expert
    (75)

    Fujian – Dongshan Island: Dongshan Deep Reef Dive Site – China

    35m Max
    8-28m Vis
    boat

    Site Overview

    Dongshan Deep Reef is a expert-level reef and wall dive site located in the Fujian – Dongshan Island region of China, offering an extraordinary combination of marine biodiversity and underwater scenery in one of the country most celebrated diving areas. The site reaches a maximum depth of 35 meters with the most productive diving occurring in the upper sections where the reef structures and formations provide shelter and feeding grounds for a remarkable diversity of marine species. The underwater topography features dramatic formations including walls, pinnacles, coral gardens, and sandy channels that create a mosaic of distinct ecological zones supporting rich marine communities. Marine life encounters commonly include Seahorse, Abalone, Blenny, Sea Bass, Spider Crab along with numerous endemic and resident species that inhabit the diverse substrate types found throughout the site. Water temperatures range seasonally from cooler winter lows to warm summer highs, with visibility typically between 10 and 25 meters depending on conditions and plankton activity. The Fujian – Dongshan Island region is increasingly recognized as one of China finest diving destinations, offering the perfect combination of world-class marine life, good infrastructure, and reliable year-round diving conditions. The site accessible from Dongshan provides an outstanding diving experience for certified divers seeking memorable underwater encounters in China growing diving tourism sector.

    Dive Briefing

    "The dive at Dongshan Deep Reef begins with entry from the boat or shore with a short surface swim to the descent point marked by the reef edge or wall. After a controlled descent to approximately 21 meters, divers explore the main reef structure where the current-facing sections offer the best marine life encounters in the nutrient-rich waters. Seahorse are frequently observed patrolling the reef at depth, while Abalone inhabit the coral gardens, overhangs, and ledges throughout the mid-section of the dive profile. The site features a variety of bottom compositions and structural elements that support diverse marine communities and provide excellent opportunities for both wide-angle and macro observation. Your guide leads you progressively shallower along the reef contour, ensuring adequate bottom time for the safety stop at five meters. Seahorse, Abalone, Blenny, Sea Bass are commonly encountered throughout the dive at various depths and habitats. The final portion of the dive is spent exploring the shallow reef area at 10 to 18 meters where biodiversity is highest and sunlight creates ideal conditions for photography. The safety stop is conducted along the upper reef before surfacing for a total dive time of approximately 45 to 55 minutes. Dongshan Deep Reef consistently delivers memorable diving experiences for visitors to Dongshan."

    Signature Marine Life

    Seahorse

    medium

    Hippocampus erectus

    Best: May, June, July

    Abalone

    low

    Haliotis discus

    Best: May, June, July

    Blenny

    medium

    Salarias fasciatus

    Best: May, June, July

    Sea Bass

    high

    Lateolabrax japonicus

    Best: May, June, July

    Spider Crab

    low

    Macrocheira kaempferi

    Best: May, June, July

    Urchin

    high

    Anthocidaris crassispina

    Best: May, June, July

    Safety & Hazards

    • Sea urchins on reef flats requiring protective footwear and careful entry
    • Boat traffic near popular dive sites requiring surface marker buoy deployment
    • Moray eels in crevices that may bite if provoked or hands placed in holes
    • Potential for decompression sickness on repetitive deep dives
    • Venomous lionfish and scorpionfish on ledges requiring careful hand placement
    • Typhoon season bringing unpredictable weather and rough seas
    Nearest Chamber
    Zhangzhou Hospital Hyperbaric Unit
    35km away

    Traveler Notes

    Who is this for?

    Dongshan Deep Reef is ideal for expert-level divers with Rescue Diver certification or higher who are seeking rewarding underwater experiences in China marine environments. The site presents conditions appropriate for the certification level including moderate depth profiles, manageable currents, and generally predictable conditions that allow divers to focus on marine life encounters and photography. Divers with good buoyancy control and comfortable navigation skills will get the most from this site. The rewards for properly certified divers include healthy reef ecosystems, diverse marine species, good visibility, and the satisfaction of exploring one of China growing number of quality dive sites. Beginners should dive with a guide while more experienced divers can explore the deeper and more exposed sections of the site.

    deep
    expert
    current
    remote

    For Non-Divers

    Beach relaxation

    Quick Stats

    Difficultyexpert
    CertificationRescue Diver
    Currentstrong
    Water Temp22-29°C
    Best TimeMay - October

    Dive Logistics

    Operators
    • Dongshan Island Dive Resort
    • Dongshan Marine Sports
    • Fujian South Dive Club
    • Zhangzhou Dive Center
    Pricing Guide
    $70 - $130
    Per 2-tank boat dive

    Photography Info

    Recommended Gear
    wide_angle_zoom
    fisheye
    torch

    Best for: wide_angle, low_light

    Nearby Stay

    Dongshan Dive Hotel

    Dongshan2km away

    Check Availability

    Fujian – Dongshan Island Resort

    Dongshan3km away

    Check Availability