Island charms: Wuzhizhou offers sea, sports and romance
Guests often wind up at Lover Bridge, which leads to a pagoda off the beach that is a perfect spot for photography
Nestled in Haitang Bay, Wuzhizhou Island is one of Hainan’s crown jewels. Reached by ferry, the 148-hectare island boasts more than 5km of secluded oceanfront as well as some of China’s best-protected coral reefs.
The island is perfect for scuba diving, thanks to a placid ocean and clear waters that provide visibility of up to 27 metres, according to Yang Xiaohai, the vice-president of the Hainan Wuzhizhou Island Scenic Spot in Sanya. A wide variety of ocean sports such as water skiing, parasailing, soccer and volleyball delight guests of all ages.
Visitors who are nervous about diving can still take an underwater tour, whether by using a glass-bottomed boat or by donning a diving helmet and taking a 20-minute tour at depths of three to five metres, according to Yang.
Composed of four connected buildings in a coral shape housing more than 250 rooms, Sanya Wuzhizhou Coral Hotel’s marine decorations playfully echo its nautical location. Seafood plucked straight from the ocean delights the palate at the hotel’s on-site restaurant.
Island guests can purchase a 980 yuan (HK$1,125) package of tickets that offer entry to 11 island attractions, according to Yang. More comprehensive packages are also available, such as a 3,888 yuan package that includes a luxury seaview room for two guests along with all-inclusive food and beverages and dozens of recreational and sightseeing options.
Regardless of where one stays, island guests often wind up at Lover Bridge, which leads to a pagoda off the beach that makes for a perfect spot for photography. Perhaps the most popular tourist spot is White Beach, which is renowned for its soft white sand and ideal swimming conditions.
