Clear water
For diving.
zhanyoun — CC BY-SA 3.0 · 江上清风1961 — CC BY 3.0 · zhanyoun — CC BY-SA 3.0 · 江上清风1961 — CC BY 3.0 · Brookqi — Public domain · 张元柏 — CC BY-SA 3.0 · 江上清风1961 — CC BY 3.0 · 江上清风1961 — CC BY 3.0
A small island of 1.48 square kilometres in Haitang Bay, 2.7 kilometres offshore and about 30 kilometres northeast of central Sanya; the Chinese call it «Lovers' Island» because its outline resembles a heart or a butterfly, and it holds China's top 5A tourism rating. It is known for the clearest water around Sanya, which makes it one of China's best-known diving spots, with coral reefs and tropical fish around it; its white sand beaches offer plenty of water sports, from snorkelling to boats and jet skis. On land grow more than 2,700 plant varieties, including rare dragon blood trees, and walking paths and electric carts circle the island past rocky cliffs and viewpoints; there are hotels for those who want to stay the night. The ticket including the return boat is about CNY 144, dropping to about CNY 136 from May to September; booking ahead under your name is compulsory, with a cap of 15,000 visitors a day, and the last boat out to the island leaves around 16:00, per visitor guides. Water sports cost extra, so go early to beat the crowds.
For diving.
And water sports.
Rare plants.
Haitang Bay, about 30 km northeast of Sanya
About CNY 144 including the return boat, about CNY 136 from May to September; booking ahead under your name is compulsory, per visitor guides.
Yes, a full day starting in the morning is enough, since the last boat out leaves around 16:00; you can also stay overnight in its hotels, per visitor guides.