Dadonghai Shore Reef

Fenjiezhou Manta Pass

Luhuitou Peninsula Reefs

West Island Walls

Wuzhizhou Coral Wall

Wuzhizhou North Point

Yalong Bay Aircraft Wreck

Sanya's culinary scene centers on incredibly fresh South China Sea seafood, with the First Market being the epicenter of the dining experience where you select live fish, lobsters, and shellfish that are cooked to order at adjacent restaurants. Hainanese specialties include Wenchang chicken, Hele crab, Jiaji duck, and Dongshan goat, the island's four famous dishes. Tropical fruits like mangoes, coconuts, and dragon fruit are abundant year-round. The growing international community has also brought Western, Thai, and Japanese restaurants to Yalong Bay and Dadonghai, ensuring diverse dining options for all palates.

Wuzhizhou Island Resort

The Ritz-Carlton Sanya

Sanya Dadonghai Hotel

Houhai Seaside Guesthouse

Sanya and Wuzhizhou Island represent the crown jewel of China's tropical diving, located on the southern tip of Hainan Island where warm South China Sea currents create vibrant coral reef ecosystems year-round. Wuzhizhou Island, often called the Diving Capital of China, features pristine hard and soft coral walls, dramatic swim-throughs, and encounters with reef sharks, sea turtles, and schooling pelagic fish in water with visibility regularly exceeding 20 meters. The island's protected marine reserve status has preserved some of the healthiest coral communities in all of southern China. On the mainland, Yalong Bay offers accessible reef diving with the unique addition of a sunken aircraft wreck, while Dadonghai provides excellent shore diving and macro opportunities just minutes from the city center. Luhuitou Peninsula features shallow coral terraces ideal for training and snorkeling. The artificial reefs around Phoenix Island and the walls of West Island add variety, while Fenjiezhou Island to the north offers seasonal manta ray encounters and dramatic drop-offs. The combination of world-class reef diving, professional dive centers, luxury resort infrastructure, and year-round warm water makes this region China's premier tropical diving destination.

Hainan – Sanya & Wuzhizhou Island

Optimal diving with warm water, excellent visibility, and calm seas.

Cooler winter months or typhoon-prone summer period with reduced visibility.

Good conditions with slightly cooler water and fewer crowds.

Beautiful beaches and scenic coastal walks on Wuzhizhou Island

Wuzhizhou Island beach and coastal hiking trail

Visit the iconic Buddhist temple complex and towering sea-facing statue

Nanshan Buddhist Cultural Park and 108m Guanyin statue

Canopy walkways and rainforest trails overlooking Yalong Bay

Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park

Scenic hilltop park with panoramic views of Sanya Bay at sunset

Luhuitou Park sunset viewpoint

Choose fresh seafood at the market and have it cooked at adjacent restaurants

First Market seafood dining experience

Learn to surf or enjoy the laid-back beach vibe in Houhai fishing village

Houhai village surfing and beach culture

Fly into Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) with direct connections from major Chinese cities and some international routes. Wuzhizhou Island is reached by a 20-minute ferry from the Houhai terminal, approximately 30 minutes from Sanya city center.

Where to Stay in Hainan – Sanya & Wuzhizhou Island

Accommodation Overview

Recommended Areas

Yalong Bay

Dadonghai

Wuzhizhou Island

Houhai Village

Featured Hotels & Resorts

Wuzhizhou Island Resort

The Ritz-Carlton Sanya

Sanya Dadonghai Hotel

Houhai Seaside Guesthouse