Monkey Island (Lingshui)
- Freeride, Longboard
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Mixed
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Monkey Island (Lingshui) is a south-coast wind-and-swell destination where kitesurfing can use shallow, flat-to-choppy bay water, while surf is centered on an exposed left-hand point break. For kitesurfing, reports point to a November through March season with the most favorable wind during the winter monsoon period. Wind direction is given as SW in the spot data, and the typical wind range is described around 12–25 knots. Water is consistently described as clean and relatively small in scale (small beach), but shallow conditions mean you need to be more attentive to depth and tide when choosing your launch/landing position. Surfing is described as a regional classic point break with fast, powerful, hollow-feeling waves. The working swell window is reported starting around 1.0–1.5 m and capable of holding up to roughly 3 m or more. Rides are typically 50–150 m, with potential for longer sessions (up to around 300 m) on good days. Best performance is associated with North to Northwest winds, and the wave direction is left with strong exposure. Safety-wise, the biggest operational concern is ongoing boat traffic/ship presence and the presence of hazards such as rocks, urchins, and coral. Stay clear of restricted areas around the monkey sanctuary, watch for fishing boat lanes, and plan assuming there is no lifeguard service or dedicated kitesurfing rescue.
- Winter wind window for kitesurfing: November to March
- Classic left-hand point break (surf) with long rides
- Shallow launch considerations and constant boat traffic
- Consistent winter conditions and a well-defined seasonal wind window for kitesurfing
- Clean water reported
- Classic left-hand point break with strong wave potential
- Shallow water and tide effects can make launching more tricky
- Constant boat/ship traffic to watch (including fishing boats)
- No lifeguards and rescue availability reported as limited/no dedicated service
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- SW
- Wind Range
- 12–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Trade — Trade/monsoon-influenced wind; winter NE monsoon with a SW-best wind window reported for kitesurfing.
- Reliability
- Consistent during the winter monsoon season
- Gust Factor
- Moderate gusts — Reported as moderate gustiness.
- Best Months
- November, December, January, February, March
- Recommended Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow, Chop, Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sand beach reported; sandy with rock also mentioned for the surf bottom.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Medium — Surf swell commonly starts working around 1.0 m and can hold up to ~3 m+.
- Chop Level
- Moderate chop — Kitesurfing water described as flat with chop/choppy conditions depending on position.
- Launch
- Small — Beach launch from narrow sandy areas; some parts may be affected by the tide.
Through the year
Quiet on weekdays; more tourists during holidays
Typhoon season typically runs from June to October
By sport
What to expect for each.
Shallow, flat, and choppy water with wave potential depending on position; best months run through the northeast monsoon period (November to March).
- Kite Sizes
- 9–14 m²
Possible in bay areas, but foil-friendly depth should be verified due to shallow sections.
- Foil Friendly
- Limited — Limited foil-friendliness reported.
Exposed left-hand point break that has fairly consistent surf and can work at any time of the year.
- Wave Direction
- Left
- Optimal Swell
- N, NW, E, NE
- Swell Height
- 1–3 m
- Optimal Tide
- All tides — All tides (rising and falling) reported as workable.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Described as an exposed point break.
- Wind Effect
- Best with North or Northwest winds
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size well up to around 3 m or more.
- Wave Quality
- Excellent — Regional classic / regional classic wave quality reported.
- Wave Power
- Powerful — Fast, hollow-feeling point break described as a regional classic.
- Wave Shape
- Hollow
- Peel Speed
- Fast
- Ride Length
- Long — Normal rides 50–150 m; up to 300 m on good days.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Normal rides are 50–150 m, with potential up to ~300 m on good days.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Monkey Island (Lingshui) in the full forecast view.
Monkey Island (Lingshui) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 1–16 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- ENE58°
- Strongest day
- Wed, Oct 2816 kts
- Windy days
- 4/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.2–1.0 m5s period
- Temperature
- 24–31 °C
Over the next 7 days, Monkey Island (Lingshui) is forecast for daytime winds of 1–16 kts, peaking around 16 kts on Wednesday, October 28 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is ENE. Waves run 0.2–1.0 m with a period of about 5s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- ships
- ships (fishing/boat traffic near the area)
- rocks
- urchins
- coral
- submerged rocks/coral near the point
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- No — No dedicated kitesurfing rescue service reported.
- Emergency Info
- Emergency services: 110 (police) and 120 (medical). Nearest major medical facility: Lingshui People's Hospital.
- Localism / Vibe
- Mild — Mild localism reported.
Rules of the spot
Be aware of local fishing boat lanes and stay clear of the monkey sanctuary restricted areas.
- Stay clear of the monkey sanctuary restricted areas.
- Ship traffic is a constant factor—watch boat lanes and give space.
- Expect fewer people in the water than on the roads during peak tourist times.
- Check tide effects on the launch area because some parts can be affected by tide.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Sanya
- Nearest Town
- Xincun Town
- Nearest Airport
- Sanya Phoenix International Airport (SYX)
- Parking
- Parking available near the tourist entrance or golf club
- Public Transport
- Accessible via the Hainan Eastern Ring High-Speed Railway to Lingshui Station, followed by local buses or taxis.
- Access
- Bus from Haikou to Lingshui, then cable car from Nanwan Peninsula; or bus from Sanya to Lingshui, then to Xincun Town and walk 300m to cableway
- Local Language
- Chinese
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Various resorts and hotels in the Clearwater Bay and Lingshui area; budget guesthouses in Xincun town.
- Food & Drink
- Local seafood restaurants and hotel dining nearby.
- Equipment Rental:
- Available through regional mobile schools and Sanya-based operators.
- Gear Storage
- Limited gear storage reported.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
A nature reserve for macaque monkeys accessible by a long over-water cable car.
World-class golf courses overlooking the South China Sea.
A community of Dan people living on houseboats and rafts in the harbor.
Traditional villages and cultural displays of the indigenous Li people.
Fresh seafood restaurants located directly on floating rafts.
Stretches of pristine sand suitable for swimming and family outings.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Monkey Island (Lingshui)?
The best overall months at Monkey Island (Lingshui) are November, December, January, February, March, April. The best wind months are November, December, January, February, March.
Which wind directions work at Monkey Island (Lingshui)?
Monkey Island (Lingshui) works with SW winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Monkey Island (Lingshui)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Monkey Island (Lingshui): Kitesurfing: 9–14 m². The typical wind range is 12–25 kts.
What skill level is Monkey Island (Lingshui) suitable for?
Monkey Island (Lingshui) suits these riding levels: Kitesurfing: Intermediate · Wingfoiling: Intermediate · Surfing: Advanced.