Crossing to the island by boat
Wuzhizhou Island is in Haitang District, Sanya, and is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, also known as Lover Island. The official page says the island has more than 2,700 native plant species and vegetation cover of over 90 percent, and that visibility in the surrounding water reaches up to 27 meters. Seen from above, the island is roughly heart-shaped.
To reach the island, first go to the visitor center and take the high-speed passenger boat. Checked on November 12, 2026: boats to the island run 8:30–16:00, boats back run 9:00–18:30, and the scenic area is open 8:30–19:30. Schedules are adjusted when sea conditions or weather are poor, so check the day's notice before setting out. After the boat docks you pass the Winter Pier, with the swimming beach on the left. The boat rocks when there is a swell, so secure your belongings.
The island loop road and Sun-Watching Rock
Sun-Watching Rock stands at the southeast corner of the island, a huge boulder on a cliff; from beside it you can look down over the whole island and the South China Sea. Below the rock, 'Golden Turtle Exploring the Sea' is a boulder shaped like a sea turtle that looks even more as if it were paddling when the waves wash against it. Ocean Star is on the southeast cliff; climb the sea-view steps to the Wishing Pavilion and the view opens up another level. Sun-Watching Rock is also a sunrise spot, but the first boat reaches the island at 8:30, so catching sunrise usually means staying on the island.
Part of the island loop road is open only to shuttles, and walkers are turned back. Some loop tickets cover only a single one-way circuit, with no getting off along the way, so read the product details when buying. If you want to see Sun-Watching Rock and the cliff coast, confirm the stops first and do not spend all your time waiting for a shuttle.
Lover's Bridge, the beach and diving
Lover's Bridge was originally an offshore lookout for the island garrison and was later changed from an iron-chain bridge to a wooden plank bridge; it still sways gently underfoot. The swimming beach is to the left of the Winter Pier, with soft sand and water in shifting shades of color; it is a designated swimming area, and opening hours depend on the day's weather and sea conditions. The island's 'Private Custom' beach was a film location and is good for photos and lying down for a while.
This is a better fit for people who want to give the day over to water activities: dive to see coral and tropical fish, and the island also has jet skis, parasailing, high-speed thrill boats and other options. If you burn easily or would rather stay dry, take the shuttle around the island and watch the sea from the shade. With older people or children, allow time for boarding, disembarking and queues.
Tickets, restrictions and weather
Checked on November 12, 2026: an adult ticket including the boat costs 144 yuan and covers scenic area admission and the round-trip boat. Minors older than 6 and up to 18, visitors aged 60 to 69 and full-time students at undergraduate level or below pay half, 72 yuan; children who are 1.2 meters or shorter or aged 6 or under enter free. Online tickets require a real-name reservation; go to the second floor of the visitor center and show your own ID card to be checked, with no need to exchange for a paper ticket. For foreign visitors using a passport, confirm how to book and check in on the booking page or on site. Free shuttle buses run from the visitor center exit to the cdf Sanya International Duty-Free Shopping Complex; schedules are as posted on site.
Pregnant women, visitors over 70, people with limited mobility, people who are drunk or in a poor mental state, and people with underlying conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease, or people who have had major surgery within the past six months, are not allowed to land on the island. On pets, the official ticket page allows registered family cats and small dogs under conditions: bring a rabies vaccination certificate (at least 21 days after vaccination and still valid) and the complete vaccination booklet, register on the second floor of the visitor center, and sign a pet responsibility form; confirm the current rules on the ticket page before you go. Typhoons, heavy rain or government restrictions can suspend boat services, so leave room to change your plans and keep the time of the last boat back in mind.
Useful official references
Check the relevant official service before making arrangements. These links are references, not a guarantee of current services.
