Monkey Island (Lingshui)

KitesurfingWingfoilingSurfing
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 It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect.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 this spot

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
Great for
Kitesurfing freerideKitesurfing waveKitesurfing foilSurfing longboardSurfing shortboardWingfoil freeride
What's great
  • Consistent winter conditions and a well-defined seasonal wind window for kitesurfing
  • Clean water reported
  • Classic left-hand point break with strong wave potential
Heads up
  • 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
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Practical spot guide

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

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Best seasonOff-season
22–31 °C
Water Temperature
18–32 °C
Air Temperature
Wetsuit Guide
Apr–Oct: 2mm shortyJan–Dec: 3/2mm full suit
Crowds by Season

Quiet on weekdays; more tourists during holidays

Storm/Rain Season

Typhoon season typically runs from June to October

By sport

What to expect for each.

KitesurfingSkill Level

Shallow, flat, and choppy water with wave potential depending on position; best months run through the northeast monsoon period (November to March).

FreerideWaveFoil
Kite Sizes
9–14 m²
WingfoilingSkill Level

Possible in bay areas, but foil-friendly depth should be verified due to shallow sections.

Foil Friendly
Limited — Limited foil-friendliness reported.
SurfingBest for this spotSkill Level

Exposed left-hand point break that has fairly consistent surf and can work at any time of the year.

Point break
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.
Forecast

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.

Nearby

Other spots in the area

Safety

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
Ability Level: Intermediate
Recommended Safety Gear
BootsWetsuit

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.

Restrictions
  • Stay clear of the monkey sanctuary restricted areas.
Local Tips
  • 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
Amenities

What's on the beach

Parking
Restaurant
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.
Learn, rent & more

Schools & services

No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.

The area

Off the water

Best time to visit: November to April for the most comfortable weather and wind.
Nanwan Monkey Island0–5 km

A nature reserve for macaque monkeys accessible by a long over-water cable car.

Hainan Island Golf0–5 km

World-class golf courses overlooking the South China Sea.

Xincun Floating Village~2 km

A community of Dan people living on houseboats and rafts in the harbor.

Lingshui Li Heritage~10 km

Traditional villages and cultural displays of the indigenous Li people.

Xincun Seafood Markets~2 km

Fresh seafood restaurants located directly on floating rafts.

Clearwater Bay Beaches~15 km

Stretches of pristine sand suitable for swimming and family outings.

Reviews

From riders who've been here

Community observations

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.