offshore islands
Rocks beyond shore
Offshore islands are islands located at some distance from a mainland coast, typically within the same nation's territory.
The term distinguishes these islands from the continental landmass they're associated with: The ferry serves the offshore islands.
In political contexts, particularly regarding Taiwan and China, the phrase often refers specifically to Taiwan's island groups near the Chinese coast.
- atollRing-shaped reef island
- caySmall coral island
- archipelagoChain of scattered islands
- skerrySmall rocky island
- rocky outcropExposed rock mass protruding
barrier island · coral atoll · sea stacks · rock · endemic species · volcanic island · islet · Robinson Crusoe · conservation area · marine sanctuary · territorial waters · nature reserve · archaeological site · tidal flats · island hopping · boat trip · fishing village · lighthouse
- islandsisland, isle, isles, islet, islets
- coastal habitatsshoreline, shorelines, tidal flat, coastline, mudflat
- seal habitatsrocky shores, ice floes, coastal waters, rookeries, sea ice
- navigationcompass, compass rose, signs, charts, navbar
- puffin habitatssea cliffs, rocky coasts, breeding grounds, cliff faces, Iceland
offshore islandsmainland
Principal connected territory
continent · mother country · interior · heartland · onshore