| Diving Sites Kenting
¡@The coastline here is beautiful, with curving shores and numerous small bays. Ocean life is plentiful and coral abundant. Almost 290 types of coral have been identified in the area; most of it is hard coral, followed by Alcyonaria. There are also many species of invertebrate animals and close to a thousand species of fish, mostly reef fish, with a smaller number are surface economic fish. Many of the fish species spawn here. The unique geographic characteristics and rich ecological scenes make this an outstanding area for diving. Kenting Diving Sites 1.Area of Houwan, Shanhai, Wanlitung, Hungchai, Paisha¡@¡¹¡¹ ¡@About 100 meters offshore, the depth of the water is around 12 meters and the underwater scenery is beautiful, with a seabed dominated by scattered stone reefs and reef platforms interspersed with smaller reef rocks. All kinds of colorful reef fish inhabit the area. ¡°Caution:Currents are relatively strong when the tide is rising, so divers must note the tides and dive at times when the currents are moderate. ¡¯Suitable for snorkeling and diving at the beginning and intermediate levels. 2.Houpihu Area¡@¡¹¡¹ ¡@The floor of the sea 50 to 70 meters offshore is 2 to 7 meters in depth and features relatively small stone and coral reefs. There are also thick growths of soft coral that make the scenery in this area special. ¡°Caution:Diving is not recommended when large waves are whipped up by inclement weather, or by southwesterly or northeasterly winds. ¡¯Suitable for snorkeling and beginning level scuba diving. 3. Area of Hsiaowan and Chinwashih (Frog Rock)¡@¡¹¡¹ ¡@Visibility is not very good inside the bay here because of the outflow of streams, but tidal currents are slow and not very noticeable and there is no adverse influence from the northwesterly monsoon. At a distance of 60 meters offshore, where the water is around 6 meters deep, the bottom features mainly skirt corals. For boat dives, the bottom about 1 kilometer offshore is 20 meters deep and the underwater seascape is quite attractive. ¡°Caution: Extremely strong currents outside the mouth of Hsiaowan Bay and around Frog Rock call for special care. ¡¯Suitable for snorkeling as well as beginning and intermediate level scuba diving. 4. Nanwan¡@¡¹¡¹ ¡@The sea bottom in the area of Nanwan to Tantzuwan has a gentle slope and flourishing growths of both hard and soft coral, as well as abundant quantities of tropical fish. ¡¯Suitable for snorkeling and beginning level scuba diving. 5. Area of Sailboat Rock and Hsiangchiaowan to Oluanpi¡@¡¹¡¹ ¡@About 80 meters from the shore in this area, where the sea is around 14 meters deep, the water is clear and the sandy bottom is scattered with skirt coral and limestone reefs. There are also stone reef platforms, and rocky reefs protrude from the surface in three places. The reef community is characterized by large numbers of reef fish varieties. On the shaded side of the reefs live scallops, corals, and other species of marine life that make this an interesting area for divers. ¡°Caution: The region from Sailboat Rock to Shatao is designated as a national park ecological protection zone, and entry is prohibited to all but researchers with official permits. ¡¯Suitable for snorkeling, beginning level, and intermediate level scuba diving. 6. Kutanshan¡@¡¹¡¹¡¹ ¡@This is a submerged reef located in the sea between Nanwan and Houpihu, about 1 kilometer from the shore at the closest point. The reef is approximately 30 meters deep at its base, but its top reaches within 5 meters of the surface. The reef is about 100 meters wide, with a vertical cliff on one side and a slope on the other. A great variety of sea life, including large numbers of soft corals and scallops, make the reef their home. ¡°Caution: Only boat diving is possible here. Occasional strong currents make it essential to pay close attention to tidal changes. ¡¯Suitable for intermediate level scuba diving.
Note:The number of stars indicates general diving quality.
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¡@Kenting, which covers the entire Hengchun Peninsula at the southern end of the island, is Taiwan's premier diving area. It is also the site of Taiwan's first national park. The climate is tropical and the weather is mild all year, with an annual average temperature that varies from 20 degrees to 28 degrees Celsius. In July, the hottest month, the average is about 27.8 degrees; in January, the coldest month, the average is 20.4 degrees. the water temperature average above 20 degrees year-round. Visibility in the water is 5 to 20 meters, and diving can be practiced in all seasons. When the northeastern monsoon is blowing, however, diving activities should be limited to the western coast.