Your ultimate guide to Penghu dive sites8 Penghu dive sites for scuba, freediving, and snorkeling

#Explore the spectacular sea fan forest, an underwater Amazon jungle

Off the southeastern coast of Shanshui, Penghu, at a depth of about 25 meters, lies a world-rare underwater treasure: a sea fan forest, an area comparable to a football field.

Sea fans, a type of gorgonian coral also known as horny coral, stand on rock walls where currents are strong. They get their name from their fan-like shape. The fan surface is usually perpendicular to the current direction, which helps them catch plankton. For divers, they also indicate the direction of the current.

This sea fan forest is tall and spectacular, with each sea fan averaging 1 to 2 meters in height, some reaching up to 3 meters. Their abundance and vitality make this a truly special underwater ecological habitat, as sea fans grow slowly, and such a large-scale colony is incredibly rare. Diving in such a dense sea fan area feels like exploring an underwater Amazon jungle, experiencing nature and wildness through the water.

This Penghu dive site is also home to sea cucumbers commonly known as "sea apples." These are mostly red or purple, with vibrant colors and round shapes, resembling apples. However, they release toxic substances when startled, so never touch them while diving!

This particular sea area has poor visibility year-round and strong currents due to its narrow, angular location. Daily dive instructors have rated it an "advanced dive site," recommending it for more experienced divers!

#Send a postcard from an underwater mailbox

Suogang Hangwan, located in the southwest of Penghu Island, has become a popular new diving spot in recent years. Originally an artificial coral planting area, years of restoration have led to lush coral growth, with coverage reaching 70%.

The most famous attraction at Suogang Hangwan is Taiwan's second underwater mailbox. Scuba divers can purchase waterproof postcards and mail them during their dive, creating a unique souvenir of their trip.

This dive site boasts clear waters and high visibility, offering glimpses of colorful coral reefs, tropical fish, sea urchins, sea turtles, and other marine life. With depths ranging from 3 to 8 meters, the terrain is suitable for both snorkeling and scuba diving. The underwater current is not strong, and the coaches at Rih Rih Diving have rated it an "entry-level dive site," making it perfect for beginners to experience!

#Swim with sea turtles in a coral sea

The Shanshui Port East dive site is currently a demonstration area for ecological tourism, developed by the Penghu National Scenic Area Administration under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. In 2023, the Administration placed a Tai Chi-inspired artificial reef here, transforming the area into a coral reef restoration zone and monitoring coral health. The hope is to see even more thriving coral growth in the future!

At this Penghu dive site, you can spot sea slugs, table acropora coral, diverse coral reefs, tropical fish, and even sea turtles as soon as you enter the water! If you want to swim with sea turtles, try your luck at this dive site. If you encounter a sea turtle, absolutely do not touch it—protecting sea turtles also protects you and helps avoid breaking the law!

The depth here is approximately 5 to 12 meters. While the area is generally safe, be mindful of currents, especially near the breakwater. Daily Diving instructors have rated this an "entry-level dive site," making it perfect for snorkeling or beginner divers!

#UnderwaterBasaltLobsterHunt

The Penghu T-Junction dive site, located southeast of Suogang on Penghu Island, is one of the most popular diving spots in Penghu. The underwater topography is predominantly basalt, extending the island's basalt landscape beneath the surface. Here, you can admire vibrant corals adorning the underwater basalt formations, accompanied by thousands of small fish—an absolute feast for the eyes.

Compared to other Penghu dive sites, the ecosystem here is truly unique. Caves and crevices provide excellent habitats for marine life such as lobsters, moray eels, and fusiliers. If you're looking for a diving experience akin to an underwater treasure hunt, this is the place! Keep your eyes peeled underwater to spot lobsters hidden in dark corners or tiger-striped cuttlefish camouflaged against the basalt!

Given that the entry and exit points are rocky, extra caution is required. The dive site ranges from 10 to 16 meters deep. Considering the overall aquatic environment, the instructors at Rih Rih Diving rate this as an "intermediate dive site," recommending it for enthusiasts with some prior diving experience.

#Crimson Sea Apples: Look, Don't Touch

This private dive site, a secret underwater haven developed by Rih Rih Diving, is located off the east side of Shanshui Harbor on Penghu Island. It's accessible only by boat. The seabed teems with common Penghu sea fans, lobsters hidden in rock crevices, plump groupers, and enormous sea apples!

These sea apples come in vibrant red and orange, are round, and quite large, so you won't have trouble spotting them underwater! However, this dive site reaches depths of 18-25 meters and occasionally experiences currents. After careful consideration, Rih Rih Diving's instructors have rated this as an "intermediate dive site," recommending it for enthusiasts with some prior diving experience.

#Penghu's Hidden Gem: A Hundred Coral Species Up Close

Wangyou Island, also known as Toujin Islet, is an exceptional snorkeling destination in Penghu, nestled between Wang'an and Jiangjun Islets. Composed of pristine, fine shell sand, it preserves its original natural ecosystem and is designated as a marine national park protected area. Access to this dive site requires advance booking and guidance from a professional tour guide.

This hidden gem in Penghu is truly a world-class snorkeling spot, boasting a coral coverage rate of up to 70% and over a hundred species. Simply dipping your head into the water reveals a vibrant spectacle of colorful corals. The warm environment also offers a chance to spot sea turtles, and if you're lucky, you might even swim alongside these adorable creatures. Snorkeling enthusiasts absolutely shouldn't miss it!

With an average depth of 2 meters, this dive site offers high water safety. It has been assessed by the coaches at Rih Rih Diving as a "beginner-level dive site," making it perfect for first-time snorkelers.

#A World-Class Snorkeling Paradise: The Dreamy Underwater Lavender Forest

The Lavender Forest dive site, located on Dongyuping Islet in Penghu's South Fourth Islands National Park, is truly the jewel of the South Fourth Islands. Hailed as a world-class snorkeling paradise, it's like a magical underwater wonderland.

The South Fourth Islands are part of Penghu's Marine National Park, encompassing Dongjiyu, Xijiyu, Dongyuping Islet, and Xiyuping Islet. These islands boast pristine natural ecosystems and geological landscapes, renowned for their exceptionally high coral reef coverage of 70%.

The Lavender Forest dive site is rich in diverse marine life, including purple staghorn coral, green table acropora coral, sea cucumbers, pufferfish, clownfish, moray eels, starfish, green sea turtles, and stingrays. The dense clusters of green table acropora coral are known as the "Green Light Forest," while the concentrated purple staghorn coral creates the dreamy underwater spectacle of the "Lavender Forest."

Although it takes two hours by boat from the main island to reach Dongyuping Islet, the world-class underwater scenery is breathtaking and absolutely worth the trip. With a depth of just over two meters and gentle currents, the dive site has been rated as a "beginner-friendly dive site" by the coaches at Rih Rih Diving, making it perfect for both freediving and snorkeling.

#Discover an unspoiled paradise of endless coral reefs

Many visitors to Penghu's outlying islands make a point of visiting Qimei to see attractions like the Twin-Hearts Stone Weir and Little Taiwan. But beyond the island's sea-eroded landscapes, Qimei is also renowned for its snorkeling. Compared to the main island, Qimei has less pollution and human impact, resulting in clean, clear waters and a remarkably well-preserved coral reef ecosystem.

The snorkeling spots are close to the shore, and as soon as you enter the water, you're greeted by an endless expanse of coral reefs. The coral diversity is impressive, featuring leaf coral, staghorn coral, brain coral, and table acropora. And of course, a vibrant tropical underwater world wouldn't be complete without colorful anemones and adorable clownfish.

Snorkeling in Qimei is easy; every entry point is very accessible, making it a breeze even for children. The waters are also very safe, with depths remaining within 6 meters even at high tide. The instructors at Rih Rih Diving have rated it an "entry-level dive site," making it perfect for first-time snorkelers.