Wuzhizhou Island, Sanya (蜈支洲岛)

Wuzhizhou Island (蜈支洲岛, Wúzhīzhōu Dǎo) — a compact 1.5 km² outcrop off Haitang Bay (海棠湾, Hǎitáng Wān) — is Sanya's most popular island day trip and China's busiest diving base. On calm days the water is clear to 20–30 m, with coral reefs, tropical fish and white sand that earn the local nickname "China's Maldives."

A 15–20-minute ferry from the pier at Houhai village (后海, Hòuhǎi) is how you get there; allow 40–60 minutes from central Sanya by taxi or Didi. Entry plus round-trip ferry costs ¥136 prepaid online or ¥144 at the ticket window ($19–20). Book ahead via the official WeChat mini-program or Ctrip — daily capacity fills fast on weekends and public holidays. Ferries run roughly 8:00–16:00 outbound, with the last return around 17:30–18:30 depending on the season.

Snorkeling starts at about ¥398 ($56) — the easy win for non-divers — while a guided coral-reef dive runs ¥580 ($81) and advanced dives ¥980–1,580 ($137–221). Jet skis go for ¥200–400 ($28–56), parasailing ¥280–350 ($39–49), and glass-bottom boats ¥150 ($21). The island shuttle cart, ¥138 ($19), is worth it in the heat — the loop road is hilly and walking the full circuit is tiring.

Everything past the ticket is a paid add-on, and sales pressure is real: pick one or two activities before you arrive and politely decline the rest. October to April offers the calmest, clearest water; summer brings humidity and typhoons that can suspend ferries with little notice. Use reef-safe sunscreen, bring water and snacks (island prices balloon), and catch the first morning ferry to dodge the queues.