Taiwan offers varied diving landscapes, from current-influenced offshore islands to coral coasts. Warm currents can support rich marine life, but temperature and visibility vary by site and day. Flights from Hong Kong make it accessible, with onward transport often the more complicated part.The key is matching the destination to your experience, the season and the training required.
Kayarine has run water activities in Sai Kung for over five years, introducing thousands of visitors to its coastline. This guide compares four Taiwan destinations by experience level and interests, with particular attention to island-transport disruption and conservation rules.
1. Four destinations compared
| Destination | Highlights | Experience considerations | Access | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Island | Volcanic scenery, coral sites and the history of Big Mushroom coral | ⭐⭐⭐ Some sites have depth or current challenges | Ferry from Taitung's Fugang or a flight | Qualified divers choosing suitable guided sites |
| Xiaoliuqiu | Relatively warm water and green-turtle habitat | ⭐ Suitable guided beginner sites in the right conditions | Ferry from Donggang | Snorkeling and wildlife observation without sighting guarantees |
| Kenting | Coral coast and established tourism facilities | ⭐⭐ Site and conditions dependent | Road access | Visitors preferring to avoid an island ferry |
| Orchid Island / Lanyu | Tao culture and distinctive offshore scenery | ⭐⭐⭐ Site-specific experience required | Limited flights or ferries; check current services | Experienced visitors allowing extra travel flexibility |
2. Green Island: volcanic scenery and coral history
Green Island lies roughly 33 kilometers east of Taitung. It is a volcanic island with andesitic rock, covering about 16 square kilometers. Hills, cliffs and contrasting shorelines create varied scenery above and below the water. Actual dive access depends on the coast, current and sea state.
Big Mushroom: a famous coral landmark that changed
The famous Big Mushroom coral was a large Porites colony in the Shilang diving area, with its base historically recorded at about 18 meters below the surface. Before its collapse, accounts described it as roughly 10 meters tall with a circumference around 31 meters. These historical dimensions should not be presented as the shape of a coral still standing today, nor as an independently verified current world record.
⚠️ The original standing formation collapsed in 2016.After severe typhoon conditions, including Typhoon Meranti, the colony toppled. The tourism authority describes subsequent conservation work. The site does not look like old photographs of the upright formation; ask a qualified local dive operator about current access and conditions.
Other interests
- Zhaori Hot Spring: A coastal hot-spring attraction that can be planned as a separate activity. Do not treat a hot soak immediately after scuba diving as a routine recommendation; discuss post-dive heat exposure and timing with your dive professional.
- Geology: Green Island's rocks record volcanic and tectonic processes. Avoid interpreting a simplified annual movement figure as a reliable prediction of when an island will join the mainland.
- Marine life: The coast supports diverse habitats within a landscape managed for tourism and conservation. Follow site-specific restrictions and avoid contact with coral.
Transport: book and confirm early
- Ferry: Services connect Fugang Fishing Harbour in Taitung with Nanliao on Green Island. Confirm actual sailing times, booking requirements and weather notices; do not assume a fixed two-hour frequency.
- Air: Flights connect Taitung and Green Island using small aircraft. Seats are limited and booking allocations can change, so consult the airline's current policy rather than relying on an old nonresident-seat quota.
- Getting around: Scooters are common, but rent only with the licence and insurance required for the vehicle. Ask about fuel, helmets and return conditions. Taxis or arranged transfers may be preferable if you are not qualified or comfortable riding.
- Supplies: The island has shops, but opening hours, stock and prices can differ from the mainland. Arrange essential equipment and supplies in advance rather than relying on a particular store count.
3. Xiaoliuqiu: warm-water appeal and turtle habitat
Xiaoliuqiu, also called Liuqiu Island, lies southwest of Taiwan and belongs to Pingtung County. It is a coral-limestone island, around 15 kilometers offshore from the Donggang area, with limestone coastal features and sites within the Dapeng Bay scenic-area system.
Why consider it in winter?
Its surrounding water is influenced by warm regional currents, giving the island a reputation for relatively mild sea temperatures. Historical monthly averages are not a daily minimum: water and air can still feel cold, particularly in wind or during a long session. Compare the current forecast and the thermal protection recommended for the actual dive, rather than promising a fixed temperature advantage over another destination. These waters support coral habitats and varied marine life.
Green-turtle habitat
Xiaoliuqiu is known as important habitat for green sea turtles. Wildlife observation is a major attraction, but a historical survey count does not predict what you will see on a particular outing.
⚠️ Sightings are not guaranteed: Wild animals move according to their own needs. More importantly, do not touch, chase or feed turtles, and leave their route to the surface clear. They need to breathe air; surrounding an animal is not harmless photography.
Getting there
- Ferries depart from Donggang in Pingtung. Check the exact operator, pier and return service, as well as weather-related changes.
- On the island, use suitable local transport or a legally rented vehicle. Confirm licensing, insurance and fuel arrangements rather than assuming rental includes everything.
4. Kenting: national-park coastline with road access
Kenting National Park was established in 1984 and protects land and sea around Taiwan's southern Hengchun Peninsula. Its landscape includes parts of Hengchun, Manzhou and Checheng and surrounding coastal waters.
For visitors, the important point is that it protects both terrestrial and marine environments, not simply a beach resort area. The landscape includes limestone formations and coral-related coastal features, with Eluanbi among the best-known southern landmarks.
Practical advantages
- Road access: You can reach Kenting without an offshore ferry or small-plane connection. Weather can still affect roads and diving, but island isolation is not part of the normal route.
- Established services: Dive shops, accommodation and dining provide a range of introductory sessions and training courses. Compare supervision, training standards and what is included.
- A first Taiwan diving trip: A suitable Kenting site can be a practical introduction before planning a more transport-dependent island visit. The guide still needs to match the site to your ability.
⚠️ Check water temperature and wind: Winter conditions can require more thermal protection, and wind may limit suitable entry points. Do not assume another island will always be warmer or every Kenting site is comfortable in the same season.
5. Orchid Island: allow time for transport and culture
Orchid Island, or Lanyu, is called Pongso no Tao in the Tao language. It lies southeast of Taiwan and is part of Taitung County. Its settlements and natural landscape have been discussed as a potential heritage site within Taiwan's own heritage framework, which is not the same as UNESCO World Heritage inscription.
The island offers distinctive coastal and cultural experiences, but travel logistics require flexibility:
- Flights: Small-aircraft services link Taitung and Lanyu. Check the airline's current schedule and booking allocation instead of relying on a seasonal flight count from an older article.Limited capacity makes early planning useful, especially during busy travel periods, but weather may still cancel a confirmed booking.
- Weather limits: The airline assesses visibility, cloud and other operating conditions. Travellers should follow its notices rather than trying to judge whether a flight can depart from one numerical threshold.
- Ferries: Check current services from the mainland, the actual port, sailing date and weather policy. Do not assume an extra sailing will operate once a particular passenger number is reached.
- Disruption risk: Severe typhoons have previously damaged island infrastructure and interrupted transport and supplies. Allow contingency time and follow local advice; avoid travelling into a developing weather emergency.
Respect Tao culture: Traditional boats, homes and community spaces are not photo props. Ask permission before photographing people or culturally sensitive places, and follow local customs and access restrictions.
6. Seasonal planning
| Season | Typical considerations | Destination planning |
|---|---|---|
| April–June | Warming water, with rain and unsettled days possible | Choose by the site's conditions, not a blanket best-season claim |
| July–September | Warm water and tropical-cyclone risk | Kenting avoids an island crossing, but diving may still be cancelled |
| October | Often still warm; typhoons and monsoon winds remain possible | Check both sea conditions and transport |
| November–March | Northeast monsoon can disrupt exposed sites and ferries | Xiaoliuqiu may be an option—confirm conditions and suitable thermal protection |
Island-trip rule: Leave flexible time before onward travel and plan priority dives early enough to accommodate cancellations. Green Island and Lanyu have no road alternative to the mainland. Also reserve the required no-fly interval after scuba diving; a weather-delay buffer and a no-fly interval serve different purposes.
7. Training and participation requirements
| Activity | Certification? | Depth / format | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snorkeling | Usually no diving certificate; participation screening still applies | At the surface | Suitable beginners and children only when operator requirements are met |
| Introductory scuba | No prior certification for eligible participants | Instructor-supervised, within programme limits | People trying scuba after required screening and briefing |
| Open Water certified diving | Recognized certification and current competence | Common adult training limit around 18 m; agency and age rules apply | Divers on routes within their training and experience |
| Advanced training and beyond | Relevant qualification and competence | Limits depend on training, conditions and specialty | Specific deeper or more demanding dives, not automatic access everywhere |
| Freediving | Proper training and trained buddy supervision are important | Within learned limits; never alone | Breath-hold activity separate from scuba |
For an introduction to breath-hold skills and equipment, see freediving basics and equipment, and for fins, see our diving fins guide.
8. Comparing costs and itineraries
The following is general planning guidance, not a current price quote. Ask operators for actual fees and inclusions:
- Snorkeling trips: Guided sessions may include equipment and supervision. Compare group size, site access, thermal protection and cancellation terms rather than assuming every half-day package is the same.
- Introductory scuba: Prices depend on instructor ratio, time, equipment and site. Do not rely on a fixed multiple of a snorkeling price.
- Certified boat diving: Charges may be per dive or package, with boat, tanks, weights and rental equipment included or separate. Island logistics can affect cost.
- Certification courses: Open Water training requires knowledge, confined-water skills and open-water dives. The schedule depends on the provider and your progress; allow enough time rather than expecting certification within a fixed short visit.
- Five-day example: Arrive in southern Taiwan, then choose one main diving base such as Xiaoliuqiu or Kenting. Keep a flexible land-based day and enough time after the final scuba dive before any flight. Combining an entire certification course, two destinations and departure in five days may be too tight. Plan Green Island separately with transport contingency time.
9. Conservation and safety
- Do not stand on coral or touch wildlife: Even brief contact can damage fragile habitats. Maintain control of your body and equipment.
- Do not chase or touch turtles: Keep their path to the surface clear and let them move away. Do not surround them for photographs.
- Thoughtful sun protection: Prioritize protective clothing and shade, and follow local product restrictions. A mineral or reef-friendly label does not guarantee zero impact. See our sun-protective clothing guide.
- Stay within your training: Some Green Island sites have currents and depth considerations. The Big Mushroom site's suitability depends on the planned dive and current conditions, not simply an advanced-card label. Do not attempt to reach submerged landmarks by an untrained breath-hold dive.
- Check conditions every day: Monsoon winds and typhoons can change access quickly. Accept an operator's cancellation and do not pressure staff to proceed.
- Watch for local incidents: Pollution events or other closures can affect a normally suitable site. Check current notices; a historical incident is not evidence of today's conditions.
- Fitness, equalization and flying: Follow medical screening and stop if equalization is painful. After scuba diving, follow the applicable no-fly interval and your computer's guidance; plan conservatively rather than merely avoiding a dive on the calendar day of departure. Seek qualified advice for symptoms or medical concerns.
10. Practice water confidence before travelling
Getting comfortable with a mask, surface snorkeling and efficient movement before a trip can help you enjoy the scenery. This practice does not replace scuba or freediving instruction, and equalization should be learned safely with an instructor.
In suitable conditions, guided trips around Sharp Island combine snorkeling and kayaking. For separate background on a more demanding coastal area, see the Basalt Island freediving guide, but do not treat an article as training or an authorization to dive independently.
👉 Book the Sharp Island kayaking and snorkeling experience to build water confidence. Appropriately experienced paddlers can rent a kayak or SUP, or browse all water activities.
11. Frequently asked questions
Which Taiwan diving destination should I choose?
Green Island offers volcanic scenery and coral sites, including the changed Big Mushroom location. Xiaoliuqiu is known for turtle habitat, without guaranteed sightings. Kenting has road access and established services, while Lanyu needs more transport flexibility. Choose a specific site with a qualified operator based on your training and conditions.
Can you snorkel at Xiaoliuqiu in winter?
Suitable guided outings may operate when conditions allow, and its water is often relatively mild. Historical averages are not a guarantee that it stays above a fixed temperature every day. Ask about current sea conditions, wind, wetsuits and your group's suitability before booking.
Will I definitely see a turtle at Xiaoliuqiu?
No. It is important turtle habitat, but wild animals are unpredictable. Do not touch, chase, feed or surround them, and keep their route to the surface clear. A responsible trip should be worthwhile without promising an encounter.
Is Green Island's Big Mushroom coral still standing?
No. The famous upright colony collapsed after severe typhoon conditions in 2016. Its historical dimensions and old photographs do not show the current shape. Ask a qualified local operator about the site's condition, conservation work and whether the planned dive suits your experience.
Do snorkeling and introductory scuba require certification?
Snorkeling generally does not require a diving certificate, but age, swimming ability, health and supervision requirements still apply. Eligible beginners may join an instructor-led introductory scuba programme after screening and briefing. Independent certified diving requires appropriate training, competence and a buddy; a certificate is not permission to exceed your limits.
How do I get to Green Island and Xiaoliuqiu?
Green Island is reached by ferry from Taitung's Fugang or by a limited-seat flight from Taitung. Confirm current schedules and booking allocations with the operators. Xiaoliuqiu is commonly reached by ferry from Donggang. Allow for weather changes and, after scuba, the required no-fly interval before onward flights.