Xiaoliuqiu - Local Knowledge Travel Guide - by a Local
Raymond Ko • Apr 19, 2023
Have you JUST heard of Xiaoliuqiu? You are not alone. I have so many friends who have lived in Taiwan for many years, and even friends from Taiwan have only just learned about this tiny beautiful island, and it's only because I moved here to teach freediving

My first stint in Taiwan was in 1998, and I didn't learn about Xiaoliuqiu until 2017 when I made my first trip to scuba dive to see the sea turtles. I came back in 2019 to take my first freediving course and moved here nearly two years later to teach freediving.

As one of the few outlying islands of Taiwan, though arguably not as beautiful as Orchid or Green Island, you can get here from Taipei in 4-5 hours door-to-door making it a perfect weekend getaway. In contrast, the previous two islands can almost take an entire weekend to get to and back.  And most people are surprised that it's only a 20-minute ferry ride from the mainland.

I hope you find this guide helpful in planning your trip here. I plan on updating this regularly, so if there is anything you'd like to see about Xiaoliuqiu, give me a holler (You can reach me by hitting the "Connect Now" button on the top right of this page or clicking the "Contact Us" on the top of the menu to send an e-mail.)


Recently, my wife (Sheila) and I started a concierge service to arrange your trip to Xiaoliuqiu. We arrange travel to and from the island, accommodations (we can consult with you on the best options based on your preferences), transport on the island, and all activities for a service fee. The vendors also give us a modest commission, and the price for the activities or transport will be the same whether you book through us or go directly. Click here to fill out the form to let us know your needs. 

Xiaoliuqiu is famous for a few things - lots of water and water-sports activities, over 800 green sea turtles, clear blue waters, and the tuna capital of Taiwan (one year, it accounted for 14% of the global tuna market). ; they


Pro Tip - Most businesses have a specific day off each week. That day for many is Wednesday, which is the least busy with tourists, but not always. As one or two persons operate many businesses, they may suddenly take a day off. Often they won't update their Google Maps listing, so don't check that, but instead check their Instagram account, where many of them use that platform to announce days off.  You can read more essential info useful for first-time visitors.

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Lambai Island Map

Xiaoliuqiu - An Island of Many Names

Many names know the island: Liuqiu Township, Liuqiu Island, Ryukyu, Little Ryuku, Little Okinawa, Lambai Island, Lamay (which in Mandarin sounds like "辣妹“ or "hot chick"), Golden Lion Island, or for me, I like to call it XLQ on messaging apps. Even just Xiaoliuqiu is written as Xiao Liuqiu and Xiao Liu Qiu as well.


Liuqiu Township of Pingtung County is what this island is more formally known as. Liuqiu has the same characters as Okinawa's previous name, so adding the Xiao, or small in Mandarin, made the island colloquially known as Little Liuqiu to distinguish it from Okinawa.


If you have trouble pronouncing Xiaoliuqiu, just think about saying "Shallow Chill," and you will be about 90% correct in pronunciation but 100% of people will understand.

Klook.com

Xiaoliuqiu Quick Facts

Xiao Liuqiu is a coral island located 13 km off the southwest coast of Taiwan in the Taiwan Straits. Its resident population is 13,000 people, and most of the island shares just ten surnames, which can get confusing as many places of business share the same name when using their surname.


Lambai Island Map

A Brief History of Xiaoliuqiu

The first inhabitants are thought to be the Siraya or Taiwanese indigenous people.


In 1622, the Dutch ship Goude Leeuw's (or Golden Lion, thus why Xiao Liuqiu was sometimes known as Golden Lion Island) shipwrecked on Xiaoliuqiu's coral reefs during the Dutch occupation of part of Taiwan. The local inhabitants of the island subsequently massacred the crew.     


Then, again in 1631, a Dutch yacht was shipwrecked on the coral reefs of Xiao Liuqiu, and all aboard shared the same fate as the Goude Leeuw's.


This did not please the Dutch occupiers, and a Dutch lieutenant was ordered to "punish and exterminate the people of the Golden Lion Island as an example for their murderous actions committed against our people."


An expedition in 1633 went to Xiao Liuqiu but realized they were undermanned and accomplished nothing except to learn that the islanders retreated to a particular cave during times of trouble. Three years later, a more extensive expedition comprising Dutch soldiers, Han Chinese, and other indigenous people corralled the 600+ locals into the cave, trapped them there, and set fire to emit poisonous gas into the cave for eight straight days.


After eight days, they put the fire out, and the entrances were unblocked. Some 300 men, women, and children died inside the cave, and another 300 survived, with the men sent into slavery while the children and women were forced to be servants in Dutch households in Taiwan.


In 1645, a Han merchant rented the island from the Dutch and cleared out the last 13 inhabitants, and the island has been occupied by the Han ever since.


And THAT is a pretty rich and violent history.


Want to learn more about this massacre on Xiaoliuqiu? Check out my favorite Taiwan podcast called Formosa Files Season 2 Episode 3 The Lamey Island Massacre


How to Get To Xiaoliuqiu

There is only one way to get to Xiaoliuqiu: by taking a ferry from Donggang Township, the closest port to Liuqiu Island. The ferry ride is about 20-25 minutes to get to paradise.


I wrote a blog post about the Xiaoliuqiu ferry situation, which you can check out. The blog includes a ferry schedule for all four ferry companies that serve the island to help plan your travel schedule.


Lambai Island Ferry

If coming from most places in Taiwan, you will be coming via Kaohsiung city, which also has an international airport.  An exception will be if you are coming from around Kenting, Taitung or Hualien, where catching a train would be most convenient, dropping you off at a station in Pingtung County. However, getting from the train station to Donggang Ferry Terminal can be a bit tricky with no public transport or taxis waiting for you at the train station, you must call a cab or Uber.


Regardless of which part of Kaohsiung city you arrive in, it'll cost you about NT$1,000-NT$1,200 to catch an Uber to Dong Gang to catch the ferry to Xiaoliuqiu. A pre-booked private car with a driver will run slightly less than that.


From most places in Taiwan, including Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and everything in between, one can catch the High-Speed Rail to Kaohsiung city, arriving at  Zuoying Station, which is in the northern part of Kaohsiung city and further away from Donggang.  I usually check departure times and book my tickets on their app, T Express Mobile APP, which you can also use as your electronic train ticket.


At Zuoying Station, there is a shuttle from the station. Go to the THSR terminal's second floor and buy a Taiwan Tourist Shuttle ticket from the bus ticketing booth. Tickets can also be purchased online 20 days ahead. Your guesthouse or hostel can arrange a van from Zuoying Station to Donggang, which is the best option and costs NT$200.  Check out my YouTube video about taking this shuttle.


If you take a bus or train into Kaohsiung city, you'll arrive in the city's south and can walk or catch a cab/Uber to this private van shuttle service (this service has been temporarily suspended). They have vans leaving 20 minutes after the hour to Donggang to catch the ferry, costing NT$150 starting at 7:20 am.

How to Get Around Xiaoliuqiu

There are a few choices for transport when on Xiao Liu Qiu.

Scooter

This is by far the best option. It'll cost around NT$400 a day and can get cheaper if you rent for longer or go on a weekday. If you don't have a scooter license, opt for a small electric scooter that does not require a license and is a little easier to handle than a full-sized scooter. Most of the scooters here are 100-125cc. Once you step off the ferry, there will be vendors greeting you and offering to rent you scooters, so don't worry about trying to find them; they'll find you. 


Scooters generally cost around $400 per day. You can get $250-$300 per day with the vendors that greet you as you come off the ferry but I have heard some stories from visitors that they were charged another whole day for returning the scooter just 1-2 hours late. So be careful.


Bringing your scooter if you live in nearby towns or cities is the best option, which costs about NT$100 (prices are different for each ferry company) each way to bring on the ferry and saves you a bucket of money depending on how extended your stay is. If you get a gas-powered scooter and stay for a few days, it's unlikely you'll need to fill up the tank; if you do, there is only one gas station by Dafu.


There are options for electric scooters as well from Gogoro and other brands.

scooter on ferry xiaoliuqiu

Electric Bike (E-bike)

An electric bike is a fantastic alternative to the scooter, albeit a slower one. You will struggle a little on the hills here, but overall it's still a great option. There is only one company I know of that rents these: Jgogo, located just a short walk from the Baishawan ferry terminal.  No license is required.

xiaoliuqiu eletric bike shop

Walking

I believe that walking is one of the most underrated forms of exercise. If you love walking, this could be for you! Most places you can walk to within 30-45 minutes and can walk around the whole island in about 3 hours, or however long it takes to walk 12 kilometers. 


If you are staying near the Baishawan ferry terminal, many restaurants and convenience stores, as well as Vase Rock and Zhongao beach, are easily accessible by walking. Don't plan to walk everywhere you want to go if you have to hit a few locations around the island on the same day.


Recently we've had quite a few of our guests at our Air BnB not rent an e-bike or scooter and walk everywhere. But it is convenient from where we live as it's just a 5-minute walk to the city center and easy access to the ferry and two beaches.

Bike

Though I haven't seen anyone renting out standard bicycles, tourists bring them over on the ferry and some MAMILs (Middle Aged Men in Lycra) ride around the island. There is enough road and hills to make riding here give you a little challenge and some great views.  I have read that some guesthouses do rent them out.


UPDATE Feb 2023 - we will soon be renting out bicycles. Please get in touch with us here.

Book a Car

You can book a car service for NT$150 for anywhere on the island one way. You can also book a car for the whole day or per hour. Check the phone numbers in the photo below. From our experience, booking a car ahead of time is best if you plan on having them pick you up from dinner. And no, there is no Uber here.

If you prefer to drive a car on your own or need help booking a car with a driver for the day, please get in touch with us
here.

Xiaoliuqiu private car

Public Bus

I've never taken the public bus, nor have I heard of anyone ever taking it, but if you want more information, check out this link. There is no English information on it that I can find. If you have ever taken the. bus, let me know what you think. It could be an excellent option to take a ride around the island.

xiaoliuqiu bus stop sign

When to Visit Xiaoliuqiu

Though for me, the island during the winter is quite ok for me to walk around in shorts and a hoodie, and the water is still warm enough for me to comfortably get in the sea with a 3mm wetsuit for diving, those who are not acclimated to the cold temperatures will probably want to defer a visit to Xiaoliuqiu to the warmer months. The island on land and in the water starts warming up in March/April and cooling down in October/November. The problem is that during the warmer months is the rain and typhoon season.


The weekend is the more crowded days, but long weekend holidays and the months of July and August are when tourists swell to their max, even during weekdays as kids are on summer holidays. If you have an aversion to people, avoid coming during these two months, though I must admit, it's still a hell of a lot less crowded than Taipei or Kaohsiung.

xiaoliuqiu sunset

The Economy of Xiaoliuqiu

Blessed due to its proximity to the Kuroshio  Current, fishing has been a mainstay in Xiaoliuqiu for a while. However, due to the dwindling fish populations and tourism boom, it is starting to fade in importance to the island.

fish market on xiaoliuqiu

One of the things I love about living in Xiaoliuqiu is the access to cheap fresh fish at the fish market here. We eat fish nearly every day, whether it's tuna, mahi-mahi, or mackerel. Sashimi-grade tuna is also available. And it is CHEAP.  The best and cheapest way is to buy it at the fish market and bring it home, so bring your plates, chopsticks, soy sauce, and wasabi from home!

Cheap sashimi on Xiaoliuqiu

The tourism industry in Xiaoliuqiu experienced a boom in the earlier part of this century when it was included as part of the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area in 2004, and Xiaoliuqiu now receives over half a million visitors a year and perhaps even more now as the island is the beneficiary of recent domestic tourism boom due to Covid-19. 

Accomodations on Xiaoliuqiu

Shorter Term Options

xiaoliuqiu guesthouse

You have many options to stay for a brief trip to Xiaoliuqiu.


Guesthouse - there are around 200 guesthouses on the island that encompass the entire spectrum of any budget range. Some of the higher-end places have pools like Shamban Inn or Piano.  A new high-end one called Outline which I recently had a look at, is worth considering if you are looking for the Bali chill vibe. Check out our page here for a list of recommended accommodations.


Hostel - called 背包客 here in Taiwan, or backpacker inn, this is the predominant choice of the younger Taiwanese when they come here to play, this is obviously the best option budget-wise, and you have many options for nice, clean beds and bathrooms on the island.

Consider staying in Slowly Inn, operated by one of my freediving students, located not too far from the Dafu Ferry Terminal. They also have a private room with a shared bathroom available as well.


Private Rooms - many homeowners rent out a room at their place, which some can be found on Air BnB.


Our shared home - there are a few options here, including our own place that I run with my wife Sheila, Check out here.


When booking a stay, please consider our affiliate partner Agoda. I have been using them for many years, and the thing I like most about them is their guest review averages don't seem to be off; it's never done me wrong in any case.

Check in times are usually around 3pm and check-out times are 11am so do note that when planning your ferry arrival and ferry departure from Xiaoliuqiu.

Longer Term Stay

So after a few days on the island, you've fallen in love with it, and you find yourself sitting at the ferry terminal waiting to go back to your hectic life in the city, contemplating life on this beautiful small island and staying longer.


Well, it might not be easy.


Don't get me wrong; I don't want to discourage you from doing this. I'm all for your move here. I want to clarify that the housing situation will be challenging but not impossible.


Many Taiwanese who have returned from abroad during the pandemic have moved back to Taiwan in the form of Xiaoliuqiu. Whether freediving instructors, scuba instructors, or tour guides, many have returned as their base of tourists has dried up, i.e., Taiwanese traveling overseas.


This is fine with the increase of supply of workers matching demand with the enormous increased domestic tourist.


However, where you have demand outstripping supply is longer-term housing. This is for a few reasons. First, it is more profitable for some places to rent a room to tourists. Second, supply is artificially constrained as some landlords don't want to rent to strangers from the main island. Finally, many of the landlords are advanced in age and don't have access to the internet to get the word out. Announcements on the island are made via a small truck with a loudspeaker driving around the island, blaring their speakers. It's like Taiwan during an election cycle. Just not as frequent.

Longer-term housing there are three types:


Private room with shared bathroom (雅房)


Private room with private bathroom (套房)


Whole building (透天) - usually three levels with a few generations of a family


My recommendation if you want to move here is to find a place to stay month to month, make some friends with locals, and more options may open up for longer-term rentals. You'll also be able to evaluate your options on-site. 


A private room with a shared bathroom is relatively easier to find for longer-term through a bed in a hostel is the easiest.


You could also always stay with us at the House of Nomad, where we have some pretty great weekly and monthly rates.  

Things to do on Xiaoliuqiu

Snorkelling

Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities in Xiaoliuqiu. You can bring the whole family as children three years old and up can go on a guided snorkeling tour as a group.


If you are not very experienced in the water or going with children, a guided snorkeling tour is the best and safest option for you as the tour guides are licensed and have received first aid and CPR training. Moreover, they are aware of the dangers in the water and dangerous currents and at what times. They also know which beaches are better for snorkeling on that day.


Swimming is not required as everyone must wear a life vest for insurance purposes. No fins are needed as you hold onto a chain of buoys as the guide drags you through the water to see the beauty below.


And there is a near 100% chance you'll see a turtle making it one of the must things to do here.


Some beaches offer rentals if you are experienced in the water and have not brought your gear. However, Decathlon does provide some fantastic value and quality for snorkeling equipment.

Snorkelling on Xiaoliuqiu

Kayak and Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP)

Renting a kayak or SUP is the best way to enjoy the water from above and a great form of exercise. You have many choices with multi-person SUP and kayaks and even a transparent kayak, so you can see what's below. If you are on a budget, the kayak is the way to go as it is much cheaper than the SUP. There are many companies with these services on the island, and they are easy to find.

Boat Tours

Discover Lamay,  as far as I know, is the only company that offers boat tours on Xiaoliuqiu. They offer sunset and glass-bottom boat tours where you can see the sea turtles, fish, and corals without getting wet. You board the boat at the Baishawan Fishing Harbor, near one of the two ferry terminals on Xiaoliuqiu. If you cannot read/speak Mandarin, you can contact me, and I can help you book a boat tour for you with Discover Lamay. Warning: Do not take this tour if the seas are a little rough, as sea sickness is a definite result.

Discover Lamay Boat

Deer Exhibit

A bit of a random attraction here, but for those who love cute furry things, you'll love this place.


At the Wonderland of Deer, you can buy discounted tickets on Klook, stroll while taking photos with these cute deers, and participate in feedings.


Wonderland of Deer Xiaoliuqiu

Beaches of Xiaoliuqiu

Though Xiaoliuqiu may not have some of the best beaches in Taiwan, you can almost be guaranteed to find an uncrowded beach even on busy weekends somewhere on the island (except for July and August), and you can catch some snorkeling while you're at it. Most of the beaches in Xiaoliuqiu are pretty small, which doesn't matter as there are not many people on them.


One of the more interesting beaches is Secret Beach. And not because of what you can do or see. You see, Secret Beach is not a secret. Everyone knows about it and can see it from the road passing. And Secret Beach is not even close to the literal translation from its Chinese name of 厚石 or "thick stone."  It is not a bad beach to visit to lay in the sand and swim or snorkel.


Secret Beach Xiaoliuqiu

I go to the beach nearly every day and the beach I frequent most often is one of the two at Sanfu Fishing Harbor. I go to this beach because of its proximity to where I live, and also, it is a mostly enclosed area, so it's almost always ok to swim and snorkel here despite wind conditions. Be careful when swimming or snorkeling here not to go far out and in the way of the boat traffic.


My favorite beach is Zhongao Beach, next to the Baishanwan Port and the closest beach to the main ferry terminal, just a few minutes' walk away. I've never seen this beach crowded, possibly the largest beach on the island. On a clear day, you can see the main island across the way, and the underwater world here is magical when the water is clear.

Zhongao beach full moon

Sea Turtles of Xiaoliuqiu

The sea turtles are the main attraction here underwater. Nearly every time I swim, snorkel, or freedive in the ocean here, I almost always see a turtle, 90% of the time, if not more.


There isn't a "best place" to see the turtles because every single spot I've gone into the ocean here on the island I've encountered, including Sanfu Fishing Harbor, Dafu, Secret Beach, Vase Rock, Zhongao Beach, Meirendong.


You will see many places selling turtle memorabilia in souvenir shops or side of the road. They offer stuffed turtles (the not real one, doh!), key chains, t-shirts, you get the picture. To learn more about them, check out my blog post, The Famous Sea Turtles of Xiaoliuqiu.

sea turles Xiaoliuqiu

Being the main attraction here, they are a protected species, and fines are pretty heavy if you even touch them.


In October 20190, a teenager from Germany was caught touching a sea turtle just two hours after posting the video on social media. He was charged and faced a fine of up to NT$300,000 (over US$10,000), but I could not find any updates on what fine he ultimately paid. In June of 2020, a Taiwanese man was also caught in a similar manner touching a sea turtle and was fined NT$60,000 (over US$2,000).


They take the protection of the green sea turtles here very seriously, so please adhere to the rules below regarding interacting with the sea turtles.

sea turtles need to know

Best things to learn on Xiaoliuqiu

Freediving

Because of the year-round diving, easy access to depth from shore, and sea turtle spotting nearly every time you get into the water, freediving has become a mecca of freediving in Taiwan.

freediving with sea turtle

If you've never enjoyed the experience of diving on one breath-hold, I teach freediving courses on Xiaoliuqiu. You can check out my course offerings.  I also wrote a blog about English freediving courses in Taiwan.


I also wrote a Beginner Freediving FAQ e-book which you can get for free to learn more about freediving.


If you have been holding your breath and diving underwater without taking a formal freediving course, please read this blog that my friend and the student wrote.


If you don't have time for an entire freedive course, I offer a Discovery Freedive Course, which gives you a taste of freediving in one day. Contact me if you have any interest.


Scuba

As I said earlier, my first time in Xiaoliuqiu was to scuba dive with sea turtles, and it's an experience I will never forget. There is no shortage of scuba diving schools on the island, as I seem to pass by a few schools every kilometer.  There are a few recommendations if you want to see these cute and graceful creatures while scuba diving.


Scuba diving shops that have English-speaking instructors are Bear Diving, Playful Diving, and Liuqiu DIving.


For you Hong Kongers out there, I heard that Dive Bee has Cantonese-speaking instructors.


If you don't have time to take an entire course or are unsure if you want to get into scuba diving, all these places offer discovery diving sessions, which only take about 2 hours of your time.

scuba diving xiaoliuqiu

Tourist Attractions of Xiaoliuqiu

Rocks

If looking at rock formations is your thing, you're in luck, and there are several of them to see.


Vase Rock is the most iconic on the island and is one of the photos that most represents Xiaoliuqiu in postcards. Vase Rock is a short ride from the ferry terminal in Baishawan Fishing Harbor. At its tallest, it's 9 meters and was created by the rising coastal coral reef, while the bottom of it was eroded by the ocean and thus its shape resembling that of a flower case. There is also a tiny beach at Vase Rock, and you can do a little snorkeling from there.


vase rock xiaoliuqiu

Other rocks to see on your trip here include Indian Rock, which resembles the head of an indigenous American, Guanyin Rock, Houshi Fringing Reef (near Secret Beach), Tiger Climbing Rock, Mouse Rock, and Climbing Tiger Rock.

Caves

For those who enjoy the beauty of caves, the more popular ones are Black Dwarf Cave, Beauty Cave, and Lobster Cave. Some of them may require an entrance fee.

What to Buy in Xiaoliuqiu

Taiwan office culture borrowed the Omiyage tradition from the Japanese. The direct translation of Omiyage is "souvenir," but one that is usually edible.


When you go on a trip, regardless if you are a local or a foreigner here, you should return with some snacks from your trip for your co-workers, friends, and family.  But primarily for your co-workers.  You have a few options on this island.

Iran Bazaar

iran ice cream

Iran Bazaar is located on the main road in the city center. Opened by an Iranian national, Chris, who has been living in Taiwan for over 20 years, and he aims to delight and entertains you as you try his goods.  (JAN 2024 UPDATE: Sadly Iran Bazaar has closed its operations and moved to Taichung, you can find it here.)


Chris makes some tasty treats you can't find anywhere in Xiaoliuqiu or even all of Taiwan. His signature is the saffron ice cream I love so much that I go there weekly to treat myself to it. He also has traditional Iranian rice pudding and yogurt.  If you love coffee, try the rose water coffee, an exciting twist on your cup of Java.


He sells several products from Iran, like rose water, dried figs, and traditional Iranian snacks to bring back to your friends, family, and colleagues.

Hemp Flower Roll

sesame twisted roll

The deep-fried batter of flour and sugar in a variety of flavors. This is the preferred option here as 1) it's easier to find and sell on nearly every corner on this island, 2) easier to share amongst your colleagues, 3) almost everyone loves sweet stuff, and finally, 4) Xiaoliuqiu is more known for this.


One of the top industries in Xiaoliuqiu is fishing. The fishermen would typically take out some pastry to eat during their time out at sea, but they would inevitably get all soggy. Thus these were invented to give fishermen something to snack on without getting soggy.


If you are wondering about the name, it was named after the rope in the old days, which it resembles made of hemp.

Dried Cuttlefish

If you have some colleagues who have diabetes (though this has some sugar in it)  or have an intolerance to gluten as I do, you might want to grab some of these, which can be found in the central city area near the Baisha Port. you can find the vendors by finding the machine being cranked flatten out the dried cuttlefish.

Where to eat on Xiaoliuqiu

We'll get into this topic in another blog post, but sometimes, one of my guilty pleasures is the corn dog stand near the San Long Temple.


And it seems the food scene here is on the up and up as no less than three burger joints have opened up in the last six months.  Check out my burger blog post I recently published. 


For plant-based people, check out this blog post on vegetarian options on the island. 


If you fancy an epic Western meal, check out the  Island Bistro, opened by the chef of the famous Island Burger. The chef had years of experience in a Michelin star restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area, and we are lucky to have him on this island. It opens Thursday-Monday for lunch and dinner, and reservations are highly recommended. Get there during sunset, and you will be treated to an epic view.


Check out my Google Maps list if you need a reference for food pronto (including the burger joints). I have listed all the places I've eaten and would return to.


Cafes of Xiaoliuqiu

These are my favorite cafes when I want to grab some coffee and where I go to work when I want to mix things up from the monotony of working at home. These three cafes can also provide opportunities for beautiful photos for your memories or on Instagram. 


Ocean Looking Ice - Incredible ocean views from here. With an outside deck, you can lay down on one of the many cushions to relax in the afternoon with a cup of coffee. Bonus - they even serve ice cream.


Ocean Looking Ice Cafe

Islet Lemonade - This is probably where I come the most to work and is also one of THE MOST Instagrammable businesses on the island. Try their specialty iced lemonade Americano.  They also have a hostel here.

islet lemonade cafe

Seaside Cafe - Ichi, the owner and barista of the cafe, hand roasts every bean by himself in a clay pot. Thus, the drip coffee is of the highest quality. Ichi is a man of many talents as he also teaches yoga (his sunrise yoga class at Secret Beach is highly recommended) and has fixed many backs as a masseuse. Located in town near Zhongao Beach.

Seaside Cafe

Get a Massage on Xiaoliuqiu

In most beach tourist destinations, choices are abundant for massage. And with good reason, weekend warriors taking a stand-up paddle board out for a few hours or taking a scuba or freediving course will surely need their aching muscles to be massaged, but many don't know where to get a massage. And when you are on holiday, you're up for anything to facilitate relaxation. But sadly, there is not a lot in Xiaoliuqiu.


Nonetheless, you still have some choices:


Stretchology Asia provides Thai stretch massages and offers the only in-room service on the island. The lead English-speaking certified massage therapist is also an accredited instructor offering Thai massage certification courses you can take on the island. This, in my opinion, is the best massage you can get on the island, but I might be biased as it's run by my wife.


 The Wink Massage - is located in town.


Body by Ichi from Seaside Cafe. 


Xiaoliuqiu Ice Bath Social Club is not a massage, but if your muscles are sore from all the extra activities on the island or sunburn, you might want to try an ice bath with this club that gathers regularly.


stretchology asia

I know I listed a lot of things to do and see above, but sometimes the best thing to do when you are on a small island is to do nothing and slowly enjoy the beauty and vibes of a small tropical island.


If you are looking for more English resources, check out the Xiaoliuqiu for Foreigners Facebook group and ask questions you can't otherwise find on Google. We're happy to help.


And that's it! Please follow my IG @freedivenomad to find out when I will publish more blog posts on Xiaoliuqiu or freediving in Taiwan. Again if you are interested in learning freediving from me, check out my Freedive Nomad Taiwan homepage  or check out my free resources to learn about freediving here (e-book, podcast, online course all for beginners).

CONTACT -
Address: 20-12 Xingzheng Road, Liuqiu Township, Pingtung County 929

Phone: 0981163838

E-mail: ray@freedivenomad.com

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07 Feb, 2024
如果你是自由潛水的初學者,請在 這裡 免費下載我的《初學者自由潛水常見問題電子書》。 當我搬回台灣時,我的潛水願望清單上有一個地點就是位於台中市 潛立方 。 我認為每個自由潛水員都應該在他們的願望清單上加上一個深水室內泳池的體驗;這是非常有趣的。 在台灣潛水 非常棒,而潛立方是眾多原因之一。 我有幸地在那裡潛水過多次,並且很高興能成為你探索這個精彩的城市 自由潛水 體驗的嚮導,希望你會發現這對你有所幫助,因為潛立方的英文網站還有一些不足的地方。
07 Feb, 2024
潛入一位從金融事業轉向教授自由潛水的個人旅程,受到一個意想不到的啟發——一集電視節目中的服務和喜悅的教訓的啟發。發現通過教學改變生活可以帶來無與倫比的滿足和喜悅。
07 Feb, 2024
嗨,未來的自由潛水者!要參加我在台灣的自由潛水課程,請 點擊這裡獲取更多詳細信息。
07 Feb, 2024
你知道嗎,我也是一位呼吸教練嗎?我在線上和現場教授壓力緩解的呼吸工作坊和課程。 最近,我最近幫我朋友Prish和她的朋友上了一個線上工作坊的課程。 Prish是我愛上蔬菜的原因。她是一位純素主廚,但對我來說,她是一位擅長利用可食用植物材料的藝術家。她出售令人驚嘆的素食小吃,並主持一個素食工作坊。  最近,她在一個台北與商業相關的Facebook頁面上寫下了她對我呼吸工作坊的經歷,經她同意,我在下面貼出了她的評論。
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07 Feb, 2024
如果你是自由潛水的初學者,請在 這裡 免費下載我的《初學者自由潛水常見問題電子書》。 當我搬回台灣時,我的潛水願望清單上有一個地點就是位於台中市 潛立方 。 我認為每個自由潛水員都應該在他們的願望清單上加上一個深水室內泳池的體驗;這是非常有趣的。 在台灣潛水 非常棒,而潛立方是眾多原因之一。 我有幸地在那裡潛水過多次,並且很高興能成為你探索這個精彩的城市 自由潛水 體驗的嚮導,希望你會發現這對你有所幫助,因為潛立方的英文網站還有一些不足的地方。
07 Feb, 2024
潛入一位從金融事業轉向教授自由潛水的個人旅程,受到一個意想不到的啟發——一集電視節目中的服務和喜悅的教訓的啟發。發現通過教學改變生活可以帶來無與倫比的滿足和喜悅。
07 Feb, 2024
嗨,未來的自由潛水者!要參加我在台灣的自由潛水課程,請 點擊這裡獲取更多詳細信息。
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