Written by Candice Zhao |
Sanya, known as the “Hawaii of China”, is a tropical seaside tourist city located in the south of China. With the coastal line stretching as long as 264.42 kilometers and 19 bays of various styles, it has become the most renowned beach resort in China.
From luxury to budget vacation, from family tour to romantic honeymoon, Sanya beaches provide diverse choices to various tourists. Then, on this precious land that boasts many renowned bays such as “The First Bay Under Heaven” Yalong Bay, “Coconut Dream Corridor” Sanya Bay, and “National Coast” Haitang Bay, which one is the most beautiful? Which one will suit your travel style the most? And are there any other recommended beaches worth a visit besides the often-mentioned ones? To help you make an easy decision and better prepared for your Sanya tour, our local guides dedicatedly prepared this list of best beaches in Sanya with their essential travel tips. Read on to get more informed.
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- Why Sanya’s Beaches Are China’s Tropical Paradise
- Top Beaches in Sanya
- How to Choose Your Perfect Sanya Beach: Quick Comparison Table
- Pro Tips for a Perfect Sanya Beach Trip
- Plan Your Sanya Tour with China Xian Tour
Why Sanya’s Beaches Are China’s Tropical Paradise
The first reason for Sanya earning the reputation of China’s tropical paradise is its unique natural endowment. It is located at 18° north latitude, right at the same golden vacation latitude as Hawaii. So the weather in Sanya is as warm as summer all year round with abundant sunshine. Even in winter, you can also play in the sea comfortably.
More importantly, the beaches in Sanya offer an extremely rich vacation experience. In Yalong Bay, you can enjoy the top-level family leisure; in Wuzhizhou Island and Fenjiezhou Island, the splendid undersea world is waiting for you to explore; in Sanya Bay, the most magnificent sunset in the South China Sea can be appreciated. From bustling beaches to secluded paradises, the coastline in Sanya can fulfill all your imaginations, making it an unparalleled tropical seaside resort in China.
Top Beaches in Sanya
In Sanya, the beaches are mainly concentrated in four bays: Sanya Bay, Dadonghai, Yalong Bay and Haitang Bay. Each has its own distinctive features and charm. They are like four pearls connecting the coastal line in Sanya from west to east in sequence. Now, follow us to discover the representative beaches.
1. Yalong Bay – Fine White Sand and Luxury Vacation Destination
- Location: Jiyang District
- Distance to downtown area: about 25 km
- Ticket: free
- Pros: top water quality and the beach in Sanya; white, fine and soft beach and blue and clear water, suitable for diving; numerous top luxury hotels
- Cons: far from downtown area and airport; the hotel is not as new as that in Haitang Bay
- Best for: tourists with sufficient budgets and a passion for diving
- Recommended rating: ★★★★★
Yalong Bay is known as “The First Bay Under Heaven” and used to be listed as one of the top 8 beautiful beaches in China by Chinese National Geography. Here, a 7-km-long silver white beach stretches along the sea. The fine sand, crystal blue seawater and surrounding coconut groves make it an excellent natural seaside resort. The water is also clear and transparent, very suitable for diving and snorkeling. Among all the beaches in Sanya, Yalong Bay boasts the most top international resort hotels, offering a wide range of water sports and top-level recreation facilities. So it is always the first choice for tourists who pursue a high-quality vacation experience.
2. Haitang Bay – Luxury Hotels, Duty-free Shopping & Family-Friendly Atlantis
- Location: Haitang District
- Distance to downtown area: about 28 km
- Ticket: free
- Pros: fewer tourists, more luxury hotels with new facilities, the water quality ranks second among the four bays, duty-free shopping
- Cons: far from downtown area and airport
- Best For: Tourists with enough budget, surfing lovers and shopaholics
- Recommended rating: ★★★★★
As an emerging national coast, Haitang Bay also boasts clear water and white sand. Compared with other bays, it is developed relatively later, so the number of tourists is fewer, creating a tranquil and peaceful environment. Here also gather plenty of top international hotels. These hotels are not only places to live, their exquisite designs, various catering options and abundant entertainment facilities make them popular travel destinations.
Besides, the world’s largest single duty-free city – Sanya International Duty-Free City and the top-notch Atlantis resort also stand here, so shopaholics and families usually list it as the must-visit bay. But Haitang Bay is far from downtown Sanya and the attractions inside the bay are relatively far from each other. And due to huge waves, swimming in the sea is prohibited.
3. Tianya Haijiao – Romantic Landmark and Cultural Symbol
- Location: Tianya Town, Tianya District
- Distance to downtown area: about 23km
- Ticket: free, but needs a reservation
- Pros: experience seaside scenery and cultural charm at one go
- Cons:quite long walking distance and monotonous experience
- Best For: couples, family, history and culture enthusiasts
- Recommended rating: ★★★★
Tianjian Haijiao is not a pure beach, but also carries the profound history and culture and romantic atmosphere. The hundreds of strange stones are its highlights and two giant stones are the most famous, with “Tianya” and “Haijiao” engraved on them, which is also the origin of its name.
Since ancient China, it has been regarded as the edge of the sky and the end of the sea, a symbol of love vows. So couples prefer to take a memorable photo there as a token of their love. Besides, it also has a coastal line with a length of 3km and fine sand and clear seawater.
4. Wuzhizhou Island – A Diving Paradise
- Location: Haitang District
- Distance to downtown area: about 30km
- Ticket: CNY 144 (includes the round-trip cruise ticket)
- Pros:very diverse water sports, top diving destination, well-equipped facilities, white beach
- Cons:cruise is the only way to board the island, greatly influenced by weather, high cost and long queuing time.
- Best For: water sport enthusiasts, young tourists, couples
- Recommended rating: ★★★★★
In fact, Wuzhizhou Island is an independent tropical sea island and is reputed as the Oriental Hawaii. The whole island features lush vegetation, white beach and various shapes of coral reefs. The surrounding seawater is very clear with the visibility reaching 27 meters. It is said that on sunny days, the seawater can even present 7 colors, which can be appreciated by naked eyes directly. So it has been the top diving paradise in Sanya, even in China. There are also several kinds of other water entertainment projects, like motorboats, parasailing, etc. It is definitely a must-visit beach in Sanya.
5. Fenjiezhou Island – Primitive Ecology & Leisure Sightseeing
- Location: Lingshui Li Autonomous County
- Distance to downtown area: about 80km
- Ticket: CNY 128(includes the round-trip cruise ticket)
- Pros: primitive natural environment, quiet atmosphere, various kinds of landscapes, abundant marine animals
- Cons: long transportation time, limited dining options, high cost
- Best For: nature lovers, diving lovers, photographers, families
- Recommended rating: ★★★★
Fenjiezhou Island is also an isolated island, but it has developed late, so the original natural scenery and tranquil sea island atmosphere are maintained. Thanks to its clear sea water, abundant marine animals and beautiful coral reefs, it has been one of the most famous diving resorts in Hainan Province. Besides the fine sand and clear water, there are also many unique landscapes, like the mountain top sea-viewing platform, the moonlight castle, the cliff path, etc. It is very suitable for natural exploration and leisure sightseeing.
6. Sanya Bay – Best Sunset and Coconut Dream Corridor
- Location: Tianya District
- Distance to downtown area: about 5km
- Ticket: free
- Pros: best sunset, closest bay to downtown and airport, convenient life and transportation, cost-effective, long coastline line
- Cons: beach and water quality rank last among the four bays, relatively older hotels
- Best For: budget travelers, families, tourists who want to experience local life
- Recommended rating: ★★★★
In Sanya, there are many places for sunrise, but if you want to find a place to appreciate the sunset, Sanya Bay is definitely the most classic and romantic spot. At dusk, the setting sun will dye the sky and the sea a golden red. To capture it, the famous Coconut Dream Corridor coastal avenue is the preferred spot. It is also the most convenient and friendly beach in the urban area with a coastline of 22 km. It can be reached by most buses and open to the public for free, so you can visit at any time you want. Here is also a leisure place for locals to take a walk, cycle or exercise, etc.
7. Qingshui Bay – Singing Beach & Primitive Atmosphere
- Location: Lingshui Li Autonomous County
- Distance to downtown area: about 70km
- Ticket: free
- Pros: boast a singing beach, clean and clear sea, fewer tourists, tranquil
- Cons: far from downtown Sanya, inconvenient public transportation, limited facilities
- Best For: tourists who pursue quiet and high-quality vacations, families
- Recommended rating: ★★★★
Every tourist can not miss the singing beach in Qingshui Bay. Why does it get the name? Its extremely fine sand makes a crisp sound when people walk on it. It is a pure bay that has not been overdeveloped. Compared with other Sanya beaches, you can enjoy a more tranquil and primitive atmosphere. But there are also high-end hotel resorts around the bay. The beach here is also flat and wide and the visibility of the sea water is as high as 25 meters. So tourists love to go swimming and enjoy water activities here.
8. West Island Beach – Original Island Scenery and Fishing Village
- Location: Tianya District
- Distance to downtown area: about 17km
- Ticket:CNY 98
- Pros: extremely clear water, unique fishing culture, abundant water sports
- Cons: boat is the only way to the island, limited accommodation options, unstable mobile signal
- Best For: Tourists who pursue original ecological experiences, diving and water sports enthusiasts, culture lovers
- Recommended rating: ★★★★
West Island is a coral island full of original ecological charm. What makes it famous are the crystal-clear waters, well-preserved corals and the 400-year-old ancient fishing village. It perfectly combines the original sea island scenery and diverse water entertainment projects. It has been one of the world’s recognized diving paradises and the diversity and excitement of its water sports are the best among Sanya beaches. Different from the highly commercialized Wuzhizhou Island, West Island is more peaceful and simpler.
9. Houhai Bay & Houhai Resort – No. 1 Surfing Village in China
- Location: Haitang District
- Distance to downtown area: about 35km
- Ticket: free
- Pros: surfing paradise, well-preserved ecology, relaxing and free atmosphere.
- Cons: rare high-end hotels, higher prices for meals
- Best For: surfing beginners and enthusiasts, young tourists
- Recommended rating: ★★★★
Houhai Bay is one of the best bays for ecological protection in Hainan. It is renowned for its fine white and soft beaches, gently seabeds and crystal-clear waters. Back by green mountains, it has formed a unique landscape of connecting mountains and seas. The Houhai Village inside the bay has been reputed as the No. 1 Surfing Village in China because of its unique gentle waves and rich surfing culture. Many tourists and surfing lovers are attracted by the free and vigorous atmosphere there.
10. Dadonghai Beach – Crescent Bay with Warm Water, White Sand and Flat Beach
- Location: Jiyang District, downtown Sanya
- Distance to downtown area: about 2km
- Ticket: free
- Pros: very convenient transportation, well-equipped facilities, various water sports
- Cons: crowded tourists, bustling atmosphere, average water and sand
- Best For: tourists seeking high cost performance, backpackers, first-timers, families
- Recommended rating: ★★★★
Among all the Sanya beaches, Dadonghai is the earliest and most mature seaside resort. With warm water, white sand and a flat beach, it attracts many tourists to escape cold and enjoy winter swimming. The entire bay is in a beautiful crescent shape and is embraced on three sides by green hills. Rows of coconut trees stretch along the golden beach, forming a typical tropical scroll of white sand, sunlight, clear water and green trees. Because it is close to downtown area, plenty of buses are available and the supporting facilities are very mature. It also offers various seaside entertainment activities and a lively and bustling atmosphere of life.
How to Choose Your Perfect Sanya Beach: Quick Comparison Table
To facilitate you to choose from the above beaches quickly when planning your Sanya travel, we conclude the basic information of each beach in the table below.
Beach |
Best For |
Sand Quality |
Crowd Level |
Top Activity |
Hotel Styles |
Yalong Bay |
Tourists with sufficient budgets and a passion for diving |
High |
Medium |
Diving, snorkeling, water sports, hotel relaxation. |
High-end |
Haitang Bay |
Tourists with enough budget, surfing lovers and shopaholics
|
High |
Low |
Swimming, surfing, duty-free shopping, high-end hotel experiences |
High-end |
Tianya Haijiao |
couples, family, history and culture enthusiasts |
Medium-High |
Medium |
Cliff inscriptions appreciation, photography |
Budget |
Wuzhizhou Island |
water sport enthusiasts, young tourists, couples |
High |
High |
diving, various water sports |
High-end |
Fenjiezhou Island |
nature lovers, diving lovers, photographers, families |
High |
Medium |
Diving, natural exploration and leisure sightseeing |
Mid-High |
Sanya Bay |
budget travelers, families, tourists who want to experience local life
|
Low |
High |
Sunset watching, walking, cycling, experiencing local life. |
Budget |
Qingshui Bay |
tourists who pursue quiet and high-quality vacations, families |
High |
Low |
Beach walks, swimming, water activities |
High-end |
West Island |
Tourists who pursue original ecological experiences, diving and water sports enthusiasts, culture lovers |
High |
Medium |
Diving, water sports, fishing village cultural experiences. |
Budget |
Houhai Bay |
surfing beginners and enthusiasts, young tourists |
High |
High |
Surfing, slow-paced village life. |
Budget |
Dadonghai Bay |
tourists seeking high cost performance, backpackers, first-timers, families |
Medium |
High |
Swimming, sunbathing, water sports, experiencing vibrant local life |
Budget |
Pro Tips for a Perfect Sanya Beach Trip
- Best time to visit: November – April is the best time and also the peak season.
- Essential equipment: slippers, sun hat, sunglasses, sun-protective clothing, sunscreen, sun umbrellas, swimsuits, skin care products
- Consumer guide: when choosing water sports and tasting seafood, it is recommended to compare several stores and bargain bravely to avoid being cheated.
- Transportation guide: the attractions in Sanya are basically far from each other, you can join a tour group or charter a private car to save time and effort.
- Safety tips: in case of sunstroke, drink more water every day. Pay attention to the warning board on the beaches, never swim in unfamiliar waters.
Plan Your Sanya Tour with China Xian Tour
To experience the tropical charm and enjoy the best beaches, Sanya is the undisputed destination in China. However, transportation is the main problem that has to be dealt with, since most beaches are far from downtown and from each other. Joining our tour group, we will assign a driver to escort you. Our highlight is the tailor-made trip. We can plan an itinerary based on your ideas and meet all your requirements in hotel, guide, driver, meal, etc. China Xian Tour is definitely your reliable choice. So do not hesitate to contact us.
