Liuqiu
Underwater Destination Guide: Diving & Snorkeling in Liuqiu
As a seasoned diver who’s explored reefs and wrecks across the globe, I can tell you that Liuqiu (Xiaoliuqiu) holds a special place. This small coral island off Taiwan’s southwest coast is a true gem, offering an intimate and vibrant underwater experience unlike many larger, more commercial destinations. If you're looking for honest, practical advice on diving in Liuqiu, you’ve come to the right place.
Overview of Diving in Liuqiu
Turtles, turtles, more turtles.
Liuqiu is renowned in the diving community for its consistently warm (compared to Europe e.g. Croatia), clear waters and, most notably, its incredibly dense population of green sea turtles. It’s Taiwan's only offshore coral island, sitting directly in the path of the warm Kuroshio Current, which brings a constant influx of nutrients and keeps water temperatures pleasant year-round.
What makes Liuqiu truly unique? Beyond the sheer number of turtles you'll encounter (it's not uncommon to see multiple on a single dive, my max turtles per dive was 12!), it's the relaxed, unhurried pace of the island itself. There are no major resorts or bustling nightlife; instead, you get a genuine island vibe, focused entirely on enjoying the natural beauty, both above and below the waterline.
Location & Access Information
To get to Liuqiu, please take the REAL fast train (Taiwan High Speed Rail HSR) to Zuoying. from there take a bus to the Donggang Ferry Terminal, then take a ferry to Liuqiu.
Be aware that if you take the Taiwan Regular Train (TRA) to Kaohsiung, you can still also take a bus from Kaohsiumg to the Donggang Ferry Terminal. But - the whole journey is very very long (5-6 hours to Kaohsiung). So you might risk miss the last ferry to the island.
Dive and snorkel sites are distributed around the entire coastline of Liuqiu, with many accessible points. The northern side is famous for Vase Rock and Beauty Cave. The western and southern sides host popular spots like Secret Beach, Sanfu, and Dufu, offering a good mix of shallow and deeper dives.
On Liuqiu Island, scooters are the primary mode of transport. They are easy to rent and allow you to explore the island and reach various dive and snorkel sites independently. Many dive shops also offer scooter rentals or transfer services. Limited taxi services are available.
Travel time to sites from shore or ports:
Shore Dives: From most accommodations and dive shops in the main villages, shore dive sites are typically a quick 5-15 minute scooter ride away.
Boat Dives: Boat travel to the various dive sites usually ranges from 10-30 minutes, depending on the site's location relative to the departure harbor.
Best Time to Visit Liuqiu for Diving & Marine Life
Liuqiu is a year-round diving destination, its water temperature varies from winter 25 (77°F) to summer 30°C (86°F). However, understanding the seasonal nuances can help you plan the ideal trip for your specific interests.
Weather patterns (rain, wind, swell):
Spring & Autumn: Generally calmest conditions with minimal wind and swell, making for pleasant boat rides and easy entries.
Summer: Can experience occasional typhoons, particularly in August. Always check forecasts if traveling during this period. Otherwise, conditions are typically calm and sunny.
Winter: Constant northerly winds, affecting northern and western dive sites (e.g. Shanfu Harbour). Southern and eastern sites often remain sheltered and diveable (e.g. Dafu)
Currents and upwellings:
Currents are generally mild to moderate around Liuqiu. Most beginner-friendly sites are in sheltered bays. Deeper sites or those on the outer edges of the reef can experience stronger currents, especially during tidal changes, which can be exhilarating drift dives for experienced divers. Liuqiu doesn't experience strong, consistent upwellings known to attract very large pelagics, but the Kuroshio Current keeps the ecosystem vibrant.
Which marine animals are most commonly seen?
Turtles, turtles, turtles. If you are a turtle lover, you need to come here. Just jumping from the shore you can see so many turtles everywhere. Liuqiu is the places where turtles decides to lay eggs as well and the local government has strict rules to protect them.
Best Dive Sites in Liuqiu
Liuqiu offers a variety of dive sites catering to different interests and skill levels. Here are some notable spots:
Typical Depth Range: 5-15 meters
Recommended Experience Level: Beginner
Highlight: Named for its iconic mushroom-shaped rock formation, this shallow site is a turtle hotspot. You'll encounter numerous green sea turtles grazing on algae, often with colorful reef fish schooling around them. Perfect for easy shore entry.
Typical Depth Range: 10-20 meters
Recommended Experience Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Highlight: Features interesting swim-throughs and small caves. The reef here is vibrant with hard and soft corals, providing homes for a diverse array of reef fish and often resting turtles.
Secret Beach (秘密沙灘):
Typical Depth Range: 5-18 meters
Recommended Experience Level: Beginner / Intermediate
Highlight: A gentle sandy slope transitions into a thriving coral reef. It’s excellent for finding turtles, schooling fish, and offers good macro photography opportunities. Often sheltered from winds.
Ghost Cave (鬼洞):
Typical Depth Range: 15-25 meters
Recommended Experience Level: Intermediate
Highlight: This site offers deeper swim-throughs and larger rock formations. It's known for its healthy coral coverage and the potential to see larger schooling fish or occasional rays passing by.
Shanfu Fishing Harbour (杉福漁港):
Typical Depth Range: 10-25 meters
Recommended Experience Level: Intermediate
Highlight: A vibrant wall dive adorned with diverse corals, sea fans, and sponges. It’s a great spot for macro life, including nudibranchs, and often has plenty of reef fish traffic.
Typical Depth Range: 8-15 meters
Recommended Experience Level: All Levels
Highlight: Turtles
Freediving in Liuqiu
Liuqiu is a fantastic destination for freedivers of all levels, benefiting from the same calm, clear, and warm conditions that make it great for scuba. The island has become a burgeoning hub for the freediving community.
Visibility is excellent, often reaching 15-30 meters (50-100 feet), providing stunning views for those deeper dives. Depths range from shallow reef explorations at 5-15 meters to deeper wall drops extending to 30-40+ meters, making it suitable for a wide range of personal best attempts or casual exploration.
Many freediving schools and instructors operate in Liuqiu, making it an ideal location for freediving training, depth progression, or simply enjoying relaxed, unencumbered underwater exploration.
Family-Friendly Snorkeling in Liuqiu
For families with children or those who prefer to stay on the surface, snorkeling in Liuqiu is an absolute delight and highly recommended.
Vase Rock is arguably the most famous and accessible, with very shallow entry and immediate marine life.
Secret Beach also offers a gentle slope into the water, sheltered bay. These areas are ideal for young children to safely wade and explore.