# Xisha Islands (西沙群岛)

Sanya, Hainan Province · South China, China · Guidebook rating: 4/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/xisha-islands
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Admission:** Free (access is by cruise or similar means; the cost is included in the boat ticket)
- **Opening hours:** 08:00-18:00
- **Time needed:** 3-5 days
- **Address:** Sansha City, Hainan Province, China
- **Getting there:** Boats depart from Qinglan Port (Qinglan Gang) on the east coast in Wenchang, usually at 17:00. The voyage only reaches Yongxing Island in the Xisha Islands and takes 16 hours. Once a month, on the 28th, there is one standby boat to Qilianyu, which returns on the 31st. Hiring a local fishing boat to Xisha is also a good option.
- **Good for:** Gardens & Flowers, Photography, Wildlife, Mountains & Adventure, Nature

## About Xisha Islands

The Xisha Islands are a place full of mystery. Lying more than 180 nautical miles southeast of Hainan Island, they stretch from northeast to southwest and consist of 45 islands, islets, reefs and sandbanks. The eastern part is the Xuande Islands, made up of seven islands including Beidao, Shidao and Yongxing Island. The western part is the Yongle Islands, consisting of eight islands including Jinyin, Zhongjian and Coral Island.
The Xisha Islands lie south of the Tropic of Cancer, with abundant rainfall and little annual variation in water temperature. The closer to the island's centre, the taller the vegetation; the nearer the shore, the shorter the plants. More than 40 bird species inhabit the islands, and thousands of seabirds wheel and soar all day long, making them a true "bird paradise".

## Tips from the guidebook

- 1. Scarce supplies: Food and daily necessities are limited on the islands, so come well prepared.
- 2. Essentials: seasickness medication, water- and sweat-resistant sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses, loose long-sleeved tops and trousers, insect repellent and mosquito coils, plus a camera and film. If you want to record what you see underwater, bring a disposable underwater camera.
- 3. Fishing: For fishing in the Xisha Islands, bring the largest hooks you can find and strong nylon line at least 3 mm in diameter.
- 4. Diving gear: It can be rented at the Xisha Working Committee guesthouse. Alternatively, buy a basic snorkelling set (mask and snorkel) beforehand on Guangchang Road Sports Equipment Street in Haikou.
- 5. Best season: The best time to visit the Xisha Islands is November to March of the following year.
- Yongxing Island in the Xisha Islands is the seat of Sansha City government, which was newly established on 21 June 2012. Sites there include the North Reef shipwreck remains and the Ganquan Island ruins. However, local tourism facilities are not yet fully developed, so the island is not yet open to visitors in full. Let us look forward to it together.

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 2570. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
Site: China Trip (https://cnatrip.com) — independent China travel guide in 13 languages.