WANT to slip below the water’s surface? To stretch your arms out and swoop down to the reef like a bird, with the water rushing past you? With summer here, there’s no time better than now to start diving.

Here we have good news for you. If you are living in Shenzhen, you don’t need to travel all the way to Phuket or the Maldives, because right here in Shenzhen there are several diving spots just waiting for you to discover.

Luzui in Yangmeikeng

杨梅坑鹿咀

Luzui in Yangmeikeng is one of the most beautiful places in Shenzhen. “The Mermaid” directed by Stephen Chow was even filmed here. The crystal-clear water is so clear that you can count the stones resting on the seafloor.

The turquoise blue waters here are sure to lure you right in. Take your first breaths underwater, look down and you may nearly lose your regulator out of awe. A rainbow of soft corals awaits you to swim among them.

Add: Reef area, Yangmeikeng, Nan’ao Subdistrict, Dapeng New Area 大鹏新区南澳镇杨梅坑海底礁石区

Transportation: Take Bus E11 from downtown Shenzhen to Nao’ao Subdistrict Office, then transfer to Bus M274 and get off at Nan’ao Yangmeikeng.

Guiwan Bay,

Dapeng Peninsula 大鹏鬼湾

Many people might freak out when they first hear the name of this place, Guiwan Bay, which literally means Ghost Bay. But, that’s just it, a name. In fact, it is a gorgeous diving location. Guiwan Bay is seldomly disturbed by people, thus there is a rich variety of marine life such as sea anemones and starfish. The underwater garden here will definitely dazzle your eyes and make you aware of the vastness and power of the ocean.

Add: The water area between Dahengzhou and Xiaohengzhou, near Sanmen Island, south to Dapeng Peninsula 大鹏半岛以南三门岛附近大小横洲之间的水域

Transportation: Take Bus E11 from downtown Shenzhen to Nan’ao Subdistrict Office, and then transfer to Bus M232 to Xichong Beach, before taking a boat to Guiwan Bay.

Qingren Island in Xichong

西冲情人岛

Xichong Qingren Island, or Island for Lovers, is the definition of “romance.” Submerged like a cork in the sea, it’s like entering a crystal wonderland teeming with all kinds of colorful creatures.

As the island boasts the largest number of clown fish in Shenzhen, one may even spot the leading character of “Finding Nemo” there. Bring your date here and leave with some amazing memories. Or, propose to your girlfriend here. Let the sea witness the love and romance between you two.

Add: Xianrenzhang Beach, Xichong, Nan’ao Subdistrict, Dapeng New Area 大鹏新区南澳镇西涌2号浴场仙人掌沙滩

Transportation: Take Bus E11 from downtown Shenzhen to Nan’ao Subdistrict Office, then transfer to Bus M232 to Xichong Beach, before taking a boat to the Qingren Island.

(Chen Xiaochun)