Dapeng in Shenzhen is a no-fail spot for family beach trips! A mom tested 6 beaches, and these 3 are must-go

Taking kids to the beach in Shenzhen really tests your planning skills! I was previously misled to two “bad beaches” that were either dirty and messy or overcrowded, making my kid cry and say “I never want to see the sea again.” So I visited all the beaches in Dapeng one by one and put together this mom-tested guide, clearly pointing out the good and the bad. Follow this for a stress-free and happy family beach day~ 1. Dongchong: Mom’s No.1! Kids can play in the waves and collect shells, clean and safe As a mom who grew up in a coastal city, Dongchong’s sea really amazed me—it’s the biggest, cleanest, and most beautiful beach I’ve taken my kid to! The water is so clear you can see the small stones underwater. My kid lay by the shore watching little fish swim around, quietly playing for half an hour; the sand is soft and feels great barefoot, and my kid ran chasing little crabs without any worry about hurting their feet. There’s not a speck of trash on the beach, so I didn’t have to clean up other people’s garbage while watching my kid, which is a huge plus! Last time we went, the waves were over two meters high, and my kid excitedly grabbed my hand to jump the waves. But safety is key—I lost my footing and got knocked into the water like a “washing machine,” but luckily I caught my kid in time so he wasn’t scared. We also collected some live shells; my kid put them in a little bucket and kept telling me, “Mom, the shells move!”—these little joys are so heartwarming~ ⚠️ Important tip: Dongchong requires an entrance ticket, 30 RMB per person. For such a great environment, this price is really worth it, so don’t hesitate because of the ticket fee! 2. Nan’ao: Perfect weather for family photos! The 7-ELEVEN by the sea is a must-visit, wear beach shoes on the wild beach Nan’ao’s sea depends on luck with the weather. When it’s good, the water is a deep blue, like a sapphire. Taking photos with kids on the beach, every shot looks like a masterpiece! The beach is clean with no trash, so kids can play with sand and build sandcastles without issues. However, we went to a wild beach where the sand isn’t very fine and can be a bit sharp on the feet, so I recommend kids wear beach shoes to avoid discomfort. The 7-ELEVEN Haibei Bay store here is a must-visit with kids! It has a sea-view dining area where you can buy ice cream and sit by the window watching the ocean. My kid was so happy clapping their hands. Last time it was too crowded to get a full shot of the dining area, which was a bit disappointing, but the nearby shops are also very charming and well-decorated. It’s nice to stroll with kids and buy some souvenirs. Just navigate to “7-ELEVEN Haibei Bay store” to get there~ ✅ Advantages: No entrance fee, great value, perfect for moms who love photography and want to create memories with their kids. 3. Xichong: Dongchong’s “budget alternative”! Fewer people, peaceful, easy for kids to play Xichong’s environment is very similar to Dongchong’s, with clean water and trash-free sand, so it’s basically kid-friendly. But compared to Dongchong, Xichong’s sea view isn’t as stunning and the waves are smaller, making it ideal for moms who prefer a quieter spot with kids. If Dongchong is too crowded or you want to avoid peak times, Xichong is a good choice where kids can quietly play in the sand without the crowds. ⚠️ Ticket info: Xichong’s entrance fee is 24 RMB per person, 6 RMB cheaper than Dongchong, so moms on a budget might want to consider it~ 4. Jiediaosha: Don’t choose this for watching the sunrise with kids! Small beach, unsafe, dark shadows in the water We originally planned to watch the sunrise at Jiediaosha with the kids, but when we arrived, it wasn’t open yet and they didn’t allow entry. My husband and I waited a long time but the gate never opened, so on impulse, we climbed over the wall (really don’t imitate this! It’s very dangerous—what if you fall?). The beach is very small; my kid ran a few steps and reached the end, no space to play. Although the water looked clear, I saw dark, unclear shadows in it. I immediately pulled my kid back who wanted to go in, not daring to let him touch the water because I didn’t know what it was and didn’t want any risk. We ended up digging a big hole in the sand and left without seeing the sunrise or having fun. Not recommended for kids. 5. Guanhu: Avoid with kids! Lots of trash, uncomfortable to walk, water seems contaminated Guanhu was a nightmare for taking kids to the beach! The beach was full of trash left by visitors—plastic bags, snack wrappers, even half-eaten watermelon. My kid frowned and said, “So dirty,” and I felt embarrassed. The water wasn’t clean either, looking murky and like it might have E. coli. Although I braved going in, I was constantly worried. What frustrated me most was the sand in the water was very rough, every step felt like stepping on small stones, and I had to watch out for rock piles to avoid hurting my kid’s feet. It was the complete opposite of the carefree wave-jumping feeling at Dongchong. Taking kids here is just suffering, definitely not recommended! 6. Dashaomeisha and Xiaoshaomeisha: Overcrowded and unhygienic, absolutely don’t take kids Don’t take kids to Dashaomeisha and Xiaoshaomeisha! Every time I went, it was packed with people, the beach and water were crowded like dumplings in a pot. My kid couldn’t play properly and was easily bumped by others. The water isn’t clean, and there’s a lot of trash on the sand. I even heard about E. coli exceeding limits. I didn’t even dare let my kid get close to the water. Every visit was regrettable—definitely avoid with kids!