Little Liuqiu

Little Liuqiu is the only one of Taiwan's offshore islands built of raised coral rather than volcanic rock, and the difference shows everywhere: the coast is a rim of pitted grey limestone, undercut by the sea into notches, arches and small caves. A single road loops the island in a little over an hour by scooter, which is how most people see it, with stops at Vase Rock, a detached coral stack with a tuft of vegetation on top, at Beauty Cave and at the narrow cleft of Wild Boar Trench. The real draw is in the water. Green turtles graze the seagrass close inshore in numbers, and a guided snorkel from the beach usually produces several within the first ten minutes.

What you actually see

• Green turtles - grazing on seagrass close inshore, reliably seen on a guided snorkel.
• Vase Rock - a detached coral stack narrowed at the base with vegetation on the top.
• The coastal caves - Beauty Cave, Wild Boar Trench and other clefts in the raised coral rim.
• The ring road - a short coastal loop by scooter with the sea in sight most of the way.

When to go

October to May is drier and calmer, with the best underwater visibility outside the summer storm season; typhoons cancel ferries at short notice. Weekends and holidays are extremely busy and accommodation prices rise sharply. Snorkel early in the day for the calmest water and the smallest groups. Sea state closes some entry points.

Honest expectations

It is small and gets very crowded at weekends, with guided snorkel groups queueing at the same beach entries. Turtles are protected and there are rules on distance and touching that are not always respected, which is uncomfortable to watch. Scooter hire usually requires a licence and the loop road has heavy traffic in season. Ferries are cancelled in rough weather and the crossing can be uncomfortable.

Nearby

Donggang on the coast opposite is the ferry port, known for its bluefin tuna season.