# Wuzhizhou Island, Sanya > Wuzhizhou Island (蜈支洲岛) is a small coral island in Haitang Bay, about 30 km north-east of downtown Sanya, with the clearest water around the city. The 144-yuan ticket includes the return ferry; dives and water sports cost extra. Boats go out 8:30–16:00 and the last one back leaves at 18:30. Allow about four hours on the island. Web page: https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/wuzhizhou-island - City: [Sanya](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya), China - YesGo score: 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 4 h - Opening hours: Ferries to the island 8:30–16:00, back 9:00–18:30 (official site; weather permitting) - With kids: Fine with kids - Ticket with return ferry: 144 yuan, adult - Discounts: Under 1.2 m or age 6 and under free; ages 6–18 and 60–69 half price with ID - Not allowed: Over-70s, pregnant women, people with heart conditions or high blood pressure - Ferries: Out 8:30–16:00, last boat back 18:30; 15–20 minutes each way - Paid extras: Island cart, snorkelling, dives, jet skis, parasailing - From downtown Sanya: Taxi or DiDi 40–60 min; bus 28 about 1.5 hours - Booking: Trip.com, the zone's WeChat mini-program, or the ticket office at the pier - Payment: Alipay or WeChat Pay linked to your foreign card, or cash in yuan - Visa: Hainan: 30 days visa-free for 61 countries, including the US, UK and Australia - Coordinates: 18.31150, 109.76200 - Facts checked: 04.11.2026 ## Key facts - **144 yuan** — entry with the return ferry (source: Wuzhizhou Island Tourism Zone official site, tickets section) - **18:30** — last ferry back; boats out stop at 16:00 (source: Wuzhizhou Island Tourism Zone official site) - **Under 70** — older visitors and pregnant women aren't allowed on board (source: Wuzhizhou Island Tourism Zone official site, ticket rules) - **1.48 km²** — island area (source: English and Chinese Wikipedia; Wikidata Q8039419) - **≈ 30 km** — north-east of downtown Sanya (source: English and Chinese Wikipedia; chinatravel.com) - **≈ 2.7 km** — offshore from Linwang town (source: Chinese Wikipedia; China Daily) - **5.7 km** — of coastline (source: English Wikipedia; Travel China Guide) - **15–20 min** — ferry crossing from the pier (source: Travel China Guide; chinatravel.com) - **5A** — China's top tourist-attraction grade (source: Chinese Wikipedia; intotravelchina.com) - **30 days** — visa-free on Hainan for ordinary passports from 61 countries (source: National Immigration Administration of China, 20 August 2026) ## How much is the Wuzhizhou Island ticket? The official site lists the adult ticket at **144 yuan**, and that covers both entry and the return ferry. Children up to 1.2 m tall or aged 6 and under go free. Ages 6–18, full-time students and seniors aged 60–69 pay half, but discounts are issued at the ticket window against ID — the rules mention Chinese ID cards, so ask whether a passport counts. Everything beyond the beach and the open paths costs extra: the sightseeing cart around the island, snorkelling, dives, jet skis and boat rides. Prices on the site are shown as “from” and can rise on Chinese public holidays. > **Who isn't allowed on the island** Under the ticket rules on the official site, **visitors over 70, pregnant women**, people with heart conditions or high blood pressure, and anyone drunk are refused boarding. If you're travelling with older parents, check their age before you buy — there are no exceptions at the pier. Water sports have an even longer list of medical restrictions. ## How to get to Wuzhizhou Island 1. From downtown Sanya (Jiefang Road), take a taxi or DiDi to the island's pier — show the driver 蜈支洲岛码头. It's 40–60 minutes; Travel China Guide puts the fare at around 100 yuan. 2. By city bus: guides list routes **28** and **33** to the pier, taking about 90 minutes. Sanya's bus numbers change, so check the route in a map app before you board. 3. From a Haitang Bay hotel it's about 15 minutes by car, and from Yalong Bay roughly half an hour by taxi. Some Haitang Bay resorts run a shuttle to the pier — ask at reception. 4. From Sanya Phoenix Airport (SYX), a taxi takes about 50 minutes. The bus needs a change and is slow with luggage. 5. At the pier, collect or buy your ticket at the visitor centre and board the ferry. Boats leave roughly every 20 minutes and the crossing takes 15–20 minutes. 6. Coming back, the last boat leaves the island at 18:30 according to the official site, and fewer boats run in rough weather. Be at the island jetty at least an hour before. ## Is Wuzhizhou Island worth it? If you want to snorkel or try diving, yes — the water is clearer than at any of Sanya's city beaches, and introductory dives with an instructor are easy to book. If you just want a beach day, probably not: [Yalong Bay](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/yalong-bay) has fine sand for free, while here the ticket, transport, cart and a couple of activities add up quickly. Weekends and Chinese holidays are crowded, and when the island is full, ticket sales are reportedly paused. Go on a weekday, catch an early boat and book a day or more ahead. ## Snorkelling and diving: what it costs Wuzhizhou is one of China's best-known dive spots. Visibility is quoted anywhere from 15 to 30 metres depending on the season and the swell; the north and west shores are calmer than the reef on the south side. The official site lists “from” prices that vary by date: the island cart from 138 yuan, a manta-ray snorkel with the entry ticket from 398, a coral-reef dive from 550–580, a jet ski from 200, parasailing from 350 and a discover-diving course from 1,280 yuan. Activity bundles are sold too. Before you pay, check whether the entry and ferry ticket is included. Life jackets are compulsory in the water, and operators turn away people with heart or blood-pressure problems, back conditions or recent surgery. Activities can close at short notice when the sea picks up. ## What to see on the island - **Lovers' Bridge**, to the right of the pier — Chinese guides say it was a lookout for the island's garrison before being rebuilt as a wooden bridge. - The small **Mazu Temple** on the south side, dedicated to the goddess who protects seafarers; the building is a modern rebuild. - **Guanri Rock**, the sunrise-watching cliff at the island's highest point in the south-east. The cart doesn't go all the way, so the last stretch is a climb on foot. - White-sand beaches on the north and west shores, where the sea is calmer for snorkelling. - Dense tropical planting — English Wikipedia counts over 2,700 plant species, including the dragon tree. - Lookouts along the coastal path for the classic turquoise-water photos. > **Some paths are cart-only** Parts of the loop road are closed to walkers and can only be covered by the sightseeing cart, which is a separate ticket. Budget for it if you want to see the whole island; if you only plan to swim and snorkel, the beach near the pier is enough. > **Sort out payment before you go** Most of China pays by phone. Link your foreign Visa or Mastercard to **Alipay** or WeChat Pay before the trip — it covers DiDi, the island cart and activities. Carry some cash in yuan as a backup. ## Wuzhizhou Island vs Yalong Bay and Dadonghai | | Wuzhizhou Island | Yalong Bay | Dadonghai | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Entry | 144 yuan with ferry | Free | Free | | Where | Island in Haitang Bay, ≈ 30 km from downtown | ≈ 25 km east of downtown | In town, ≈ 3 km from downtown | | Sea | Clearest, with reefs | Calm, white sand | Gentle city beach | | Best for | Snorkelling and diving | A beach day | Beach, cafés, evenings | | Time | ≈ 4 hours plus travel | 3–4 hours | ≈ 2 hours | Wuzhizhou price from the official site; Yalong Bay and Dadonghai figures from our pages on those places. Choose Wuzhizhou for the water, Yalong Bay for a free beach. ## Where to stay: on the island or in Haitang Bay? The island has its own hotels and villas, the best known being Coral Hotel (珊瑚酒店). Staying over means empty beaches early and late, before the day-trippers arrive and after they leave, and guests reportedly get reserved ferry places when tickets sell out. It's pricey, though, and food and activities are at island prices. Most visitors base themselves in Haitang Bay, 15 minutes from the pier, or in [Dadonghai](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/dadonghai) if they want a town with cafés, and come over for the day. ## Best time to visit Wuzhizhou Island October to April is the most comfortable stretch: drier weather and calmer, clearer water. Summer is hot and choppier but still fine for water sports. July to October is Sanya's wettest period. When a storm warning is issued, the city suspends island trips and boats stop running. Check the forecast the day before and schedule the island early in your stay so you have a spare day; cancelled tickets can usually be refunded or moved. ## Before you go: checklist - [ ] Passport — needed for tickets and activities - [ ] Ticket booked for your date, especially at weekends - [ ] Alipay linked to a foreign card, plus some cash in yuan - [ ] 蜈支洲岛码头 saved on screen for the driver - [ ] Swimwear, towel, SPF 50 and a hat - [ ] Seasickness tablets if boats don't agree with you - [ ] No storm warning in the forecast ## Sanya's beaches and islands compared Every waterside place in Sanya rated by YesGo. - [Phoenix Island](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/phoenix-island) — YesGo score 43/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 45 min · Free from the shore; island by booking - [Dadonghai Bay](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/dadonghai) — YesGo score 38/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free - [Yalong Bay](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/yalong-bay) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Beach free; rentals extra - [Tianya Haijiao](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/tianya-haijiao) — YesGo score 21/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h · Free, advance booking required - [Nanwan Monkey Island](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/nanwan-monkey-island) — YesGo score 20/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ≈ ¥154 incl. return cable car - [Nanshan Buddhist Cultural Zone](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/nanshan-temple) — YesGo score 19/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · ≈ ¥130–160 with park train - [Yanoda Rainforest Park](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/yanoda) — YesGo score 17/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h 30 min · ≈ ¥168 incl. park shuttle - [Wuzhizhou Island](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/wuzhizhou-island) — YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · 144 yuan incl. return ferry ## A Haitang Bay and Yalong Bay day An early boat to the island, the forest park after lunch, then sunset on Yalong Bay beach on the way back to town. YesGo fits in the timing and transfers. 1. [Wuzhizhou Island](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/wuzhizhou-island) — YesGo score 16/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · 144 yuan incl. return ferry 2. [Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/yalong-bay-forest-park) — YesGo score 20/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 2 h 30 min · ¥158 incl. shuttle; bridges extra 3. [Yalong Bay](https://yesgo.io/china/sanya/yalong-bay) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 3 h · Beach free; rentals extra ## Good to know Wuzhizhou is not Xidao (West Island), on the western side of Sanya, and not Nanwan Monkey Island further north up the coast. Hainan's own 30-day visa-free rule applies only on the island; travelling on to mainland China needs another basis for entry. ## Tips - Take one of the first boats: beaches are quiet before 10 am and the water is clearer before the jet skis churn it up. - Bring your own snorkel mask — it fits better than the rentals. - Leave plenty of time for the return: queues for the last boats can be long, and taxis at the pier are scarce in the evening. - Only buy an activity bundle if you'll use three or more activities; otherwise pay as you go. - Food on the island costs more than in town, so bring water and snacks. ## Questions ### How much is the Wuzhizhou Island ticket? 144 yuan for an adult, including the return ferry, according to the official site. Children under 1.2 m go free; ages 6–18 and 60–69 pay half. Dives and the island cart are extra. ### What time is the last ferry from Wuzhizhou Island? The official site lists boats to the island from 8:30 to 16:00 and the last boat back at 18:30. Times change with the weather, so check on the day. ### How do I get to Wuzhizhou Island from Sanya? Take a taxi or DiDi to the Wuzhizhou pier — 40–60 minutes from downtown — then the 15–20 minute ferry. Buses 28 and 33 also go there but take about 90 minutes. ### How far is Wuzhizhou Island from Sanya airport? About 50 minutes by taxi from Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX) to the ferry pier. ### Is Wuzhizhou Island worth visiting? For snorkelling and diving, yes — it has the clearest water around Sanya. For a simple beach day, Yalong Bay is free and almost as pretty. ### Can you snorkel at Wuzhizhou Island? Yes. Snorkelling and guided dives are sold on the island, and the calmer north and west shores are best. Expect to pay from about 400 yuan for a snorkel package with entry. ### Do I need to book Wuzhizhou tickets in advance? On weekdays a day ahead is usually enough; for weekends and Chinese holidays book several days ahead, as sales can be paused when the island is full. ### Can seniors visit Wuzhizhou Island? Visitors aged 60–69 pay half price. Under the official rules, people over 70 and pregnant women aren't allowed on the boat. ### Can you stay overnight on Wuzhizhou Island? Yes, there are hotels and villas on the island, including Coral Hotel. It's expensive, but you get the beaches to yourself in the morning and evening. ### Do I need a visa for Hainan? Ordinary passport holders from 61 countries, including the US, UK, Canada and Australia, can stay on Hainan for up to 30 days without a visa, counted from the day after entry. ## How we checked The English core comes from English-language search results and related questions. Ticket price, discounts, age limits and ferry times are from the tickets section of the zone's official site. The last boat differs between sources: 17:30 in Travel China Guide and Sina Travel, 18:00 in chinatravel.com (2021) and 18:30 on the official site — we show the official time. Travel China Guide gives seasonal prices of 144 and 136 yuan; the official site currently shows 144 'from'. Activity prices also come from the official site but are 'from' prices that vary by date, so they're marked 'checking'. Reported daily visitor caps range from 12,000 to 26,000 and we found no official figure, so we don't quote one. Bus and taxi details come from travel guides only. Ctrip blocks automated requests and we didn't try to get round it. ## Sources - Wuzhizhou Island Tourism Zone official site (wuzhizhou.com): tickets and activities, purchase rules - English Wikipedia: Wuzhizhou Island; Chinese Wikipedia: 蜈支洲岛; Wikidata Q8039419 - National Immigration Administration of China: Regional Visa-Free Entry Policies for Foreign Nationals, 20 August 2026 - Travel China Guide: Wuzhizhou Island, updated 8 August 2025; chinatravel.com: Wuzhizhou Tourism Zone, 2021 - goasia.cc: Wuzhizhou Island; intotravelchina.com; China Daily; Sina Travel — transport and booking --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.