Discover Scuba Diving With Sea Turtles – Xiaoliuqiu, Taiwan

Meet turtles beneath Taiwan. This two-hour scuba experience around Xiaoliuqiu gives first-time participants a gentle introduction to breathing underwater, with full equipment, close instructor supervision, and a chance to see green sea turtles in the waters around Liuchiu Island. You do not need swimming skills or a scuba certificate, which makes this a friendly way to test the water.

I especially like the one-instructor-per-diver setup, since a calm, focused teacher matters when you are trying scuba for the first time. The included underwater photos are another strong point. You can concentrate on the reef instead of worrying about taking pictures. The main consideration is that sea conditions and visibility can change, so turtle sightings and picture quality are not guaranteed every time.

The meeting point is at No. 90-2, Lane 1, Zhongzheng Road, Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County. The activity lasts about two hours and costs $83 per person. Private transportation is not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the meeting point. The tour is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., subject to availability and weather.

Key points before you book

• Green sea turtles are the main attraction: Xiaoliuqiu is promoted for its unusually high concentration of green sea turtles, along with other Pacific marine life.
• No certification is required: You learn basic safety and scuba skills in shallow water before heading toward the coral reef.
• One instructor focuses on each diver: This is especially useful if you feel nervous or have never breathed through a regulator.
• Photos are included: The operator provides underwater photographs, so you can leave your phone behind.
• The full session takes about two hours: It fits neatly into a day on Xiaoliuqiu without taking over your whole schedule.
• Weather matters: Poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund, and visibility may vary even when the tour runs.

Why Xiaoliuqiu is a special place for a first scuba session

Xiaoliuqiu, also called Liuchiu Island, sits in the Pacific waters near the Bashi Channel, off Taiwan’s southwest coast. The area is known for its green sea turtles, and the local marine setting gives this short lesson a clear purpose: you are not simply practicing equipment skills in a swimming pool. You are learning in a place where you might encounter turtles, puffers, eels, Pacific octopus, and sponge reefs.

That variety matters for a beginner. Your first underwater outing can feel memorable even if you do not spend a long time below the surface. A turtle gliding nearby gives you something wonderful to focus on while you get used to slow breathing and controlled movement.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. The advertised wildlife is a possibility, not a promise. One family had imperfect visibility but still received good photos. The ocean does not provide studio lighting on request, and conditions can change from one session to the next.

What happens during the two-hour session

The program begins with an introduction to basic safety rules and the skills needed for a first scuba session. You practice in shallow water before moving toward the coral reef. This gradual start is important because the hardest part for many beginners is not the equipment itself. It is staying relaxed while breathing underwater.

Your instructor is there to guide you through the process directly. The setup provides an instructor for each diver, giving you personal attention rather than placing you in a large lesson where you must wait for help. The total group can include up to 10 participants, but the one-to-one instructor arrangement is the detail that matters most for confidence and safety.

You receive the full scuba setup and a cylinder. You do not need to bring rental gear or pay separate equipment fees. You do need to bring your own swimsuit.

Once you are ready, the session moves into the sea around Xiaoliuqiu. The aim is to explore the coral reef and look for marine life, especially green sea turtles. The operator also includes underwater photography. That can be a real benefit for beginners, since handling a camera while learning to control your breathing and position is more difficult than it looks.

The activity ends back at the meeting point. Plan your day around roughly two hours, but give yourself extra time around the appointment for changing and getting settled. The published duration is approximate.

The turtle encounter and marine life

Green sea turtles are the reason to choose this activity over a basic introductory scuba lesson. Xiaoliuqiu is described as having one of the world’s highest densities of green sea turtles in its surrounding waters, giving the operator a strong local setting for wildlife encounters.

You might see a turtle resting or moving through the water near the reef. You might also spot puffers, eels, Pacific octopus, or sponge reefs. These smaller encounters are worth noticing. A first underwater session can become less about chasing one famous animal and more about learning to observe slowly.

The instructions about breathing are practical. One participant noted that some photographs would have been better if the group had remembered to follow the advice about holding their breath for a moment while being photographed. Listen carefully when the instructor explains how to pose. Moving too much, waving your arms, or forgetting the camera instructions can make pictures less clear.

Do not expect every image to be perfect. Visibility may be limited, and underwater photos can look different from what you see with your own eyes. Even so, having a record of your first scuba experience adds value, especially for a child or anyone trying this activity only once.

Why the personal instruction matters for beginners

The strongest feature here is the attention from the instructor. A first scuba session can feel strange at first. You are wearing unfamiliar equipment, breathing in a new way, and trying to manage your body in water. Having one instructor focused on you can make the process feel manageable.

The staff received especially warm praise for making beginners feel comfortable and confident. That is not a minor detail. A technically perfect session is not much fun if you spend it feeling rushed or uneasy.

The shallow-water practice also gives you time to get used to the basic skills before heading toward the reef. You can ask questions, work through the first nerves, and learn how to respond to the instructor’s directions.

This is not a certification course. You finish with an introduction to scuba, not a qualification that allows independent scuba trips. Think of it as a test run and a memorable marine outing. If you enjoy it, you can look into formal training later.

Is $83 good value?

At $83 per person, the price includes scuba equipment, a cylinder, instruction, all fees and taxes, and underwater photography. That is a solid package for someone who wants a short, guided introduction without buying or arranging separate parts.

The value is strongest for first-timers. You are paying not only for time in the water but also for the instructor’s attention and the convenience of having equipment supplied. The included photos add another useful touch, since professional underwater pictures can otherwise cost extra.

The price does not include private transportation. You must reach the meeting point at No. 90-2, Lane 1, Zhongzheng Road, on Xiaoliuqiu yourself. Check your wider Taiwan itinerary carefully before booking, since the advertised meeting point is on the island while the general location is listed as Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Do not assume that transport from your hotel or another part of Taiwan is part of the deal.

The session lasts only about two hours, so this is not a full-day marine excursion. That short length can be a benefit if you are fitting it around other island plans. If you want a long scuba outing or a certified course, you will need a different type of program.

Health, age, and comfort requirements

The minimum age is 10. No swimming skills or scuba certification are required, making this accessible to many beginners. However, the activity is not suitable for everyone with a medical history.

You should have no current problems with your lungs or breathing. You should also have no ongoing issues connected to past surgery, and no problems involving your eyes, ears, nose, or sinuses. The activity requires you to handle moderate exercise.

These requirements are worth taking seriously. Scuba places unusual demands on breathing and pressure equalization, even during a short introductory session. If you are unsure about your health status, get medical advice before booking rather than hoping the issue will not matter on the day.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. Most people can participate if they meet the stated health requirements, but the lack of a swimming requirement does not mean the activity is physically effortless.

Weather, visibility, and the limits of an ocean outing

The operator requires good weather. If poor conditions force cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. That policy protects you from being sent into unsafe water, but it also means your schedule needs some flexibility.

Even when the activity operates, visibility may not be perfect. Water conditions affect how clearly you see turtles and how well the camera performs. The photos can still turn out well, but you should not expect every image to look like a professional wildlife film.

This is where a practical attitude helps. Go for the chance to experience the reef and meet sea turtles, not for a guaranteed number of sightings or flawless photographs. The ocean controls those details.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend this experience to:

• First-time scuba participants who want close supervision
• Families with children aged 10 or older who meet the health requirements
• Visitors who want to see green sea turtles without committing to a certification course
• People who value included underwater pictures
• Anyone with a two-hour opening in a Xiaoliuqiu itinerary

It may not suit you if you want a formal scuba qualification, a long underwater session, or a fully arranged transport package. It is also not the right choice if you have unresolved breathing, ear, sinus, eye, or post-surgery concerns.

The experience is particularly appealing for a child’s first underwater outing. The staff’s patient approach and the personal instructor arrangement can help a young beginner feel supported. Parents should still consider the child’s comfort with moderate exercise and unfamiliar equipment.

Practical advice for a smoother session

Bring your own swimsuit. Full scuba equipment is supplied, but the swimsuit is not.

Arrive ready to pay attention during the shallow-water practice. The safety briefing is not filler. It teaches you how to use the equipment and how to respond underwater.

Listen closely to instructions about photographs. Small choices, such as staying still and following breathing directions, can improve the final pictures.

Allow room in your schedule for weather changes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off uses local time.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity operates Monday through Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. between January 23, 2025 and December 8, 2026.

Should you book the Xiaoliuqiu turtle experience?

Book it if you want a short, beginner-friendly introduction to scuba in a place known for green sea turtles. The strongest reasons are the personal instructor attention, supplied equipment, and included underwater photos. The warm, reassuring staff approach is also valuable when you are trying something unfamiliar.

Skip it if you need private transportation, want a certification, or expect guaranteed perfect visibility and turtle photographs. The sea sets the schedule and the picture quality.

For the right visitor, $83 is a fair price for a carefully supervised first session with the chance to see remarkable marine life. Bring a swimsuit, keep your expectations flexible, and treat the turtles as a fortunate encounter rather than a promise.

FAQ

Do I need scuba certification to join?

No. This is an introductory scuba activity, and no certification is required.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No swimming skills are required for this experience.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 10.

What equipment is included?

Full scuba equipment and a cylinder are included, along with all fees and taxes.

Is an instructor provided?

Yes. An instructor is provided for each diver, allowing the instructor to focus on that participant.

Are underwater photographs included?

Yes. Underwater photography is included.

Where does the activity start and finish?

It starts at No. 90-2, Lane 1, Zhongzheng Road, Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan 929, and ends back at the meeting point.

What happens if bad weather cancels the session?

You can choose a different date or receive a full refund if the operator cancels because of poor weather.