First and foremost, a special thank you to BlueTrend for providing a media platform that gives ocean enthusiasts the chance to shine in the marine community. This connection has brought together Taiwanese ocean professionals working all over the world, and through it, I've had the privilege of meeting many elite figures in the marine world.
The 2019 Offshore Life Studio trip to Okinawa went so smoothly thanks in large part to Olive, a Taiwanese woman working at mic21 dive shop in Okinawa. Exploring new destinations abroad requires meticulous advance coordination — balancing the demands of sailing with local culture and maritime regulations takes both patience and time. Add to that the need to navigate local waters with precision and develop a seamless rapport with the crew, and you begin to appreciate just how much craft goes into designing — and executing — a voyage like this.
My team and I are always searching for and pioneering new sailing destinations in Asia. The criteria we set are demanding: it's not enough to simply leave port and catch the wind, nor is it sufficient to anchor in calm waters and jump in.
Every route we design is a labor of love — a reflection of my team's dedication and care.
Planning a Sailing Itinerary
The planning process involves an enormous number of fine details: the accessibility of each sailing destination, flight options for guests traveling to that island nation, and the practicality of daily life on the ground — food, clothing, accommodation, transportation, and more. Then there's route design, factoring in the topography, wind patterns, and currents in every direction — north, south, east, and west. We also consider supplementary water activities such as SUP, snorkeling, and freediving, and whether the character of each island along the route complements the spirit of sailing. Does it add value to the experience? We also look at whether the country's maritime laws are favorable and whether the marina facilities are adequate. All of these are challenges that must be carefully thought through when developing a new sailing route.
Say Cheese~ Olive is the Taiwanese woman we met in Okinawa on this trip — her help made our site scouting go much more smoothly.
Combining sailing with freediving is an emerging sport well worth developing.
Taiwanese media has long promoted Okinawa with the tagline "Why go to Kenting when you can go to Okinawa?" — and I'll be honest, I wasn't especially optimistic before this trip. Partly, that was out of loyalty (and frustration on behalf of Kenting), and partly it was a fear of setting my expectations too high. I worried the reality might mirror the over-commercialization issues facing Xiaoliuqiu back home — that Okinawa's tourism industry might already be so saturated that there'd be nothing left to develop. So I set off simply with a spirit of play, looking to shake off the fatigue of summer.
Okinawa's exceptional visibility makes it easy to capture breathtaking shots of freedivers gliding alongside the boat's keel.
There was a third concern, too: with massive waves of tourists flooding the area every year, I wasn't confident we could capture their attention and turn that into meaningful business. Before Okinawa hit me with its full sensory impact, I actually believed Taiwan's Penghu Southern Islands were the best sailing destination at this stage — but, to my surprise, my mentors completely disagreed. Just bringing up the seasonal constraints and the unpredictable sea conditions in the Penghu Channel was enough to spark a debate that we're still having today.
I never imagined before setting off that Okinawa's ocean would be so utterly awe-inspiring.
Weaving through shallow coral reef systems, even beginner dive sites teem with remarkable marine life.
Reflections on the Okinawa Sailing Trip
But here's the honest truth: after island-hopping and scouting sites throughout Okinawa, the experience completely overturned my skepticism. On every single criterion I had set, Okinawa not only met the bar — it surpassed it. To give a few examples: budget airline fares to Okinawa remain affordable for Taiwanese travelers regardless of peak or off-peak season, and the flight time of just an hour and a half is far from tiring. For travelers looking to get away quickly and inexpensively, this is a natural first choice. In terms of food, lifestyle, accommodation, entertainment, and transportation, Okinawa is extraordinarily well-documented online and in travel publications, making it a very welcoming destination for first-time visitors. Language is no barrier either — since tourism is Okinawa's primary industry, virtually every tourist spot provides multilingual staff or written guidance as a matter of course.
Because tourism is Okinawa's main source of income, Olive's versatility — fluent in Mandarin, Taiwanese, English, and Japanese, and a certified scuba diving instructor — has made her hugely popular in the area, and she was one of the key people who made this Okinawa trip a success.
Diving deeper into an analysis of Okinawa's strengths from the perspective of a water sports professional, I have to give Japan enormous credit for its unwavering commitment to marine conservation. Operators in the leisure and recreation sector are kept to appropriate numbers and working hours, giving marine ecosystems the rest they need. The Japanese understand that what they take from the sea must be balanced with protection and restoration. Once you truly witness Japan's respectful relationship with the ocean, it's no longer a mystery why Okinawa's waters can be so stunningly beautiful.
Because of Okinawa's crystal-clear water and beautiful white sand — So, we're floating!
Freediving through the coral reef systems, drinking in the full beauty of Okinawa's ocean.
The waters surrounding Okinawa are ringed by coral reefs that act as natural breakwaters, keeping the inner seas calm. Spring and summer are ideal for water leisure activities, while the autumn and winter winds are well-suited to sailing training and racing. The topography between islands makes it relatively easy to find good anchorages, though I strongly recommend getting in the water personally to assess the bottom before committing to an anchoring approach. The underwater depths and scenery are excellent for scuba diving and stand-up paddleboarding — always seek out a local professional familiar with the waters to guide you.
Professional water sports operators choose their anchoring method based on the underwater topography, and always verify the anchor's condition visually. In unfamiliar waters, contact local operators to learn about the hydrological conditions — never expose your vessel or crew to unnecessary risk.
To wrap up simply: does Okinawa beat Kenting? I believe the answer is yes — but I think the reason Kenting loses is that Taiwan has been marketing its tourism the wrong way.
The key is not that natural scenery alone is enough to determine success or failure. Taiwan's landscapes — mountains and seas alike — are undeniably world-class. But how to preserve them properly and then promote them effectively is something Taiwan's government needs to think about very seriously.
She's filling with wind! The boat's starting to heel — hold on tight, and let's fly!
Jason Mraz is my favorite musician.
In the opening track of his 2018 album Know, "Let's See What The Night Can Do," there's a lyric: "We can head North over the oceans of turquoise." The word "turquoise" refers to the turquoise gemstone, and in the lyric it describes the color of the sea — that unmistakable blue-green hue.
Every person and moment of this Okinawa journey was priceless — just like each island, glittering like a turquoise gem.
I've heard many colors described over the years — the most clichéd being Tiffany blue or emerald green — but I'd never seriously sought out what "turquoise" truly looked like. Coming back to Taiwan and carefully reviewing the aerial footage, I found myself endlessly captivated by the color gradients of Okinawa's ocean — the way the water shifts in hue with depth, smooth and effortless as a cold Orion beer going down on a hot day.
I think I found turquoise in Okinawa. I finally understood the color Jason was singing about — and sure enough, every single island out there is like a turquoise gem adrift on the sea.
Stay tuned…
2020 OffshoreLifeStudio — Sailing Across Asia!
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