'Dive Into Taiwan' — Wanghaisian Bay Conservation Area: The Cradle of Taiwan's Marine Conservation

Wanghaisian Bay — A Hidden Diving Gem Just 40 Minutes from Taipei

Taiwan is surrounded by the sea on all sides, which should make it a natural hotbed for water sports. Yet for a variety of reasons, the ocean remains surprisingly unfamiliar to many Taiwanese people. That is precisely why Dive Into Taiwan was founded — to help Taiwanese reconnect with the sea and, ultimately, fall in love with it. So let's start by exploring what diving destinations this island nation has to offer.

Taiwan's northern dive zone broadly covers the coastline from Keelung to the northern port of Toucheng in Yilan. Situated along the Northeast Coast, this area is heavily influenced by the northeast monsoon in winter: after October, water temperatures drop sharply, and powerful shore break waves make entering and exiting the water considerably more difficult. If diving in winter is unavoidable, a drysuit is strongly recommended to guard against hypothermia. In summer, however, the area is only about an hour's drive from Taipei, making it far more accessible than other dive destinations around Taiwan. Several well-known sites sit within sheltered bay formations that tend to be calm during the summer months — ideal for beginner training and instruction, and a top choice for experienced divers looking to hone their underwater photography skills.

Support us in making more dreams a reality — Wanghaisian Bay Dive Map Purchase Link

From Landfill to Environmental Education Hub

Wanghaisian Bay stretches from Badouzi Fishing Harbor in Keelung to the west, and Fan Zai Ao in Ruifang, New Taipei City to the east, forming a natural bay. Badouzi has a long fishing heritage, with records of maritime activity dating back to the Qing Dynasty. The area was originally an island separate from the Taiwanese mainland. During the Japanese colonial period in 1937, the sea channel was filled in to build a thermal power plant, transforming it into a peninsula. Upon completion, the plant boasted the highest generating capacity in Taiwan and became a vital power source for the island's northern development. In 1976, as Keelung expanded, the eastern side of the Badouzi Peninsula was designated as the Changtanli landfill — jokingly referred to as the largest seaside dump in Taiwan — and remained in use until it was closed in 1992, when a new chapter in its history began.

In the 1980s, as part of the government's Twelve Major Construction Projects, two ocean-themed museums were planned: the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium in Pingtung, and the National Museum of Marine Science and Technology (NMMST). After years of preparation and a government OT (Operate-Transfer) tender process, the NMMST progressively opened its doors in 2012, becoming an important marine conservation education hub for northern Taiwan.

It is said that "Wanghaisian" in Taiwanese Hokkien is pronounced meng hai ang — where hai ang means whale — so the name translates roughly as "watching whales," suggesting that in ancient times it was common to see whales spouting in the bay. The bay sits at the confluence of the Kuroshio and Oyashio currents, a meeting point also known as the "tidal boundary" (潮境). The dramatic seasonal shifts in oceanography bring in marine life quite different from other dive sites around Taiwan. Twice-daily tidal cycles carry in rich nutrients with the current, supporting exceptional fish diversity. The bay's natural shelter also serves as a nursery where juvenile fish can grow in safety — making the marine ecosystem of Wanghaisian Bay richer than that of most other northern dive sites.

Since 1999, the Keelung City Government has designated the area as the Wanghaisian Artificial Reef No-Take Zone, and in 2016 it was officially established as the Wanghaisian Chaojing Bay Marine Resource Conservation Area, with the aim of creating a marine life sanctuary while also boosting local tourism. Due to the currents and depth conditions, the underwater landscape here is blanketed in colorful feather soft corals (Capnella spp.) in remarkable numbers and variety — a sight rarely found elsewhere. These soft corals feed by filter-feeding and only expand to feed under the right conditions; the rest of the time they contract to minimize resistance to the current. As a result, the same spot can look completely different depending on when you visit.

Filter feeders such as gorgonians / sea fans, sea trees, and sponges are also abundant here. Notably, a massive gorgonian / sea fan can be spotted right from the shore dive at the Secret Garden — a truly rare sight. One of the star attractions of the Secret Garden dive site is the sea apple (Pseudocolochirus spp.). If you are a conservative air user with an Advanced Open Water Diver (PADI cert) certification or above, it is well worth descending to take a closer look at a sea apple filtering food — it is an endearingly charming sight. In recent years, fisheries authorities have deployed large numbers of artificial reefs, and boat dives within the bay allow divers to explore these structures; the most notable sites include the Haijian wreck and the Steel Reef.

In early spring, before the water warms up (water temperatures roughly 19–23°C), the bay transforms into a nursery ground. Schools of newly hatched juvenile fish fill the water, drawing in pelagic species to feed along the shore. On a lucky day you might catch a glimpse of amberjack and other migratory fish venturing inshore — and in recent years, dolphin have even been spotted entering the bay to feed. Around May, large, graceful cuttlefish gather in groups to spawn, their elegant, undulating movements reminiscent of an alien fleet visiting Earth. Watching cuttlefish spawning behavior unfold before your eyes is like attending a living natural science class.

Support us in making more dreams a reality — Wanghaisian Bay Dive Map Purchase Link

Bigfin reef squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana) are another highlight of Wanghaisian Bay. The bay's abundant gorgonians / sea fans attract these squid to lay their eggs among the coral branches. If you have a macro lens kit with you, take your time and document this remarkable moment on camera. In addition to natural spawning grounds, passionate local dive instructors set up artificial spawning structures made from bundled bamboo leaves within the bay each year, giving these welcome visitors a place to breed and return to season after season.

The fish community is dominated by coral reef species; however, due to fishing pressure in recent years, most individuals are small in both number and size — with the exception of damselfish and grunts. The good news is that in 2017, four grouper measuring roughly 1 m in length were found residing at the Secret Garden dive site — an encouraging development given how rarely large fish are seen around Taiwan these days. Wanghaisian Bay is also an excellent macro diving destination: with patience, a wide variety of fascinating small creatures can be found, including an array of delightful nudibranch species. In 2017, diver Yang Kuanzhi made a remarkable discovery here — recording Doriopsilla nakano (波部龍女簪), a species documented in the Taiwanese mainland for the very first time.

While the bay's ecosystem is rich and vibrant, drawing a steady stream of divers on weekends, the currents and topography can produce sudden sand-stirring surges and strong flows. It is essential to dive with an experienced dive guide and to plan dives according to tidal cycles and wind direction. Within the conservation area, all visitors should observe the regulations — no fishing, no nets, no collection of any kind. Divers who are not yet confident in their neutral buoyancy should stick to sites appropriate for their skill level, to avoid inadvertently damaging the underwater environment.

Wanghaisian Bay Dive Site Map

Support us in making more dreams a reality — Wanghaisian Bay Dive Map Purchase Link

Must-Visit Photo Spots After Your Dive:

Wanghaisian Bay is located on the northern side of Keelung and is very easy to reach. Drivers can take National Freeway No. 62 directly to the area. For those using public transport, you can take Bus No. 2088 from Taipei City Hall MRT Station, or take the Taiwan Railways Shen'ao Branch Line to the NMMST Station and walk the rest of the way to Wanghaisian Bay.

Badouzi Train Station:

Dubbed the "Duoliang Station of Northern Taiwan," Badouzi Train Station is part of the Taiwan Railways Shen'ao Branch Line. Originally built to transport coal, it was decommissioned in August 1989 but was revived in December 2016 following the completion of the NMMST. Its striking setting — wedged between mountain and sea — draws photographers on clear days, eager to capture the breathtaking scenery.

Argena Shipyard:

The Argena Shipyard is located at Bachimen on Heping Island. The site has a long history as a coal-unloading wharf — some accounts trace it back to the Qing Dynasty, though written records begin from the Japanese colonial period, when a rail line for trolleys was built to Bachimen to develop the gold and copper mines at Jiufen (Jinguashi). The shipyard structure visible today was built in 1967, when a U.S. company called Argena leased the land for shipbuilding operations; it was ultimately abandoned after the business failed. Today, the Argena Shipyard stands as a hauntingly atmospheric ruin — so evocative, in fact, that even Captain America actor Chris Evans filmed scenes here. It has since become a magnet for photographers and film crews drawn to its weathered, melancholic beauty.

Wangyou Valley:

Often cited as Keelung's top hidden gem, Wangyou Valley is a dramatically underrated destination. Located uphill from the dive entry point, once you park the car you are greeted immediately by a sweeping 360-degree panorama of sea and mountains. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Jiufen, and even spot Keelung Islet sitting majestically offshore. If your legs are up for it, it is highly recommended to follow the trail through Wangyou Valley and up to Hill 101, then take in the awe-inspiring sea-eroded platform at Daping on the other side of the peninsula.

Keelung Harbor — Eagles and Cruise Ships:

In recent years, the Keelung City Government has worked hard to develop cruise tourism, and in 2017 Keelung Harbor was honored as Asia's Best Cruise Homeport. A visit to the Oceanic Plaza along the harbor front puts you up close with majestic cruise ships. If you are lucky enough to spot a black kite — Keelung's city bird — soaring overhead, the scene becomes a beautifully composed tableau where human activity and nature intertwine.

Support us in making more dreams a reality — Wanghaisian Bay Dive Map Purchase Link

Related Links:

• 揪潛水同學會

• 京太郎潛水

• 王銘祥（活塞教練）

• Keelung Chaojing Marine Citizen Scientists — What Do the 2023 Advanced Underwater Training Courses Cover?