Xiaoliuqiu Day Trip From Kaohsiung: Snorkel with Lambai Island’s Sea Turtles

Visit this tiny island in Taiwan for a chance to swim alongside huge sea turtles – read on for everything you need to know about planning a day trip to Xiaoliuqiu off the coast of Kaohsiung.

Xiaoliuqiu is Taiwan’s only offshore coral reef island, located a short 25-30 minute ferry ride from Donggang port near Kaohsiung on the southern coast. Xiaoliuqiu (or 小琉球 in Chinese), literally translates into “small drifting ball”, but is also known by many other names including Lambay or Lambai Island, Lamay, Little Ryuku and Little Okinawa.

Though it is just under 7 square kilometers in size with a 12 KM-long coastline, it is home to incredible geological formations, pristine beaches and coral reef and a diverse ecosystem.

It’s thought that nearly 1000 sea turtles call Xiaoliuqiu Island’s waters home, as well as sharks, flying fish and even sperm whales off the sandy coast. Watch this Xiaoliuqiu video for a taste of what to expect!

It is one of southern Taiwan’s best kept secrets. Along with Kenting National Park, Xiaoliuqiu offers stunning scenery and nature – some must-see spots include the iconic Vase Rock, Lobster Rock, Secret Beach, Venice Beach and my personal favorite, Beauty Beach.

If you love soaking up the sunshine and swimming in crystal clear, warm water then look no further than this amazing Kaohsiung day trip. Read on for how to plan a Xiaoliuqiu day trip!

Quick logistics tips for visiting Xiaoliuqiu

✈️ The gateway to Xiaoliuqiu is via Kaohsiung city in southern Taiwan. The high speed rail will take you from Taipei to Kaohsiung Zuoying HSR station in approximately 2 hours, or you can fly directly into Kaohsiung International Airport (airport code KHH).

You might also like: Kaohsiung is a sprawling city offering quiet laneways, vibrant temples and night markets, and revitalized heritage buildings packed with street art. Here is my guide to the best things to do in Kaohsiung.

🛂 Most visitors to Taiwan do not require a visa for entry. See here for more details. Save yourself some time and fill out the Taiwan arrival form ahead of time here.

💱 The local currency in Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar, or NTD. The exchange rate hovers at around US$1 to NTD28, or 1 Euro to NTD34. Cash is king so you should withdraw or exchange some when you arrive in Kaohsiung.

It is also extremely important to note that you must bring enough cash to Xiaoliuqiu as there are no ATMs on the island that support international debit cards and credit cards. UnionPay and local bank cards can be used to withdraw money from the ATM in the post office on the island.

📱 Buy a local SIM card to stay connected and to use Google Maps. The easiest way to buy a Taiwan SIM card is via Klook – you can get a Taiwan tourist SIM card and pick it up from Taipei or Kaohsiung airport on arrival.

👙 What to bring to Xiaoliuqiu: towel, swimwear, bag for wet swim gear, snorkel if you have your own, reef-safe sunscreen (here are some recommendations), GoPro or underwater camera, water bottle, hat, passport/government ID for the ferry operator (for insurance purposes).

🌐 The main language spoken in Taiwan is Mandarin. If you do not speak Mandarin you may run into a language barrier when communicating with shopkeepers, taxi drivers, waiters in restaurants and people on the street. However, the language barrier should be minimal with anyone working in the hotel and hospitality industry.

☀️ Best time of year to visit Xiaoliuqiu: The best time to visit Xiaoliuqiu is typically considered to be during the summer months between May to October. However, to avoid the crowds and blistering heat you may want to consider visiting Xiaoliuqiu in the shoulder season from March to May and September to November. Note that Xiaoliuqiu is almost always swarming with visitors on the weekends and public holidays.

📅 Can you do a day trip from Taipei to Xiaoliuqiu? Given the long travel time I would probably would advise against it. A Xiaoliuqiu day trip from Kaohsiung will take you the full day from early morning to evening – to really make the most of your time on the island you might even want to consider staying overnight.

Where to stay if you’re visiting Xiaoliuqiu

If you are planning a Kaohsiung to Xiaoliuqiu day trip, I personally highly recommend checking into Greet Inn, a new boutique hotel in the Cianjin district. The rooms are spacious, bright and modern, and there is a small gym and laundry facilities available as well. The location is fantastic – within walking distance from Liuhe Night Market as well as the Cianjin MRT station. Click here to check rates and availability at Greet Inn in Kaohsiung!

You might also consider TAI Urban Resort (a sleek Kaohsiung boutique hotel with a rooftop pool and killer views of the city), Hotel Dua (design hotel steps away from Kaohsiung’s Central Park and the Formosa Boulevard MRT Station) or Brio Hotel (highly-rated hotel with spacious rooms, free snacks and an excellent breakfast buffet).

Alternatively, if you are planning on staying overnight on Xiaoliuqiu island here are a few highly-rated options or you can also click here to explore more hotels and guesthouses:

Misu: A modern, small boutique guesthouse on Xiaoliuqiu with a number of rooms with balconies and partial sea view. Past guests love the cleanliness, spacious rooms and helpful staff. Check rates and availability at Misu on Xiaoliuqiu.

Seaside Snooze: This one’s for the design and architecture lovers. The small Brutalist building has sleek, minimalist rooms with warm wood floors. Past guests love the location, but note that rooms may not be soundproof. Check rates and availability at Seaside Snooze.

Flowering Villa: This stunning holiday home on Xiaoliuqiu offers 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower and a bath. It is surrounded by a lush garden complete with outdoor seating. Past guests rave about the helpful and friendly owner, quiet location and beautiful decor. Check rates and availability at Flowering Villa.

❗Remember to bring enough cash to pay for your stay, as most Xiaoliuqiu hotels and guesthouses only accept cash payments.

How to get to Xiaoliuqiu

Most people go on a day trip to Xiaoliuqiu from Kaohsiung – the ferry terminal serving Xiaoliuqiu is located in Donggang, around 45 minutes by car from Kaohsiung city. The Xiaoliuqiu ferry journey only takes 25-30 minutes each way.

There are three ferry companies operating between Donggang pier and Baisha pier on Xiaoliuqiu: Taifu/TF Express (泰富), Tungliu (東琉) and Leuco Sapphire Shipping (藍白航運). The Xiaoliuqiu ferry schedules are all fairly similar, as are the ticket prices, so it doesn’t matter too much which one you go with.

The earliest ferries from Donggang to Xiaoliuqiu are generally around 7 AM, and the latest ferry back is usually at 5-5:20 PM. You should plan to arrive at least 15-20 minutes ahead of the sailing time to start queueing up (pre-book your Xiaoliuqiu ferry ticket here).

We went with TF Express and had a good experience – the cabins were clean, ferries were punctual and the on-board toilet was well maintained.

They may also spontaneously add additional sailing over the weekends and public holidays in response to demand. There isn’t really a need to go on a group tour unless you aren’t comfortable getting around the island on your own.

As of April 2024 adult return tickets between Xiaoliuqiu and Donggang are NTD450 (approx. 13 US$/Euro) and concession fares are priced at NTD225 (approx. 6.5 US$/Euro). You can pre-purchase ferry tickets from Klook, but you should purchase infant ticket directly at the pier if you are traveling with children under 3 years old.

To get to Donggang pier from Kaohsiung you can take the 9127D bus from the Zuoying HSR station or take a taxi which will cost around NTD1000-1200 and take around 45 minutes. To get back to Kaohsiung city from Donggang there will be plenty of taxis queuing outside the ferry pier.

You might also like: The best things to do in Kaohsiung city

How to get around Xiao Liu Qiu

We absolutely loved our action-packed day at Xiaoliuqiu – the best way to get around Xiaoliuqiu is by renting an electric bicycle (or electric/petrol scooter, if you have the correct motorcycle driving license) and then zooming around the island – they even have tandem bikes or child seats that you can add on.

We rented from Jgogo which is just a 3-minute walk from the main pier. The shop owner advised us to go clockwise around the island rather than anticlockwise which has more of an uphill incline. You also cannot take the bike to certain sections due to the multiple switchback turns (such as around the Biyun Temple) so make sure you pay attention to the safety instructions.

The daily rental rate was extremely reasonable – only 300 NTD per electric bicycle for the day, or 400 NTD for 24 hours. The rates are slightly higher if you want to rent a tandem electric bicycle or a scooter.

Unless you plan on staying close to the pier you can’t really get around the island by walking. There are some local transportation operators abound if you require a taxi service or car rental, but it’s best to book ahead – especially if you are visiting over the weekend or public holiday.

Ready for your Xiaoliuqiu day trip? Pre-book your Xiaoliuqiu ferry ticket here, and book your stay in Kaohsiung. We loved our stay at Greet Inn in the Cianjin district in the heart of the city. The spacious Executive Suite was the perfect base for our southern Taiwan getaway. Click here to check rates and availability at Greet Inn in Kaohsiung.

If you are planning to stay overnight on Xiao Liu Qiu island you might also consider Misu (a modern, small boutique guesthouse on Xiaoliuqiu with a number of rooms with balconies and partial sea view); Seaside Snooze (Brutalist-inspired design hotel with minimalist rooms); and Flowering Villa (stunning holiday home on Xiaoliuqiu offers 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower and a bath. Looking for more options? Click here to explore more Xiaoliuqiu hotels and guesthouses.

Xiaoliuqiu day trip itinerary

If you only have 1 day in Xiaoliuqiu then you’ll have to get going early in the morning from Kaohsiung. The 7/7:20 AM sailings are a little too early as you’d have to be out the door by about 6 AM, so I would probably recommend aiming to catch the 8 AM sailing with Tungliu or 8:50 AM/9 AM sailings with either Leuco Sapphire or TF Express.

Once you have arrived on the island, head straight to the e-bicycle or scooter rental shop to pick up your ride. Read on for the best things to do on Xiaoliuqiu Island!

1. Ride to the Lobster Cave

From the Jgogo rental shop, ride a short 5 minutes towards Lobster Cave (龍蝦洞) rock formation. You can climb down at your own risk, or walk over to the hanging plateau for some stunning sea views.

Worth a quick stop as you embark on your day trip on Xiaoliuqiu!

2. Swim at Secret Beach

Not too much further along the northeast coast of Xiao Liu Qiu is “Secret Beach” (厚石魚澳), a small protected U-shaped rocky beach surrounded by reef.

This is a popular snorkeling spot with good visibility and we spotted tons of tropical fish as well as two turtles!

It’s also great if you’re traveling with younger kids as the water is shallow where it meets the beach. We rented snorkeling goggles from the dive shop right across from Secret Beach (you’ll need to leave some form of ID as collateral – we left a driver’s license) and you can also pay to use their shower facilities.

Not too far down from here is the famous 海找冰 ice cream and drink shop, or you can head up the hill to check out the Liuchiu Yu Lighthouse and famous Xiaoliuqiu Banyan Tree.

3. Check out all the weird and wonderful rock formations

Drive further south by a few minutes to reach a stretch of coastline that is home to “Toad Rock”, “Frog Rock”, “Rat Rock” and even “Guanyin Rock” – said to be shaped like the Guanyin Buddha.

Worth a quick photo stop of the rocks and coastline, but make sure you pull over to the side as there are a few blind corners here.

Ready for your Xiaoliuqiu day trip?  Pre-book your Xiaoliuqiu ferry ticket here. We loved our stay at Greet Inn in the Cianjin district in Kaohsiung city. The spacious Executive Suite was the perfect base for our southern Taiwan getaway. Click here to check rates and availability at Greet Inn in Kaohsiung.

If you are planning to stay overnight on Xiao Liu Qiu island you might also consider Misu (a modern, small boutique guesthouse on Xiaoliuqiu with a number of rooms with balconies and partial sea view); Seaside Snooze (Brutalist-inspired design hotel with minimalist rooms); and Flowering Villa (stunning holiday home on Xiaoliuqiu offers 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower and a bath. Looking for more options? Click here to explore more Xiaoliuqiu hotels and guesthouses.

4. Enter the Black Devil Cave

Swing around to the western coast of Xiaoliuqiu and you will reach the small Black Devil Cave (烏鬼洞) or Black Dwarf Cave. It’s thought that indigenous residents of Xiaoliuqiu were horrifically massacred here in the 1600s.

It starts off with a pretty narrow and tight opening down a set of stairs and then opens up to a lovely ocean viewing platform where you might spot sea turtles from above.

From there it loops back to the parking lot. Hang onto your ticket as it grants entry to a few other caves on the island.

5. Recharge with some shaved ice

We hadn’t planned on stopping after the Black Devil Cave, but the intense heat was really getting to all of us and we just needed desperately to cool down and refuel.

The Tiantaijiao Ice Shop (天台角冰店) is a quick drive further north from the cave, and serves up a selection of loaded fruit or brown sugar shaved ice desserts. We opted for the red dragonfruit and passionfruit shaved ice with soft serve dolloped on top – exactly what we needed on a sweltering hot day!

6. Go for a dip at Venice Beach

This long, white-sand beach is also known as Geban Bay (蛤板灣). A small set of stairs will take you down to this stunning beach and its crystal clear waters.

However you aren’t actually allowed to swim here beyond the markers (which are only a few meters beyond the shoreline) due to rip currents – the lifeguards are very strict here and will motion for you to come back in.

Though you can’t swim here, you can wade and sit in the water to cool off. As it is on the western side of the island it’s also one of the best sunset spots on Xiaoliuqiu if you are staying overnight.

7. Spot turtles at Beauty Beach

As we come to the end of the loop around Xiaoliuqiu, you’ll absolutely have to stop at Beauty Beach (美人沙灘) to spot sea turtles!

You actually don’t really need to snorkel as we spotted no less than half a dozen right from the beach, but if you want to see them below the water then pop on your snorkel (we kept the rented ones from the Secret Beach dive shop and doubled back to return them at the end of the day).

Beauty Beach is where most of the guided snorkeling tours go (it’s one of the best places to see turtles in Xiaoliuqiu) so you can expect larger crowds, but even with dozens of other people on the beach it never felt overcrowded.

If you prefer to go on a guided Xiaoliuqiu snorkeling tour you can check out some options here – they normally also include a photo package!

Xiaoliuqiu sea turtle spotting rules: do not touch, step on or disturb sea turtles; do not feed sea turtles; give sea turtles at least 5 meters of space; do not swim above sea turtles as they need to swim to the surface to breathe; use reef-safe sunscreen.

8. Eat turtle-shaped egg waffles in town

Xiaoliuqiu really has leaned into all the turtle-themed gifts – you’ll see them everywhere! But the yummiest has to be these turtle-shaped egg waffles. There are number of small stalls where you can order some near the 7-Eleven near the pier. We devoured the whole bag and would have happily eaten another!

Planning your Xiaoliuqiu day trip from Kaohsiung?  Pre-book your Xiaoliuqiu ferry ticket here. We recommend booking Greet Inn in the Cianjin district in Kaohsiung city. The boutique hotel is modern and extremely comfortable, and we found the staff to be very helpful and attentive. Click here to check rates and availability at Greet Inn in Kaohsiung.

If you are planning to stay overnight on Xiao Liu Qiu island you might also consider Misu (a modern, small boutique guesthouse on Xiaoliuqiu with a number of rooms with balconies and partial sea view); Seaside Snooze (Brutalist-inspired design hotel with minimalist rooms); and Flowering Villa (stunning holiday home on Xiaoliuqiu offers 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom with a walk-in shower and a bath. Looking for more options? Click here to explore more Xiaoliuqiu hotels and guesthouses.

9. See Vase Rock

The iconic, eroded coral rock is synonymous with Xiaoliuqiu. As this was the final stop on our Xiaoliuqiu day trip the sun wasn’t out in full force and this side of the island was slightly more shaded.

Even from the platform above Vase Rock we spotted another three sea turtles, the perfect way to end the day! After a full day of sea turtle spotting, beach hopping and snorkeling we returned the bikes and made our way back to the pier. There are usually ferries from Xiaoliuqiu to Donggang around 4 PM and 5 PM – just make sure you don’t miss the last ferry back!

Is Xiaoliuqiu worth visiting?

We very nearly didn’t make it to Xiaoliuqiu – it had been a tiring and hot trip after our time in Kenting National Park, and the weather didn’t look like it was going to be great.

But we rallied – and I am so glad we did because it ended up being one of the most memorable adventures. To this day, my 3-year-old kid still asks to “go back to the island”.

In my opinion, our only mistake was not spending more time on Xiaoliuqiu as we would have been able to slow down a little and explore more of the beach bars, coffee shops and breakfast joints.

Xiaoliuqiu is not “fancy” with huge resorts – it still very much feels like a small, quiet island. The topography and landscape is unreal, and the accessibility for snorkeling and diving is unbelievable. Well worth a 1-day or overnight visit if you are heading to this part of Taiwan!

I hope this guide helps you plan your Xiaoliuqiu trip!

Looking for more Taiwan destination guides and travel tips?

• Here is my guide to spending 3 days in Kaohsiung city
• Venturing further south to Kenting National Park? Here is my guide to the best things to do in Kenting and my recommendation for the best luxury hotel in Kenting National Park.
• Looking for an underrated day trip from Taipei to get away from the crowds? Visit the Shiding Thousand Island Lake, about an hour from Taipei
• Travel down the coastal road from Taipei to Hualien and visit Taroko National Park on the east coast of Taiwan – another must-visit destination to add to your Taiwan itinerary. Here is my guide to visiting Hualien
• Plan a trip to the picturesque Sun Moon Lake, a gorgeous lake surrounded by mountains. Click here for my Sun Moon Lake slow travel guide
• Taiwan night markets are in a league of their own, read on for why you need to add this to your Taiwan itinerary
• Get ready to indulge in mouth-watering street food unlike any other – here are some must-try Taiwanese food dishes

Liked this post? Pin it for later!

This article contains affiliate links. If you choose to book using these links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my website by using these links.

Share this article!