Diving in Taiwan, why not? Furthermore, when the destination is also called Isla Formosa (The Beautiful Island), it becomes hard to resist the temptation. Head 12,000 km east, in water at 28°C… An accessible destination opening up to diving. Discover several of Taiwan’s small islands offering beautiful underwater landscapes.
Lanyu, also known as Orchid Island, enjoys abundant marine life. It features stunning coral gardens and their usual hosts. Moreover, it is known as a breeding ground for sea snakes. The island is worth exploring! The Da’o ethnic group, also called the Yami, still perpetuate their aboriginal culture here to this day; the fishermen themselves build their beautifully decorated boats in white, red, and black with an eye, the sun eye.
Head to Green Island
To the east, Ludao, also known as Green Island, is a must-see! The volcanic island boasts many features and magnificent landscapes, not to mention its paradisiacal beaches. Confucius Rock, Nioutou Cape, Dabaisha, Pekinese Dog Rock, and the saltwater hot springs of Zhaori are well worth the visit. It also houses the « Great Mushroom Coral » measuring 12 meters high and 3 meters wide, toppled by a storm in 2016. There are many well-structured clubs. An original underwater mailbox exists, checked daily from which you can send postcards made for this purpose! You can observe four endemic species of pygmy seahorses as well as numerous nudibranchs, splendid scorpionfish, and beautiful turtles.
A site has been set up with metal structures well-concreted to date, on which fauna and flora develop. Large batfish await you and will tease you. Shark Point has become the most famous dive site on the island if not in the country with hammerhead sharks passing in January and February: a great moment of emotion… To such an extent that some scientists are closely interested in the phenomenon.
Located at the southern tip of Taiwan, Kenting National Park has more than 1,000 marine species and 80 species of corals. Snorkeling can also be practiced there, particularly at Frog Rock and Sail Rock.
Back on solid ground
Benefiting from a tropical climate between the Pacific Ocean to the east and the eponymous strait protected to the east, Taiwan is a great opportunity to enjoy the authenticity and spontaneous kindness of a welcoming population, not to mention a cuisine full of flavors and sometimes surprising. Do not miss Taipei, the capital! Here, tradition and modernity constantly coexist, from the old quarters of Dadaocheng or Bopiliao, the temples (including Longshan, the most important), the omnipresent night markets and their surprising street food, as well as the iconic Taipei 101 tower (the tallest building in the world until 2009). Don’t miss the Din Tai Fung restaurant, at the foot of the tower; for an extraordinary culinary experience.
Practical
time difference: + 7 hours in winter, + 6 hours in summer
currency: New Taiwan Dollar (1 € =32 NT$)
best season for diving: spring/autumn
equipment: 3 mm wetsuit
daily direct flight with Eva Air: Paris-Taipei (13h30, around €700)
COVID-19 point: As we publish this article, entry into Taiwan requires a visa and is not accessible to tourists. For more information on the development of this restriction, visit the official site of France Diplomacy.
Alain Pochon – Nancy and Philippe Joachin – Bleue Passion
Opening image © Philippe Joachin