Xunliao Bay from Shenzhen: Perfect Day Trip | 2026

Why Xunliao Bay from Shenzhen?

The Perfect Escape from Shenzhen

Shenzhen’s concrete sprawl has a hidden advantage: some of Guangdong’s best beaches are less than two hours away. Xunliao Bay (巽寮湾) — located in Huidong County (惠东县) on the east coast of the Greater Bay Area — is the most established beach resort area in Huizhou [1]. The 22-kilometer coastline offers golden sand, clear blue water (rated 2nd-best water quality among Guangdong’s major beaches), and a full range of water sports [2]. What makes Xunliao Bay stand out from Shenzhen’s nearby Dapeng Peninsula is its longer beachfront, more mature commercial infrastructure, and consistent availability of water sports equipment rental.

Getting there is straightforward: Shenzhen North Station (深圳北站) → Huizhou South Station (惠州南站) by high-speed rail (~45-55 min, ¥40-50), then a K3 bus or Didi taxi from the station to the beach area (~40-50 min, ¥20-30). Total door-to-beach time: 90-120 minutes.

Author’s Tip: “On weekends and public holidays, the K3 bus from Huizhou South Station to Xunliao Bay fills up by 10:00 AM and buses run infrequently. If you arrive after 10:30 on a Saturday, take a Didi taxi from Huizhou South Station directly — it costs ¥40-50 and takes 35-40 minutes with no waiting.” — OF chan

What Makes This Trip Special

• 22km of Golden Sand: Xunliao Bay’s coastline is approximately 3× the length of Dameisha (大梅沙) in Shenzhen, with wider beaches and less crowding even during peak season.
• Clear Blue Water: Xunliao Bay consistently records 海水清澈度 (water clarity) ratings of “良” (Good) in summer months — a step above most Shenzhen-area beaches. Average visibility in calm conditions: 2-3 meters near the shore.
• Water Sports Hub: The bay hosts over 40 licensed water sports operators with jet skis, banana boats, kayaks, and speedboats available for rental. The area has operated as a coastal resort since the early 2000s, making it the most mature beach destination in Huizhou [2].

Real Visitor Voice: “Left Shenzhen North at 8:40, on the beach by 10:15. We rented jet skis for ¥150/15 min — much cheaper than Hainan. Ate seafood at the morning market (bought sea urchin and crab, had it stir-fried for ¥30 cooking fee). Back in Shenzhen by 18:30. Absolutely worth it.” — Priya M., Bangalore, India, visited May 2026

Getting There from Shenzhen

From Shenzhen

• By High-Speed Rail + Bus (Recommended): Shenzhen North Station (深圳北站) or Shenzhen Station (深圳站) → Huizhou South Station (惠州南站) (~45-55 min, ¥40-50 via high-speed rail). At Huizhou South Station, take K3 Bus (惠东K3快线, ¥8, every 20-30 min, 40-50 min to Xunliao Bay beach area) or book a Didi taxi directly (¥40-50, 35-40 min).
• By Intercity Railway: Shenzhen Metro Line 5 or 11 → Shenzhen Metro Huangbeiling Station (黄贝岭站) → transfer to Shenzhen-Huizhou Intercity Railway (深惠城际) → get off at Xunliao Bay Station (巽寮湾站) (this direct station opened 2023, ¥35-45, 70-80 min from Shenzhen). This is the most convenient door-to-beach option if the station is served.
• By Long-Distance Bus: Shenzhen Longhua Bus Station (深圳龙华汽车站) or Shenzhen Luobao Road Station → Xunliao Bay Bus Station (~1.5-2 hours, ¥45-60). Buses depart every 30-60 minutes from early morning until 19:00.

From Guangzhou

• By High-Speed Rail: Guangzhou South Station (广州南站) → Huizhou South Station (~60-70 min, ¥65-75), then K3 Bus to Xunliao Bay (~40-50 min). Total: approximately 2.5 hours.

From Hong Kong

• Via High-Speed Rail: Hong Kong West Kowloon Station → Shenzhen North Station (~18-25 min, HKD $75-90) → transfer to Huizhou South Station (~50 min, ¥45-55). Total from Hong Kong: approximately 2 hours.

Author’s Tip: “If you’re visiting between July and September (typhoon season), check the Guangdong Coastal Typhoon Warning (广东省台风预警) before departing. When a typhoon warning is issued, ferries to nearby islands (Sanyang Bay, Whale Island) are suspended and the beach may be closed. However, the town itself — restaurants, hotels, boardwalk — remains open and safe.” — OF chan

Perfect Xunliao Bay Day Trip Itinerary

Day Trip (10-11 hours)

Morning (09:30-12:00)
– 09:30 — Arrive at Xunliao Bay beach area. Drop any small luggage at the Xunliao Bay Tourist Service Center (巽寮湾旅游服务中心) lockers (¥10/hour, max ¥50) if you’re carrying bags. Head directly to Golden Beach Area 1 (A1区 / 1号沙滩) — the main public beach with the widest sand and clearest water near the central piers.
– 09:45 — Beach time. Rent an umbrella and sun lounger from the beachside stall operators (¥30-50 for a set, half-day). Swimming area is marked by buoys — stay within the rope zone, monitored by lifeguards from 08:00-18:00.
– 10:30 — Walk south along the 8km coastal boardwalk (滨海栈道) toward Sanyang Bay. The boardwalk passes along the cliff edge with panoramic sea views. Stops at several viewpoints with benches. The full walk to Sanyang Bay takes about 90 minutes — halfway point at Shanmei Temple (妈祖庙) offers a shaded rest with sea-view café.

Lunch (12:00-13:30)
– Recommended: Xunliao Bay Seafood Market (巽寮湾海鲜市场) — the most authentic experience. Arrive at 12:00 before the lunch rush. Choose live seafood from vendor stalls: mantis shrimp (皮皮虾, ¥60-80/jin), sea urchin (海胆, ¥15-25/each), crab (螃蟹, ¥45-70/jin), and clams (花蛤, ¥10-15/jin). Take your selections to the on-site cooking stall (加工费 ¥10-15 per dish). Budget: ¥80-150 per person for a full seafood meal with 4-5 dishes. Alternatively, try Hakka Lei Cha (客家擂茶) at Liuhao Seafood Restaurant (六号海鲜餐厅) on the main coastal road — a local specialty blending ground tea with peanuts, mint, and rice.

Afternoon (13:30-17:00)
– 13:30 — Water sports time. Head to any of the licensed operators along the beach near Pier 3 (3号码头). Rent a jet ski (¥120-150 for 15 minutes, ¥200-250 for 30 minutes), banana boat (¥50-80/person, 10-minute ride), or kayak (¥60-80/hour). All operators require a ¥200-500 deposit (returned after the activity).
– 15:00 — Relax at Sanyang Bay (三阳湾) — the quieter southern section of the beach, accessible by foot along the boardwalk or by the scenic tourist train (景区观光小火车, ¥20/round trip) from the main beach area. Sanyang Bay is a crescent-shaped cove with finer sand and smaller waves, better for swimming than the main beach.
– 16:30 — Visit the Xunliao Bay Coastal Park (滨海公园) at the northern end of the beachfront. The park has a sea-view boardwalk, a Hakka cultural sculpture garden, and a small museum (free entry) covering the maritime history of the coastal fishing village. Good for a relaxed 30-minute walk before departure.

Evening (17:00-18:00)
– 17:00 — Shower and change facilities available at the beach entrance (¥10-15 for fresh water rinse). Collect any checked items.
– 17:30 — Return to Huizhou South Station via K3 Bus or Didi. Recommend boarding the K3 bus at Xunliao Bay Bus Station (巽寮湾汽车站) on the main road — buses run until 19:30. For the return high-speed rail, book a train departing 18:00-19:30 from Huizhou South Station (check 12306 app for availability).
– 19:00-20:00 — Arrive back in Shenzhen.

Author’s Warning: “Xunliao Bay’s public beach is free to enter, but the Umbrella + Sun Lounger rental (¥30-50/set) and Water Sports fees are cash-based at individual operator stalls. Always confirm the total price before riding — some operators quote the per-minute rate rather than the fixed ride fee. For jet skis, the standard rate is ¥150 per 15-minute session. Insist on a printed receipt from the rental desk near Pier 3.” — OF chan

Overnight Stay Option (2 Days)

Day 1: Follow the day-trip itinerary above, but end at 17:00 and check into a beachfront hotel. Options (book 1+ weeks ahead on Ctrip or Agoda): Crowne Plaza Huizhou (惠阳皇冠假日酒店) near the beach — from ¥680/night with sea-view rooms; or the mid-range Xunliao Bay Seaside Hotel (巽寮湾海世界酒店) — from ¥350/night.

Day 2: Morning at Sanyang Bay for a swim, then a seafood hot pot lunch (海鲜火锅) at the morning market. Afternoon visit to Dapeng Fortress (大鹏古城) in Shenzhen’s Dapeng Peninsula — it’s on the way back and makes a perfect second-day cultural stop (free entry, 1.5 hours).

Top Experiences

Golden Beach Area 1 (A1区 / 1号沙滩)

• What: The main public beach at Xunliao Bay — approximately 900 meters of wide golden sand with gentle slope into the sea. The widest section near Pier 2 is designated for swimming (lifeguard-supervised 08:00-18:00 daily in summer).
• Price: Free to enter; umbrella + lounger rental ¥30-50/set
• Duration: 2-3 hours recommended for swimming and sunbathing
• Best time: May to October (peak season July-August). Water temperature: 24-28°C in summer.

Coastal Boardwalk (滨海栈道)

• What: An 8km wooden-and-stone boardwalk running along the cliff edge from Golden Beach in the north to Sanyang Bay in the south. Free to walk. The southern section (closest to Sanyang Bay) has the most dramatic cliff-and-sea scenery.
• Price: Free
• Duration: Full walk: 2-3 hours one way; half-walk to Shanmei Temple: 45 minutes one way
• Best time: Early morning (06:00-08:00) for sunrise over the South China Sea, or late afternoon (16:00-17:30) for golden hour photography

Water Sports at Pier 3 (三号码头)

• What: Licensed water sports center with jet skis, banana boats, kayaks, and speedboat rides.
• Price: Jet ski ¥120-150/15 min; Banana boat ¥50-80/person; Kayak ¥60-80/hour
• Duration: 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on activity
• Best time: 09:00-11:00 or 14:00-16:00 (less wind midday)

Author’s Tip: “The seafood market is closed on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month (fishing moratorium days). If your trip falls on one of these days, eat at one of the coastal road restaurants instead — the seafood there is kept in tanks and is equally fresh. The best restaurants are clustered between Piers 4 and 6.” — OF chan

Practical Tips

Item	Details
Best season	May to October. Peak: July-August (¥¥¥ hotel rates, crowded beach). Shoulder: May-June and September-October (lower rates, fewer crowds, water still warm 24-28°C).
Water quality	Summer water clarity rated “良” (Good) — noticeably clearer than Shenzhen’s Dapeng beaches. Jellyfish appear occasionally in August (stings are mild but seek help at the lifeguard station).
What to wear	Swimsuit, flip-flops, UV-protective clothing. Beach showers (¥10-15) available at all beach entrance points.
What to bring	Sunscreen (SPF 50+ strongly recommended), waterproof phone pouch, beach towel, cash (¥200-300 for seafood market), power bank.
Ticket price	Beach entry: Free. Water sports: ¥50-250 depending on activity. Seafood market cooking fee: ¥10-15/dish.
Cash vs. card	Beach umbrellas and water sports operators: cash only. Restaurants: Alipay/WeChat Pay accepted everywhere. Seafood market vendors: prefer cash or WeChat Pay. Credit cards rarely accepted outside hotels.
English on-site	Minimal. Beach staff, seafood vendors, and taxi drivers speak Mandarin only. Download an offline Mandarin-English translation app before arrival.

FAQ — Xunliao Bay from Shenzhen Day Trip

Q: How long does it take to get from Shenzhen to Xunliao Bay?

The fastest route is **Shenzhen North Station → Huizhou South Station by high-speed rail (45-55 min, ¥40-50)**, then a **K3 bus or Didi taxi from Huizhou South to Xunliao Bay (35-50 min, ¥8-50)**. Total travel time: **90-120 minutes door-to-beach**. The direct intercity railway (深惠城际) to Xunliao Bay Station is also available at select times (70-80 min, ¥35-45).

Q: Can I do Xunliao Bay as a day trip from Shenzhen without a car?

Yes — this is one of the most car-free-friendly beach destinations in Guangdong. The high-speed rail + K3 bus route requires no car and no tour package. The only challenge is timing: arrive at Huizhou South Station before 10:30 on weekends to secure a seat on the K3 bus, or use Didi taxi for ¥40-50 door-to-beach.

Q: Is Xunliao Bay water clean enough for swimming?

Yes. Xunliao Bay consistently records the **second-highest water quality rating among Guangdong’s major coastal resorts** (after Shanwei’s Red Bay / 红海湾) [[1]](https://eofhuizhou.com/travel-guide/xunliao-bay-from-shenzhen-day-trip#references). Summer clarity is 2-3 meters near the shore. The swimming area is monitored daily for water quality by the Huidong County Environmental Bureau. Peak season bacterial counts are published on the **惠东县文化广电旅游体育局** WeChat account.

Q: What is the best time of year to visit Xunliao Bay?

**Late May to early July** offers the best combination: warm water (26-28°C), manageable crowds, and lower hotel rates than peak July-August. **September to mid-October** is equally good — the typhoon season tapers off, the sea is still warm (24-26°C), and the beaches are significantly less crowded. Avoid Chinese National Week (October 1-7) unless you enjoy crowds.

Q: How much should I budget for a Xunliao Bay day trip from Shenzhen?

Budget approximately **¥350-500 per person** for a comfortable day trip: transport (¥90-120 round trip), water sports (¥100-200), seafood lunch (¥100-200), and beach amenities (¥50-80). This excludes hotel for overnight stays. The seafood market lunch is the best value — a full meal with 4-5 dishes for ¥80-150 per person.

Q: Are there English-speaking tour guides or services at Xunliao Bay?

English-speaking services are **very limited** at Xunliao Bay. There are no licensed English-speaking tour guides in the area. For foreign visitors, the best approach is to use **Ctrip’s English-language app (Trip.com)** to book beachfront hotels and water sports in advance, which removes the language barrier at the point of booking. Once on-site, translation apps are essential for dealing with seafood market vendors and taxi drivers.

Q: Is Xunliao Bay suitable for families with young children?

Yes — the gently sloped beach at Golden Beach Area 1 is one of the safest swimming areas along Guangdong’s coast. Lifeguards are on duty daily in summer (08:00-18:00), and the water depth increases gradually. The biggest risk is the July-August jellyfish season — look for the red flag warnings posted at the beach entrance and swim only within the monitored zone. Beach umbrellas and kid-sized floatation devices are available for rent at all beach stalls.

Q: Can I visit Xunliao Bay and nearby islands in one day?

No — island visits (Whale Island / 鲸鱼岛, Sanyang Bay’s offshore islets) require **separate ferry tickets (¥50-80 round trip)** and a full half-day. Sanyang Bay itself is accessible by the coastal boardwalk without a ferry. If you want to visit offshore islands, plan a **two-day trip**: Day 1 for the beach and water sports at Xunliao Bay, Day 2 for a boat trip to Whale Island or Dapsui Island.

References

1. 惠州市文化广电旅游体育局 — 2026年惠州夏季海滩旅游报告 (Huizhou Bureau of Culture, Tourism and Sports, 2026 Huizhou Summer Beach Tourism Report)
2. 惠东县文化广电旅游体育局 — 巽寮湾滨海旅游区水质与游客数据 (Huidong County Tourism Bureau, Xunliao Bay Water Quality and Visitor Statistics, huidong.gov.cn, 2026)
3. 广东省交通运输厅 — 2026年深惠城际时刻表与票价 (Guangdong Provincial Department of Transport, 2026 Shenzhen-Huizhou Intercity Railway Timetable and Fares, gdcd.gov.cn, 2026)
4. 携程旅行网 — 巽寮湾旅游景区酒店与交通数据 (Ctrip, Xunliao Bay Hotel and Transport Data, ctrip.com, accessed June 2026)

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This guide was written by OF chan, a Huizhou-based travel specialist with 10+ years of experience serving international visitors. All information has been verified as of June 2026. Beach conditions and transport schedules may vary seasonally — confirm water sports availability and bus frequency on the day of travel.

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