Weizhou Island, China's largest and youngest volcanic island, lies quietly on the surface of the Beibu Gulf, 21 nautical miles from Beihai city center. It is not a Maldives-style vacation fantasy,
Weizhou Island, China's largest and youngest volcanic island, lies quietly on the surface of the Beibu Gulf, 21 nautical miles from Beihai city center. It is not a Maldives-style vacation fantasy, but a living volcanic geological museum + fishing village life theater + niche artistic utopia — obsidian-like basalt coast, volcanic crater relics erupted 12,000 years ago, century-old Catholic church, fishermen drying cuttlefish, French-style arches on arcade streets, and molten gold flowing on Dripping Danping at sunset... There is no overdeveloped hustle and bustle here, only sea breeze, waves, volcanic rock, and the warmth of human life.
1. Best Time to Visit: Avoid Typhoon Season, Lock in the Spring and Autumn Golden Periods
✅ April–June & September–October (Double Golden Seasons):
• Temperature 22–28°C, calm and clear sea, high visibility, ideal for diving, snorkeling, and beachcombing;
• Moderate number of tourists, reasonable homestay prices, easy to buy boat tickets, soft photography light;
✅ November–February (Winter Serenity):
• Fewer tourists, more sunny days, exclusive enjoyment of colorful beach sunrises and Dripping Danping sunsets;
• Crisp sea breeze, delicious seafood (sandworms, squid, grouper in season), perfect for slow, in-depth travel;
⚠️ Be cautious choosing July–September (High Typhoon Season):
• On average 1–2 typhoons per month, frequent temporary suspension of boat services, frequent power outages and internet disconnections on the island;
❌ Avoid May Day, National Day first day, and weekend mornings — boat tickets sell out instantly, popular attractions are crowded.
2. Transportation: Boat is the Only Access, Booking Early is Key
🚢 Boat is the only way in and out (no airport, no bridge):
• Departure ports: Beihai International Passenger Port (main port, most frequent sailings) or Weizhou Island return → Beihai Silver Beach Pier (backup);
• Duration: 1.5 hours (fast boat) / 2.5 hours (slow boat);
• Ticket prices: Standard cabin ¥150, business cabin ¥180, half price for children/seniors;
✅ Ticket purchase tips:
• Search “Beibu Gulf Tourism” official WeChat account, tickets released 5 days in advance (three batches daily at 10:00, 14:00, 16:00);
• Recommended to buy round-trip combined tickets (including boarding and leaving), return tickets are harder to get;
• Boat schedules are highly weather-dependent, check “Beihai Maritime Safety Administration” announcements 24 hours before departure.
🚌 Island transportation:
• Electric cart rental (preferred): ¥60–80/day (includes helmet + insurance), full island loop about 28 km, stop freely;
• Sightseeing bus (island loop line): ¥80/person/2 days, covers 12 major attractions, audio guide, suitable for elderly/families;
• Taxi/charter: ¥300–500/day, suitable for multi-point in-depth tours or rainy day travel.
3. Tickets and Opening Information: One Island, One Ticket, Full Access
🎫 Island entry ticket: ¥98/person, includes all attractions (Crocodile Mountain Volcano Park, Dripping Danping, Colorful Beach, Shiluokou, Catholic Church, etc.), one-time purchase, valid for 7 days;
🎫 Discounts: Free for children under 6 years old or under 1.2 meters tall; half price (¥49) for seniors over 60 with ID and full-time students with student ID;
⏰ Opening hours: Open year-round, attractions 07:30–17:30 (some viewing platforms open until 19:00 at sunset);
✅ Reservation reminder: Boat ticket includes attraction reservation, no separate booking needed; but it is recommended to bind ID information in the “Beibu Gulf Tourism” app in advance for quick entry by scanning ID.
4. Must-Visit “Five Core Secret Spots”: Volcano, Sea Erosion, Faith, and Life
🔹 Crocodile Mountain Volcano Park (a must!):
• China’s first island-type volcanic geological park, climb the “Lighthouse Viewing Platform” to overlook the volcanic crater, sea erosion gullies, and lava tunnels;
• Recommended route: volcanic crater site → Coral Museum (free, exhibits Weizhou coral specimens) → Lighthouse → Sea erosion plankwalk (thrilling, hold the railing in strong wind);
🔹 Dripping Danping (Sunset Ceiling):
• Basalt cliff walls soaked by rainwater, water drips like a pearl curtain all year round; at sunset, the entire red cliff glows golden, reflecting on the sea, breathtakingly beautiful;
🔹 Colorful Beach (Sunrise Sanctuary):
• Exposed volcanic rock layers after tide show brown, yellow, gray, green, and purple stripes; scattered reefs, changing light and shadow, a photography legend;
🔹 Catholic Church (Century-old French Heritage):
• Built in 1882 by French missionaries, Gothic spires + Chinese blue bricks, stained glass windows light up like oil paintings, Sunday mass held weekly (respect religious customs);
🔹 Shiluokou Beach (Water-friendly Choice):
• Fine sand, gentle slope, crystal-clear water, equipped with a professional diving center (¥380+ for diving experience), parasailing, jet skiing, also suitable for quiet wading.
5. Classic Tour Routes: Efficient Two Days × In-depth Three Days × Artistic Slow Travel
✅ Efficient Two-Day Route (compact highlights):
Day 1: Crocodile Mountain Volcano Park (all day) → Dripping Danping sunset;
Day 2: Colorful Beach sunrise → Catholic Church → Shiluokou swimming/diving → Evening stroll at Nanwan Street night market;
✅ In-depth Three-Day Route (geology + culture):
Day 1: Crocodile Mountain → Nanwan Old Street (arcades, seafood market, Dripping Danping);
Day 2: Colorful Beach → Shengtang Village Catholic Church → Zhujiang Village volcanic crater relics → Overnight at Dripping Village stargazing;
Day 3: Shiluokou → Weizhou Island Shell Beach (niche) → Buy cuttlefish jerky/shrimp cakes as souvenirs before departure;
✅ Artistic Slow Travel Route (for couples/photographers):
Stay in Dripping Village homestay → Morning shoot at Colorful Beach → Afternoon writing postcards at church café → Evening wading at Shiluokou → Wait for sunset at Dripping Danping → Eat a bowl of “Crab Noodles” on Nanwan Street.
6. Authentic Cuisine: Seafood is King, Fire and Smoke are Flavor
🍜 Must-try flavors:
• Weizhou abalone porridge / sandworm scrambled eggs: freshly caught at the pier in the morning, fresh, sweet, and tender, recommended at “Grandma’s Seafood Porridge”;
• Charcoal-grilled squid / cuttlefish jerky braised with pork belly: grilled live by night market vendors, fragrant with sauce;
• Crab noodles (local specialty): soup made from Weizhou small crabs, smooth rice noodles, served with sour bamboo shoots and fried tofu skin;
🍵 Hidden flavor: “Volcanic Stone Café” beside Dripping Danping, hand-brewed Yunnan beans + sea view terrace, a cup to toast the volcano and the sea.
7. Accommodation Recommendations: Stay in Dripping Village for Sunset, Stay on Nanwan Street for Convenience
✅ Dripping Village (best for views): such as “Dripping·Yunqi” and “Volcanic Stone House,” open the window to see Danping, many private hot spring homestays (¥400–900/night);
✅ Nanwan Old Street (convenient choice): such as “Weizhou Island Shijian” and “Nanwan Story,” walking distance to pier/night market/church, full of local life atmosphere (¥300–600/night);
✅ Shiluokou (water-friendly choice): such as “Shiluokou·Yujian,” right at the beach, suitable for families with children (¥350–700/night);
⚠️ Reminder: No star-rated hotels on the island, mainly homestays, book 7–15 days in advance during peak season.
8. Practical Tips and Ecological Code
⚠️ Safety first:
• Colorful Beach and Dripping Danping reefs are slippery, wear non-slip shoes;
• Non-swimmers should not enter non-swimming areas, beware of rip currents;
• Wear a headlamp when cycling at night, some sections have no streetlights;
✅ Environmental commitment:
• Plastic banned island-wide (biodegradable bags provided), bring your own water bottle and toiletries;
• Do not collect coral, disturb birds (red-billed gulls, egrets habitats), or step on volcanic rock moss;
✅ Download the “Weizhou Island Tourism” app for real-time boat schedules, tides, weather, and crowd info; follow the “Weizhou Island Release” WeChat official account for authoritative notices.
The charm of Weizhou Island lies not in its “perfection,” but in its “authenticity” — it is the breath after volcanic cooling, the laughter of fishermen hauling nets, the church bells blending with the sound of waves, and the moment you put down your phone and barefoot step on warm basalt in peaceful silence. When you stand before Dripping Danping and watch the sunset dye the entire island amber, you will understand: some distant places are worth traveling halfway across China to reach.