Qizhou Coral Garden

Qizhou Volcanic Wall

Wenchang is the birthplace of Hainan’s most celebrated dish, Wenchang chicken, a delicacy prepared from free-range birds fed on coconut and peanut mash that gives the meat a distinctive sweet flavor. The coastal location also means exceptional seafood, with local fishermen bringing in daily catches of crab, lobster, grouper, and snapper that are prepared in traditional Hainanese styles. Qinglan port area features numerous waterfront restaurants where you select your seafood directly from the boats. Tropical fruits including coconut, mango, and pineapple are abundant, and the famous Wenchang rice noodles make for a satisfying post-dive meal.

Wenchang Galaxy Hotel

Qinglan Bay Resort

Wenchang Coconut Grove Inn

Puqian Seaside Guesthouse

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.

Hainan – Wenchang & Qizhou Islands

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.

Full-day boat trip to the seven volcanic islands with snorkeling and beach exploration

Qizhou Islands boat tour and snorkeling

Cycle through vast coconut plantations that define Wenchang landscape

Dongjiao Coconut Grove cycling

Visit the observation area of China modern space launch facility

Wenchang Space Launch Center viewing area

Hike through tropical rainforest with panoramic coastal views

Tongguling National Forest Park hiking

Explore traditional fishing communities and sample ultra-fresh seafood

Puqian fishing village cultural tour

Paddle through protected mangrove ecosystems teeming with birdlife

Baishibu Mangrove Reserve kayaking

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.

Dive Sites in Hainan – Wenchang & Qizhou Islands

Qizhou Coral Garden

Qizhou Volcanic Wall