'Dive Into Taiwan' — Swim with Sea Turtles at Xiaoliuqiu: Refined Ecotourism Even on a Short Getaway

Xiaoliuqiu's Unique Ecotourism Environment

Xiaoliuqiu lies to the southwest of Taiwan's main island and is a coral reef island. Influenced by a branch of the Kuroshio Current, Xiaoliuqiu enjoys the highest annual average sea temperature in all of Taiwan, remaining above 25°C year-round — with a January average of 25.0°C and a July average of 29.4°C. In winter, the sea temperature here is more than 3°C warmer than the January average of 22.0°C recorded at Houbihu in Kenting, another of Taiwan's renowned tropical ecotourism destinations. This makes Xiaoliuqiu one of the best spots in Taiwan for snorkeling and other water activities during the winter months.

Xiaoliuqiu's warm waters also nurture more than a thousand species of coral reef. The coral communities on the island's northern and southern sides are entirely different: the Lobster Cave (龍蝦洞) on the northeast side is dominated by soft coral, while the dense reef formations on the southeast side are primarily hard coral — resulting in a remarkable diversity of marine life!

Getting to Xiaoliuqiu

There are two main ways to get there:

• HSR: Take the High Speed Rail to Zuoying Station, then transfer by taxi to Donggang Pier — approximately NT$200 per ride.
• TRA: Take the Taiwan Railways to Kaohsiung Station, then transfer by taxi to Donggang Pier — approximately NT$150 per ride.

Once you arrive in Donggang, if you have time before boarding your ferry, consider stopping by the Overseas Chinese Market (華僑市場) near the pier — a seafood market with over 30 years of history. After recent renovations, the market has shed its old image of being cramped and messy, and now hosts a number of stylish, quality shops. Strolling through it feels almost like wandering through Osaka's Kuromon Market, complete with a wonderfully exotic atmosphere.

The market's main offerings include sashimi-grade bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, and sailfish. Beyond the fresh seafood, you can also sample Donggang's local snacks such as sailfish fish cake (旗魚黑輪), double-steamed rice cake (雙潤糕), and dried sailfish floss (旗魚鬆) — all well worth a try.

After enjoying the local food, you can hop on a speedboat to Xiaoliuqiu. Ferry services between Donggang and Xiaoliuqiu are operated by two companies — Taifu and Dongliu Line — so remember to check which company you've booked with to avoid heading to the wrong pier. Near the pier, enthusiastic aunties often sell package deals that typically include round-trip ferry tickets and a scooter rental; visitors can choose according to their own itinerary. The crossing takes about 30 minutes, making Xiaoliuqiu one of the more affordable and convenient dive destinations in Taiwan. If you're traveling from southern Taiwan on your own scooter, you can even ride it directly onto the ferry!

Before visiting Xiaoliuqiu, you've probably already heard that it's famous for its resident sea turtles. Sea turtles are migratory animals and wouldn't normally stay in one place for long — yet unofficial estimates suggest that more than 200 sea turtles make their home in the waters around Xiaoliuqiu, an extraordinary phenomenon. Much of the credit goes to the fact that Xiaoliuqiu was the first area in Taiwan where local fishermen voluntarily imposed a mandatory no-net zone within three nautical miles. In addition to strict enforcement by the local fishermen's association, the "Xiaoliuqiu Marine Volunteer Team" has long been removing abandoned ghost nets from the surrounding waters, quietly transforming the island into a habitat where sea turtles can thrive.

In 2015, a diver even spotted a passing Whale Shark — further proof that Xiaoliuqiu's conservation efforts are paying off. Whether you're snorkeling, scuba diving, or simply standing on shore, encounters with sea turtles are virtually guaranteed at Xiaoliuqiu. However, when you do come across one, please resist the urge to chase or touch it out of excitement — doing so can cause real harm. Instead, stay calm and keep your movements slow and minimal; the turtle may just mistake you for another marine creature and swim right over to you. Beyond sea turtles, Xiaoliuqiu is also home to some remarkable species such as garden eels, Corythoichthys haematopterus (十字海龍), and the rare Scorpaenopsis (龍王鮋).

Exploring Xiaoliuqiu on Land!

Beyond diving with sea turtles, Xiaoliuqiu's unique landscape is not to be missed. As a coral reef island, its attractions are largely defined by coral reef formations and sea caves — such as Lobster Cave, Mermaid Cave (美人洞), and Black Ghost Cave (烏鬼洞) — offering a coastal scenery entirely unlike any other outlying island in Taiwan.

Wild Boar Trench (山豬溝) is a spot that many visitors easily walk right past, yet it preserves an intact tropical rainforest landscape — ancient banyan trees with tangled, sprawling roots set against natural sea caves, making you feel as though you've stumbled into Jurassic Park. The island is also home to an old artillery emplacement, a popular photography hotspot among social media influencers and a secret favourite for watching the sunset on Xiaoliuqiu.

In recent years, boutique guesthouses have been popping up all over the island, each with its own distinct style. When choosing where to stay, you can check online reviews, but don't forget to take in these creatively designed accommodations as you ride around the island too. A full loop around the island takes about 40 minutes — and you never know what hidden gem might be waiting just around the next bend!

Eating on Xiaoliuqiu!

Xiaoliuqiu's food scene has a well-deserved reputation. Twisted dough snacks (麻花卷) are sold all over the island, and every shop has its own special take on them — most offer free samples, so be sure to stop and taste your way through. For local snacks, highlights include YOYO Cheese Rolls, Tadpole Cheese Cakes (小蝌蚪起司餅), the Temple Snack Stand (廟口點心站), Temple Crispy Fried Chicken (廟口鹹酥雞), and Sea Turtle Taiyaki (海龜燒). The particularly famous Tadpole Cheese Cakes need to be reserved by phone before 10 a.m. each day — but their flavour is absolutely worth the extra effort!

When it comes to dinner on Xiaoliuqiu, outdoor BBQ is a fantastic option alongside the usual shared-plate meals. With prices more affordable than on the Taiwan mainland, generous portions of fresh local ingredients, and a sea breeze to set the mood, it's become a must-do part of any Xiaoliuqiu trip. Since it's all open-air with natural ventilation, you might want to bring a spare jacket so you don't end up smelling like charcoal.

Young Creatives Returning Home to Xiaoliuqiu!

A creative culture wave has also been sweeping Xiaoliuqiu in recent years, with independent and characterful shops springing up across the island, giving visitors from afar a chance to slow down and appreciate the ingenuity of the island's young entrepreneurs. If you're a sea turtle fanatic, make sure you visit Sea Turtle Story (海龜ㄉ故事) — the giant sea turtle sculpture right out front is enough to stop passers-by in their tracks, and once you step inside, you'll almost certainly be walking out with a bag full of adorable sea turtle souvenirs.

Sea Turtle Story (海龜ㄉ故事)

Address: No. 84, Minsheng Rd., Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County

Tel: 08 861 4400

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If you're after a more intellectually inspiring ocean journey, then Linger Bookstore (小島停琉 - Linger Bookstore) is an absolute must. This independent bookshop offers a calm and comfortable atmosphere, displaying a wide selection of ocean-themed books and hosting occasional marine lectures. If you'd like to connect with more ocean-loving souls during your time on Xiaoliuqiu, attending one of Linger Bookstore's marine talks is an experience not to be missed.

Linger Bookstore (小島停琉 - Linger Bookstore)

Address: No. 255-1, Zhongzheng Rd., Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County

Tel: 0936 237 586

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If you're looking for a laid-back evening drink with friends, Wave Bar 冰郎小酒館 and 氮醉JoScubar · 鮮釀啤酒 are the top choices for nightlife. Both bars were founded by ocean enthusiasts, offering fellow sea lovers a comfortable place to gather and chat. Order a craft beer, share stories from the morning dive with like-minded souls, and soak in the spirit of the place. The young founders who've returned home to start these businesses have forged a deeper bond with this island and the sea around it.

Wave Bar 冰郎小酒館

Address: No. 308, Sanmin Rd., Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County

Tel: 0921 124 435

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氮醉JoScubar · 鮮釀啤酒

Address: No. 38, Minsheng Rd., Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County

Tel: 0938 226 592

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Xiaoliuqiu is the outlying island closest to Taiwan's main island. The recommended travel seasons are March–June and September–November; the July–August summer holiday crowd can significantly diminish the quality of your experience. If you don't have a long vacation but want to plan a short ocean getaway over a weekend, Xiaoliuqiu will almost certainly top your list.

Because Xiaoliuqiu is a small island, it has no incineration facilities or adequate wastewater treatment infrastructure, and the large number of tourists who pour in during peak season can easily exceed what the island can handle. If you're lucky enough to visit, we encourage you to embrace the following practices so that the sea turtles can continue to call Xiaoliuqiu home and welcome visitors for years to come:

• Bring your own toothbrush, toothpaste, and other commonly disposable personal care items
• Carry a reusable water bottle and chopsticks to reduce single-use waste
• Minimise the use of chemical sunscreen when entering the water