Not far from the urban sprawl of Shenzhen lie some of South China’s most beautiful stretches of accessible coastline. Several of Shenzhen’s most popular beaches are found along the Dapeng Peninsula. Whether you want to have a weekend beach party with your friends (and don’t mind mixing with hoards of locals and tourists sharing the beach front), or just want a quiet solitude to relax after the stresses of downtown life, there are a number of beach getaways within an hour or so drive from Shenzhen.

Residents who live in Shekou and Nanshan who have seen and smelled the questionable waters there might think that by swimming in the sea in Shenzhen you are taking your life into your own hands. While it is true that the water around the immediate city is highly polluted due to heavy industry and aquaculture, a taxi ride for about an hour to the east will unveil stunningly clean beaches and tropical scenery more reminiscent of Hainan. Furthermore, these resorts have a range of accommodation that reflects their popularity, from big-name five star resorts to more price-conscience hotels. Here is a rundown of a few of Shenzhen’s hottest beaches.

1) Dameisha 大梅沙
This is perhaps the most well-known beach in Shenzhen. Situated about 45 minutes from Luohu (longer if the traffic is heavy), the beach is accessible from anywhere in Shenzhen (It’s an easy taxi ride to get there). It must be said that Dameisha can become incredibly crowded, especially on weekends or public holidays, but if you haven’t had your beach fix since moving to Shenzhen, you should be able to get past this issue. Dameisha is also a major destination for expats who want to throw beach parties for hundreds of people, often lasting until the early morning hours. These hedonistic affairs are advertised in local expat magazines and in bars in downtown Shenzhen. Look out for them over the summer months.

For those of you who are looking for something a little more civilised, Dameisha also has a plethora of up-market hotels where you can unwind with opulence. Big names like the Sheraton blend in with other quality establishments like the Pattaya Hotel, ensuring that you can still enjoy the frenetic buzz of the beach scene but can retire in luxury whenever you choose.   

Dameisha BeachView In Map
Add: Dameisha, Yantian District, Shenzhen
地址：深圳市盐田区大梅沙
Coach: Take bus  no.103, 360, 364 to the Dameisha Beach

2) Xiaomeisha  小梅沙
If you are looking for somewhere a little less crowded than Dameisha, then try Xiaomeisha beach. Although this beautiful area still draws the crowds, it is certainly more serene and you won’t be forced to sit cheek by jowl with other beach users. Xiaomeisha is situated a little further east, but is still only around an hour’s drive from downtown Shenzhen. The proximity of this beach to the city centre has drawn a crowd of water sports enthusiasts over the last few years. At the beach, local companies cater to a variety of activities including motorboat hire. This beach is popular with a few surf-loving expats who miss the big waves back home, and they reliably inform me that there are great waves to be caught, especially after a typhoon has blown through the area! As well as the white sandy beach, there are hundreds of metres of rugged coastline which offer the opportunity for a spot of shore fishing.

In terms of accommodation, Xiaomeisha offers beach getaways to suit most budgets. The fact that the area is less developed that at Dameisha means that hotel prices are likely to be slightly lower. However, Xiaomeisha is conveniently located so you can take a taxi or public transport back to Shenzhen after a pleasant daytrip.     

Xiaomeisha BeachView In Map
Add: Xiaomeisha, Yantian District, Shenzhen
地址：深圳市盐田区大梅沙
Bus: Take bus no.103 to the last bus stop

3) Nan’ao南澳
If the stress of city life is really getting too much for you, you might want to consider spending a weekend at Nan’ao beach. This resort is the furthest from Shenzhen and the most underdeveloped which means it is likely to be pretty much deserted outside of peak season. What could be more satisfying than having a glorious tropical beach (nearly) all to yourself as you languish on the sands watching the tide thunder in? If all this sounds too good to be true, then the even better news is that Nan’ao beach is based around a fishing village, which means tremendously fresh seafood served in a range of local restaurants. Indeed, the majority of people you are likely to bump into are the native fisherman, and it is inspiring to see how they maintain their traditional way of life despite being so close to one of the richest cities in China.

Because Nan’ao is on the smaller side, the choice of accommodation is fairly limited, although you can book a hotel room for a few hundred RMB per night, which is cheaper than either Dameisha or Xiaomeisha.

Nan’ao BeachView In Map
Add: Nan’ao, Longgang District, Shenzhen
地址：深圳市龙岗区南澳
Coach: Take bus 360 and get off at the Nan’ao Beach stop

With such wonderful coastal scenery on offer in Shenzhen, you may want to think twice before booking your next holiday to the Philippines or Thailand. All three of these beaches can make a great day out or even a longer break. 

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Keywords: Shenzhen Beaches surfing Shenzhen Shenzhen summer beach beach getaways Shenzhen