Diving in Taiwan: Green Island, Kenting and Sea Turtles

At a depth of twelve metres off Xiaoliuqiu, an adult green sea turtle resting on a massive brain coral head lifts her head, pushes off with sweeping front flippers, and glides through sunlight filtering into the swell. Below her, yellow damselfish dart into crevices while a steady gentle current pushes past the rocky ridge. The sea turtle banks lazily to steer around a tabular coral ledge before settling back onto a sunlit patch of basalt rubble.

Diving in Taiwan spans a marine landscape created where tropical currents meet temperate northern waters. Water temperatures range from 21°C along northern shores during winter to 29°C in southern bays during midsummer, requiring a 3mm to 5mm wetsuit depending on the season and region. Underwater visibility varies with local swell and coastal runoff, averaging 10 to 20 metres along the main island, while offshore volcanic islands frequently exceed 25 metres. Favorable diving conditions across most regions occur from May through October, though southern sites remain accessible year-round.

Key locations include the macro-rich gullies of Longdong Bay, the deep freighter at Badai Bay off Orchid Island, the sea turtle foraging grounds of Xiaoliuqiu, and the fringing reefs of Kenting. Divers encounter green sea turtles, banded sea kraits, nudibranchs, and schooling reef fish, alongside seasonal sightings of scalloped hammerheads off Green Island. Shallow shore entries in the south suit newly certified divers and snorkellers, while deep drop-offs and strong oceanic currents off eastern islands cater to experienced open-water divers.

What Is Diving in Taiwan Like?

Taiwan sits at an ecological crossroads where tropical Pacific waters collide with temperate coastal currents. According to the Taiwan Ocean Conservation Administration, the Kuroshio Current flows northward along Taiwan’s eastern coast at speeds of up to 1 m/s, transporting plankton, fish eggs, juvenile fish, and migratory pelagic species directly from the Philippine Sea. This constant influx of warm water bathes eastern islands such as Green Island and Orchid Island, nourishing coral ecosystems and maintaining elevated water temperatures throughout the cooler winter months.

The underwater topography changes drastically as you travel from north to south across the island. The northern coast near Taipei features rugged basalt formations, submerged boulders, and narrow gullies encrusted with algae and sponge growth rather than hard corals. In contrast, southern Kenting National Park and the offshore islands showcase fringing coral reefs, deep drop-offs, underwater caves, and ancient volcanic sea mounts that plummet into deep water.

Water clarity and marine conditions reflect these varied geographic features. While offshore eastern islands often benefit from oceanic water with visibility reaching 25 metres or more, coastal shore dives along the main island range between 10 and 20 metres depending on recent rainfall and wind directions. Divers adjust their expectations and gear based on location, moving from sheltered macro hunts in rocky bays to current-swept drift dives along deep outer walls.

Best Time to Dive in Taiwan

Diving conditions in Taiwan follow distinct regional seasons rather than a uniform national calendar. The prime diving season across northern Taiwan, Penghu, Green Island, and Orchid Island runs from May through October when south-westerly winds bring warm air and calm seas. During these summer months, surface conditions are generally smooth, water temperatures range from 26°C to 29°C, and marine life activity reaches its annual peak across both macro and pelagic habitats.

From November through April, the strong northeast monsoon generates heavy swells and cool winds along the northern and eastern coasts, making shore entries hazardous and offshore boat crossings unpredictable. However, southern regions such as Kenting and the sheltered island of Xiaoliuqiu remain protected from the harshest monsoon winds. These southern destinations offer viable year-round diving, with winter water temperatures remaining around 22°C to 24°C in Kenting and slightly warmer off Xiaoliuqiu.

Summer travelers must remain aware of the Northwest Pacific typhoon season, which typically peaks between July and September. Tropical storms can quickly generate massive swells and high winds, causing ferry cancellations to offshore islands and closing coastal dive sites for several days at a time. Checking marine forecasts daily and maintaining flexibility in travel itineraries allows divers to adjust plans safely when weather systems approach the coast.

Taiwan Water Temperature by Month

Thermal conditions across Taiwanese waters vary significantly between regions and seasons, dictating appropriate exposure protection. In the northern and northeastern regions around Longdong, winter water temperatures drop to around 21°C between January and March, requiring a full 5mm wetsuit and an optional thermal hood. During mid-summer, water temperatures in these same northern bays rise to 27°C, making a 3mm wetsuit comfortable for standard recreational dive profiles.

Southern destinations enjoy higher thermal averages throughout the year due to tropical latitude and current patterns. In Kenting and Xiaoliuqiu, winter water temperatures rarely dip below 22°C, while summer peak temperatures from July to September reach 28°C or 29°C. A standard 3mm suit or a shorty provides adequate insulation for most summer dives in the south, though repetitive multi-dive days still warrant full coverage against wind chill on surface intervals.

Offshore eastern islands such as Green Island and Orchid Island benefit from the constant influx of warm Kuroshio Current water. Winter sea temperatures here stay near 23°C to 24°C, while summer conditions mirror the south at 28°C. Thermoclines can occur on deeper dives below 20 metres, dropping temperatures by two to three degrees, so divers planning deeper profiles should choose their exposure suits accordingly.

Best Dive Sites in Taiwan

Badai Bay Wreck (Orchid Island): deep freighter exploration

Resting on a white sand seabed at a depth of 36 metres, the Badai Bay Wreck is a sunken Korean freighter that settled off Orchid Island in 1983. The ship's massive steel superstructure has broken into several large sections, with the bow section rising up to 20 metres beneath the surface. Sunlight penetrates the blue water, illuminating the encrusted hull beams, fallen cargo booms, and coral growths covering the metal plates.

The wreck functions as an artificial reef, attracting deep-water sea life to the open sandy bay. Schools of surgeonfish and barracuda circle above the stern, while banded sea kraits hunt between the exposed deck beams. In the shaded recesses of the open hold, divers spot sculptured slipper lobsters hiding in dark crevices and small frogfish clinging to rusted ironwork.

Orchid Island also features shallow-water volcanic caves and swim-through canyons carved into the shoreline reef, reflecting the island's dynamic geology. Due to the site's depth and susceptibility to sudden oceanic currents, dives on the Badai Bay Wreck require careful gas management and strong buoyancy control. Overhead hazards, sharp metal, and silting mean penetration should only be attempted by properly trained divers carrying redundant light sources.

Depth: 20-36 m. Access: boat, 10 minutes from Yayu Village. Level: Advanced Open Water. Best months: May-October.

Steel Reef (Green Island): artificial structure and resident batfish

Submerged at a depth of 30 metres in Nanliao Bay off Green Island, Steel Reef consists of massive steel pyramidal structures deployed to foster coral growth. Over the decades, soft corals, gorgonian fans, and encrusting sponges have blanketed the metal lattice, creating a thriving underwater sanctuary in open water.

The reef is famous for its resident school of orbicular batfish that regularly approach divers. These curious, silver-and-black fish glide through the structural crossbeams alongside schooling fusiliers, while moray eels tuck into the corner joints. Clear oceanic water bathed by the Kuroshio Current often brings visibility exceeding 25 metres.

Strong currents occasionally sweep across the sandy floor around the structures, requiring divers to manage their position carefully near the bottom. The steel framework provides shelter from the flow, allowing divers to inspect small nudibranchs and flatworms clinging to the lower beams before beginning a gradual ascent.

Depth: 18-30 m. Access: boat, 10 minutes from Nanliao Harbor. Level: Intermediate to Advanced. Best months: May-October.

Longdong Bay (Northeast Coast): entry-level shore diving and macro hunting

Located an hour's drive east of Taipei, Longdong Bay is a sprawling natural harbor framed by towering sandstone cliffs and rocky shorelines. The underwater terrain consists of submerged boulders, shallow sandy patches, and rocky gullies that shelter a wealth of benthic sea life. Clear stone staircases and entry ramps along the shoreline allow divers to enter calm, shallow water protected from open ocean swell.

The bay is a primary location for macro observations, particularly during the late spring and summer months. Divers examining the algae-covered rocks can find numerous sea slug species, including pustulose wart slugs and colorful headshield slugs creeping over the substrate. Coconut octopuses often occupy discarded shells or small crevices on the sandy bottom, while juvenile squid hover in small groups near shallow sea grass beds.

Because maximum depths remain under 18 metres across most of the inner bay, Longdong serves as Taiwan's principal training ground for entry-level scuba certifications. The shallow entries make it easy to practice mask clearing and buoyancy adjustment in safe conditions before venturing into open ocean currents. During winter, strong northeast monsoon winds bring high surf and heavy rain, closing the bay to recreational diving.

Depth: 5-18 m. Access: shore entry via concrete steps. Level: Beginner to Intermediate. Best months: May-September.

Beauty Cave (Xiaoliuqiu): sea turtle foraging grounds and shallow plateaus

Positioned along the northern coast of Xiaoliuqiu, Beauty Cave features a limestone reef terrace that slopes gently from three metres down to eighteen metres. Bright sunlight illuminates sprawling tabular corals and brain coral heads where green sea turtles gather in high numbers to graze on turf algae.

Divers floating along the shallow reef ledge frequently spot several adult turtles within a single dive. Banded sea kraits weave through coral heads in search of small blennies, while anemonefish guard their host anemones tucked into rocky crevices. Water temperatures stay warm year-round, making this a favored site for leisurely shallow profiles.

Shore entry requires stepping off concrete platforms into shallow water, so timing the entry with gentle tide conditions ensures a smooth exit. The site's shallow depth and mild currents make it accessible to novice divers, though careful buoyancy is essential to maintain distance from the protected turtles and delicate coral heads.

Depth: 3-18 m. Access: shore entry via stairs. Level: Beginner. Best months: Year-round (best May-October).

Wanlitong (Kenting): shallow fringing reef and macro canyons

Situated on the western shore of Kenting National Park, Wanlitong is a protected marine area characterized by deep rock canyons, coral trenches, and shallow tidal flats. Submerged limestone formations form natural arches and channels encrusted with soft corals, hard coral heads, and leafy seaweeds.

The network of shallow gullies harbors abundant macro life, including porcelain crabs, harlequin shrimp, and various nudibranch species hiding among anemones. Schools of damselfish and parrotfish feed along the reef crest, while blue-spotted stingrays rest on sandy patches within the canyon bottoms.

Entry is made directly from a concrete slipway into a calm tidal pool that opens into the outer reef. Mild currents and depths under 15 metres make Wanlitong ideal for night diving and long bottom times, provided divers navigate carefully through the maze-like rock formations.

Depth: 5-15 m. Access: shore entry from rocky shore. Level: Beginner to Intermediate. Best months: Year-round (best April-October).

Marine Life in Taiwan

Taiwan's position at the edge of the Coral Triangle supports a wide variety of marine life, blending tropical Indo-Pacific species with subtropical organisms. Official data from the Taiwan Fisheries Agency notes that Kenting National Park alone has documented 1,382 fish species and more than 200 reef-coral species within its protected marine zones. These figures illustrate how varied habitats—from shallow fringing reefs to deep volcanic walls—support stable marine populations across the region.

Large marine animals are a primary attraction, particularly sea turtles that forage close to shore. A 2025 analysis by Fong et al. in BMC Ecology and Evolution identified Liuqiu Island, Kenting, and Green Island as Taiwan’s principal green-turtle foraging grounds, with Liuqiu accounting for 76.7% of identified individuals, Kenting 8.7%, and Green Island 7.5%. Divers at Xiaoliuqiu regularly swim alongside dozens of resident green sea turtles feeding on shallow algae, while juvenile hawksbill turtles are also observed foraging among coral heads.

Macro enthusiasts will find a broad assortment of cryptic species hiding within Taiwan's rocky reefs and coral structures. Ghost pipefish, pygmy seahorses, frogfish, and soft coral crabs inhabit gorgonian fans and soft corals along wall dives. If you spot an unfamiliar nudibranch or juvenile reef fish on your dive, logging your sighting in the Seabook mobile app allows you to quickly identify species and keep an accurate record of your underwater encounters.

Pelagic encounters add an element of excitement to offshore eastern island sites. From January through March, schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks gather in the cooler waters off Green Island's southern tip, while spotted eagle rays and Napoleon wrasses occasionally cruise along outer drop-offs. Banded sea kraits are also frequently seen surfacing for air before diving back down to hunt among deep rock crevices.

Is Taiwan Good for Beginners and Snorkellers?

Taiwan offers clear advantages for beginner divers and snorkellers, provided destination choices match skill levels. Sheltered locations such as Longdong Bay on the northeast coast, Little Bay in Kenting, and the shallow coral plateaus around Xiaoliuqiu feature calm water, minimal current, and easy shore entries. Beginners can complete open-water training or enjoy relaxed shallow dives without fighting heavy surf or deep drop-offs.

Xiaoliuqiu is rewarding for snorkellers wishing to see large marine animals up close. Because resident green sea turtles feed in depths between one and five metres, snorkellers floating on the surface can watch these ancient reptiles graze peacefully on algae-covered rocks. Local conservation regulations strictly enforce a three-metre distance from turtles, prohibiting touching or chasing them to ensure the animals remain undisturbed in their natural habitat.

In contrast, offshore islands such as Green Island and Orchid Island demand stronger skills from certified divers. Dive sites in these locations often involve deep wall profiles, strong oceanic currents, negative entries from speedboats, and surface swells. Beginner divers visiting these islands should stick to sheltered bays or request local dive guides who understand current patterns and entry conditions.

Getting There and Practical Tips

Traveling to Taiwan's primary diving regions is straightforward thanks to an extensive transport network connecting major cities to coastal ports. Northern sites like Longdong are accessible within an hour by bus or rental car from central Taipei. To reach Xiaoliuqiu, travelers take the High-Speed Rail to Kaohsiung, travel by taxi or bus to Donggang Port, and board a 20-minute passenger ferry to the island.

Accessing the eastern offshore islands requires journeying to Taitung on Taiwan's southeast coast. From Taitung's Fugang Port, regular passenger ferries operate to Green Island (50 minutes) and Orchid Island (two hours), while domestic flights connect Taitung Airport to both islands. Keep in mind that ferry operations depend heavily on sea conditions, and sailings may be delayed or cancelled when high swell or wind warnings are issued.

Dive operators in Kenting, Xiaoliuqiu, and Green Island offer full equipment rental, tank fills, and guided boat or shore trips. Bring your certification card, logbook, dive computer, and a surface marker buoy, which is necessary for boat diving on exposed eastern island sites. Always purchase flexible travel insurance that covers trip disruptions during the typhoon season, and allow adequate surface interval time before flying or driving into high-elevation mountain passes.