Discover Scuba Diving With Sea Turtles – Xiaoliuqiu, Taiwan

Xiaoliuqiu gives first-time scuba participants a rare reward: green sea turtles in clear Pacific water. This small island is promoted as one of the world’s best places for turtle encounters, and the outing can also bring you close to puffers, eels, octopus, and sponge reefs.

I like the one-instructor-per-person setup, which is a big help when breathing underwater feels strange at first. I also like that underwater photos are included, so you can focus on staying calm instead of trying to hold a camera.

The main catch is that the session lasts about two hours, and ocean visibility can change. One family still had a good time when the water was not perfectly clear, but you should treat turtle sightings and photo quality as nature-dependent, not guaranteed.

Key points before you book

• Green sea turtle country: Xiaoliuqiu is known for an unusually high concentration of green sea turtles.
• Made for beginners: No swimming skills or scuba certification are required.
• One instructor per participant: You receive direct supervision rather than sharing one guide’s attention with a large class.
• Photos are included: Underwater images and videos give you a record of your first underwater outing.
• About two hours: The program includes basic instruction, shallow-water practice, and the ocean session.
• Transport is not included: You must arrange your own way to the meeting point on Xiaoliuqiu.

Why Xiaoliuqiu is special for turtle encounters

Xiaoliuqiu, also called Liuchiu Island, sits in the Pacific waters near Taiwan’s Bashi Channel. Its appeal is simple: you can meet green sea turtles without needing previous scuba experience.

The island’s underwater world includes more than turtles. Depending on conditions, you might see pufferfish, eels, Pacific octopus, and sponge reefs. That variety gives the session some depth, even if the turtles are clearly the main attraction.

For many first-time participants, the animal encounter is more than a photo opportunity. A turtle moving calmly through the water gives you something to watch while you get used to the regulator, buoyancy, and unfamiliar feeling of breathing below the surface.

You should keep your expectations sensible. The water is a natural environment, not an aquarium. Visibility can be less than perfect, and the exact number of turtles will depend on conditions and where the instructor takes you. Still, the area’s reputation for green sea turtles gives this outing a strong reason to visit.

What happens during the two-hour session

The experience begins at the meeting point at No. 90-2, Lane 1, Zhongzheng Road, Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County. The listed operating hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday.

You first receive an introduction to basic scuba safety and the skills needed for the session. This is important for beginners. You are not simply handed equipment and sent into the water. The instructor explains how the gear works and how to respond to common situations below the surface.

You then practice a few skills in shallow water. This part may feel less exciting than the turtle search, but it is where you learn to settle your breathing and become familiar with the equipment. Give it your full attention. A calm start usually makes the later ocean portion much more enjoyable.

After the shallow-water practice, you head into the sea under direct supervision. You receive a complete scuba setup and a cylinder, and each participant has an instructor as their main priority. The group can include up to 10 people, but the individual instructor arrangement is the key point here.

The session ends back at the meeting point. The advertised length is approximately two hours, so plan enough time around it for changing clothes and getting ready, even though those extra minutes are not specified in the tour schedule.

Why one instructor per participant matters

For an experienced scuba participant, a shared guide may be perfectly fine. For a first-timer, personal attention can change the whole experience.

You may need help adjusting your breathing, clearing your ears, or staying comfortable with the mouthpiece. You may also want to pause for a moment before moving on. With one instructor assigned to you, those small concerns can receive immediate attention.

This arrangement also suits families and small groups with mixed confidence levels. One person may be eager to move ahead while another needs more time. Individual supervision gives each person space to progress at a reasonable pace.

The experience is still supervised scuba, not an independent certification course. You learn basic safety and practical skills for this one outing, but you do not earn a scuba qualification. If you want to scuba regularly after Taiwan, you will need a separate certified course.

The maximum group size is 10. That is not a tiny private outing, but the instructor-per-person structure should make the water portion feel more personal than a standard large-group lesson.

Meeting turtles, puffers, eels, and octopus

The turtle encounter is the headline, and it is easy to see why. Green sea turtles are large, peaceful animals, and seeing one at close range can make the first experience feel special right away.

You may also encounter pufferfish, eels, Pacific octopus, and sponge reefs. These smaller or less obvious sights reward patience. Do not focus so hard on finding a turtle that you miss what is moving along the reef.

Your instructor knows the local spots and guides you toward the areas where marine life may be found. That local direction matters because you are not spending your limited underwater time searching at random.

Keep your movements slow and your breathing steady. The supplied experience notes that you should follow the instructor’s directions closely, and one useful practical lesson came from the photography: remember to hold your breath when instructed for a photo. This can help keep bubbles from crossing your face in the image.

Do not hold your breath as a general scuba habit. Follow the instructor’s specific guidance and safety instructions. Your first priority is staying calm and comfortable, not producing a perfect picture.

Underwater photography is part of the value

Underwater photography is included, along with photos and videos. That is a meaningful benefit at this price because a first scuba outing can be difficult to document on your own.

You need to concentrate on basic skills, equipment, and the marine life around you. Carrying a personal camera can add stress, and many beginners would rather keep both hands free. Having images taken for you lets you enjoy the experience as it happens.

Photo results will depend on visibility, light, movement, and how well you follow instructions. If the water is hazy, the images may not have perfect clarity. One useful tip is to stay still when asked and listen carefully to directions about breathing and positioning.

The included photos also help families remember a child’s first time underwater. The minimum age is 10, so this can be a meaningful family activity for children who meet the health requirements and feel ready for the equipment.

Who should book this Xiaoliuqiu experience

This outing is best for a curious first-timer who wants a gentle introduction to scuba without committing to a full certification course. You do not need swimming skills or prior certification, which removes two common barriers.

It also suits:

• Adults who want to try scuba before taking a longer course
• Families with children aged 10 or older
• Couples looking for a marine-life activity on Xiaoliuqiu
• People who care more about close animal encounters than advanced scuba skills
• Beginners who value direct instructor attention and included images

You need to be comfortable with moderate exercise. The health information also says you should have no problems with your lungs or breathing, no ongoing issues linked to past surgery, and no problems involving your eyes, ears, nasal passages, or sinuses.

Those requirements deserve honest attention. Scuba equipment and pressure changes are not a good match for every medical condition. If any of these points apply to you, get medical advice before booking rather than hoping the session will be easy.

You must bring your own swimsuit. Scuba equipment, the cylinder, and applicable fees and taxes are included.

The $83 price and what you receive

At $83 per person, this is not simply a short swim with rented equipment. The price covers the scuba gear, cylinder, fees, taxes, direct instructor supervision, and underwater photography.

The strongest value comes from the personal instruction. If each participant receives dedicated attention as described, you are paying for a controlled introduction rather than only for time in the water.

The included photography adds another layer of value. A separate photo service would cost extra in many settings, and it is especially useful when you have no practical way to carry your own camera.

The price does not include private transportation. The meeting point is on Xiaoliuqiu, so you need to arrange your own transport to No. 90-2, Lane 1, Zhongzheng Road. The supplied details do not list pickup from Kaohsiung or any transport connection, so do not assume that getting to the island or the meeting point is covered.

Because the session is short, compare it with your own goals. If you want a full day on the reef or formal scuba certification, this is not the right product. If you want a compact first experience with a strong chance of seeing turtles, the price is easier to justify.

Weather, visibility, and the limits of nature

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather forces a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

That policy matters on a small island, where sea conditions can shape the entire session. A weather cancellation is disappointing, but it is better than forcing beginners into rough conditions.

Visibility is another variable. You may have a clear view of turtles, or the water may be less sharp than expected. Do not judge the whole experience by whether every photo looks perfectly crisp.

The animal sightings are also not guaranteed in the supplied details. The area is known for green sea turtles, and the instructor knows where to look, but wildlife keeps its own schedule. Book this because the setting gives you a strong opportunity, not because someone can promise a particular animal at a particular minute.

Practical details that make the outing easier

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The activity is offered from January 23, 2025, through December 8, 2026, during the listed daily hours.

The ticket is mobile, so you can present it on your phone. The experience begins and ends at the same meeting point.

Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation. No private transport is included, so check your route to the address before the day of the activity.

Wear your swimsuit and arrive ready for a water-based session. The supplied details do not state that towels, changing facilities, food, or drinks are included, so do not count on those items being provided.

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. The cut-off uses local time, so keep that in mind if your Taiwan schedule is tight.

Should you book it?

Book this experience if green sea turtles are high on your Taiwan wish list and you want a first scuba outing rather than a certification course. The individual instructor arrangement, included equipment, and underwater photos give the $83 price real value.

It is especially appealing for beginners, families with children aged 10 or older, and anyone who wants a short, focused activity on Xiaoliuqiu. You do not need swimming skills or a scuba certificate.

Skip it if you need guaranteed visibility, guaranteed wildlife, private transportation, or a longer technical session. The ocean controls the conditions, and you must make your own way to the meeting point.

For the right person, this is a practical way to meet Xiaoliuqiu’s famous turtles without a long training commitment. Bring patience, listen closely to your instructor, and let the sea set the pace.

FAQ

Do I need scuba certification?

No. Scuba certification is not required, and the activity is designed for first-time participants.

Do I need to know how to swim?

No swimming skills are required according to the activity details.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 10.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

Is scuba equipment included?

Yes. Scuba equipment and a cylinder are included.

Is underwater photography included?

Yes. Underwater photography is included, with photos and videos available from the experience.

Where does the activity start and finish?

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

Is transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you must arrange your own way to the meeting point.

What happens if bad weather cancels the activity?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.