The wind season in Penghu is long and lasts from September until May. In September and early October typhoons in the region can make kiting temporarily impossible for two different reasons – typhoons hitting the island would make conditions too extreme, while typhoons passing in a certain distance can suck up all the air around them resulting in a few wind-less days in Penghu. But barring typhoons at the beginning of the season, there is almost always wind at the Pescadores – and usually a lot of it. Typical wind speeds in the 30-50 knot range and the kites used here are small – usually 6m2-8m2. Heavier kiters may occasionally need a 10m2 kite on light-wind days and light kiters may need a 4m2-5m2 kite on strong-wind days. Water temperature is very pleasant in October and does not require a wet suite, the air temperature also remains warm (25 degrees Celsius or above). It is often sunny and a t-shirt and shorts are perfect attire. A wind-breaker can be handy for evening strolls given the incessant wind. All of this changes as the winter begins in earnest and in January/February a wet suit is indispensable for kiting as well as warmer clothes as temperatures are in the 15 degree Celsius range. It is worth mentioning, that the wind high-season happens to be the low-season for tourism, so you do not overlap with the summer crowd. Prices of accommodation tend to be lower and plenty of options available. The island receives mostly Taiwanese tourists during the summer months (June-August) and only occasional travelers during the rest of the year. Indeed some shops and restaurants close completely for the winter months.