Xiaoliuqiu · Taiwan · Reef
Vase Rock
Large sea turtles beside one of the island's most famous landmarks
Photo: Koala0090 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Vase Rock is a coral formation uplifted by tectonic movement and shaped like a vase, one of Xiaoliuqiu's most famous attractions, with a shallow sand and reef area beside it. The dive stays within 12 m, and sea turtles are large and plentiful. Soft corals cover the reef, and schools of barracuda are sometimes met. Strong current at tide changes sets the rating.
Also known as 花瓶岩, 花瓶石.
Where it is and how deep
22.3558° N, 120.3809° EApproximate position — the dashed circle shows where the site lies; your operator's briefing has the mooring.
The dive
Divers enter from the platform on the left side of Vase Rock and snorkel out to the deeper area before descending. Heading right, the dive holds 8-12 m over an expanse of sandy seabed and underwater reefs.
Finger soft corals and gold anthias cover the reefs, and sea turtles are large and plentiful. Schools of barracuda, hundreds or even thousands of fish, are sometimes met. A guide can arrange a drift instead, entering at Beauty Cave and drifting to Vase Rock for the exit.
Marine life and season
- Sea turtles
- Barracuda
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Good | Good |
Season follows Xiaoliuqiu: Divable year-round; Apr–Jun and October are calmest, while typhoons disrupt Jul–Sep and winter winds raise swell.
Know before you go
- Strong currents often occur during high tides and tidal changes, so entry needs extra caution.
- A shipping lane runs close by; side waves from boats are a risk when surfacing.
Questions divers ask
Can Vase Rock be dived as a drift dive?+
Yes. A guide can arrange entering at Beauty Cave and drifting to Vase Rock for the exit; the usual dive enters from the platform on the left side and stays within 12 m.
Sources
- Your ultimate guide to Xiaoliuqiu dive sites — Twosevenths
- 台灣十大潛水點大揭密 — Marie Claire Taiwan
Photo credits
- Mushroom-shaped coral rock topped with green vegetation standing in calm shallow water off the coast by Koala0090, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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