Reefwander
Blue-black sea urchin with iridescent spines on the reef at Xiaoliuqiu, Taiwan

Xiaoliuqiu · Taiwan · Sand slope · Reef

Sanfu

Garden eels and sea turtles on a shallow harbour reef

Area photo: Jay Paroline · CC BY 4.0

Sanfu is a shore dive from Sanfu Fishing Harbor, reaching 12 m over a sandy area and a reef formation. Sea turtles use a large reef at 12 m, and garden eels, stingrays and flounders lie on the sand. Gentle current and shallow depth make it a site for those new to scuba diving.

Also known as 杉福, 衫福漁港, 杉福漁港, Shanfu Fishing Harbor.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Sanfu: typical dive to 12 m (to 40 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit12 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

22.3392° N, 120.3615° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.

The dive

The dive follows a buoy line reached by swimming out to 6 m. To the right of the line lies a vast sandy area extending outwards to 8 m deep, while to the left is a reef formation.

The bottom deepens to 12 m, where a large reef serves as a habitat for many sea turtles. Flounders and stingrays rest on the sand, and garden eels may be spotted. Current is usually gentle with only an occasional light flow.

Marine life and season

  • Sea turtles
  • Stingrays
Month-by-month season rating for Sanfu
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
GoodGoodGoodPrimePrimePrimeGoodGoodGoodPrimeGoodGood

Season follows Xiaoliuqiu: Divable year-round; Apr–Jun and October are calmest, while typhoons disrupt Jul–Sep and winter winds raise swell.

Dive videos

20191012 - Dive at SanFu harbor, Liuqiu, Taiwan · Huang Kevin on YouTube

Sources

  1. Your ultimate guide to Xiaoliuqiu dive sites — Twosevenths
  2. 小琉球-潛點介紹 — Ming Diving

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