'Dive Into Taiwan' Xiaoliuqiu Promises a Swim with Sea Turtles — Premium Ecotourism Even on a Short Trip

Xiaoliuqiu's Unique Ecotourism Environment

Xiaoliuqiu lies to the southwest of the Taiwanese mainland and is a coral reef island. Influenced by a branch of the Kuroshio Current, Xiaoliuqiu enjoys the highest average annual sea temperature of anywhere in Taiwan, with water temperatures staying above 25°C year-round — averaging 25.0°C in January and 29.4°C in July. In winter, the sea here is as much as 3°C warmer than Houbihu in Kenting, another of Taiwan's well-known tropical ecotourism destinations, where the January average sits at 22.0°C. This makes Xiaoliuqiu one of Taiwan's best spots for snorkeling and other water activities during the colder months.

Xiaoliuqiu's warm waters also nurture more than a thousand species of coral reef organisms. The coral communities on the island's northern and southern flanks are entirely different in character: the Lobster Cave (龍蝦洞) on the northeastern side is dominated by soft coral, while the dense reef formations on the southeastern side are mostly hard coral — giving rise to a remarkable diversity of marine life across the island.

Getting to Xiaoliuqiu

There are two main ways to reach Xiaoliuqiu:

• 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 to spare before your ferry, consider stopping by the Overseas Chinese Market (華僑市場) right next to the pier — a market with over 30 years of history. Following recent renovations, it has shed its old image as a cramped and grimy fish market; a wave of stylish new vendors has moved in, and strolling through the stalls feels almost like wandering through Osaka's Kuromon Market, with a distinctly cosmopolitan vibe.

The market's main draw is sashimi — Pacific bluefin tuna, regular tuna, and sailfish — but you can also try Donggang's beloved local snacks such as sailfish fish cake (旗魚黑輪), twin-layer glutinous cake (雙潤糕), and sailfish floss (旗魚鬆). Highly recommended.

After enjoying the food, you can hop aboard a speedboat to Xiaoliuqiu. Ferry services between Donggang and Xiaoliuqiu are operated by two companies — Tai Fu and the Donggang–Xiaoliuqiu Line (東琉線) — so make sure you check which company you've bought a ticket with to avoid heading to the wrong pier. Enthusiastic aunties near the pier will also offer package deals that typically include a round-trip ferry ticket and a scooter rental, which you can factor into your itinerary as needed. The crossing takes about 30 minutes, making Xiaoliuqiu one of the most affordable and convenient dive destinations in Taiwan. If you're coming from southern Taiwan on your own scooter, you can even ride it directly onto the ferry!

Before visiting Xiaoliuqiu, you've probably already heard it's famous for its sea turtles. sea turtles are migratory animals and wouldn't normally stay in one place for long — yet unofficial estimates put the resident population at more than 200 individuals in the waters around the island, a truly remarkable sight. Much of the credit goes to the fact that Xiaoliuqiu was the first area in Taiwan where local fishermen voluntarily enforced a no-net zone within three nautical miles of shore. In addition to strict enforcement by the local fishing association, the "Xiaoliuqiu Marine Volunteer Corps" has been regularly clearing abandoned fishing nets from the surrounding waters, quietly transforming the island's sea into an ideal long-term habitat for sea turtles.

In 2015, a passing Whale Shark was spotted by divers — further proof that Xiaoliuqiu's conservation efforts are paying off. Whether you're snorkeling, scuba diving, or simply standing on shore, encountering a sea turtle here is a real possibility. When you do, resist the urge to chase or touch them out of excitement — both can cause harm to the animals. Instead, stay still and move slowly; the turtle may just mistake you for another sea creature and swim over to investigate. Beyond sea turtles, Xiaoliuqiu is also home to other rare species, including garden eels, Syngnathoides biaculeatus (十字海龍/pipefish), and the highly prized scorpionfish known locally as 龍王鮋.

Exploring Xiaoliuqiu on Land!

A visit to Xiaoliuqiu isn't complete with just diving to see sea turtles — the island's distinctive landscape is equally unmissable. As a coral reef island, most of its attractions centre on coral reef terrain and sea caves, such as Lobster Cave (龍蝦洞), Beauty Cave (美人洞), and Black Ghost Cave (烏鬼洞), offering scenery unlike any other outlying island in Taiwan.

Shanzhugou (Mountain Boar Gully) is a spot that visitors often pass by without a second glance, but it preserves an intact tropical rainforest canopy — ancient banyan trees with gnarled, intertwining roots weaving through a natural sea cave — making you feel as though you've stumbled into Jurassic Park. The island also has an old artillery emplacement that has become a social media hotspot and a favourite secret spot for watching sunsets on Xiaoliuqiu.

In recent years, Xiaoliuqiu has seen a surge in boutique guesthouses, and the island is now dotted with accommodations of all styles and personalities. Beyond checking online reviews before booking, keep an eye out for these creative guesthouses as you circle the island — you never know what a hidden gem might be waiting around the next bend. A full loop of the island takes about 40 minutes by scooter, and every turn could reveal an unexpected little secret.

Eating Your Way Around Xiaoliuqiu!

Xiaoliuqiu has a well-earned reputation for food. Twisted fried dough rolls (麻花卷) are sold all over the island, with each shop putting its own spin on the treat — and most offer free samples, so be sure to stop and taste a few before picking your favourite souvenir. For local snacks, top picks include YOYO Cheese Rolls, Little Tadpole Cheese Cakes (小蝌蚪起司餅), the Temple Square Snack Stand (廟口點心站), Temple Square Popcorn Chicken (廟口鹹酥雞), and Sea Turtle Taiyaki (海龜燒). The celebrated Little Tadpole Cheese Cakes, in particular, require a phone reservation before 10 a.m. each day — but the flavour is absolutely worth the extra effort.

For dinner, an open-air BBQ is a great alternative to a sit-down shared meal. Priced more affordably than you'd find on the Taiwanese mainland, the spread is generous and fresh, and dining under the sea breeze makes it one of the quintessential Xiaoliuqiu experiences. Since you're essentially relying on natural ventilation, it's worth bringing a jacket to keep the charcoal smoke smell at bay.

Young Locals Bringing Creative Culture Back to Xiaoliuqiu!

Xiaoliuqiu has also caught the creative culture wave in recent years, with indie shops sprouting up across the island, giving visitors from afar a chance to slow down and appreciate the ingenuity of the younger generation. If you're a sea turtle enthusiast, don't miss 『Sea Turtle Story (海龜ㄉ故事)』 — the giant sea turtle figure at the entrance alone is enough to stop passersby in their tracks, and once you step inside, you'll almost certainly end up taking home an armful of adorable sea turtle souvenirs.

Sea Turtle Story (海龜ㄉ故事)

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

Tel: 08 861 4400

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If you're looking for a more intellectually immersive ocean experience, make sure to visit 『小島停琉 - Linger Bookstore』, an independent bookshop with a cosy, peaceful atmosphere and a curated selection of ocean-themed books. The store also hosts occasional marine lectures. If you want to connect with fellow ocean lovers during your Xiaoliuqiu trip, attending one of Linger Bookstore's events is an unmissable item on the itinerary.

小島停琉 - Linger Bookstore

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

Tel: 0936 237 586

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If you'd like to wind down with a few drinks and good conversation with friends, 『Wave Bar 冰郎小酒館』 and 『氮醉JoScubar · 鮮釀啤酒』 are the go-to spots for nightlife. Both were founded by ocean devotees and offer a comfortable space for like-minded souls to gather and chat. Order a craft beer, share stories from the morning's dive, and soak in the island spirit. The fact that these young entrepreneurs returned home to start their businesses speaks to the deep bond that Xiaoliuqiu the island has forged with its people.

Wave Bar 冰郎小酒館

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

Tel: 0921 124 435

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氮醉JoScubar · 鮮釀啤酒

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

Tel: 0938 226 592

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Xiaoliuqiu is the closest outlying island to the Taiwanese mainland. The recommended visiting seasons are March–June and September–November; the July–August summer holiday rush can significantly affect the quality of your experience. If you don't have a long break to spare and want to plan a quick ocean getaway over a weekend, Xiaoliuqiu should be at the top of your list.

Because Xiaoliuqiu is a small island, it has no incinerator or other waste processing facilities, and its wastewater treatment infrastructure is quite limited — the flood of visitors during peak season can easily exceed what the island can sustainably handle. If you're lucky enough to visit, please consider the following actions so that the sea turtles can continue to thrive here and welcome future guests:

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