Every summer, people who aren't very comfortable in the ocean find themselves envying friends who can head to the beach at the drop of a hat. Most of us settle for a lazy afternoon watching the waves lap the shore, then round out the day with a seafood dinner at the harbor — our entire experience of the ocean limited to a blue horizon and a menu full of fish we can't name. What a shame.
Taiwan is surrounded by the sea on all four sides, and with the exception of Nantou, every county and city borders the coast. Compared to most other countries, the time and money it takes for people here to get close to the ocean is remarkably accessible. Taiwan's geography is equally diverse: algal reefs and rocky shores in the north, lagoons and mudflats along the west coast, coral reefs in the south, and breathtaking mountains meeting the sea along the east coast — each stretch of coastline unique and worth exploring.
Most people who visit the beach stick to wading and splashing around, but if you truly want to get close to the ocean, we recommend trying one of three activities: snorkeling, scuba diving, or freediving. Of course, there are plenty of other water sports — SUP, jet skiing, yachting — all great outdoor pursuits in their own right. But if you want to get up close and personal with the underwater world and take in everything it has to offer, these three are the way to go.
Snorkeling:
Snorkeling is the most accessible and beginner-friendly water activity - 揪潛水同學會
Of the three activities, snorkeling has the lowest barrier to entry. Participants of virtually any age — from young children to grandparents — can get in the water simply by wearing a life jacket and a mask and snorkel set. A professional instructor can tow participants along the surface using a torpedo buoy or life ring, so there's no need to wrestle with fins. You can still take in all the underwater scenery without them.
Snorkeling is a relatively safe water activity. The main thing beginners need to get used to is breathing through their mouth — once you put on a mask, your nose is essentially out of the picture, and it takes a little time to adjust. Most instructors will walk you through how to use the mask and snorkel before you get in the water, so it's really just a matter of getting comfortable.
Since beginners tend to be less confident entering and exiting the water, rocky shorelines can occasionally give you a scrape. We recommend wearing gloves to protect your hands. For your body, a wetsuit or a rash guard is a good idea to guard against cuts and abrasions. Unless you're a very confident swimmer who knows the entry and exit points well (such as sites with dedicated stairs), it's generally not advisable to jump in wearing just a bikini or boardshorts.
Always wear grip-soled booties when walking along the shore - 揪潛水同學会
You'll always want to wear grip-soled booties when snorkeling. Most commercially available booties have smooth rubber soles, which can be dangerously slippery on rocky shores. And before heading out, double-check all your gear — you don't want to arrive and realize something's missing!
Snorkeling gear:
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Mask + snorkel
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Booties
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Life jacket
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Wetsuit or rash guard
Scuba Diving:
Scuba diving (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) is an advanced underwater activity that involves wearing a scuba tank / cylinder and a BCD (buoyancy compensator). A proper dive certification is required to participate. What we're covering here is recreational diving — as opposed to more specialized technical diving — which, when proper SOPs are followed, is an extremely safe sport. That said, even without a certification, you can arrange a try dive through a dive shop, where a professional instructor will guide you through the experience of underwater weightlessness and let you come face to face with fish!
Internationally recognized certification agencies include PADI (certification agency), SDI (certification agency), and ADSI, among others. As long as you follow the structured curriculum of any accredited system step by step, almost anyone can earn an entry-level scuba certification — and from there, you can work your way up based on your interests and goals. Non-professional scuba certifications generally progress through the following levels (with slight variations by agency):
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Open Water Diver (PADI/SSI cert)
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Advanced Open Water Diver (PADI cert)
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Rescue Diver (PADI cert)
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Divemaster (PADI cert)
Each agency has its own requirements at each certification level, though the differences at the recreational tier are relatively minor. Find a reputable instructor with a solid teaching track record and you'll be in good hands. Scuba divers breathe compressed air from a scuba tank / cylinder, which allows them to descend into the underwater world and observe marine life up close — which is why so many divers carry an underwater camera setup to capture one stunning shot after another.
Scuba diving gear:
Common scuba diving equipment - Illustrator Acha
Because scuba divers spend extended periods underwater, the kit goes well beyond just the scuba tank / cylinder — you also need a regulator, a BCD, and more. On top of that, wearing a wetsuit for warmth adds buoyancy, which means you'll need weights to compensate. A full scuba setup can tip the scales at close to 20 kg, which is no small feat physically for some people.
Underwater photography has become one of the most popular pursuits in the diving world in recent years. Through the lens of an underwater camera, those of us on land can better appreciate the ocean's beauty and catch a glimpse of the mysteries of marine life. That said, the underwater housing, strobe arms, strobes, video lights, and other accessories that come with underwater photography not only carry a significant price tag, but also add considerable weight on land — something beginners should factor in. Still, when you see those gorgeous images being shared on social media, every ounce of effort feels completely worth it.
Scuba diving paired with a camera opens up a whole world of underwater photography subjects - photo credit 歐大
Freediving:
Freediving has taken the younger generation by storm in recent years, and it's easy to see why. As an extreme sport that challenges your personal limits, it strips things back to the basics — all you need is a mask, a snorkel, fins, and a modest weight system, and you're free to glide through the water. Compared to scuba diving's heavy kit, freediving is a refreshingly lean and convenient way to explore the ocean.
Major international freediving certification agencies include SSI (certification agency), AIDA (freediving agency), CMAS, and PADI (certification agency). Each has its own curriculum and teaching approach — simply find a training center with a strong teaching reputation, and you'll be working toward your freediving certification in no time. The biggest difference between freediving and scuba diving is that scuba divers rely on compressed air to extend their time underwater, while freedivers descend on a single breath-hold. That means your breath-hold capacity directly determines how long you can stay underwater. Every certification system will guide you through techniques to gradually improve your breath-hold and water comfort. As long as you're open to getting close to the ocean, freediving is bound to be one of the most enjoyable water activities you'll ever try.
In recent years, fueled in part by the popularity of Korean dramas, more and more women have been drawn to the idea of wearing a mermaid monofin and freediving as a mermaid — with an underwater photographer on hand to capture the magic. Because swimming in a monofin is quite different from using regular fins, dedicated training is required before giving it a go. If you've always harbored a mermaid dream, reach out to a training center for more information.
Mermaid courses have become hugely popular among women in recent years - photo credit Jammi Chen
As mentioned at the outset, freediving is an extreme sport. Most people who take it up simply want to enjoy the sensation of gliding freely underwater and capture beautiful photos. But there are also those who push the limits — and internationally, competitive freediving is divided into numerous disciplines, including static apnea (STA) (AIDA discipline), dynamic apnea (DYN) (AIDA discipline) with fins, Dynamic No Fins (DNF) without fins, and no-limits (NLT), among others. If you're someone who loves to push your physical boundaries, freediving is a fantastic place to start!
Freediving gear:
Common freediving equipment - Illustrator Acha
Freediving lets you interact with marine life at zero distance - photo credit 歐大
Scuba Diving V.S. Freediving
Scuba diver vs. freediver: a gear comparison - Illustrator Acha
Scuba divers maintain neutral buoyancy underwater and typically move horizontally. Freedivers can move horizontally or vertically depending on their training and the style of dive - Illustrator Acha
The Editor's No-Liability Snorkeling, Scuba & Freediving Q&A:
Q: Can non-swimmers participate in any of the three activities?
A: Being able to swim does make things easier and helps you get comfortable more quickly. That said, there's no rule saying non-swimmers can't participate. Just be upfront with your instructor beforehand — they'll keep a closer eye on you and give you extra guidance.
Q: Is severe nearsightedness a problem for any of these activities?
A: If you can wear contact lenses, you can use a standard prescription-free mask. Alternatively, prescription masks that accommodate various degrees of correction are available for purchase on the market.
Q: Are there any special precautions to keep in mind for snorkeling, scuba diving, or freediving?
A: While water activities tend to be relaxing, the ocean is unpredictable — wind and currents can shift in an instant. Always follow your instructor's guidance. Never go alone, even if you know the waters well or are a confident swimmer. Always bring a buddy.
Q: What should I look for when choosing a dive shop or activity provider?
A: Remember: you get what you pay for. The cheapest option is rarely the best choice for water activities. Beyond reputation and personal recommendations, ask about the instructor-to-student ratio, whether insurance is included, and whether the instructors are properly certified. Once you're at the shop, take a look at how the equipment is stored and maintained. On Taiwan's main island, try dives typically run around NT$2,000–2,500, and snorkeling tours around NT$300–600, though prices vary depending on the services provided.
Further reading:
Loves drawing, loves the color blue, loves the ocean. After following a conventional career path all the way through university, Acha finally came to believe she could make a living doing what she loves. Taking that big leap toward her dream, she was fortunate to find many wonderful people along the way. It was a fun dive trip to Xiaoliuqiu that sparked her ongoing comic series about the sea. Today, she shares her thoughts and stories through illustrated posts on her fan page, while living out what feels like a dream come true.
