’s not worth the risk.
Visitors planning to take photos here should first check the daily low tide times for Shimen District on the Central Weather Bureau’s website to ensure the tidal water does not cover the reef slots, preventing them from capturing the beauty of the green coast.
[Info]
Public Transport Information:
Take the Danshui or Keelung bus (running between Danshui MRT Station and Keelung Railway Station) and get off at the “Laomei” stop.
◎ After getting off, walk straight through the Laomei community to reach the site.
Car and Motorcycle Transport Information:
1. Highway National Freeway No. 3 (Jinshui Interchange) → Provincial Highway No. 2 → Wanli → Jinshan → Shimen (at 26.3 km on Provincial Highway No. 2)
2. Highway National Freeway No. 1 (Wugu Interchange) → Provincial Expressway No. 64 → Bali-Wugu (heading towards Danshui) → Guandu Bridge → Zhuwei → Tamsui River Mangrove → Provincial Highway No. 2 → Sanchih → Shimen (at 26.3 km on Provincial Highway No. 2)
3. Taipei → Shilin → Guandu → Zhuwei → Tamsui River Mangrove → Provincial Highway No. 2 → Sanchih → Shimen (at 26.3 km on Provincial Highway No. 2)- 1
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