[2026 New Year's Eve Recommendation] Hualien | New Year's Eve Fireworks and Sparkling Lights Flight & New Year's Day Sunrise Whale Watching Flight (Departing from Sunrise Square, Hualien Port)

The Hualien New Year's Eve Fireworks Flight offers a unique vantage point to view the fireworks directly from the sea. Participants will be positioned on the water, providing an unobstructed, panoramic perspective of Hualien's New Year's Eve fireworks display. This allows for a spectacular and romantic experience away from crowded shorelines, making it an ideal way to welcome the new year with a dazzling light show.

The Hualien New Year's Eve Fireworks Flight is typically scheduled to depart in the late evening on December 31st. This timing is specifically chosen to position the vessel optimally for passengers to witness the New Year's Eve countdown and the subsequent fireworks display as it illuminates the night sky over Hualien, ensuring a celebratory start to the new year. Exact departure times may vary based on the specific year's event schedule.

To reach Sunrise Square at Hualien Port for the New Year's Eve flight without a car, visitors have several options. You can take a taxi directly from Hualien Railway Station, which is a convenient way to get there. Alternatively, local Hualien buses operate routes that can bring you close to the port area. Check local bus schedules and routes for stops near Hualien Port or designated visitor drop-off points. Walking might be an option from closer city center accommodations, but it depends on your specific starting point.

When traveling on public buses around Hualien, common payment methods include cash, paid directly to the driver upon boarding, or using an EasyCard (悠遊卡) or iPASS (一卡通) smart card. These smart cards can be purchased and topped up at convenience stores or metro stations in major cities, and are widely accepted across Taiwan's public transportation network, offering a convenient cashless option for your journeys in Hualien.

For traveling from Taipei to Hualien for the New Year's events, the primary train options are the Puyuma Express (普悠瑪號) and Taroko Express (太魯閣號). These are fast express trains offering comfortable journeys with limited stops. Other options include the Tze-Chiang Limited Express (自強號) and Chu-Kuang Express (莒光號), which are slightly slower but also provide reliable service. It is highly recommended to book train tickets well in advance, especially during peak holiday periods like New Year's, as they sell out quickly due to high demand.

The Hualien New Year's Eve Fireworks Flight offers a truly unique celebration. Instead of observing fireworks from a crowded shore, participants enjoy a direct, unobstructed view of the Hualien fireworks display from the tranquility of the sea. This provides an intimate, romantic, and memorable setting to bid farewell to the old year and greet the new. It transforms the New Year's Eve countdown into an exclusive maritime spectacle, promising a distinct and beautiful holiday experience.

During the Hualien New Year's Day Sunrise Whale Watching Flight, participants can anticipate a breathtaking start to the new year. The flight offers a chance to greet the first light of January 1st from the expansive ocean, creating a picturesque sunrise viewing opportunity. Following this, the journey focuses on locating and observing various marine life, with the primary goal of spotting whales and dolphins in their natural habitat off the Hualien coast. It’s a blend of stunning natural scenery and exciting wildlife encounters.

The Hualien New Year's Eve Fireworks Flight is designed for celebrating the transition into the new year with a spectacular fireworks display viewed from the sea on December 31st evening. In contrast, the New Year's Day Sunrise Whale Watching Flight takes place on January 1st morning, focusing on greeting the first sunrise of the year at sea, followed by a search for whales and dolphins. One offers a festive evening show, while the other provides a serene morning wildlife and scenic experience.