| Diving Sites North and Northeast Coasts
¡@The Northeast Coast is also separated into two sections. The dividing point is Santiaochiao ( Cape Santiao ). North of this dividing line - Lungtung, Pitouchiao, Nanya, and up to Ho Ping tao and Keelung - -the shoreline features sea eroded formations such as eroded terraces, under cut cliffs, caves, coves, and exposed coral. South of Santiaochiao, cape formations are rare due to the type of geological structure and the fact that the northeastern monsoon winds blow parallel to the coastline; as a result, this area is characterized by well-developed eroded terraces and pebble beaches. ¡@The ocean ecology is much the same along the North Shore and Northeast Coast, with a large number of submerged rock and scattered coral formations dotting the ocean floor. The most common shallow-water fish in this area are porcupine fish and wrasses. The family of Pomacentridae accounts for the largest number of fish in coral areas, followed by butterflyfish. Bananafish prefer the areas where coral reefs meet sandy bottoms. ¡@Many other sea creatures live here as well, in great variety and quantity. Research studies have identified at least 60 species of large algae, 290 of shellfish, 70 of crustaceans, 40 of echinoderms, 120 of coral, 250 of reef fish, and others such as sponges, segmented worms, jellyfish, sea squirts, and others. ¡@Water temperature on this part of the coast average around 24 degrees Celsius in the summer and 20 degrees in the winter. Along the North Shore the water visibility ranges from 3 to 8 meters; along the Northeast Coast, it is 4 to 8 meters. The best time for diving here is April to October. The rest of the year, the northeastern monsoons become vicious and create large waves that make the water unsuitable for diving. ¡@Diving conditions on the North Shore and Northeast Coast are quite ordinary, and anyone who came to Taiwan specifically to dive in the island's waters would not be satisfied with this area. But for tourists in Taipei who do not have time to travel to better diving sites elsewhere on the island, the following brief description cover some of the best diving sites in northern Taiwan. ¡@Space limitations allow only brief introduction to some of Taiwan's best diving sites. For further information or more details, please consult the organization listed in the back of this booklet. North Shore Diving Sites 1.Shihmen Cave¡@¡¹ ¡@Located on the Tamsui - Chinshan Highway between Laomei Village and the Shihpa Wang Kung Temple, the Shihmen Cave area features a unique coastal geography comprised of coral reefs, pebbles, concrete, and algae - covered conglomerate. Independent coral heads are scattered along the shoreline, and the bottom pebbles, concrete, and algae - covered conglomerate. Independent coral heads are scattered along the shoreline, and the bottom is rocky. ¡¯Suitable for snorkeling, beginning level, and intermediate level scuba diving. 2.Yehliu Scenic Area¡@¡¹¡¹ ¡@Between Yehliu Harbor and Tungao Fishing Harbor is the famous Yehliu Point, where two promontories comprised of sloped stone layers jut into the sea at an angle almost perpendicular to Taiwan's main geographic stratum. The geography here protects the waters within the point from the monsoon winds, so diving is possible even in the winter season if the waves are not too large. Numerous submerged rocky reefs rise from the ocean bottom here, and damselfishes inhabit the area in abundant numbers. ¡°Caution: Strong currents demand extra care when swimming or diving outside the cape. ¡¯Suitable for intermediate and advanced scuba diving. Northeast Coast Diving Sites 3. Pitou South Entrance Parking Lot¡@¡¹¡¹ ¡@This part of the coast is characterized by stone reefs. A small sandy - bottomed channel extends outward to a depth of about 15 meters. In the sea to the left, adjacent to the abalone ponds, three long stone reefs paralleling the shoreline to form three channels reaching progressively away from the coast. ¡°Caution:Large waves caused by monsoon winds make diving unadvisable during the winter season. ¡¯Suitable for snorkeling and beginning level scuba diving. 4. Lungtung Ocean Park¡@¡¹ ¡@Both the left and right flanks of this area are suitable for diving. Former abalone ponds here have been rebuilt into swimming pools which provide easy access to the ocean here, and the bottom is covered with stone reefs, pebbles, and sand. ¡°Caution:At the outer edge of this area the water reaches a depth of about 15 meters, and tidal currents call for extra care. ¡¯Suitable for snorkeling and beginning level scuba diving. 5. Chinshawan¡@¡¹¡¹ ¡@This area is centered on Chinshawan Beach, 200 meters to the right of which is a stone platform. A protruding stone reef lies perpendicular to the shoreline; the underwater scenery is best to the left side of this reef, where submerged stone reefs form the bottom to a depth of 20 meters. Schools of fish, soft coral, and invertebrate animals abound here. ¡°Caution: Entering and leaving the water here can be difficult when unstable weather causes large waves. ¡¯Suitable for snorkeling and beginning level scuba diving. 6. Maoao Park¡@¡¹ ¡@Entry and exit from the water is quite easy behind the Fulien Primary School and in front of the abalone pond to the left of the school. The central point of the inner bay here has a depth of about 15 meters, while the sea bottom at the fishing harbor breakwater slopes gently and is relatively shallow. The water remains shallow to a distance of 50 meters. ¡°Caution:Do not swim too far from the shore, and note that diving is forbidden in the channel used by the fishing boats. ¡¯Suitable for snorkeling and beginning level scuba diving.
Note:The number of stars indicates general diving quality.
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¡@The North Shore of Taiwan can be divided into two sections. From the mouth of the Tamsui River to the town of Chinshan the shore consists mainly of volcanic rock; from Chinshan to Keelung, the primary material of the shoreline is sedimentary rock.