Best Time to Visit Sanya

December to March: the dry, easy months

This is when Sanya works best. Days are warm but not heavy, and you'll get plenty of dry afternoons. December and January are the coolest, with highs of 25°C and 26°C. That's fine for the beach, though the sea can feel fresh if you swim a lot. By February and March it's properly warm, and the humidity eases a little.

It's also high season. Chinese visitors escaping northern winters fill Dalian-to-Harbin flights south, and the hotels along Yalong Bay and Dadonghai fill up. Spring Festival (Chinese New Year, in late January or February) is the busiest and priciest stretch. If you hate crowds, aim for early December or March instead.

April and May: hot and getting wetter

April is still a decent shoulder month. It's hot, with highs around 32°C, and showers become more common. Sun-lovers can still get good beach days. Travelling on a budget? You'll find calmer beaches and easier hotel deals than in winter.

May is where things turn. Rain falls on 18 days, and the air feels sticky even at night. Plan beach time for mornings, then retreat to indoor spots like the duty-free mall in Haitang Bay when the sky closes in.

June to October: the wet season

Be honest with yourself about this one. From June to October it's warm, humid and often grey. Rain is heavy from July to October, with October the wettest month at 483 mm. Typhoons can cross the South China Sea in these months, and they can shut ferries, flights and water sports for a day or two.

The upside is low prices and quiet sand. School holidays in July and August bring family crowds, though, so it's not empty then. Travelling with kids? Keep plans flexible and pick a hotel with a big pool. Diving and snorkelling at Wuzhizhou Island are best on calm days, which are rarer now.

November: the turning point

November is a fair choice if you want to beat the winter rush. Rain drops to 119 mm, and evenings start to feel more comfortable. Showers still pop up, so don't count on a perfect run. By December, the dry season is back and the crowds follow.