Diving in Southern China
Quick Facts
- • Entry types: Mostly shore entries
- • Expect: Varies by conditions visibility
- • Highlights: Discover Southern China's dive spots
Explore the underwater wonders of Southern China, ecoregion. This region features 10 documented dive spots, each offering unique underwater experiences. Whether you're seeking calm snorkeling bays, challenging freediving depths, or exciting scuba adventures, Southern China has something for every underwater explorer. Browse detailed spot information, check current conditions from recent dive logs, and connect with the local diving community to make the most of your visit.
Regional Context
🏛️ Marine Hierarchy
🌍 Associated Countries
Countries in Southern China (3)
Popular Spots in Southern China (10)
小棕林 Little Palm Beach
Little Palm Beach, situated in Clear Water Bay, Sai Kung, is a notable site for both scuba diving and snorkeling, particularly suitable for beginners and training purposes. The entry is from the shore, leading to a sandy bottom that extends to a depth of 5 meters. Divers can observe hard corals and a variety of marine life, including crabs, clownfish, and various groups of fish, making it an engaging spot for underwater exploration.
東果洲 East Ninepin Island
East Ninepin Island features multiple dive locations with depths ranging from 5 meters to over 20 meters. The shallower areas, between 5m and 10m, are particularly appealing for macro enthusiasts, showcasing a variety of marine life including nudibranchs and frogfishes. In the deeper sections, divers can explore a soft coral garden, revealing a distinct underwater ecosystem. The site is approximately one hour from both Sai Kung Pier and Hebe Haven Pier, and access is via shore entry.
東霸 East Dam
East Dam is situated 18 kilometers from Sai Kung Public Pier and is part of the High Island Reservoir, which is the largest reservoir in Hong Kong by storage volume. The dive site features over 2500 concrete structures shaped like double 'T's or anchors. The depth at this location ranges from 11 to 13 meters. Divers may encounter various marine life, including nudibranchs and lobsters, and there is a possibility of spotting barracudas swimming in the area.
橋咀 Sharp Island
Sharp Island is situated approximately 3 kilometers from Sai Kung Pier and 6 kilometers from Pak Sha Wan. The dive site features a variety of hard corals, predominantly found at depths ranging from 1 to 4 meters, including a notable expanse of Pavona corals. The underwater slope extends to depths of 5 to 9 meters, where divers can observe a high level of biodiversity.
滘西洲
滘西洲 is situated approximately 6-7 kilometers from Sai Kung Pier and Pak Sha Wan. The site features two primary dive locations: Kau Sai Wan, which is near Jin Island, and Whiskey Bay, located towards Sharp Island. The underwater environment includes a coral area at depths of 1 to 3 meters, transitioning to a sandy bottom at 5 to 6 meters. Divers can expect to see schools of juvenile fish between 6 and 10 meters deep, and there are occasional sightings of frogfishes.
火石洲 (西) Basalt Island (West)
Basalt Island (West) is situated approximately 13 kilometers from Sai Kung Pier and Pak Sha Wan Pier. This dive site features depths that can exceed 20 meters, making it suitable for advanced divers. At shallower depths of 4 to 9 meters, divers can explore a rich anemone garden populated with numerous anemonefish. As divers descend past 10 meters, they will encounter a variety of marine life along the sandy and muddy bottoms.
燕子岩 Yin Tsz Ngam
Yin Tsz Ngam is situated just over an hour from Sai Kung Pier. The site features a wreck that dates back to the 1960s, originally a vessel used for transporting cement. This wreck is divided into two sections, with the upper part lying at approximately 6 meters and the lower section reaching depths of around 14 meters. Over the decades, the wreck has become a habitat for various marine life, including lionfish, groupers, and starfishes, making it an interesting dive site for observing these species.
牛尾洲 Shelter Island
牛尾洲, located within 30 minutes from Sai Kung Pier and Pak Sha Wan, is an accessible dive site ideal for beginner divers. The optimal depth for scuba diving ranges from 3 to 5 meters, where divers can explore areas rich in coral. Beyond 6 meters, the bottom transitions to sandy and muddy substrates. Marine life includes goby fishes, scorpionfishes, and clownfishes, along with various macro species. The shallow waters also make it a popular spot for snorkeling activities.
白水碗 Pak Shui Wun
Pak Shui Wun Beach is situated close to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, approximately 15 minutes from Pak Sha Wan. This dive site is accessible by foot from the university or via a speedboat. It features a large sandy bottom, making it suitable for scuba training. Divers can also explore some coral areas within the site, providing a varied underwater environment.
香港浸會園泳池 Hong Kong Baptist Assembly Pool
The Hong Kong Baptist Assembly Pool is a private outdoor facility situated in Fanling, Hong Kong, designed specifically for dive training. The pool has a depth range from 1.2 meters to 3 meters, making it suitable for various levels of scuba diving, freediving, and mermaiding activities. This controlled environment allows for safe practice and skill development in a tranquil setting.