- Best season
- November
- Water temperature
- 23°C
Updated September 2026 · Sources cited: xray-mag.com, taiwanoutdoors.com
Good to know
Good to Know
- Xiaoliuqiu has warm water year-round but peak season November–April offers best weather and visibility; July–August brings typhoons and heavy rain.
- Most Xiaoliuqiu dive operators speak only Mandarin; a few (Bear Diving, Liuqiu Dive, Playful Diving, Benyu Dive Center) have English-speaking staff.
- Day trips to Xiaoliuqiu from Kaohsiung are feasible but overnight stays are more rewarding, especially for boat dives (boats typically depart early morning).
- Beginner courses and snorkeling are shore-based; experienced divers should book day-boat dives to escape crowds and reach best reef sites.
- Winter water temperature (January) is around 23–24°C (73–75°F); bring a wetsuit.
- Xiaoliuqiu is known for sea turtles; you have a reasonable chance of seeing them, especially on boat dives.
- Discovery diving (intro) packages take about 2 hours and require no prior certification.
- Due to local regulations, diving courses and activities operate from nearby southern coastal sites (Kenting, Xiaoliuqiu, Longdong Bay) rather than directly in Kaohsiung City itself; travel time is typically under 1.5 hours
- PADI Open Water courses typically run 2–3 days with small-class instruction (1:3 instructor-to-student ratio common), lunch provided, and underwater photography available
- Xiaoliuqiu (Little Liuqiu), a popular dive site 30–45 minutes by ferry south of Kaohsiung, is known for sea turtle encounters and is home to multiple dive operators
- Multiple operators offer both scuba certification courses and freediving options, reflecting the region's diving culture
Dive Sites
Dafu Xi (Dafu Harbor)
- Type
- Shore dive / Sheltered harbor
- Access
- Shore entry; safe and easy entrance
- Location
- West side of Dafu Fishing Harbor, south of Xiaoliuqiu
- Best Season
- All year; avoid southerly winds and typhoons
- Marine Life
- 15 resident sea turtles, Cape Hokkahlias (rays) on occasion
- Depth Meters
- Shallow, beginner-friendly
- Notes
- Protected harbor with minimal waves and currents. Suitable for beginners and snorkelers.
Thick Rock Reef Group
- Type
- Reef / Rock formations
- Access
- Day boat recommended
- Location
- South of Xiaoliuqiu
- Best Season
- November–December for winter diving (avoid northern swells)
- Marine Life
- Large clusters of micropore coral, occasional snowflake duckbill swallow rays
- Depth Meters
- Within 10 meters
- Notes
- Mountainous reef terrain with spectacular landscape. Generally suitable for leisure divers; occasional currents.
Vase Rock
- Type
- Rock formation / Shore and boat accessible
- Access
- Both shore (left test platform) and boat entry
- Location
- Xiaoliuqiu, iconic landmark
- Best Season
- November–April optimal
- Marine Life
- Sea turtles, tropical fish
- Depth Meters
- Within 10 meters
- Notes
- Most iconic dive site and postcard location on the island.
Beauty Cave
- Type
- Coastal cave / formations
- Access
- Day boat or snorkeling
- Location
- Northwest coast of Xiaoliuqiu
- Best Season
- November–April
- Marine Life
- Coral limestone formations
- Depth Meters
- Shallow
- Notes
- Scenic location known for dramatic coastal views. Popular snorkeling destination.
Shanfu Wreck (Shanfu Fishing Harbor Area)
- Type
- Wreck dive
- Access
- Boat accessible (approximately 10 minutes by boat); also shore accessible via intertidal zone to left of harbor
- Location
- South of Shanfu Fishing Harbor, Kaohsiung (Nanzih District)
- Best Season
- Year-round
- Marine Life
- Wreck structure with scattered hull sections
- Depth Meters
- Bow at 16m, top of hull approximately 13m
- Notes
- Remains of broken fishing vessel. Hull scattered on sandy bottom. Shallow enough for combined shore and boat access.
Shanfu Harbor Wreck Complex (Five Fishing Boats)
- Type
- Multiple wreck site
- Access
- Boat accessible
- Location
- Shanfu Fishing Harbor area (mentioned as separate from primary wreck)
- Best Season
- Year-round
- Marine Life
- Wreck structures
- Depth Meters
- Depths ranging from under 30 to 50 meters
- Notes
- Five abandoned fishing boats lined up on sandy ground. Greater depth variation than primary Shanfu wreck.
Water Temperature Range
- Summer
- Warmer (exact temperature not specified in sources)
Winter January
- Celsius
- 23
- Fahrenheit
- 73
Certification Courses Offered
PADI Open Water Diver
- Description
- Entry-level certification; training to maximum 18 meters depth, upgradeable to 40 meters post-certification
PADI Advanced Open Water Diver
- Description
- Advanced-level certification building on Open Water skills
PADI Rescue Diver
- Description
- Rescue and safety training certification
PADI Freediving
- Description
- Freediving course availability confirmed
Kaohsiung City Dive Operators
Wonderful Diving
- Location
- Central Kaohsiung (Xinxing District)
Southern Taiwan Diving
- Location
- Sanmin District, Kaohsiung
Taiwan Dive
- Notes
- Organizer of courses and trips across Taiwan
Local Dive Operators Xiaoliuqiu
Liuqiu Dive
- Notes
- English-speaking instructors available
Bear Diving
- Notes
- English-speaking instructors; offers discovery diving (2-hour introductory sessions)
Playful Diving
- Notes
- English-speaking instructors
A-Gui Dive and Homestay
- Notes
- Full-service dive operator
Odyssey Divers
- Notes
- Boat dive operator
Bliss Diving
- Notes
- Professional and experienced guides
Dive Bee
- Notes
- Cantonese-speaking instructors available
Benyu Dive Center
- Notes
- Experienced guides with focus on safety
Operators In City
Wonderful Diving
- Courses
- PADI Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue Diver, Freediving
- Location
- Xinxing District, Kaohsiung (city center)
- Note
- Due to local regulations, diving activities conducted in southern areas such as Kenting and Xiaoliuqiu rather than within Kaohsiung City
Southern Taiwan Diving (祥瑞潛水)
- Courses
- PADI dive courses, dive trips, snorkeling trips
- Location
- Sanmin District, Kaohsiung
Summit Dive Center
- Courses
- PADI dive courses, dive trips, snorkeling trips
- Location
- Kaohsiung
Worst Season
July–August (typhoon season, heavy rain)
Best Season Overall
November–April (clearer skies, dry weather, fewer typhoons, cooler but more comfortable water temperatures)
Accessibility Summary
Xiaoliuqiu (Little Liuqiu Island), located off Kaohsiung's western coast approximately 30–50 minutes by ferry from Kaohsiung city, is the primary diving destination. Diving here is accessible via both shore entry and day-boat options, though the best sites require day boats. Xiaoliuqiu is easy to reach as a day trip or overnight stay. Shanfu Fishing Harbor sites near Kaohsiung city are also accessible by shore and short boat transfers. Liveaboard diving is not standard practice in this region.
Operator Density
At least 3 named PADI dive centers based in Kaohsiung city proper; additional operators working from nearby coastal sites (Kenting, Xiaoliuqiu) accessible by short trip from the city
Currency Local
TWD
Diving Style Note
Shore diving dominates beginner courses and snorkeling experiences. Day-boat diving is necessary to reach the best-quality reef and wreck sites. Liveaboard diving is not a standard offering in this region.
Exchange Rate Used
31.84 TWD per 1 USD
Primary Destination
Xiaoliuqiu (Lambai Island / Little Liuqiu Island)
Year Round Diving Note
Xiaoliuqiu is the only place in Taiwan where one can dive in warm water all year round.
Primary Destination Distance From City
Approximately 30–50 minutes by ferry from Kaohsiung city to Donggang Port, then ferry to island
Pricing Notes
Specific current course pricing in TWD not found in the sources we checked; instructors available through PADI booking system and local operators
Freediving Crossover
Yes—Wonderful Diving explicitly offers both PADI scuba and freediving courses, reflecting genuine crossover demand in the region
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this scuba diving research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Kaohsiung
Data last updated September 2026 · Verify anything important.