First and foremost, a special thank you to BlueTrend for providing a media platform that gives ocean enthusiasts a chance to shine in the marine community. This connection has linked Taiwanese ocean professionals working all around the world, and through it I've had the fortune of meeting many outstanding figures in the field.
The 2019 Offshore Life Studio Okinawa trip went as smoothly as it did thanks in large part to Olive, a Taiwanese woman working at mic21 dive shop in Okinawa. Exploring new destinations abroad demands meticulous advance communication and coordination — balancing the needs of a sailing voyage while respecting local culture and maritime regulations requires both patience and time. On top of that, navigating the route calls for a thorough familiarity with local hydrographic conditions and seamless teamwork with the crew. Only through all of this could such a brilliantly crafted itinerary be designed and then actually executed.
My team and I are always searching for and pioneering new sailing destinations in Asia. The standards we set are rigorous — it's not enough simply to leave port and catch the wind, nor is it sufficient to have calm waters suitable for anchoring and jumping in.
Every itinerary we design is a labour of love from me and my teammates
Planning the Sailing Trip
There are many highly specific factors to consider: the accessibility of the sailing destination; flight options for guests travelling to that island nation; the practicality of daily life at the location — food, clothing, accommodation, and transportation; the topography and wind and current conditions in all four cardinal directions, and how these shape the sailing route; the added appeal of supplementary water activities such as SUP, snorkeling, and freediving; whether the character and atmosphere of the islands along the route complement the sailing lifestyle; the friendliness of the country's maritime laws; and whether marina facilities are adequate. All of these are challenges that must be thought through and overcome when developing a new sailing route.
Say Cheese~ Olive is the Taiwanese woman we met in Okinawa on this trip — her help made scouting this destination go so much more smoothly
Combining sailing with freediving is an emerging pursuit well worth developing
Taiwan's news media has long portrayed Okinawa as the place to go when Kenting disappoints. I'll be honest — before this trip I wasn't particularly optimistic about what we'd find. Partly, I was frustrated on Kenting's behalf by how it's been framed; partly, I was wary of inflated expectations. I worried Okinawa might suffer from the same over-commercialisation as Xiaoliuqiu, that tourism there had already reached saturation point and there was nothing left to develop. So I set off simply in the spirit of adventure, hoping to shake off the fatigue of summer.
Okinawa's exceptional visibility makes it easy to capture images of mermaids gliding alongside a sailboat's keel
A third concern: with massive waves of tourists flooding in every year, I had little confidence in our ability to capture their attention and inspire them to spend in such a crowded market. Before Okinawa's sensory impact hit me, I actually believed that Taiwan's Penghu South Islands were the most ideal sailing destination at this stage — a view my seniors disagreed with entirely. We've been debating it ever since, with arguments about seasonal limitations and the unpredictable sea conditions in the Penghu Channel still unresolved.
I never imagined before departure that Okinawa's sea would be so utterly breathtaking
Weaving through shallow coral reefs, even beginner dive sites here yield an impressive abundance of marine life
Reflections on the Okinawa Sailing Trip
But… if I'm being completely honest, island-hopping through Okinawa truly turned my pessimism on its head. Against every criterion I had set, it exceeded expectations by a comfortable margin. To give a few examples: budget airline fares to Okinawa remain affordable for Taiwanese travellers regardless of the season, and a flight of just an hour and a half never leaves you feeling drained — making it the go-to holiday island for travellers who want to save money and time. When it comes to food, clothing, accommodation, culture, entertainment, and transport, Okinawa offers an extraordinary wealth of travel information online and in travel publications, making it a wonderfully welcoming destination for first-time visitors. In terms of language, since tourism is Okinawa's primary source of income, virtually every tourist attraction is thoughtfully equipped with multilingual staff or written guides.
Because tourism is Okinawa's lifeblood, Olive's remarkable versatility — fluent in Mandarin, Taiwanese, English, and Japanese, and a qualified 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
Going deeper and analysing Japan's Okinawa region from the perspective of a water-sports professional, I simply can't help but give a huge round of applause to Japan's commitment and approach to marine conservation. The right number of recreational operators, sensible operating hours, giving ecosystems adequate time to rest — taking from the sea while understanding the importance of conservation and restoration. Once you truly witness how respectfully the Japanese treat the ocean, you stop wondering why Okinawa's waters can be so extraordinarily beautiful.
Because of Okinawa's crystal-clear water and beautiful white sand — So, we're floating!
Freediving through coral reef formations, drinking in the full beauty of Okinawa's ocean
The waters around Okinawa are ringed by coral reefs that provide natural wave-breaking protection, keeping the inner sea calm and manageable. Spring and summer are ideal for water leisure activities; autumn and winter winds are well-suited for sailing training and racing. The topography between the islands makes it relatively easy to find good anchorages, though it is strongly recommended to dive down personally and survey the seabed before deciding on an anchoring method. The underwater depths and scenery are well suited to scuba diving and stand-up paddleboarding, and it is advisable to seek out a professional familiar with the local waters to lead the way.
Professional water-sports operators choose an anchoring method based on the underwater topography and personally verify that the anchor is set correctly. In unfamiliar waters, always contact a local operator to learn about the hydrographic conditions — never put your vessel or crew at needless risk
To sum up simply: does Okinawa beat Kenting? I believe the answer is yes — but I think the reason Kenting loses comes down to Taiwan's flawed approach to tourism marketing.
The natural environment alone is not enough to decide the winner. Taiwan's landscapes, whether mountain or sea, are undeniably world-class. But how to preserve them properly and then promote and market them is something Taiwan's government needs to think about seriously.
The wind fills the sails! The boat's starting to heel — hold on tight, let's go!
Jason Mraz is my favourite singer.
In the opening track of his 2018 album Know, "Let's See What The Night Can Do", there is a lyric: "We can head North over the oceans of turquoise." The word "turquoise" refers to the gemstone, and in the lyric it describes the colour of the sea as turquoise.
Everything and everyone on this Okinawa trip was priceless — every island, like a turquoise gemstone, sparkling and radiant
I've heard many colour comparisons over the years — the most hackneyed being Tiffany Blue or emerald green — but I had never seriously gone looking for what "turquoise" truly looked like. Back in Taiwan, carefully sorting through the footage, I found myself endlessly captivated by the gradations of colour in Okinawa's sea as captured from above — the way the water shifts hue with depth, as smooth and effortless as a cold Orion beer sliding down your throat.
I think I found turquoise in Okinawa. I witnessed the colour Jason was singing about, and indeed every small island there is like a turquoise gemstone set upon the sea.
Stay tuned…
2020 OffshoreLifeStudio — Sailing Across Asia!
Related links:
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a BlueTrend dive trip different from an unknown, no-name dive group?
Choosing us means full peace-of-mind protection and a smooth experience from start to finish. Every trip we run holds to three things.
First, full legal protection and a professional dive leader: we strictly follow Taiwan's travel regulations and provide complete travel-agency liability insurance, travel insurance, trip-inconvenience insurance and dive insurance. Every group is accompanied by a certified, foreign-language dive leader who joins you on both the dives and the land itinerary, liaising seamlessly with local dive shops and operators on your behalf to keep things running smoothly — the person our travellers trust most.
Second, fully licensed with secure payments: every payment goes into a licensed travel agency's account, with multiple safe payment channels (bank transfer, credit card and more) and a legal collect-and-remit receipt, so every transaction is open, transparent and protected, avoiding the fraud and dispute risks of transferring money privately to an individual.
Third, hand-picked quality we vet in person: every trip, dive site and partner shop is scouted on the ground by our own team, from the guides' professionalism and safety standards to the food, lodging, environment and service details on land, all vetted by us so you don't get caught out.
I want to sign up for a dive trip. Are there certification-level or logged-dive requirements?
Each dive site is different, so the entry bar varies. 'Bali Tulamben', for instance, is relatively beginner-friendly. 'Malapascua in the Philippines' is also beginner-friendly, but since thresher sharks tend to cruise between 20 and 30 metres, we recommend AOW certification with 20+ logged dives to enjoy this trip comfortably. For 'the Maldives' or 'Palau', we suggest AOW with 50+ logged dives for a more relaxed experience. If you're not sure whether your experience fits the trip you want, message us and our dive editors will assess it and help you find the trip you'll feel safest on.
Can I join if I'm signing up alone? How are rooms arranged?
Plenty of our travellers sign up solo! For rooms and beds, we prioritise pairing you with a same-gender traveller, and if you'd rather have your own space you can pay the difference to upgrade to a single room. For the diving, our professional leader will pair you with a suitable buddy, and with the happy vibe on our trips you'll quickly make a great group of dive friends. Many people sign up alone, make new friends, and end up organising the next trip together!
Does the trip fee include dive insurance, gear rental, taxes and instructor tips?
It depends on the trip, the destination's regulations and the local operators. Every BlueTrend dive trip has a detailed web page with a clear 'included / not included' list, transparent and with no hidden charges. All payments are collected by a licensed travel agency, with a standard-form contract for your protection.
I'm a new diver / haven't dived in a long time — will I fall behind the group?
Before you complete your booking, our team assesses a suitable trip based on your certification level and experience. Before departure, we strongly recommend taking time to refresh in Taiwan with an instructor, or a fun dive to get your feel back. On the trip itself, our professional dive leader groups and pairs everyone by experience, keeps a close eye underwater on travellers who need extra care, and steps in to help right away.
Will the photos and videos taken during the trip be shared with us?
During the dives, 'safety' is always the leader's top priority, so whenever it's suitable and safe the leader will capture great shots and record the best moments. During or after the trip, we compile a cloud album for all travellers to download, so you go home loaded with memories!
Besides your scheduled trips, can you arrange a private group charter or independent travel for me and my friends?
Absolutely! Besides group trips, we also arrange private group charters and independent travel. We can communicate, enquire and coordinate services with local operators based on your needs, saving you time and effort and taking the language barrier off your plate, to tailor the smoothest, most reassuring dive trip just for you. Contact our LINE support and our editors will arrange it for you!
