What Is Sailing?
Sailing is an ancient practice rooted in human civilization — it is the art of controlling a vessel's direction by manipulating sails, rather than relying solely on a propeller-driven engine like a motorboat or motor yacht. Heavily dependent on the wind, sailing requires a coordinated crew that must constantly adjust the sails according to wind strength, wind direction, and the performance characteristics of the boat. That is why many people say sailing is a projection of a life philosophy — it deepens our understanding of the ocean and weaves the concepts of teamwork and attitude toward life into every voyage.
OFFSHORE Life Studio was founded by two young graduates of National Taiwan Ocean University. Despite their youth, their passion for the sea is second to none. The dashing Ray handles the sailing and day-to-day maintenance of the boat, while the vivacious Gina has earned her snorkeling and SUP certifications, with the goal of offering passengers a more all-encompassing ocean experience in the future.
A couple and business partners who are quite easy on the eyes
OFFSHORE Life Studio
Starting in 2018, OFFSHORE Life Studio began planning multiple routes departing from Keelung's Bisha Fishing Harbor as home port, 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.
Scenic photo itineraries popular with influencers:
- Exclusive sea-level view of Elephant Trunk Rock
- The five-claw sea-erosion formations on the back side of Keelung Islet
- Chasing cruise ships in Keelung Harbor
Freediving and water activities itineraries:
- The hidden beach at Waimaoshan
- The secret freediving spot known as the "Rose Garden," formerly part of the Shen'ao Thermal Power Plant site
On the day of your sailing trip, you can first stroll around Keelung City, including nearby attractions such as Wangyou Valley and Wanghai Bay — both well worth a visit. As departure time approaches, head to the mooring berth at Xingchen Pier. You can navigate directly to "Xingchen Pier," but since the harbor is quite large, it's recommended to confirm the exact mooring location with OFFSHORE Life Studio beforehand to avoid any confusion.
The Moonlight Tuna moored at Xingchen Pier
The Moonlight Tuna — A Sailboat Carrying Dreams and Romance
The Moonlight Tuna is a 35 ft monohull double-mast sailing yacht. Why "Moonlight Tuna," you ask? It turns out that one character from each family member's name was combined to create this poetic — and mouth-watering — boat name. The Moonlight Tuna cost NT$8,000,000 to build and is a top-of-the-line leisure sailboat imported from Europe. Thanks to Ray's meticulous care, the boat is kept in excellent condition. Deck space on the upper deck is somewhat limited, so it is recommended to bring only personal items, a change of clothes, and food when boarding. If you're bringing freediving gear, it can be stowed below deck to keep things comfortable during the voyage.
Once underway, you can enjoy the thrill of taking the helm yourself
Once the voyage begins, Ray will give a general introduction to sailing concepts. Weather and sea conditions permitting, he will also demonstrate sailing under full canvas — a truly special experience. If steering the boat appeals to you, don't be shy: head straight to the helm and let Ray walk you through the basics.
The dashing Ray prepares to raise the sails and switch to wind power
Due to the hull design, sailboats are actually less prone to rolling than typical motorboats — but if you're prone to seasickness, it is still advisable to take seasickness medication about half an hour before departure to avoid ruining your day. The route will vary depending on whether the wind is favorable or against you. During the sail, consider moving to the foredeck and lying back on the gleaming white deck to take in the beautiful coastal scenery.
Elephant Trunk Rock — a social media hotspot — looks even more striking when viewed from the sea
When the sails are full, you absolutely have to get a photo standing right beside them!
Hair flowing wild and free — that is the spirit of sailing on the open sea
Most people only ever see the front face of Keelung Islet from the shore. Few know that the scenery on its back side is even more magnificent, like a hidden realm. Years of wave action have carved five claw-like sea-erosion channels winding across the sheer cliffs, a sight that puts the smallness of humanity into stark relief. If Keelung Islet is ever opened to visitors in the future, climbing up to the lighthouse at 182 m above sea level and gazing out over the Northeast Coast would surely be another visual feast entirely.
Set sail with a few close friends and enjoy a leisurely afternoon on the water
Create a rare and memorable life experience — a photo at the helm with Little Keelung Islet in the background
There is a refrigerator on board for storing beer, drinks, and cake, so feel free to prepare some snacks to share with friends. If you'd like to support local creative brands, you can also ask the hostess Gina to pick up some Keelung specialties, along with two locally crafted beers — "Diving Drunk" and "Jilong" — to add a local flavor to the journey!
Good food paired with local craft beer — what more could you ask for?
Will you get bored on board? For anyone who truly loves the sea, the answer is an emphatic no. During the voyage, Ray will choose a suitable calm bay for everyone to jump in and enjoy snorkeling and SUP. Those who freedive can even explore different secret dive spots. As Ray and Gina often say: "Sailing is addictive!"
Ladies needn't worry about getting cold either — the boat thoughtfully provides hot water for freshening up, and there is a changing room below deck. All you need to do is sit back and enjoy your time out on the water!
Snorkeling and freediving — the simplest ways to connect with the ocean
When conditions allow, the SUP can be deployed in an instant
After water activities, hot water and a changing room await on board — how thoughtful!
Taiwan is an island nation, yet its people remain surprisingly unfamiliar with the sea. Statistics show that Taiwanese make an average of just 2.6 marine recreation outings per year — far below the 11.3 average recorded in Western countries. This tells us that people here simply don't know the ocean well enough to fall in love with it. There are many ways to get closer to the sea: snorkeling, scuba diving, freediving, surfing, or even sailing and yachting. Open your heart to any one of them, and we are confident you will fall head over heels for the ocean.
The young duo behind OFFSHORE Life Studio are trying to share their love of the sea in their own way. Throughout the voyage, Ray kept reflecting on the same idea: compared to a motor yacht, a sailboat is a projection of a life philosophy. Office workers caught up in the daily grind between skyscrapers — when was the last time you stepped out to feel the vastness of the sea? Toss your phone below deck, and give yourself some time alone with the deep blue. Life doesn't have to be so hard — the all-embracing ocean is your greatest teacher!
Sailing — a projection of a life philosophy
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