Sanya
China · Hainan
Sanya on Hainan Island is mainland China's most developed dive destination — mostly shallow reef and resort style diving, popular for domestic certifications. Not internationally competitive, but improving.
How this reef is doing
ⓘ How we measure thisReef state
Limited recent independent monitoring. Reef cover is modest; trips are popular for proximity to mainland China.
Coral cover
Fish life
Heat
Warmer than usual right now, but not hot enough to bleach.
Fishing
Protected on paper, but boats are still busy nearby.
Sources · Reef Check surveys · NOAA Coral Reef Watch · Global Fishing Watch and reef gravity
Coral cover over time
Live coral cover, by survey year
Across surveys in 2014 and 2024, live coral cover here has fallen from 33% to 29%. Every point is a real survey reading, never a projection.
Live coral cover, percent by year
| Year | Coral cover |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 33% |
| 2024 | 29% |
What you will see
14 species across the dive sites here
Blacktip Reef Shark
Seen 2 months ago
at Dragon Hole
Vulnerable
Angelfish
Seen 4 months ago
at West Island
Parrotfish
Seen 4 months ago
at West Island
Sea Urchin
Seen 6 months ago
at West Island
Trevally
Seen 6 months ago
at West Island
Bumphead Parrotfish
Seen year round
at Dragon Hole
Vulnerable
Clownfish
Seen year round
at West Island
Giant Grouper
Seen year round
at Dragon Hole
Grouper
Seen year round
at West Island
Humphead Wrasse
Seen year round
at Dragon Hole
Endangered
Moray Eel
Seen year round
at Dragon Hole
Least concern
Whitetip Reef Shark
Seen year round
at Dragon Hole
Vulnerable
Barracuda
Seasonal visitor
at West Island
Lionfish
Seasonal visitor
at West Island
Dive sites
What divers say
If you're already in Hainan, dive. If you're picking a destination, fly somewhere else.
Good to know
Bring your cards
PADI/SSI cards expected; instruction is mostly in Mandarin.