Dolphin Delights Snorkelers at Xiaoliuqiu Port a Day After Ferry Service Resumes

A dolphin gave snorkelers an unexpected welcome at Xiaoliuqiu’s Shanfu Fishing Harbor one day after ferry services resumed following four days of suspension.

The island’s waters had recently seen gale-force winds and waves 3 to 4 meters high after Typhoon Sadler regained strength. Once conditions calmed, visitors returned to the coast on Saturday morning. Snorkelers at the popular harbor first noticed that the sea looked different and then spotted a dolphin alongside the turtles commonly seen in the area.

The Coast Guard received a report at 7:45 a.m. that a cetacean appeared to be lost inside the harbor. Officers went to check the animal and restricted people nearby to prevent them from approaching or disturbing it. Personnel from the Ocean Conservation Administration arrived at 9:26 a.m. to continue monitoring.

Xiaoliuqiu has seen successful marine restoration, with turtles and occasional cetacean sightings in its surrounding waters. Some people worried that the rough seas had separated the dolphin from its group. Later observation indicated that it had freed itself and swum toward the open sea. Conservation personnel confirmed at 10:20 a.m. that the dolphin was no longer visible and believed it had returned to the surrounding waters on its own.