'Diving in Taiwan' — Ocean Vibes at the Southern Edge of Kenting

What Makes Kenting Special

Kenting is one of Taiwan's most celebrated resort destinations. Sitting at a lower latitude, temperatures here run warmer than elsewhere on the island, making it an ideal winter escape or a summer playground. During its peak years, an influx of mainland Chinese tourists drove crowds to unsustainable levels and dragged down overall travel quality. While the government has since worked hard to restore Kenting's reputation, the lighter visitor numbers that followed have actually made it a better fit for the laid-back island lifestyle the area was always meant to offer. Located on the southern tip of the Hengchun Peninsula, Kenting's abundant coral reefs and wave-carved coastline let you connect with nature's wonders in no time at all.

Getting to Kenting

• Drive yourself — but be aware of heavy northbound traffic on Sunday evenings.

• Take the High Speed Rail to Zuoying HSR Station, or the Taiwan Railways to Kaohsiung Station, then arrange a shared taxi service to your desired drop-off point.

• Take the High Speed Rail to Zuoying HSR Station and board the 'Kenting Express' bus, which stops at South Bay, Little Bay, and other points along the route.

Must-Visit Attractions in Kenting:

South Bay Beach

This is the first stop for any first-time visitor to Kenting. A row of characterful guesthouses in every colour of the rainbow lines Provincial Highway 26, waving at passersby alongside roadside palm trees that complete that unmistakably tropical island look. Across the road, the white sandy beach is home to local operators offering all manner of water sports — jet skiing, banana boats, and more — more than enough to fill an entire afternoon.

Sheding Nature Park:

Kenting National Forest Recreation Area is a spot many travellers overlook, but drive through the main gate and you'll immediately find yourself enveloped in lush woodland on both sides of the road. Wind your way up the mountain path and you'll eventually arrive at Sheding Nature Park. Set aside half a day to walk among the coral rock formations and tropical rainforest — you'll witness the breathtaking work of nature up close, and if you're lucky, catch a glimpse of the charming Formosan sika deer.

Eluanbi Lighthouse:

Its history dates back to 1875 during the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty. A series of shipwrecks and the Mudan Incident compelled the Qing government to build a lighthouse here. At the time, the surrounding land was the domain of indigenous peoples, so Eluanbi Lighthouse was fitted with gun ports and a defensive moat, and guarded by a garrison of 500 soldiers — making it the only fortified lighthouse of its kind in the world. Today you can stroll the grounds around the lighthouse and feel the tension of that era.

Longpan Park:

Getting here is a bit of an adventure — renting a car or scooter is strongly recommended, as it's about a 30-minute ride from Eluanbi Lighthouse, but every minute is worth it. The terrain here is a limestone plateau, sculpted over the years by rainfall into dramatic cliffside formations that frame an endless expanse of blue sky and Pacific Ocean. Bring a wide-angle lens to capture the sweeping grandeur of the scene. After dark, the almost complete absence of light pollution makes it a superb spot for stargazing, though the uneven ground calls for careful footing.

A Hidden Gem:

Unless you're a surfer, most people would never think to visit Jialeshui — but in this quiet little town, you'll find a deeply immersive holiday atmosphere unlike anywhere else. In summer, the crowd is mostly Taiwanese; come winter, when the northeast monsoon stirs up the sea into perfect rolling swells, a steady stream of foreign surfers arrives to chase waves. If you want to leave the noise of the city far behind and spend a few days living on surf time at one of the local surf guesthouses, this is a holiday style well worth experiencing.

Establishment: Summer Point

What to expect: Authentic American brunch and burgers that let surfers refuel fast after a session in the water. The tidy, comfortable guesthouse rooms offer a welcoming retreat for travellers, and the laid-back décor fits perfectly into this surf-centric little community. Grab a cold beer, sink into a chair out front, and laugh with your friends over the ride you caught just an hour ago.

Website: Summer Point

Scuba Diving in Kenting

Kenting sits at the southernmost tip of Taiwan and enjoys a tropical climate, with an annual average temperature of around 23°C and underwater temperatures ranging from 24 to 28°C — conditions well-suited to scuba diving year-round. Falling within Kenting National Park, conservation practices here are more robust than in most other parts of Taiwan, and the marine life below the surface reflects that. The local topography also means that even when the mountain-descending winds (落山風) pick up in winter, suitable dive sites can still be found. From beginner training dives to advanced boat dives, Kenting has options for every level and is an excellent destination for a dedicated dive trip.

Summer brings southerly winds and frequent typhoons that stir up sediment and reduce visibility. Another concern is that unlicensed water sports operators crowd the entire coastline, and high-speed boats and jet skis zooming through shallow water pose serious safety risks to divers. It's best to avoid the peak summer holiday season and plan your dive trip in winter or spring instead. Since Kenting is diveable year-round, dive training centres are plentiful throughout the area — shop around to find the one that best matches your dive plan.

Notable Dive Sites in Kenting:

• Nuclear Plant No. 3 Discharge Outlet: This is one of Kenting's most popular training and introductory dive sites. Average depth stays within 15 m, yet the biodiversity on display is remarkable — barracuda schools, cuttlefish gatherings, Giant Grouper, helmet shells, and, during night diving, the entire seabed carpeted with sleeping rabbitfish. The shoreline is rocky reef, so take care during entries and exits when any swell is running. Sites in this area: Discharge Outlet, Left Bank Fish Feeding Zone, Garden Soft Coral Area.

• Houbihu Boat Dives: The headline boat dive sites at Houbihu are Twin Peaks Blue Cave and the Pinnacle — virtually every boat dive operator includes these on their schedule. Shore dive options in the area include a fish feeding zone and a soft coral area. Being a protected zone with supplemental feeding, the site supports an extraordinary abundance and variety of fish that rivals many overseas destinations. The bottom is predominantly fine sand and coral reef, so solid neutral buoyancy skills are needed to maintain good visibility and safety — and to avoid damaging the reef. Sites in this area: Twin Peaks Blue Cave, Pinnacle.

• Hejie Wreck: Hejie ranks among Kenting's most popular dive sites. Beyond the wreck remnants resting at around 30 m, the area is regularly visited by sea turtles, stingrays, and patrolling barracuda schools. But perhaps what Hejie is best known for is macro photography — walk the shore and you'll spot divers hauling ever larger camera rigs into the water to photograph nudibranchs that are ever smaller. At 15 m depth, a resident flame scallop has become the site's unofficial landmark. Wanlitong and Shanhai are also in the area, both suited to beginner training. Sites in this area: Hejie, Wanlitong, Shanhai.

Further reading:

• Kenting's Three Must-See Wonders: Giant Grouper, Flame Scallop & Barracuda Storm

• Kenting Macro Underwater Photography Highlights – Music Lin