| Diving Sites Penghu Islands
”@Three warm and cold ocean currents pass through the Penghu area, and the appearance of the different currents of different times, make the Penghus a gathering place or passing by for many varieties of migratory fish. For this reason, great varieties of ocean life abound in the Penghus. The islands are composed mainly of volcanic basalt. After millions of years of coral development in the intertidal and subtidal zones, the underwater geology here consists mainly of coral reef formations. Penghu Diving Sites 1. North and East Sides of Mutou Islet”@”¹”¹ ”@The sea bottom here consists of a broad platform about 5 to 8 meters below the surface. Erosion has produced numerous coral ridges and trenches stretching in a north -south direction. In the clear waters, the coral ridges are covered in dense growths of hard coral. There is little coral, however, in the trenches. 2. West Side of Kupo Islet”@”¹”¹ ”@The rocky coast here has a very narrow tidal The sea of the subtidal zone has a bottom comprised of scattered pieces of coral, coral reefs, stones, and a small amount of sand. Near the southern edge of the area, the coastal waters feature large reef stones and many varieties of coral scattered in small colonies on the stone, of which they cover about 20 %. 3. East Side of Chipei Islet”@”¹”¹ ”@The bottom of the sea here where the water is under 5 meters deep is comprised of a flat reef platform made of pebbles and coral fragments. From a depth of 6 to 12 meters the seabed is sloped. The water is relatively murky and the coral coverage is approximately 30%; the coral does not grow very luxuriantly, but it is found here in many varieties. 4. North to East Side of Chuchua Islet”@”¹”¹ ”@This area is north of the islet comprised of thickly packed basalt granules. The surrounding seabed features trenches and coral ridges with a north south orientation, and the bottom is comprised of coral remnants and grain-shaped coral algae. The coral types vary greatly - - they are mostly hard types, but soft coral is found here as well - - and cover 30% to 50% of the area. 5. Chiangchunao Islet”@”¹”¹ ”@The seafloor terrain here is made up of a coral reef running perpendicular to the coast; the water is clear, and the visibility is good. Large Turbinaria and Montipora corals manifest a diversity of growth forms. 6. Chimei Islet”@”¹”¹ ”@The floor of the sea here is made up of basalt chunks with fine sand between them. The average depth is 6 to 7 meters, currents are weak, and visibility is quite good. Hard coral, comprised largely of porites, grows in colonies that rise 3 to 4 meters or more from the bottom.
Note:The number of stars indicates general diving quality.
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”@The Penghu Archipelago consists of 64 island situated in the middle of the Taiwan Straits. The Tropic of Cancer passes through the southern part of Huching Island, placing all of the main islands of the group in the subtropics. The annual average temperature is 22 to 23 degrees Celsius; in the coldest month the average is around 16 degrees, while in the hottest month the average is 28 degrees. The average water temperature ranges from 16 degrees to 29 degrees throughout the year. Average annual rainfall is only about 1,000 mm. A salient characteristic of the Penghu climate is strong winds, especially in the winter season. The tourist season is April through September; visitors are few during the winter monsoon season, when diving is not recommended either.