Sanya (China)

Sanya is a South China Sea port located on the southern coast of Hainan Island (China). The seaport is operated the whole year round. The city has population around 0,7 million. This exotic Chinese island has tropical climate and is often called "China’s Hawaii", featuring over 20 km (12 mi) long beach stretches, great opportunities for water sport activities (jet-skiing, snorkeling), numerous modern-designed luxury hotels.

Sanya City is served by an international airport (Sanya Phoenix) with mainly domestic flights from mainland China. Bus lines from other parts of the island are served by the city's bus terminal. City bus line 8 connects the airport with Dadonghai Beach (popular tourist destination). Other popular vacation destinations on the island are Yalong Bay and Haitang Bay. A free bus shuttle runs from Luhuitou Square to Haitang Bay (stopping at Duty-Free Shopping Center - China's largest shopping mall.

An Intercity Rail (linking Sanya with Haikou) runs along the island's east coast. The railway has a total of 15 stations in between. As trains travel fast (speeds up to 250 kph / 160 mph), the travel time Sanya to Haikou is approx 1,5 hours. There is also a High-Speed Railway (along the island's west coast) also linking Sanya and Haikou.

Port Sanya

Among the cruise companies visiting Port Sanya on their ships' Asian itineraries are Royal Caribbean International, Costa Asia and Genting Cruise Lines (Star Cruises, and Dream Cruises). Here were often homeported the ships SuperStar Aquarius and SuperStar Virgo for voyages to Vietnam (Halong Bay and Danang-Hue).

The lack of large vessel berthing capacity was a major obstacle for the cruise port’s growth, as since its opening in 2006, the port had capacity to handle just one vessel at a time, and of smaller size (max tonnage 80,000 GT tons). To cope with the problem, Port Sanya started a development project at total cost USD 480 million.

In 2014, the cruise port handled a total of 71 ship calls and over 156,000 passengers. In 2015 was opened a new berth with capacity to handle RCI's Voyager-class ships (140,000 GT tons). In 2016, the port's total cruise ship capacity was increased to 7 berths and the ability to handle even the world's largest passenger ships (up to 250,000 GT tons).

On November 5, 2017, here was held the "China Cruise Shipping Conference" (combined with an "International Expo"). The annual event was the 12th organized by "China Cruise and Yacht Industry Association" and hosted by "China Communications and Transportation Association". Here were represented all operating in Asia cruise companies, as well as major Chinese ports, shipyards and vessel suppliers.

In December 2017, was launched a new route connecting the seaport to the Philippines. On January 27, 2018, was launched 2 new cruise routes connecting Sanya with Vietnam. The new (scheduled for Jan 27 - March 20, 2018) services included the 3-day itinerary Sanya-Da Nang-Nha Trang and the 6-day itinerary Sanya-Nha Trang-Ho Chi Minh City. The boat deployed on these routes has nearly 400 staterooms, 2 restaurants, theater lounge, casino, duty-free shops.

In May 2019, China’s Ministry of Transport officially approved Cruises to Nowhere leaving roundtrip from homeports Haikou (Haidian Island) and Sanya. The deal allows China-based liners to operate on itineraries not visiting a foreign port.

In September 2020, GCL-Genting Cruise Lines (GHK-owned company) announced a strategic partnership with Sanya CBD (Central Business District) Administration to establish a joint venture company for Dream Cruises' homeporting operations in Port Sanya. The new joint venture manages exclusively domestic roundtrip cruise itineraries from Port Sanya and supports the development of the ship cruise tourism (Hainan Free Trade Port) zone on Hainan Island. Sanya CBD is one of all 11 districts and parks implementing Hainan's free trade port policies and a national travel corporation, also managing the district's yachting and cruise shipping division.

Sanya cruise terminal

Sanya tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

• Tianya Haijiao: situated at the Xiamaling Mountain foot, this scenic spot has a scenery rarely found anywhere else. Located about 23 km from Sanya cruise port.  To get there take a minibus from downtown called “Nanshan” or “Tianya”. The opening hours are 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Asian Dragon Bay: or Yalong Bay is 25 km from Sanya cruise port. It is situated in the Hainan Province southernmost part. Here is where you can find the best beach in Sanya. In the north part of the Bay, you can find the Butterfly Valley – one of China’s top 5 halls that present the most precious species of butterflies in the country. To get there, take the Special Tourist Bus (double-deck) or Bus 15 from downtown. The opening hours are 7.30 a.m – 6 p.m. (both Yalong Bay and the Sanya Butterfly Valley).
• Luhuitou Park: located on a high hill, the park gives stunning views of Sanya and its surroundings. In the park is situated a 12-meter statue commemorating a local legend of a brave young hunter and a mountain deer that transformed into a beautiful young girl. To get there take a Special Tourist Bus from downtown. Opening hours are 7 a.m – 10 p.m.