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What Is Sailing?
Sailing traces its roots back to the earliest human civilisations. A sailboat moves and steers by harnessing the wind through its sails — a fundamentally different proposition from motorboats or yachts that rely purely on propeller power. Because the journey depends heavily on the wind, it takes a coordinated team of sailors constantly adjusting the sails to account for wind strength, wind direction, and the vessel's own performance characteristics. That is why many people say that sailing is a projection of a philosophy of life: it deepens our understanding of the ocean, and weaves teamwork and life attitude into every voyage.
OFFSHORE Life Studio is run by two young graduates of the National Taiwan Ocean University. Despite their age, their passion for the sea is every bit as fierce as that of seasoned veterans. The dashing Ray handles sailing operations and day-to-day boat maintenance, while the lovely Gina has earned her snorkeling and SUP certifications and hopes to offer passengers an ever more well-rounded ocean experience in the future.
A strikingly good-looking couple and business partnership
OFFSHORE Life Studio
OFFSHORE Life Studio began planning multiple sailing routes out of Keelung's Bisha Fishing Harbor in 2018, aiming to satisfy every ocean lover's preferences. A SUP board is also kept on board so that guests who don't freedive can still join in the fun.
Instagrammer's secret itinerary:
- Elephant Trunk Rock — exclusive sea-level perspective
- The five-claw sea-eroded terrain on the back side of Keelung Islet
- Chasing cruise ships through Keelung Harbor
Freediving and water-play itinerary:
- The hidden beach at Waimushan
- The freediving secret spot known as the "Rose Garden," reclaimed from the shadow of the decommissioned Shen-ao Power Plant
On the day of your sailing trip, feel free to explore downtown Keelung beforehand — nearby spots like Wangyou Valley and Wanghaiqiangwan Bay are both well worth a visit. As departure time approaches, make your way to your berth at Xingchen Pier. Navigation apps can route you directly to "Xingchen Pier," but since the port is quite large it is best to confirm the exact berth with OFFSHORE Life Studio in advance to avoid confusion.
The Moonlight Tuna moored at Xingchen Pier
The Dream-Chasing, Romance-Filled Sailboat — Moonlight Tuna
The Moonlight Tuna is a 35 ft single-hull, twin-mast sailing yacht. The curious name — which somehow manages to sound both poetic and mouth-watering — was pieced together from individual characters in the names of the owner's family members. The vessel cost NT$8,000,000 to build and is a top-of-the-line European-imported leisure sailboat; thanks to Ray's meticulous upkeep, it is in excellent condition. Deck space above is limited, so passengers are advised to bring only personal care items and food when boarding. If you are carrying freediving gear, stow it in the cabin to keep the voyage as comfortable as possible.
Once underway, you can enjoy the thrill of taking the helm yourself
After casting off, Ray will walk everyone through the basics of sailing. When wind and waves allow, he will put on a live demonstration of sailing under full canvas — a truly special experience. If you are keen to try your hand at the helm, don't be shy: head straight to the wheel and let Ray give you a quick steering lesson.
The cool-headed Ray prepares to raise the sails and switch to wind power
Because of its hull design, a sailboat actually rides far more steadily than a typical motorboat. That said, anyone prone to seasickness is still advised to take motion sickness medication at least half an hour before departure to avoid having their day cut short. The exact route will vary depending on whether the wind is favourable or on the nose; while underway, consider moving up to the foredeck and stretching out on the gleaming white deck to soak in the coastal scenery.
Elephant Trunk Rock — a social-media favourite — looks even more striking when viewed from the sea
When the sails are full, you absolutely must pose for a photo beside them!
Wild, windswept hair — the perfect embodiment of the spirit of sailing
Most visitors only ever see Keelung Islet from the shore, facing its front side. Few realise that the scenery on the back is spectacularly wild — years of pounding waves have carved five-claw-like sea erosion channels that snake across sheer cliffsides, making you acutely aware of how small we are. Should Keelung Islet ever open to the public, climbing up to the lighthouse at 182 m above sea level to gaze out over the Northeast Coast would surely be a feast for the eyes.
Boarding with a few good friends for a leisurely afternoon on the water
Give yourself a once-in-a-lifetime memory — taking the helm with Little Keelung Islet in the background
The boat is equipped with a refrigerator for keeping beer, drinks, and cake cool. Feel free to bring snacks to share with friends. If you'd like to support local creative brands, you can also ask Gina to pick up some Keelung specialities in advance, including two local craft beers — "Dive Drunk" and "Chicken Cage" — adding a distinctly local flavour to the voyage.
Good food paired with local craft beer — what more could you ask for?
Will you get bored on board? Anyone who loves the sea will almost certainly have a blast, because Ray selects suitably calm bays along the route for passengers to jump in and enjoy snorkeling and SUP activities. Guests who freedive can even explore different hidden dive spots. As Ray and Gina often say: "Sailing is addictive!"
Ladies need not worry about getting cold after a dip — the boat thoughtfully provides hot water for rinsing off, and there is a changing room below deck. All you have to do is relax and savour every precious moment on the water.
Snorkeling and freediving — the simplest ways to connect with the ocean
Whenever wind and waves permit, the SUP board goes straight into the water
After the water activities, hot water and a changing room are waiting on board — how thoughtful!
Taiwan is an island nation, yet most of its people remain surprisingly distant from the sea. Statistics show that Taiwanese make an average of just 2.6 ocean recreation trips per year — far below the 11.3 trips recorded in Western countries. This tells us that people simply don't know the ocean well enough to fall in love with it. There are so many ways to get close to the sea: snorkeling, scuba diving, freediving, surfing, or even sailing. Open your heart to any of them, and the ocean will win you over every time.
OFFSHORE Life Studio's young duo is sharing their love of the sea in their own way. Throughout the voyage, Ray keeps returning to the same thought: compared with a motor yacht, a sailboat is a genuine projection of one's attitude toward life. Office workers rush between skyscrapers every day — when was the last time you stepped out and felt the sheer vastness of the ocean? Toss your phone into the cabin. Give yourself some time alone with the deep blue sea. Life isn't that complicated — the boundless ocean, which embraces everything, is your finest teacher.
Sailing — a projection of one's attitude toward life
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