Hainan East Coast Road Trip

Drive south from Haikou to Sanya, connecting Wenchang Space Launch Site, Bo'ao, Tanmen, Wanning bays, and Lingshui islands.

The most classic route for first-time visitors to Hainan. Drive south along the east coast in a one-way journey with no backtracking, keeping daily driving times to 1–2 hours. The first half features mangroves, rocket launch sites, and South China Sea fishing ports, while the second half focuses on bays, surfing, and islands. This itinerary bypasses the west coast and the central rainforests, making it perfect for first-timers who want to see the sea without rushing.

Typhoons are common from July to October, which may cause temporary suspensions of island excursions and cross-sea bridge traffic.

Day by day

Day 1 · Arrive in Haikou & Explore the Old Town

Haikou（Five Officials Temple、Haikou Qilou Old Street、Haikou Clock Tower）

Pick up your rental car at Meilan Airport and drive to the Old Town (about 40 minutes). Explore the Old Town on foot; parking spaces are limited.

Stay: Qilou Old Street

Day 2 · Mangroves to Mulantou

Haikou（Dongzhaigang Mangrove Reserve） → Wenchang（Puqian Arcade Street、Mulantou Lighthouse）

Drive from Haikou to Dongzhaigang (about 1 hour), continue through Puqian to Mulantou (about 1 hour), and then head south along the coast to Longlou (about 1.5 hours).

Stay: Longlou Qishui Bay

Day 3 · Tongguling & Space Launch Town

Wenchang（Tonggu Ridge、Stone Park、Wenchang Launch Viewing Area & Spaceflight Science Center、Dongjiao Coconut Grove）

Attractions around Longlou are within a 10-minute drive of each other. In the afternoon, drive to Dongjiao Coconut Grove (about 40 minutes) and stay at Gaolong Bay.

Traffic control is enforced and hotel rates rise around rocket launch days. Check the launch schedule before setting off.

Stay: Gaolong Bay

Day 4 · Tanmen Fishing Port to Bo'ao

Qionghai（China (Hainan) Museum of the South China Sea、Tanmen Fishing Port、Yudai Beach (Jade Belt Beach)、Bo'ao Forum for Asia Venue）

Drive from Gaolong Bay to Tanmen (about 1 hour), and from Tanmen to Bo'ao (about 30 minutes), via either the scenic tourist highway or the expressway.

The China National Museum of the South China Sea is closed on Mondays and requires advance reservation.

Stay: Boao Yudai Sandbar

Day 5 · Wanning Coastal Highway

Wanning & Lingshui（Shenzhou Peninsula、Shimei Bay、Riyue Bay）

Drive from Bo'ao to Shenzhou Peninsula (about 1 hour), then follow the coastal highway through Shimei Bay to Riyue Bay (about 1 hour).

Stay: Riyue Bay

Day 6 · Boundary Island to Haitang Bay

Wanning & Lingshui（Fenjiezhou Island、Nanwan Monkey Island） → Sanya（Haitang Bay & CDF Sanya International Duty Free Mall）

Drive from Riyue Bay to Boundary Island Pier (about 15 minutes), then to Nanwan Monkey Island (about 1 hour), and finally to Haitang Bay (about 1 hour).

It is recommended to take an early ferry to Boundary Island; ferry services may be suspended on windy days.

Stay: Haitang Bay

Day 7 · Yalong Bay & Departure

Sanya（Sun Bay、Yalong Bay）

Drive from Haitang Bay along the coastal road to Taiyang Bay (about 30 minutes), and from Yalong Bay to Phoenix Airport (about 50 minutes).

Random roadside parking is prohibited along Taiyang Bay Road; use designated viewpoints to stop.