Dive Into Taiwan is the first foreign language guide to scuba diving in Taiwan. Author Simon Pridmore discovers more than 60 dive sites covering six different areas - the Northeast Coast, Penghu Islands, Xiaoliuqiu, Hengchun (Kenting), Orchid Island and Green Island. With the launch of this book, Taiwan is finally on the world diving map! By staff writer.

SINGAPORE, 25 November 2019. Taiwan is a Pacific island – actually several islands: a big one and some smaller satellites – surrounded by warm tropical seas. It is easily accessible, has excellent transportation and is a first-world society with out-going, friendly, laid-back people.

Especially in the south and on several of the outlying islands, there is some very good scuba diving and also a network of dive centres and resorts with first-class professional staff and equipment. They provide services for a young generation of Taiwanese, who are driving development in the sport with considerable enthusiasm.

Yet, when divers elsewhere in the world think about diving destinations, Taiwan is rarely even a blip on their radar screen. Very few people outside Taiwan have ever thought to enquire about the diving there, and very few people inside Taiwan have ever thought to tell anyone about it.

Until now…

In Dive into Taiwan, Gaia Discovery columnist Simon Pridmore unveils the underwater secrets of these islands and guides you around expertly, making sure you travel easily, dine well and appreciate the unique culture and traditions of Taiwan as well as its marine treasures. 

This is the first English-language guide to diving the reefs and wrecks (about 60 dive sites in total) of hitherto unknown locations such as Penghu, Xiaoliuqiu, Hengchun, Lanyu (Orchid Island), Ludao (Green Island) and Taiwan’s Northeast Coast and places them firmly on the international diving map. 

Authoritative, well written and beautifully illustrated by Taiwanese photographer Kyo Liu’s superb underwater images, Dive into Taiwan opens the door to a new and exciting destination for travelling divers.

"In this book, Pridmore takes the reader beyond the beaches and into the waters of six regions of excellent and exciting diving and snorkelling that the Taiwanese have enjoyed for some time - while the rest of the world has not had much of a clue about it. The beauty of this book is that the author intends it to be an immersive experience in more ways than one. He really wants you to dive not only into the waters, but also the people, the food, the lifestyle... the entire Taiwan experience. I am well up for the challenge and I think many others will find they are as well. This is a refreshing format and, I am guessing, it could well be the first in a series of entertaining and informational guides." Tim Rock - Lonely Planet Author 

Pridmore relates the motivation for writing the scuba diving guide book: “The spark of inspiration for "Dive into Taiwan" came from my old friend Tan Yee-ming who told me that her dream was that I would one day tell the world about the underwater wonders of her adopted home. But such sparks need to be fanned by the winds of practicality and that is where Ping Chu's Ripplemaker Foundation and Dylan Chen and Michelle Chiang of Taiwan Dive Center stepped in. My pal Robert Zandieh was also a driving force, although he didn't know it.”

“A couple of years ago,” Pridmore continued, “he wrote to me after a short dive trip to Taiwan and, without knowing I was going to write a guide (even I didn't know at the time), told me the things he needed to find out before he could return for a more extensive trip. So, a question that echoed constantly through my mind as I travelled around Taiwan doing my research was "What would Bob want to know?" I hope this book brings Bob back to Taiwan. I also hope that it encourages you to visit, dive and explore these wonderful islands and you come to love them as much as we do. See you underwater somewhere!”

Divers heading to Taiwan can get hold of this book from Amazon worldwide, Apple books, Kobo and other online bookstores in paperback and e-book versions.

About Simon Pridmore

Simon Pridmore is a best-selling author of scuba diving books, travel books and, as you might expect, scuba diving travel books. Originally from the UK, Simon has lived in Asia for over 30 years and has spent a considerable portion of that time on the move both overland and underwater. As well as his books and guides, Simon writes regular columns for a variety of magazines and speaks about dive travel, diver training and dive safety at conferences all over the world. He and his wife Sofie currently live in Bali, Indonesia, but spend a lot of time exploring other places trying (but failing so far) to find a cure for their itchy feet.

Explore Simon Pridmore’s books and more here.

Other books by the same author (Recommended by Gaia Discovery!):

Scuba Confidential: An Insider’s Guide to Becoming a Better Diver

Scuba Fundamental: Start Diving the Right Way

Scuba Professional: Insights into Sports Diver Training & Operations

Photo Credits: Underwater photos by Kyo Liu, land photos by Simon Pridmore.