海獺潛水 Sea Otter Dive

Sea Otter Dive is a professional diving centre situated in the Liuqiu Township of Pingtung County, Taiwan. Operating in the waters of Xiaoliuqiu, the centre provides a gateway to some of the most diverse marine environments in the region, ranging from calm reef flats to significant wreck sites.

The centre is uniquely positioned to offer year-round diving, as the Xiaoliuqiu area is not affected by the north-east monsoon. This allows for consistent access to the local marine life, most notably the abundant green sea turtle populations that frequent the surrounding reefs.

The team consists of experienced instructors capable of guiding divers through every stage of their training, from initial Open Water Diver qualifications to advanced technical specialties. They manage a wide range of certifications, ensuring that both novice divers and those looking to specialise in wreck or drift diving receive professional support.

Safety and professionalism are the core of their operation. The centre provides a well-organised environment with a bright hall and high-quality changing facilities, making the transition from land to sea seamless for your dive group.

Sea Otter Dive is affiliated with both PADI and SSI, offering a comprehensive curriculum of courses. Beginners can start with the Open Water Diver programme, while those looking to progress can undertake the Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and Deep Diver courses.

Specialist training is also available to refine specific skills. You can enrol in the Enriched Air Diver course to utilise Nitrox, or choose from various specialties including Wreck Diver, Drift Diver, Night Diver, Underwater Navigation, and Peak Performance Buoyancy. They also offer training for Search and Recovery and the use of a Delayed Surface Marker Buoy (SMB).

The centre provides full equipment hire using professional-grade Aqualung kit. This includes everything required for a complete dive, allowing you to travel to Taiwan without the need to transport your own heavy gear.

For those looking to document their dives, the centre offers underwater photography services using GoPro cameras and dedicated instructor assistance. Nitrox is available on-site for divers looking to extend their bottom time or manage nitrogen loading during multi-dive days.

The waters around Xiaoliuqiu are famous for their turtle populations. You will frequently encounter green sea turtles resting on reefs or cruising the sandy bottom, alongside other residents like parrotfish and clownfish.

The reef ecosystems are vibrant, featuring extensive colonies of soft corals and various reef fish. You can observe lionfish, pipefish, and syngnathes amongst the crevices, while garden eels and stingrays inhabit the sandy patches near the reef edges.

For macro enthusiasts, the area offers plenty of detail. Keep an eye out for nudibranchs, octopuses, and various small crustaceans in the coral structures. The 'Pipeline' area is particularly noted for its diversity of micro-organisms, including various nudibranchs and octopus.

Current conditions vary significantly depending on the chosen site. Some locations offer stable, predictable currents suitable for drift diving, while wreck sites and areas like Wuguidong can experience strong and variable currents that require attentive navigation.

Beginners can find very calm conditions at sites like Dafu West, where the water is exceptionally still and the entry is via a convenient small beach. The centre's instructors assess daily conditions to select the most appropriate sites for your experience level and the current sea state.