白沙島為澎湖群島中的第三大島,本島東、北部的海域,有一大片由珊瑚礁形成的裾礁地形,其珊瑚礁屑,每年藉由波浪、海流及風力的侵蝕與搬運,在本島的東、北部的海濱,上堆積出一綿延數公里的白色沙灘,白沙島因之得名。
Baisha Island is the third largest of the Penghu Islands. There is an extensive coral reef that runs through the waters north and east of the island. The action of the waves, currents and wind carry away parts of the reef and deposit them on the island's north and east coast, forming long white beaches that run for several kilometers. This was the origin of the name "Baisha", which in Chinese means "White Sand".