Plan at a glance
Island scope and access
Donghai Island is a driving-oriented coastal destination in the Donghai Island Resort Area, Mazhang District. Longhaitian Beach suits sand and water time, Pearl Bay Fishing Harbour suits returning boats and sunset, and Dongshan Mangrove suits ecological walking; they are spread across the island.
The island and beaches are free with no booking required, and summer hours are 07:30–19:00. Swimming is prohibited from 1 November to 30 April each year; water activities and camping areas may charge separately.
How much time to allow
Allow 2–3 hours for Longhaitian Beach alone, or a full day for sunrise, mangroves, Longshui Ridge, the cross-sea bridge and Pearl Bay. Use two days if you want tide-dependent shore activities, camping or to continue to Naozhou Island.
This is not a walkable city beach with dense services. A car or confirmed island transport is what makes the beach, harbour and ecology stops work as one route.
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Use the standard admission package for the core shuttle route; confirm the visit date and current opening hours before checkout.
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2–3 hours: Longhaitian Beach
Use Longhaitian for paddling, the "China's Longest Beach" marker, coconut groves and beach activity areas. It suits an arrival-day stop or visitors who only want sea and sand.
Walk farther from the main entrance for a quieter stretch. Morning or after 16:00 is more comfortable than the unshaded midday period.
One day: nature and fishing harbour
Watch sunrise at Longhaitian, walk the Dongshan Mangrove boardwalk, take the light hike at Longshui Ridge, photograph sunset near the Donghai Island cross-sea bridge, then watch fishing boats return at Pearl Bay. This works best for first-time visitors with a car or arranged transport.
Space the mangrove, hill and harbour stops around weather and energy. Do not compress the final transfer just to reach sunset after an overfull day.
Two days: shore activities and slower travel
Use day one for Longhaitian water time, beach camping and bridge sunset; use day two for mangrove shore activities at low tide, fishing-net experiences and a continuation to Naozhou Island. This separates tide timing from ferry and return travel.
Families and campers should treat tide, supplies and sun protection as essentials. Without a vehicle, do not force Naozhou Island into the same day.
Build your day
Morning beach, then ecology and ridge
Start at Longhaitian for sunrise and beach time, then move to the Dongshan Mangrove boardwalk for fiddler crabs and mudskippers. Continue to Longshui Ridge for an open view over the island.
The ridge is a basalt landscape and a light hike, so wear suitable shoes and carry water. Avoid placing the climb at the very end of a hot, exhausting day.
Finish at the bridge and Pearl Bay
Move toward the cross-sea bridge in the afternoon for sunset, then continue to Pearl Bay Fishing Harbour for the returning boats and harbour activity. This keeps the island's longest transfers in the later, cooler part of the day.
If you eat at the harbour, confirm seafood prices and preparation charges before buying. Ask about pricing and weighing before placing an order rather than adding dishes afterward.
Get there
Driving, taxis and parking
Drive to Donghai Island Resort Area or Longhaitian Beach via the Donghai Island cross-sea bridge. Island parking is generally CNY 10–20 per day, and driving is the most effective way to cover Longhaitian, mangroves, Longshui Ridge and Pearl Bay.
From central Zhanjiang, a taxi takes about one hour and costs around CNY 100; from Zhanjiang West Railway Station it takes around 40 minutes. Holiday return cars can be scarce, so do not depend on finding one at a remote island stop.
Buses and island movement
Routes 503 and 508 run from Xiashan Gongnong Road, route 511 from Zhanjiang West Railway Station, and K3, K1 and 608 also reach Longhaitian. They suit a beach-only plan, but service intervals make them inefficient for a full-island route.
Do not rely on spontaneous taxis between dispersed island sights. Without a car, keep the plan around one beach area or use confirmed e-bike, charter or accommodation transport.
Know before you go
Swimming, tides and weather
Swimming is prohibited from 1 November to 30 April and is otherwise limited to designated safe areas; respect wind and sea conditions. For shore activities, go at low tide with a small bucket, tool and water shoes, and do not enter tidal flats as the tide rises.
Bring high-factor sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and repellent. The beach has little shade, while mangrove areas have more mosquitoes; water shoes are safer than flip-flops for shore activities.
Supplies, spending and alternatives
Large shopping areas are limited within 15 km, so carry water and snacks. For seafood, buy from a market or clearly priced outlet and confirm price, weighing and preparation fees before paying.
If the Longhaitian entrance is crowded, Long'an Village and other smaller fishing villages can provide a quieter beach and parking alternative. Do not let a camping, swimming or shore plan outrun your supplies or weather judgment.
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