Hainan – Wanning & East Coast Dive Sites – China

About Hainan – Wanning & East Coast

The Wanning and East Coast region of Hainan offers a more remote and pristine diving experience compared to the developed resort areas around Sanya. Dazhou Island, the crown jewel of this region, features some of the most untouched hard coral gardens in all of China, with hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, and seasonal whale shark encounters between March and June making it a bucket-list destination for serious divers. The waters around Dazhou remain remarkably clear due to limited development and strong ocean currents that keep the reefs healthy and vibrant. Shimei Bay provides accessible shallow coral sites ideal for training dives and beginners, while Riyue Bay combines surfing culture with rocky reef diving in a unique dual-sport environment. The Bo'ao area offers surprising macro diving in sandy lagoon environments with occasional guitarfish sightings. This region appeals to divers seeking uncrowded, authentic diving experiences away from the tourist masses.

Highlights

• ✓Dazhou Island pristine hard coral gardens with hawksbill turtles
• ✓Seasonal whale shark encounters from March to June
• ✓Eagle ray formations on Dazhou's offshore pinnacles
• ✓Shimei Bay shallow coral training sites with excellent visibility
• ✓Riyue Bay surfing and diving combination destination
• ✓Bo'ao sandy lagoon macro diving with rare guitarfish sightings

Getting There

Fly into Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) or Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK), then transfer to Wanning by high-speed rail. Dazhou Island requires a boat transfer from the Wanning coastline.