Xiaoliuqiu (小琉球, Liuqiu) is a coral island off Donggang in Pingtung, about 14 km out, best known for the green sea turtles that feed along its shore. From Kaohsiung, take the 9127D bus from Zuoying HSR to the Donggang ferry pier, then a 25 to 30 minute ferry. Bring your passport: boarding is real-name.
- Bus 9127D from Zuoying HSR (1F, platform 1) to the Donggang ferry pier, NT$122
- Ferry Donggang to Liuqiu, 25 to 30 min, NT$250 one way or NT$450 return (private boats)
- Bring Photo ID for real-name boarding
- Turtles Stay 5 m away; no touching or feeding
Getting there
Bus to Donggang. The Taiwan Tourist Shuttle 9127D (Dapeng Bay to Liuqiu line) leaves Zuoying HSR from 08:00 to 17:30 and stops at the Donggang ferry pier: NT$122 one way. Buy tickets at the counter by HSR exit 2. Bus 9127 also runs from Kaohsiung's Ziyou station, 06:00 to 20:00.
Ferry. The crossing is 8.9 nautical miles and takes 25 to 30 minutes. Three private operators (Tung-Liu, Taifu and Lan-Bai) sail to Baisha port, roughly hourly through the day: NT$250 one way, NT$450 return. The public boat, Liuxing, sails to Dafu port four times a day for NT$200 one way. Taking a scooter across costs NT$200 one way.
The sea turtle rules
Green sea turtles are a Class I protected species. The scenic area's rules:
- Stay at least 5 metres away. Don't touch, catch, chase, circle or block a turtle, and don't disturb one that's resting.
- Don't feed them, and use reef-safe sunscreen.
- Harassing a turtle can mean up to a year in prison and a fine of NT$60,000 to NT$300,000. Report problems to the Coast Guard on 118.
On the island
- The three sights: Beauty Cave, Wild Boar Trench and Wugui Cave share one ticket, NT$120 (summer 07:00 to 17:30, winter 07:30 to 17:00).
- Tide pools: the intertidal zones charge a NT$60 conservation fee and close from 1 December to 31 March so they can recover.
- Getting around: the scenic area suggests e-bikes, electric scooters or the 601 island loop bus from Baisha port (NT$23 to NT$37 a ride, with a 24-hour pass). Petrol scooters must have passed their emissions test; the whole island is an air quality zone.
Good to know: as with Kenting, riding a scooter here needs a licence that is valid in Taiwan for you. Without one, take the 601 bus.
→ More day trips · Kenting, further south
Sources: Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area (the island, turtle rules, tide pools, getting around) and its ticket page; ferries and fares: Liuqiu Township Office and Tung-Liu; 9127D: Taiwan Tourist Shuttle; air quality zone: CNA. Checked October 2026.