Hainan – Wenchang & Qizhou Islands Dive Sites – China

About Hainan – Wenchang & Qizhou Islands

Wenchang and the Qizhou Islands represent one of Hainan’s best-kept diving secrets, located along the island’s northeastern coastline where the South China Sea delivers nutrient-rich currents to extensive coral reef systems. The Qizhou Islands, a small archipelago of seven volcanic islands, feature dramatic underwater topography with walls, pinnacles, and swim-throughs encrusted with vibrant hard and soft corals. Wenchang’s coastline boasts some of Hainan’s healthiest fringing reefs, with shallow coral gardens teeming with tropical fish, sea turtles, and seasonal visits from reef sharks. The region is also famous as the hometown of Wenchang chicken, one of Hainan’s four celebrated dishes, adding a culinary dimension to any diving trip. With fewer tourists than Sanya and genuinely pristine marine environments, Wenchang offers an authentic tropical diving experience. The protected bays provide excellent conditions for training dives, while the outer islands reward experienced divers with wall dives, drift dives, and encounters with pelagic species. The combination of untouched reefs, volcanic geology, cultural heritage, and outstanding local cuisine makes Wenchang a compelling alternative to Hainan’s more crowded southern coast.

Highlights

• ✓Qizhou Islands volcanic archipelago with pristine coral walls and pinnacles
• ✓Wenchang fringing reefs with healthy hard coral communities and sea turtles
• ✓Seasonal reef shark and eagle ray encounters on outer island dive sites
• ✓Authentic Hainan cultural heritage including the famous Wenchang chicken

Getting There

Fly into Haikou Meilan International Airport (HAK) or Sanya Phoenix Airport (SYX). Wenchang is approximately one hour by car from Haikou via the eastern expressway. The Qizhou Islands are reached by a 30-minute boat ride from the Wenchang Qinglan port.