Shengsi Islands Travel Guide (Apr-Jun): The Ultimate Crowd-Free Experience for First-Timers!

🕐 Best Time to Visit 👉🏻 Apr-Jun is the off-season in Shengsi, offering excellent value: 🔵 Weather: Temperatures range from 15-25°C (59-77°F), with cool sea breezes, avoiding the summer heat and typhoon season (Jul-Sep). 🔵 Crowds: Tourist density is only 30% of the peak season, so you won't have to wait in line at popular attractions. 🔵 Scenery: Wildflowers bloom across the islands in April, bioluminescent sea is common in May, and the sea fog creates a magical atmosphere in June. 🔥 Special Experiences: You might encounter the fishermen's sea worship ceremony in May, and witness the busy scene of mussel harvesting in June. 🚢 In-Depth Transportation Guide 1⃣️ Getting to the Islands From Shanghai (main hub): Nanpu Bridge Bus Station → Shenjiawan Pier → Lizhushan Pier Ferry Schedule: Fast ferries depart every hour from 7:30 to 14:30 (1-hour journey). The 9:30 departure is recommended (to avoid the morning rush). Hidden Perk: Purchase a combined bus and ferry ticket to enjoy the VIP waiting room at Shenjiawan Pier (free refreshments + charging outlets). From Ningbo: Ningbo South Bus Station → Sanjiang Pier → Sijiao Island Note: Only recommended for travelers driving themselves. Parking spaces must be booked 2 days in advance. 2⃣️ Island Hopping Gouqi Island (Shengshan Island): Two ferries daily at 7:45/11:50 (approx. 3 hours). Choose the 11:50 departure to avoid the risk of morning fog. Hua Bird Island: Limited to 300 visitors per day. You need to waitlist tickets 15 days in advance on the "Shengsi Ferry" official account. Secret Route: Rent a fishing boat from Shengshan Houtuo Bay Pier → East Cliff area to encounter migrating dolphin pods (contact the captain in advance). 3⃣️ Getting Around the Islands Bus: Routes 301/302 cover the main attractions (every 20 minutes, last bus at 18:00). Electric Scooter Rental: Recommended "Haiyu Electric Scooter Rental" (CNY 500 deposit, 80 km range). Hidden Gem: Book the "Left Bank Highway Cycling Route" (including a picnic spot on a deserted beach). 🏨 Accommodation Guide ✅ Island Accommodation Tiers Luxury: "If You Are the One Resort" (next to Jihu Beach, with private stargazing terrace) "Left Bank Yu Homestay" (infinity pool + cliffside afternoon tea) ✅ Value Options: "Donghai Fishing Village Homestay Cluster" (CNY 150-300/night, including free fishing experience) "Bianjiao Village Stone House Group" (renovated from a century-old fishing village, with oyster shell wall views) 🔵 Island Hopping Accommodation Strategy 📍 Gouqi Island: Stay near Dawang Beach, recommended "Qianmo Seaview Inn" (with night view terrace of the abandoned village) 📍 Hua Bird Island: Choose a homestay along the Mata Line, recommended "Wuma Inn" (bioluminescent sea observation point) ✅ Special Accommodation Experiences ► Camping: Designated area of Jihu Beach (must register with the scenic area in advance) ► Fisherman's Bed: Stay overnight on a fishing boat (sleeping bag provided + freshly cooked catch) 🗺️ In-Depth Guide to Attractions ✅ Must-Visit on the Main Island Liujingtan + Heshangtao (combined ticket CNY 90): Opens at 4:30. Take the first shuttle bus to the lighthouse and have the entire sunrise to yourself. Hidden Route: From the end of the Heshangtao boardwalk, take a 15-minute walk along the path to reach a secret rocky beach. ✅ Donghai Fishing Village: AR interactive installations added to the mural street (scan the wall paintings to trigger fishermen's stories) Participate in the fishing net weaving experience after 16:00 (take your creation home) ✅ Island Hopping Highlights Gouqi Island: Abandoned Village Tunnel (newly opened adventure route, wear non-slip shoes) Ganxie Pier Sunset (less crowded than East Cliff, with fishing boats returning to port) ✅ Hua Bird Island: Buddha's Hand Stone Sunrise (book the lighthouse breakfast basket service in advance) Mata Line Hike (bring a bioluminescent sea observation guide, headlamps can be borrowed from the homestay) 🌿 Seasonal Experiences ► April: Participate in mussel seedling planting (wear rubber boots) ► May: Observe bioluminescent algae with the scientific expedition team (book 3 days in advance) ► June: Fishing port morning market auction (starts at 5:00, experience the fish auction) 🗺️ Food Guide 🔶 1. Seafood Market Guide 📍 Location: Caiyuan Town Central Farmers Market (6:00-18:00) 👉🏻 Bargaining Tips: Buy by the basket after 16:00 (get 0.5 kg of small seafood as a gift) 🌈 Processing Recommendations: ✅ "Haishang Renjia" (plain boiling CNY 10/0.5 kg, salt and pepper CNY 15/0.5 kg) ✅ "Yusao Noodle Shop" (add CNY 5 for noodle refills in seafood noodles) ✅ Must-Eat List April: Monkfish stewed with tofu (fishermen call it "sea foie gras") May: Roe-bearing swimming crab (choose female crabs, the roe is like solidified fat) June: Radar net ribbonfish (look for complete silver scales and clear eyes) 🤗 Hidden Delights Shengsi Grilled Cuttlefish: Find the old man's mobile stall at Bianjiao Village Night Market (brushed with special fermented bean curd sauce) Sea Stone Flower Jelly: Grandma's stall at the entrance of Jihu Beach (made with deep-sea sea stone flowers) ❗❗ Tips to Avoid Scams 1⃣️ Ferry Ticket Scams: Do not trust scalper tickets. Official channels release tickets 3 days in advance (7:00 has the highest success rate for waitlist). 2⃣️ Bioluminescent Sea Scams: So-called "bioluminescent sea forecasts" are mostly marketing tactics. The actual occurrence depends on the weather and location. 3⃣️ Seafood Overcharging: Ask to "see the live weighing" before ordering, and check the bill carefully (some tourists have been overcharged by 1.5 kg). 4⃣️ Weather Warnings: Follow the "Shengsi Meteorology" official account. All ferries are suspended in winds above level 8. 5⃣️ Environmental Scams: The "release sea turtles" promoted by some homestays are actually Brazilian turtles (invasive species). Refuse to participate. 🗺️ Itinerary Planning 🟢 3 Days 2 Nights Classic Route D1: Shanghai → Sijiao Island → Jihu Beach (afternoon beachcombing) → Seafood feast → Left Bank Highway cycling D2: Liujingtan sunrise → Donghai Fishing Village (murals + fishing experience) → Island hopping to Gouqi Island → Abandoned village exploration D3: East Cliff sunrise → Return (optional day trip to Hua Bird Island) 🟢 5 Days 4 Nights In-Depth Tour D1-D2: Same as above D3: Gouqi Island → Hua Bird Island (Mata Line hike) → Bioluminescent sea observation D4: Hua Bird Lighthouse → Return to Sijiao → Experience night fishing in the fishing port D5: Dabeishan Yunlan → Purchase seafood → Return 🧳 Tips: There is often heavy sea fog in Apr-Jun, so it is recommended to bring a windproof lighter (ordinary lighters are prone to moisture and failure). Wishing you the most beautiful trip to Shengsi!