Atlantis Sanya (三亚·亚特兰蒂斯)
Sanya's mega water park and aquarium complex on Haitang Bay — the 25 m Poseidon's Leap shark-tunnel slide, 86,000 creatures underwater, and honest guidance on tickets, queues and transport.
Duration
Full day (6-8 hours)
Cost
Aquaventure Waterpark ¥298-358 ($42-50); Lost Chambers Aquarium ¥198-228 ($28-32); combined ticket ~¥473 ($66)
Hours
Waterpark daily 10:00-18:00 (open later in peak season); Lost Chambers 10:00-19:00, last entry 18:30
Booking
Advance booking required
Atlantis Sanya (三亚·亚特兰蒂斯, Sānyà Yàtèlándìsī) is a giant resort complex on Haitang Bay (海棠湾, Hǎitáng Wān), about 40–60 minutes from central Sanya by Didi or taxi. You don't need to stay at the hotel — two venues are open to day visitors: the Aquaventure Waterpark (亚特兰蒂斯水世界, Yàtèlándìsī Shuǐshìjiè) and the Lost Chambers Aquarium (失落的空间水族馆, Shīluò de Kōngjiān Shuǐzúguǎn).
Aquaventure is a proper water park with 36 slides, a 2.5 km lazy river, a wave pool, and the headline ride, Poseidon's Leap (海神之跃, Hǎishén Zhī Yuè): a near-vertical 25 m drop through a transparent shark tunnel. Adult tickets cost ¥298 ($42) off-season and ¥358 ($50) in peak season. The aquarium holds 86,000 creatures across 30 exhibits, with an 8.6 m viewing panel and daily mermaid and diver-feeding shows. It runs ¥198–228 ($28–32), or roughly ¥473 ($66) for a combined ticket. Hotel guests get both venues free — the best-value route if you're planning a full day.
Everything else is upsold: lockers, towels, and paid dolphin, sea-lion, and ray encounters (¥128–208 / $18–29). Book online via the official WeChat mini-program or Ctrip (携程, Xiéchéng) — window prices are higher and peak over Chinese holidays. Children under 0.9 m enter free; 0.9–1.22 m pay child rates; anyone over 1.5 m must buy an adult ticket.
Plan for the 10:00 opening and ride Poseidon's Leap before mid-morning queues build. Pack swimwear without metal buttons, strap-on water shoes, high-SPF sunscreen, and a waterproof phone pouch. Buses 33 and 35 stop at the resort.
Practical tips
- Book online a day ahead (official WeChat mini-program or Ctrip/携程) — window prices run higher, and peak-season or Chinese-holiday rates (¥358/$50) kick in automatically.
- Arrive for the 10:00 opening and ride Poseidon's Leap (海神之跃) and the water roller coaster first — queues build fast by mid-morning.
- Swimwear must have no metal buttons or decorations; wear strap-on water shoes, high-SPF sunscreen, and a waterproof phone pouch. Lockers and towels cost extra.
- Children under 0.9 m enter free, 0.9-1.22 m pay child rates, and anyone over 1.5 m must buy adult tickets; several slides have a 1.22 m minimum height.
- Staying at the Atlantis hotel makes waterpark and aquarium entry free — the best-value option for a full resort day; otherwise a combined ticket beats buying separately.
- The aquarium's mermaid and diver-feeding shows run several times daily — grab the schedule at the entrance and time your visit around one.