Location: Southern Penghu archipelago, Taiwan Strait

Established: 2014

South Penghu is Taiwan’s second marine national park. It encompasses four small islands in the southern Penghu archipelago — Dongjiyu（東吉嶼）, Xijiyu（西吉嶼）, Donyupingyu（東嶼坪嶼）, and Xiyupingyu（西嶼坪嶼） — along with their surrounding waters, covering a total of 358 square kilometres, of which only 3.7 square kilometres is land.

The park was created to protect what are considered some of the best-preserved coral reefs in the Taiwan Strait. The waters around the four islands support many fish and coral species in relatively healthy condition — a consequence of the islands’ small permanent populations and the protections put in place before and since designation. The islands also lie along bird migration routes and attract numerous migratory species.

Access requires a boat from Magong, the main town in the Penghu archipelago, and is weather-dependent. Day trips are possible from Magong, though the journey takes several hours each way. Diving and snorkelling are the primary activities, and the park is primarily of interest to those with a specific focus on marine environments.

Who it suits: Divers, snorkellers, marine biology enthusiasts, and those already visiting Penghu who want to extend their trip to the southern islands.