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.
In Dive into Taiwan, 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 of hitherto unknown places 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.
Simon Pridmore is a best-selling author of scuba diving books, travel books and scuba diving travel books. Originally from the UK, he has lived in the Asia-Pacific region for almost 40 years. He and his wife Sofie currently live in Bali, Indonesia but spend a lot of time exploring other places trying (although so far failing) to find a cure for their itchy feet.
"Dive into Taiwan is the first comprehensive guide to scuba diving in Taiwan ever published, and it has the feel of an instant classic. All in all, this book couldn't be bettered. The author has already three diving guides to various parts of Indonesia under his belt, plus more titles on diving in general. Taiwan, in short, is lucky to have gained his attention. Huge praise must also go to photographer, Kyo Liu (劉守全). Almost all the underwater photos are his, and they're invariably superb."
– Taipei Times, January 2020