Yalong Bay
San Ya, Hainan
A curved, resort-lined bay east of central Sanya with some of the island's calmest water and whitest sand, generally considered Hainan's premier beach.
Why visit Yalong Bay?
Yalong Bay's water is noticeably calmer and clearer than the more central Sanya and Dadonghai bays, largely thanks to its more sheltered, less developed shoreline profile — it's the bay most international resort brands chose to build around for exactly that reason.
How to experience it
Most visitors experience Yalong Bay through a resort stay rather than a day trip, since the bay is largely lined with hotel properties; non-guests can still access sections of public beach, and Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park nearby adds a rainforest and cable-car option for a change of pace from the sand.
Tip
If staying elsewhere in Sanya, a half-day trip out to Yalong Bay for swimming is worthwhile even without booking a resort room there.