Xiaoliuqiu Car Rental Guide: Drive to Donggang & Take the Ferry to Little Liuqiu Island

Tropical island beach with palm trees and turquoise water — Xiaoliuqiu style

Xiaoliuqiu (Little Liuqiu Island, 小琉球) is Taiwan's only coral reef island and one of its best spots for snorkeling, sea turtles, and island escapes year-round. Located just 14 km off the coast of Donggang, a 30–45 minute ferry ride is all it takes to reach a world of clear water and vibrant marine life. The smartest way to get there? Rent a car from Goodcars Taiwan, drive to Donggang ferry terminal, lock your big luggage in the trunk, and hop on the boat — light and free.

Why Visit Xiaoliuqiu & Why Drive There

Unlike Taiwan's bigger offshore islands (Penghu, Green Island), Xiaoliuqiu is small enough to circle by scooter in an afternoon, yet rich enough in marine life to keep you occupied for two days. The island is most famous for:

🐢 Top Highlights

Green Sea Turtles — Xiaoliuqiu has one of Taiwan's highest concentrations of sea turtles near shore; you can often spot them year-round around Vase Rock and Beauty Cave areas.
Vase Rock (花瓶岩) — The island's iconic landmark, a coral formation shaped like a vase rising from the sea. Accessible at low tide.
Daifu Harbor Sunrise — Regarded as one of Taiwan's most photogenic sunrises, with fishing boats resting peacefully in port as the sky shifts through layered colors.
Beauty Cave (美人洞) — A winding coral cave trail of about 1 km through natural reef tunnels. Admission fee required.
Houshi Fringing Reef — Prime snorkel territory with clear visibility, sea turtles, and healthy coral. Many operators offer guided snorkel tours.

Renting a car gives you complete flexibility: choose your departure time, stop in Donggang for breakfast or the fish market before the ferry, and lock your main luggage in the car while you explore the island light. This beats public bus schedules by a wide margin.

Getting to Donggang Ferry Terminal by Car

Clear turquoise water around small coral reef island in Taiwan

The ferry pier is located at No. 12, Guangfu Road, Donggang Township, Pingtung. Driving times from major cities:

From	Route	Approx. Time
Kaohsiung City	Freeway 1 South → Lingyuan exit → Hwy 17	~45–55 min
Zuoying HSR Station	Provincial Hwy 17 South	~55–65 min
Kaohsiung Airport (KHH)	Hwy 17 South direct	~50–60 min
Tainan	Freeway 1 South → Yanxi → Qishan → Donggang	~90 min
Pingtung City	Hwy 27 West	~30 min

🅿️ Parking at Donggang

Street parking near the pier: ~NT$20–30/hour.
Full-day private lots nearby: ~NT$100–150/day — ideal for overnight trips.
Peak seasons (July–August, long holidays): arrive 30 min early to secure parking before your ferry.

Donggang–Xiaoliuqiu Ferry: Tickets, Times & Tips

Aerial view of coral reef and clear ocean water near Taiwan island

🚢 Ferry Essentials

Journey time — 30–40 min (express), ~50–60 min (standard).
Round-trip fare (adult) — Approx. NT$400–450; varies by operator.
Schedules — Multiple daily departures year-round; first boat ~07:00–08:00, last return ~17:00–18:00; extra sailings during peak season.
Booking — Walk-up tickets available; book ahead online during holidays or summer.
Weather — Services suspended during typhoon warnings or rough seas — build buffer days into your plan.

Rent with Goodcars: Kaohsiung Pickup, Drive to Donggang

🚗 Why Goodcars for Your Xiaoliuqiu Trip

3 Kaohsiung pickup points — KHH Airport, Zuoying HSR, and downtown — matching any arrival method.
Recommended model — SIENTA or ALTIS (5-seater) handles the Hwy 17 drive comfortably with luggage in the trunk.
ETC included — All Goodcars vehicles carry an eTag; highway tolls are billed automatically — no setup needed.
One-way rental available — Pick up in Taipei, return in Kaohsiung, or vice versa; great for multi-city itineraries.
24h self-service pickup — Certain branches support keyless pickup, matching early ferries or late-night arrivals.

Check Kaohsiung Car Rental Rates

Getting Around Xiaoliuqiu: Scooter & E-Bike Rentals

Ferry boat sailing across open ocean towards a small island

No private cars are permitted on Xiaoliuqiu. The ferries don't carry personal vehicles. Once on the island, you rent a scooter or electric bike at the pier — another great reason to leave heavy luggage locked in your Goodcars rental back at Donggang.

🛵 On-Island Transport Tips

License required — Taiwan license or IDP (International Driving Permit) needed for scooter rental.
Electric scooters — Increasingly popular, quieter, and better for the reef environment.
Cost — Half-day ~NT$150–200; full day ~NT$250–350.
Peak season shortage — Book ahead online or head straight to rental shops immediately after docking.

Recommended Itineraries

📅 1-Day Itinerary

07:30 — Pick up car in Kaohsiung, drive Hwy 17 to Donggang (~50 min)
08:30 — Park, buy ferry tickets, grab breakfast at Donggang market
09:00 — Board ferry (~35 min)
09:40 — Arrive, rent scooter, visit Vase Rock
10:30 — Beauty Cave trail (1 hr)
12:00 — Seafood lunch near the pier
13:30 — Houshi Fringing Reef snorkeling (2 hrs)
16:00 — Last ferry back to Donggang
17:00 — Return car or continue road trip

Small tropical island surrounded by clear blue ocean with sailboat in distance

📅 2-Day Itinerary (with Sunrise)

Day 1 afternoon — Drive to Donggang, take afternoon ferry, check in, sunset swim
Day 2 at 05:30 — Head to Daifu Harbor for sunrise photography
Day 2 morning — Wild Boar Gully (Shanzhugou) nature trail + Shanfu Ecological Corridor
Day 2 afternoon — Ferry back, pick up car, drive home

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Do I need a car to visit Xiaoliuqiu?

No, but renting a car offers the most flexibility and convenience. Public buses from Kaohsiung to Donggang require transfers and have fixed schedules. If you're traveling with luggage, a group, or want to explore Donggang too, a rental car is strongly recommended.

Q2: Can I drive my rental car onto the island?

No. The Donggang–Xiaoliuqiu ferries do not carry personal vehicles. Leave your rental car parked near Donggang pier and rent a scooter on the island.

Q3: How much does Donggang parking cost?

Street parking near the pier runs about NT$20–30/hr. For overnight stays, private lots charge approximately NT$100–150 for the full day.

Q4: Can foreign visitors rent scooters on Xiaoliuqiu?

Yes, with a valid foreign license plus an IDP (International Driving Permit). Check if your country's license requires an IDP for Taiwan. Note that Goodcars mainland rentals (from Kaohsiung) also require an IDP for foreign visitors.

Q5: What's the best season to visit Xiaoliuqiu?

Year-round — the island enjoys warm weather and sea turtles are visible all year. Spring (April–May) and autumn (October–November) offer cooler weather and fewer crowds. Summer (July–August) is peak season; book ferry tickets and accommodation weeks in advance.

Q6: Can Goodcars do one-way rental from Taipei to Kaohsiung?

Yes. Goodcars offers one-way rentals between branches in different cities. Perfect for northbound travelers who want to start in Taipei, work their way south, and finish with a Xiaoliuqiu island trip before flying home from Kaohsiung.

🚗 Ready for Your Xiaoliuqiu Adventure?

Goodcars Taiwan has pickup locations at Kaohsiung Airport, Zuoying HSR, and downtown Kaohsiung — perfectly positioned for your drive to Donggang. Transparent online pricing, ETC included, and 24h self-service options make the whole trip smoother.

Book Your Kaohsiung Rental Now

📸 Image Credits

All images sourced from Unsplash (unsplash.com) under the free commercial license. Photos are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent actual Goodcars vehicles or customers.

⚠️ AI-Assisted Content Notice

Portions of this article were written with AI assistance. Ferry schedules, ticket prices, parking fees, and attraction hours may change seasonally. Please verify details with official sources (ferry operator websites, Google Maps, or Goodcars customer service) before your trip. Goodcars reserves the right to update rental terms and pricing.

Xiaoliuqiu Car Rental Guide: Drive to Donggang & Take the Ferry to Little Liuqiu Island