West Island (Xidao)

What it is

West Island sits about 8 nautical miles west of Sanya's downtown, across from the Tianya Haijiao scenic area. It's one of Hainan's oldest inhabited offshore islands: the village of Xidao has been home to fishing families for generations, and its lanes still smell of salted fish and drying nets. In the 1990s the island opened to tourism, and in 2011 it was rated a 4A attraction. Unlike many resort islands, Xidao retains a lived-in character — you'll see grandmothers mending nets beside dive shops, and the island's two beaches, one for swimming and one for watersports, are backed by coconut palms rather than high-rises.

The island is small — roughly 2.8 square kilometres — and easily explored on foot or by electric cart. Its southern shore has the better snorkelling and diving, with visibility often reaching 8–15 metres in the dry season. The northern side is calmer and shallower, ideal for families. A paved loop road connects the ferry pier, the village, and the main beach areas. Because it's a 4A attraction, facilities are good: showers, lockers, and several seafood restaurants. But it's still a working island, so expect a mix of tourists and locals going about their day.

Highlights

• Diving and snorkelling — The reef off the south shore teems with parrotfish, clownfish and soft corals; beginner dives start around ¥380, and our guide can book a reputable operator with English-speaking instructors.
• Fishing village walk — Wander the narrow lanes of Xidao village to see traditional stilt houses, drying fish and the island's small temple; it's a photogenic slice of old Hainan life.
• Beach time — The main swimming beach has calm, shallow water and palm shade; loungers and umbrellas are available for rent, and the sand is soft though not powder-white.
• Watersports — Jet skiing, banana boat rides, and sea walking are on offer at the watersports centre; prices are negotiable but our guide can help you avoid overpaying.
• Sunset views — The western tip of the island faces the open sea, making it a lovely spot for sunset photos away from the day-tripper crowds.

How to get there

From Sanya, take a taxi or Didi to the West Island ferry pier (about 20–30 minutes from downtown, ¥30–50). Ferries run every 20–30 minutes from 8:00 to 17:30; the crossing takes 15 minutes. Your guide can pre-book round-trip tickets and meet you at the pier. It's an easy half-day or full-day trip, often combined with a stop at Tianya Haijiao or Nanshan on the way back.

Tickets & practical info

Ferry round-trip plus island entry: ¥98 per person (high season may be ¥108). Children under 1.2m free. Opening hours: 8:00–17:30 (last ferry back at 18:00). Book via our guide or on WeChat mini-programs; foreign cards are not accepted at the pier, so bring cash or use Alipay/WeChat Pay linked to an international card.

Best time to visit

November to April offers the driest, clearest weather — ideal for diving and sunbathing. Avoid Chinese public holidays (especially Lunar New Year and Golden Week) when the island is packed. On a normal day, catch the 8:00 or 9:00 ferry to enjoy quieter beaches and better underwater visibility before the afternoon crowds arrive.

Tips from our guides

• Bring cash (¥) for small vendors and watersports deposits; many don't accept foreign cards, and ATMs are scarce on the island.
• Rent a locker (¥20–30) at the beach to secure valuables while you swim or dive.
• Wear reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard; the tropical sun is fierce even on cloudy days.
• For the best snorkelling, head to the south shore near the dive centre — visibility is best in the morning before boat traffic stirs up the sand.
• Respect the fishing village: ask before photographing residents, and avoid entering private homes uninvited.

FAQ