Baisha Island Introduction
The geological landscape is diverse, featuring beautiful white sand beaches in the south, characterized by typical sandbar formations, as well as toadstool-shaped tidal rocks and sinkholes formed by seawater erosion. Along the eastern coast, there are unique tower-like and curved columnar basalt formations. Departing from Baisha Port, if you head northeast, about 4 kilometers north of Niao Yu (Bird Island), you can see an island with a large sandy beach, known as "Xiao Baisha Yu" (Little White Sand Island). This beach represents a typical sandbar formation; although its length is not extensive, it boasts a thick sand layer and abundant sand volume. It used to be a sand extraction site for construction in the Niao Yu region but has been designated as a conservation area, prohibiting any further mining. From the southwestern waters of the island, Xiao Baisha Yu resembles a cat lying in the sea, and the residents of Niao Yu refer to it as "Mao Yu" (Cat Island). This Cat Island is different from what we commonly refer to as Cat Island in the South China Sea. The lava plateau in the southern part of the main island rises about 15 to 20 meters and extends roughly 250 meters from east to south, featuring well-developed columnar basalt formations. The coastal cliffs on the eastern side showcase a volcanic neck formation, standing about 20 meters high, which is quite majestic. On the eastern side, there is a coastal erosion platform with a curved rocky vein, and nearby, a low flat volcanic crater can be found. On the western coastal erosion platform, there is a tidal rock shaped like tofu due to seawater erosion, beautifully contrasting with the scatter of sinkholes nearby. Because Xiao Baisha Yu is a conservation area, landing on the island requires prior approval, making it a preferred habitat for the Red-billed Tern, White-browed Tern, and Crested Tern. Every spring and early summer, these birds breed at different locations on the island; the White-browed Tern chooses the rocky areas, while the Red-billed Tern and Crested Tern opt for grassy grounds, each species keeping to themselves and peacefully engaging in courtship, mating, egg-laying, rearing, and foraging. This breeding spectacle can be considered one of the major events in the area each year. Whenever boats pass through these waters to view the picturesque sight of the island alongside the seabirds in flight, it is undoubtedly a great pleasure in life.
