They say this is a mild winter, but on some days in December, water temperatures in the twenties up north are enough to make you shiver and shake. And yet, I happened to get into mermaiding back in October — a long way from the warmth of summer sunshine. After going through all the effort of learning mermaid techniques, how could I just put them on hold because of the weather?
December: winter winds howling, bare branches dripping, temperatures plummeting, and the indoor pool thermometer showing a chilly low-twenties reading. Just as everything seemed to be draining my motivation, a voice drifted over: "You could head to DiveCube and try the Professional Mermaid Tail Experience!"
DiveCube? How Do I Get There?
Inside the DiveCube Hotel in Taichung sits a diving pool that plunges to a depth of 21 meters, maintained year-round at a balmy 30–32°C — and the deeper you go, the warmer it gets. It's like diving in a hot spring in the middle of winter, with bubbles for company. Completely unaffected by the weather outside, it's an incredibly welcoming temperature for a mermaid seeking warmth in the south — no more freezing up mid-swim and trembling from head to fin~~~
The pool features staged depth zones and floating buoys, so you can adjust your position or take a rest whenever needed. Large windows let sunlight filter down into the water, creating that legendary "holy light" effect — beautiful to photograph or simply gaze up at from below. It's the kind of sight that calms your soul.
For more information about DiveCube, see below ↓↓↓
*A Quick Transport Tip*
Train tickets are hard to snag and the transfer is a trek. The fastest public transport option is to alight at the Unibus Taichung Transfer Station, then take a taxi (about 3 minutes) or walk (about 10 minutes).
Unibus Zhonggang Transfer Station ≠ Hosin Bus Zhonggang Station (near Mitsui Outlet)
Pay very close attention to your stop when buying tickets — don't end up as clueless as I did. If the bus driver hadn't confirmed my stop before departure, I might have found myself wandering around Taichung Mitsui Outlet, browsing the bookstore's ocean section to pass the time.
----After all that adventure, I finally changed into my swimsuit and got ready for the main event of the day: the Professional Mermaid Tail Experience----
Professional Mermaid Tail Experience
The Professional Mermaid Tail Experience, offered by the Taiwan Mermaid Art Institute, is a celebration of mermaid artistry and self-confidence. Through the transformative power of a professional mermaid tail, participants are filled with positive energy and invited to rediscover and fall in love with a different side of themselves.
For more information about the Taiwan Mermaid Art Institute, see below ↓↓↓
Dream of Being a Mermaid with Me — Let's Sing "Under the Sea"!
<Class Schedule & Locations>
Approximately 2 hours, not including changing time.
Classes are currently held on a rotating basis at Songshan Sports Center in Taipei, DiveCube in Taichung, and Kenting in the south.
Interested? Check out the Facebook page ↓↓↓
https://www.facebook.com/MermaidArt.tw/
Pricing is divided into a student rate and a new-participant experience rate. Both include rental of a professional mermaid tail, pool entry, use of course monofins, and a set of beautiful personal photos and videos from your session.
*Please bring your own swimsuit, long socks (above the ankle), water, towel, and mask or swim goggles.
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Brief overview of the land session
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Warm-up stretching on land
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Assembly and fitting of the large monofin mermaid tail
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Shallow-water movement, horizontal swimming, and rest instruction/practice (M1-level students who have completed previous courses may, after instructor confirmation, swim in the 3–5 meter deep pool)
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Individual practice with the large monofin mermaid tail; instructor assists with documentation and photography
Q1: The Magical Illusions of the Mermaid Tail Experience?
Magic! Breath-hold capacity suddenly increases.
Magic! Body proportions look dramatically improved.
Magic! Skin instantly switches to a glowing, dewy mode.
A1: The moment you slip on a mermaid tail, something inexplicable happens — you find yourself diving deeper and holding your breath longer. A so-so 5-head proportion stretches out into an enviable 9-head silhouette. On top of that, the gentle pressure of the water subtly smooths everything out, making you look more toned and defined. Add in the dewy, luminous skin that comes from being submerged, and you'll finally understand why instructors say wearing a mermaid tail is addictive and a massive confidence booster. Seriously — every shot turns out gorgeous!
Catching a glimpse of yourself through the deep pool's window — going from ordinary proportions to a stunning 9-head silhouette
Q2: I Want to Try It, But I'm Not Confident About My Body…
A2: Come on! The whole point of the mermaid tail experience is for every participant to feel more confident once they put on that monofin — to rediscover their own unique beauty. And as we've established, the mermaid tail has magical slimming powers that flatter the parts you're shy about. All you need to do is give yourself one chance. Every body type has its own beauty, and you might just discover something extraordinary about yourself that you never knew.
Psst — here's a little secret: mermaiding actually slims your legs, tones your waist, and helps you sculpt a defined core.
Q3: I Can't Swim and Haven't Taken Any Related Courses. Can I Still Join?
A3: Absolutely! Plenty of mothers come along to try it! The initial water session takes place in the shallow end where you can stand, so even if you can't swim or have zero experience, there's absolutely nothing to worry about. The instructor will tailor the session to each participant's level. You'll start with horizontal swimming practice in the shallow pool, learning a few key movements that you'll use during the posing session at the poolside and in the shallows. Students can also add on a two-hour land mermaid stretching class to deepen their flexibility and body movement — making your very first class a truly immersive mermaid experience.
The add-on land mermaid stretching class gets those rarely-used muscles loosened up
Practicing smooth, fluid body movement — so you don't end up swimming like a mermaid with broken bones
Q4: I've Already Done Other Courses. How Is the Tail Experience Different?
A4: For students who have already completed previous courses (M0/M1), the mermaid tail experience reduces the time spent on movement and stretching instruction, giving you more free time to play and get comfortable with the large monofin mermaid tail. Of course, the instructor will guide and remind students of the safety considerations when wearing a mermaid tail, and will assess whether each student is ready to head to the 3-meter shooting zone (M1 students may practice static poses there).
Instructor Maggie checks in with each student individually to confirm they can move safely and freely
Practicing horizontal swimming in the shallow pool first — imagining you really are a mermaid
Q5: Why Specifically Try the Mermaid Tail Course? Is It Different from the Rubber Monofins Used in Regular Mermaid Experiences?
A5: Very different — just like how every pair of high heels feels and looks different. The most obvious distinction is the sheer difference in photo quality: the professional mermaid tail's monofin is vibrant in color and far more flattering, giving you a much more authentic mermaid look. Beyond that, each tail and monofin has a different weight; tails with a full silicone skin have a stronger, more enveloping hold, making it easier to feel and assess the fluidity of your movements.
Finally, a beautiful mermaid tail doesn't come cheap, and from the time you place an order to when it arrives, the wait can be quite long. So it always makes sense to try a few styles first before deciding which one to invest in.
The instructor walks students through assembling their own mermaid tail — quite the process in itself
Q6: The Tail Experience Isn't Enough — Are There More Advanced Mermaid Courses?
A6: Of course! There's also a Professional Mermaid Tail Performance Course and a Mermaid Tail Photography Direction Course! If the tail experience has left your inner mermaid hungry for more — if you want to capture more professional-looking photos and present your body with even greater poise — no problem! The Taiwan Mermaid Art Institute will be rolling out these two advanced programs, aimed primarily at M1-level mermaids and above. Students will learn professional shooting techniques and how to communicate effectively during professional performances, training themselves to radiate mermaid confidence and beauty even under the intense pressure of cameras and audiences. Definitely something to look forward to.
The static poses learned in the M1 course put your own neutral buoyancy to the test
Instructor Maggie of the Taiwan Mermaid Art Institute demonstrates how to interact with an audience underwater during advanced courses
A duo mermaid performance in the advanced course — a showcase of chemistry between the photographer and the mermaids
Mermaid-related courses are only going to get more diverse — from children's mermaid classes and underwater mermaid film shoots to photographer communication workshops and outdoor modeling development sessions. All of these are well worth keeping an eye on for anyone who loves being in the water. As for choosing a mermaid instructor and course, we recommend doing a little self-assessment first and picking the program that suits you best. And always make sure you're learning with a qualified, certified instructor — that's the key to having a safe and truly enjoyable experience!
