Weizhou Island (涠洲岛) sits in the Beibu Gulf off Guangxi’s coast, China’s largest and youngest volcanic island. Its black basalt cliffs, coral platforms, and sheltered bays make it a natural playground—ideal for snorkeling, diving, and tidepooling, with sunsets that blaze orange over the South China Sea.

History runs deep here. French missionaries built a coral-stone Gothic church in the 1860s amid mango groves; fishing villages have hugged the coast for centuries. Today, Weizhou balances laid-back island life with a protected National Geopark where lava flows, blowholes, and sea arches are on full display along the spectacular Crocodile Hill (鳄鱼山) trails.

Practical notes: ferries can be weather-dependent (typhoons July–September), so build in buffer time. Electric scooters and sightseeing cars are the best way to get around. Respect the reefs—use reef-safe sunscreen and avoid stepping on living coral. Seafood rules here: mantis shrimp, scallops, mud crabs, and grilled oysters are local staples.

Weizhou Island (涠洲岛)

Weizhou’s coastline is a mosaic: the sunrise-washed Five-Color Beach (五彩滩), swimmable Shiluokou Beach (石螺口), and lava ledges crashing with surf at the Volcano National Geopark. Inland, mango orchards frame narrow lanes where scooters buzz between cafés, dive shops, and seafood markets.

• Top sights: Crocodile Hill Volcano Geopark boardwalks, Weizhou Catholic Church, Five-Color Beach sunrise, Shiluokou Beach, Piglet Hill (猪仔岭) viewpoint, East Bay (东湾) tidepools, lighthouse vistas.
• Activities: Snorkeling or intro dives (try-dive), sea kayaking, cycling loop of the island, night-sky photography, seafood market shopping with cook-in restaurants.
• Food & drink: Island seafood porridge, wok-fried mantis shrimp with garlic, grilled oysters slathered with scallion-chili, mango smoothies, coconut lattes at sea-view cafés.

Where to stay: Browse island stays on Hotels.com (Weizhou Island) or apartment-style options on VRBO (Weizhou Island). If island inventory is tight, base in Beihai and ferry across for multi-night stays.

Getting there: Fly into Beihai (BHY) or Nanning (NNG) with Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. From Nanning, the high-speed train to Beihai takes ~1–1.5 hours (¥70–120) via Trip.com trains. Ferries from Beihai International Passenger Port to Weizhou run ~70–90 minutes; economy seats usually ¥120–180 each way (VIP cabins ¥180–260). Bring passport/ID and arrive 40–60 minutes early.

Beihai (北海)

The mainland gateway to Weizhou Island, Beihai is an old port with Silver Beach (银滩)—a long, pale strand with gentle surf—and a photogenic “Old Street” (Zhongshan Road) of arcaded buildings. It’s a convenient overnight before or after the island.

Stay & search: See hotels near the ferry and Silver Beach on Hotels.com (Beihai) or apartment rentals on VRBO (Beihai). Taxis from BHY airport to the ferry port are ~40–60 minutes (¥60–90).

Eat & wander: Snack your way through Old Street—shrimp cakes (虾饼), rice rolls (肠粉), sweet soups (糖水)—then take a golden-hour stroll along Silver Beach’s flat sands.

Day 1: Arrive in Beihai, Old Street Flavors, Silver Beach Sunset

Morning: In transit. Compare routes into BHY or NNG on Trip.com flights. If you land in Nanning, the high-speed train to Beihai runs frequently (1–1.5h) via Trip.com trains.

Afternoon: Check into your Beihai hotel near Old Street or the ferry. Coffee break at a local café near Zhongshan Road; try a coconut latte or iced Yunnan pour-over. Stroll Old Street’s arcades and heritage shopfronts; pick up dried seafood or mango sweets as ferry snacks.

Evening: Head to Silver Beach for a gentle swim or just powder-soft sand time. Dinner at a seafood “加工” (cook-in) restaurant near the fish market: choose live mantis shrimp, scallops, and clams from tanks; have them wok-fried with garlic and chili, steamed with ginger, or baked with vermicelli. Order a big claypot seafood congee to share. Nightcap: fruit tea or herbal jelly dessert on Old Street.

Day 2: Ferry to Weizhou Island, Shiluokou Beach, Seafood Night

Morning: Taxi to Beihai International Passenger Port (arrive 45–60 minutes early). Ferry to Weizhou (70–90 minutes; economy ¥120–180). Dock at Weizhou; hop a minivan or e-scooter rental (usually ¥80–120/day; ask for helmets) to your guesthouse near Shiluokou or Shengtang Village.

Afternoon: Beach time at Shiluokou Beach—gentle surf, lifeguards in season, snorkel-friendly on calm days. Rent a mask and fins (¥30–60) near the dive shops. Lunch at a beach shack: garlic-butter grilled oysters, stir-fried water spinach with fermented tofu, and iced coconut.

Evening: Browse Shengtang Village market; pick seafood at stalls and take it next door to a “海鲜加工” kitchen (look for posted per-dish cooking fees and transparent scale weights). Try ginger-steamed swimming crab, black pepper mantis shrimp, and sweet soy-braised eggplant. After dinner, grab mango sticky rice or a mango smoothie from a nearby stand and listen to buskers on the square.

Day 3: Five-Color Beach Sunrise and Crocodile Hill Volcano Geopark

Morning: Pre-dawn ride to Five-Color Beach (五彩滩) for sunrise on the exposed coral platforms. Best at low tide; check your guesthouse for tide charts. After photos, a simple island breakfast: rice noodles with fish broth (鱼汤粉) and a soy milk.

Afternoon: Explore the Weizhou Island Volcano National Geopark (Crocodile Hill/鳄鱼山). Follow boardwalks past columnar basalt, blowholes, and sea-arches. Expect 2–3 hours with scenic stops; tickets typically ¥100–130 including internal shuttle. Bring sun protection, water, and sturdy sandals.

Evening: Golden-hour at the Lighthouse area or Piglet Hill viewpoint for a panoramic sunset. Dinner at a courtyard kitchen near Shengtang: sizzling iron-plate cuttlefish with garlic chives, steamed grouper in soy-ginger sauce, and taro leaves sautéed with dried shrimp. Night walk back under bright island stars.

Day 4: Snorkel or Intro Dive, Mango Groves, Stargazing

Morning: Join a snorkeling trip or an introductory dive (try-dive) with a reputable dive shop (typical snorkel ¥200–350; try-dive ¥500–700 including gear and instructor). Beginners are taken to calm coves; visibility varies by season but is best on calm, sunny mornings.

Afternoon: Refuel with seafood claypot rice or fish head tofu soup near Shiluokou. Then scooter inland through mango orchards; in-season (May–August), many farms sell ripe fruit by weight—ask to try local varieties. Make a café stop for an island coconut latte or a passionfruit spritzer.

Evening: Casual BBQ by the beach: cumin-dusted squid skewers, grilled corn, and scallops with vermicelli. If skies are clear, set up for stargazing on a dark stretch between Shiluokou and East Bay; the Milky Way is visible on moonless nights. Respect quiet hours for nearby homestays.

Day 5: Culture & Village Life—Catholic Church, Markets, and a Cook-In Meal

Morning: Visit the Weizhou Catholic Church (1860s), built from coral stone in Gothic style. Wander its shade-dappled lanes and admire stained-glass light on limestone walls; small donations help with preservation. Grab breakfast buns, soy milk, and fried dough sticks at a nearby stall.

Afternoon: Market hour: browse the Shengtang seafood market for live shellfish, blue swimmer crab, and seasonal catch. Pick your favorites and carry them to a recommended “加工” kitchen—look for clean prep tables, posted prices per cooking method, and busy lunch crowds. Expect cooking fees ¥10–30 per dish plus your seafood cost.

Evening: Sunset promenade along the eastern promenade (滴水丹屏 stretch) where waves splash against lava ledges. Dinner at a homestyle canteen: tomato-egg stir-fry, garlic lobster halves if in budget, and fried rice with salted fish. Try a local sugarcane juice or hawthorn iced tea after.

Day 6: East Coast Cycling Loop, Tidepools, and Sunset Cruise

Morning: Rent bicycles or e-scooters for a full east-coast loop. Stop at East Bay for tidepooling—look for sea stars, urchins, and tiny fish in volcanic potholes; keep hands off living coral. Snack on fresh mango or coconut jelly from a roadside vendor.

Afternoon: Coffee with a view at a cliffside café; pair with a light lunch—tuna rice bowl or Hainan-style chicken over rice. Continue to 滴水丹屏 (Dripping Danping) for surf-spray photos against basalt backdrops. Optional kayak rental if seas are calm (¥80–120/hour).

Evening: Book a short sunset boat ride from the small harbor (often ¥120–200 per person; life jackets required). Watch the island’s silhouette turn indigo. Final seafood feast: ginger-scallion clams, wok-tossed mantis shrimp with black pepper, and steamed okra with garlic. Toast with a cold local beer or mango soda.

Day 7: Slow Island Morning, Ferry Back to Beihai, Departure

Morning: Easy breakfast—fish broth noodles or seafood porridge—and a last swim at Shiluokou if tides permit. Pack, return your scooter, and head to the pier. Keep ferry tickets and ID handy; weather may shift schedules, so confirm departure times the evening prior.

Afternoon: Ferry back to Beihai (70–90 minutes). Quick lunch near the port: wok-fried rice noodles with beef and greens, plus iced lemon tea. Taxi to BHY airport or the train station for onward travel; compare times and fares on Trip.com flights or Trip.com trains.

Evening: If you have extra time, walk Silver Beach one last time for sunset and grab grilled oysters at a local stall before heading out.

Where to Book and What It Costs (Quick Reference)

• Flights: Beihai (BHY) and Nanning (NNG) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com; domestic fares often ¥400–1200 one-way depending on season.
• Train: Nanning ⇄ Beihai, ~1–1.5h, ¥70–120 on Trip.com trains.
• Ferry: Beihai ⇄ Weizhou, 70–90 min, ¥120–180 economy; bring passport/ID and arrive early.
• Lodging: Search Weizhou and Beihai on Hotels.com (Weizhou), VRBO (Weizhou), Hotels.com (Beihai), and VRBO (Beihai).
• On-island transport: E-scooter ¥80–120/day; sightseeing car shuttles ¥20 per ride or day passes when offered; taxis are limited.
• Activities: Geopark ticket ¥100–130; snorkel trips ¥200–350; try-dive ¥500–700; sunset boat ¥120–200.

Seven days on Weizhou Island gives you the rhythm of the place—sunrise reefs, black-lava cliffs, and dinners pulled straight from the sea. With ferries, scooters, and flexible beach time built in, this plan balances signature sights with unscripted island hours.

Leave room for weather and tides, pack reef-safe sunscreen, and let the Beibu Gulf set your pace. You’ll go home smelling faintly of sea salt and grilled oysters—exactly as it should be.