Travel Guide to Blue Bay Inn (藍色海灣), Xiaoliuqiu

Pingtung County’s Xiaoliuqiu is Taiwan’s only coral island, a laid-back escape famous for turquoise waters, sea turtles, and slow coastal living. Tucked into the island’s quiet western shore, Blue Bay Inn (藍色海灣) puts you steps from some of the island’s best snorkeling spots while keeping the vibe low-key and affordable, perfect for family getaways and casual solo travelers alike.

Hotel Overview

Blue Bay Inn is located at 100-2 Duzaiping Road, a central spot that’s just a short scooter ride from the island’s main ferry terminal and walking distance to the island’s most popular snorkeling bay. The property caters to Taiwanese travelers, with all staff speaking Mandarin Chinese, and offers clean, comfortable accommodation tailored to tropical island stays. All rooms come with free WiFi, air conditioning, and en-suite private bathrooms, and the entire property is smoke-free, with dedicated non-smoking rooms and spacious family rooms ideal for groups traveling with children. Note that the inn does not offer on-site parking, which is rarely an inconvenience on Xiaoliuqiu: most visitors rent scooters to get around the small island, and free street parking is widely available nearby for those traveling with larger vehicles that leave from the main Taiwan port.

Nearby Local Attractions

Three unmissable attractions sit within a 10-minute ride of the inn:

• Duzaiping Coastal Ecological Reserve: This sheltered coral cove is literally a 5-minute walk from Blue Bay Inn’s entrance. It’s one of the best spots on the island for wild sea turtle sightings, with calm, shallow water perfect for beginner snorkelers. The rocky shoreline is also great for low-tide tide pooling, where you can spot colorful sea urchins, anemones, and tiny reef fish.
• Vase Rock: Xiaoliuqiu’s most iconic natural landmark is a 10-minute scooter ride south of the inn. This naturally eroded coral formation resembles a giant ceramic vase sitting just offshore, and the surrounding cliffside walking paths offer panoramic views of the Pacific sunset. The nearby cave system is also a popular spot to watch bioluminescent plankton glow after dark.
• Sanban Beach: A soft, golden sand beach on the island’s west coast, 8 minutes from the inn, is the best spot for swimming and sunbathing. Unlike many of Xiaoliuqiu’s rocky shores, Sanban has gentle entry into the water, and its shaded shoreline is perfect for picnics or afternoon naps between dips.

Travel Tips

Book your stay in advance, especially during summer peak season (June to August) and Taiwan’s long holiday weekends, as family rooms fill up quickly. Bring your own reef-safe sunscreen to protect the island’s fragile coral ecosystem, and always keep a safe 1-meter distance from wild sea turtles when snorkeling—they’re a protected species in Taiwan. If you arrive via ferry from Donggang, pre-arrange a scooter rental for pickup at the Xiaoliuqiu terminal to easily get around the island, as local public transit is infrequent. Finally, don’t leave without trying the island’s signature fresh grilled squid and mango shaved ice at the night markets near the ferry terminal, a 10-minute ride from the inn.