With so many beautiful places to explore while scuba diving in Taiwan, we thought we would introduce our favorite place, Xiao Liu Qiu （小琉球）, also known as Lambai Island.
Lambai Island is located on the southwest coast of Taiwan. Approximately a 30-minute drive south of Kaohsiung City, you’ll reach the Donggang ferry terminal. There are several ferry companies, but the most convenient would be Dongliu Line. It’s the blue one located front and center. Their tickets are $440TWD for return service from the counter. You can often get a discounted price if you purchase them from your hotel accommodation. They may charge you an additional $50TWD for oversized luggage.
Fifteen kilometers from Donggang lies the 7th largest coral island in the world. It is only reachable by boat. In the past, the island got pushed up the lush coral bed and hardened into limestone. This jagged coral limestone is evident around the entire coast. The most intriguing place to see this would be at Beauty Cave. You can walk along a labyrinth pathway, exploring the crevices and caverns along the way.
One of the reasons Lambai Island is such a great scuba diving destination is because of its location. Number one, it is in the tropics, so the water stays warm year-round. From April to October, the water temperature ranges from 25-29C. From November to March, the water temperature ranges from 20-24C. The warm water leads to a flourishing coral population in the area. Number two, it is also sheltered from the strong currents of the Taiwan Strait. Compared to the exposed Penghu Islands, or the island on the east coast, the amount of damage caused by typhoons is minimized.
Aside from the coral reefs, the island's biggest draw must be the abundance of sea turtles. The island is home to hundreds of green sea turtles and even more come back for laying eggs each year. During this time, Chung Au Beach, on the northeastern tip of the island, is closed off in order to protect the eggs while hatching. Divers and snorkelers are guaranteed to enjoy swimming with sea turtles all year round. Such a majestic creature is a beautiful sight to see as they gracefully glide through the water.
For those who are non-divers, or when you’re not diving there are many attractions to see as well. It is easiest to tour the island by scooter. There are many scenic lookouts along the coast. The most recognizable sight is Flower Vase Rock. This rock has been eroded by the waves around the base to form a narrow base with a wide top to resemble a flower vase. It is a perfect location to view the sunrise great. All of the beaches are great for snorkeling and sunbathing, the most popular being Beauty Beach. Some other sights to visit along the way include Dwarf Cave, the military hide-out built in case of future invasion from China, or one of its 38 temples dotting such a small island.
Come enjoy the underwater beauty of Lambai Island. Whether it’s scuba diving or snorkeling with green sea turtles or sunbathing and snorkeling at one of its many white sand beaches. There’s something for everyone to enjoy! Check out our website for more info at www.fundiverstw.com
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