--- access: members-only note: full mystery-shopper review requires membership --- # Peninsula Sea Mermaid Course Review Hands-On Kenting Mermaid Instruction for Stunning Mermaid Photos BY**Twosevenths**·2022.11·UPDATED 2026.06 Mermaids are often portrayed as evil sirens, luring sailors to their doom with enchanting songs, but in familiar fairy tales, they are beautiful and dreamy, inspiring many girls to harbor a secret mermaid fantasy from childhood. This time, a Twosevenths mystery shopper visited Bantao Hairen in Hengchun for an ocean mermaid course. Under the guidance of an instructor, they transformed their legs into a fishtail and swam freely in the ocean, becoming a beautiful legend of the sea! Peninsula Sea Mermaid Course Review｜Hands-On Kenting Mermaid Instruction for Stunning Mermaid Photos Contents Bantao Hairen Mermaid Course Review Directory Venue Reviewed Venue[半島海人](https://www.twosevenths.com/en/outdoors/diving-kenting-btsmermaid/#%E5%8D%8A%E5%B3%B6%E6%B5%B7%E4%BA%BA)Experience SSI Ocean Mermaid Certification Course Date Visited 25/02/2022 Reviewer Calista, aspiring mermaid princess 1. [01 About Bantao Hairen](https://www.twosevenths.com/en/outdoors/diving-kenting-btsmermaid/#iv-section-0) 2. [02 Bantao Hairen Mermaid Course Experience Review](https://www.twosevenths.com/en/outdoors/diving-kenting-btsmermaid/#iv-section-1) Contents 0% 1. 01 About Bantao Hairen 2. 02 Bantao Hairen Mermaid Course Experience Review 01 ## About Bantao Hairen About Bantao Hairen Bantao Hairen is a popular Kenting dive venue that offers not only freediving and scuba diving instruction but also many advanced courses, including SSI mermaid diving certification. Calista had previously taken a scuba diving course at Bantao Hairen and was deeply impressed by the instructor's meticulous teaching and the warm, friendly atmosphere among students after class. What's more, Bantao Hairen's instructors are not only underwater professionals but also skilled photographers and models, which drew Calista back to Bantao Hairen, hoping to capture beautiful mermaid photos. ### ✦Dive Venue Environment Students taking a mermaid course at Bantao Hairen have the option of staying at the Bantao Hairen guesthouse. The studio is located in Hengchun Township, and the accommodation consists of two townhouses, divided into the Bantao Hall and Hairen Hall. Both the living rooms and guest rooms are filled with a mysterious blue world, hand-painted by the illustrator. Calista stayed in the Humpback Whale Room, and the first thing that caught her eye upon entering was the impeccably tidy space. The wet-dry separated shower also thoughtfully provided two bath towels, one of which guests are encouraged to take out of the room for use after diving. Before the experience, we gathered at the diving department, which was so clean it was hard to believe it was a dive shop! Wetsuits lined up neatly, long fins hung in pairs—the organized setup made it easy to find suitable gear quickly. Calista observed that even after many students used the facilities, the floor was immediately rinsed clean, leaving no sand behind. The comfortable and tidy environment truly earns Bantao Hairen a big thumbs-up. Sign up free Log in to read the full content Recommended Google Facebook LINE 02 ## Bantao Hairen Mermaid Course Experience Review Bantao Hairen Mermaid Course Experience Review The mermaid course at Bantao Hairen is incredibly rich and engaging. What truly stands out is how the instructors connect with students beyond teaching hours, fostering a vibrant community where Calista made many wonderful friends who share a passion for diving. Even students who hadn't previously trained at Bantao Hairen were treated like family, receiving patient instruction from the coaches. The fun times spent together after class are equally unforgettable. ### ✦Academic Theory The Bantao Hairen mermaid course is a 16-hour program, typically completed over two days and one night. Bantao Hairen offers instruction in both English and Japanese, and all coaches hold international mermaid instructor certifications. Mermaid sports carry inherent risks, as divers can easily become anxious with their legs bound, limited visibility, and the possibility of water entering the nasal passages. The coaches' professional expertise ensures a safe and reassuring experience. This mermaid course goes beyond just wearing a costume for photos; it teaches you to genuinely swim like a mermaid, allowing you to embody a fairytale character. The Bantao Hairen mermaid course fee includes teaching materials, equipment, international certification fees, and training pool admission. As long as you can swim, you don't need any prior diving certifications or course experience to participate. Calista signed up for the two-day, one-night SSI Ocean Mermaid Diving Certification, which includes both academic and pool sessions. If you're interested, you can also take advanced ocean courses or add on a shore photoshoot to capture your beautiful mermaid moments! Before the academic session, students receive online materials covering mermaid gear, breathing techniques, and marine conservation. The instructor recommended reviewing these materials beforehand for easier comprehension, and during class, it was clear how much emphasis the instructor placed on environmental protection, dedicating significant time to explaining concepts with documentaries. The mermaid course includes a Mahina monofin and a mermaid tail. Bantao Hairen provides practice-friendly tails in various colors, along with their own custom-designed shell swimsuits and fishnet waistbands, all crafted with thoughtful details to make you feel like a real mermaid. Students are free to choose their preferred colors or take advice from the professional photographer. After use, all equipment must be thoroughly cleaned for the next student to enjoy a beautiful tail. The first morning of class covers theory, then moves on to practicing the butterfly undulation and dolphin kick, which are the core movements for mermaid swimming. With expert coaching, Calista quickly mastered the movements, feeling a great sense of accomplishment. ### ✦Pool Practice The afternoon pool session began with practicing the butterfly undulation in a yellow frog suit, which is arguably the first major hurdle of the mermaid course. Many students who performed the move perfectly on land found themselves unable to do it once in the water. Calista listened intently as the coach provided vivid, concrete descriptions, likening the motion to "pushing with the pelvis." After watching the coach's demonstration and practicing repeatedly, she finally started to grasp the knack. Once you're comfortable with the movement in the water, you'll move on to wearing the monofin. Having both feet bound can be a bit nerve-wracking for first-timers, but the Bantao Hairen instructor was incredibly patient and reassuring. Thanks to the thorough practice beforehand, there was no panic once the monofin was on. All subsequent lessons—freestyle, backstroke, and rescue techniques—are completed using the monofin. After ample practice, we moved to the deeper pool to work on duck dives and neutral buoyancy. Duck dives aren't too difficult for those with freediving experience, but neutral buoyancy is another story! The second challenge of the mermaid course is learning to stay perfectly still underwater, neither floating up nor sinking down. Without a mask, your vision is blurry, and it's easy to feel uneasy. When Calista frantically reached for the railing, the instructor immediately swam over to help her return to the surface. He patiently waited for her to calm down before discussing areas for improvement. Bantao Hairen truly observes students with incredible care, seeing not only their physical posture but also their deepest fears, helping them overcome those barriers. The final part of the course focused on "hair and expression control," crucial elements for good photos. First, we removed our masks to experience opening our eyes underwater, then practiced sweeping our hair away from our faces. If the current isn't right, hair can drape over your face like seaweed—Calista was so frustrated she almost wanted to shave her head! ### ✦Mermaid Experience Selection: On-Land Photoshoot After Calista finished her mermaid certification course, she added an onshore photoshoot to capture the beautiful moments and unique experience. She expected it to take a long time, but the instructor confidently said it wouldn't be necessary, a testament to their professional skill. Calista was worried about feeling awkward in front of the camera and unsure if she would look good, but the coach, a professional photographer and model, was excellent at guiding her. They taught Calista how to pose beautifully, capturing many shots before she even had a chance to feel self-conscious, all in a relaxed atmosphere that yielded natural moments. The shoot wrapped up quickly, and a quick peek at the photos left her stunned by how beautiful she looked—the results were absolutely professional-grade! ### ✦Advanced Mermaid Course: Ocean Training After completing the mermaid certification course, you can take on advanced ocean lessons. You'll start with basic skills practice in the ocean, followed by an exam. This is a crucial step, as the ocean is ever-changing, and without proper preparation while your legs are bound, you won't be able to safely enjoy this activity in the future! In addition to the exam, the coaches record your practice sessions in the ocean, so you'll receive precious video footage afterward. Throughout the entire process, the coach is always by your side; the moment they noticed Calista seemed short of breath and wanted to surface, they immediately helped her get her mouth and nose above water. After a few times, she felt completely at ease, knowing the coach would always ensure her safety. Once you have your mermaid certification, you can book solo mermaid photoshoots or even join international dive trips, spreading your mermaid magic across the globe—Calista is certainly looking forward to it! Even if you're new to diving or not a strong swimmer, the instructors at Bantao Hairen are confident they can build your foundation step-by-step through solid training, ensuring everyone can become a graceful, confident mermaid in the ocean. During free time after class, you can safely interact with other divers and explore the coral under the instructor's supervision, truly feeling like a mermaid. However, besides marine life, you might also encounter unwelcome guests like plastic bowls; the final chapter of the mermaid theory course at Bantao Hairen focuses on ocean pollution. The ocean is our greatest resource, yet it's also the place humanity most easily neglects. This experience with Bantao Hairen taught Calista that beyond beautiful photos and professional techniques, the ocean conservation repeatedly emphasized by the instructors is an equally vital part of mermaid sports. Sign up free Log in to read the full content Recommended Google Facebook LINE Also Featured ## Don't miss _these either_ [Calista](https://www.twosevenths.com/en/tag/calista/)[Kenting Diving](https://www.twosevenths.com/en/outdoors/diving-kenting/)[Diving](https://www.twosevenths.com/en/outdoors/diving/) Twosevenths has trained over 500 mystery shoppers experienced across diverse fields, accumulating five years of on-site visits to more than 5,000 venues across Taiwan. We are dedicated to delivering the most impartial third-party reviews — like a group of savvy friends guiding you to the best experiences.[Learn more about Twosevenths →](https://www.twosevenths.com/en/about/) Contributing mystery shoppers