Avoid Pitfalls When Taking Kids to the Sea in Dapeng, Shenzhen! Locals’ Top 3 Clean Beaches

Taking kids to see the sea in Shenzhen has been full of pitfalls! I previously followed recommendations to two “trash beaches” that were either littered with garbage or had murky water. The kids didn’t enjoy themselves and I worried about hygiene. Frustrated, I explored most of Dapeng’s beaches and finally put together this parent-friendly sea-viewing guide, ranked by experience. Avoid the bad ones and you can’t go wrong bringing kids here! 1. Dongchong: Top Choice for Kids! So Clean You Can Pick Up Live Shells, Fun Waves but Be Careful As someone who grew up along the Huizhou coast, Dongchong’s sea really amazed me—this is definitely the best beach in Shenzhen’s Dapeng to take kids! The water is incredibly clear; standing on the shore you can faintly see the sand underwater. The kids can squat by the shore watching little fish for ages. The sand is especially soft, barefoot walking is comfortable with no worries about kids hurting their feet while running. There’s almost no trash on the beach, so you don’t have to watch the kids and pick up garbage at the same time—such a relief! Last time I took the kids, the waves were over two meters high. The kids excitedly chased the waves, but you must hold their hands tightly! I myself lost my footing and got knocked into the water by a wave, spinning around like a “washing machine,” but luckily I wasn’t hurt. We also collected a few live shells, which the kids treasured for a long time. Even though we didn’t know their exact names, these little natural surprises were wonderful! ⚠️ Important reminder: Dongchong requires an entrance ticket, 30 RMB per person. It’s not expensive for taking kids, considering how great the environment is—it’s totally worth it! 2. Xichong: Similar to Dongchong but Slightly Less Impressive, Good for Less Crowded Times Xichong is not far from Dongchong, with equally clean water and no trash on the beach. The overall environment is comparable to Dongchong, so it’s fine for kids to play in the sand and water. However, compared to Dongchong, the sea view and experience are a bit less impressive. If Dongchong is crowded or you want a quieter beach, Xichong is a good alternative. ⚠️ Ticket info: Xichong tickets cost 24 RMB per person, a bit cheaper than Dongchong, so consider it if you’re on a budget~ 3. Nanao: Stunning on Good Weather! Take Kids to the Seaview 7-Eleven, Be Careful of Rocks on the Wild Beach Nanao really depends on the weather! On a good day, the water is bright blue and clear, the beach is trash-free, and it’s perfect for taking great photos with kids by the sea. But note, we went to a wild beach where the sand isn’t very fine and can be a bit sharp on feet, so it’s recommended to have kids wear beach shoes. There are also many rocks, so hold the kids’ hands and don’t let them run around to avoid bumps. You must check out the 7-ELEVEN Haibei Bay store here! It has a seaview dining area where you can buy a drink and sit by the window to watch the sea. It’s a great spot to rest if the kids get tired. Unfortunately, last time it was too crowded to get good photos. There are also many beautifully decorated small shops nearby, which are fun to explore with kids. Just navigate directly there~ ✅ Pros: No entrance fee, great value, perfect for moms who love photography with their kids. 4. Jediaosha: Not Recommended for Kids! Small Beach, No Sunrise View, Water Has Unknown Dark Shadows I originally planned to take the kids to Jediaosha for sunrise, but they didn’t allow entry before the time. My husband and I waited foolishly for a long time and finally couldn’t resist climbing over the wall (please don’t imitate, it’s very dangerous!). The beach is very small; the kids only had to take a few steps to reach the edge. Although the water was clear, there were dark unknown things visible, so I didn’t dare let the kids go in the water—safety first. In the end, we just dug a big hole in the sand and left without seeing the sunrise. The experience was really average, so I don’t recommend making a special trip with kids. 5. Guanhu: Absolutely Avoid! Lots of Trash and Sharp Sand, Water Feels Like It Has E. coli Guanhu was a huge disappointment! The beach was full of trash left by tourists, including half-eaten watermelons. The kids asked, “Mom, why is it so dirty?” and I had no good answer. The water was also dirty, feeling like it had excessive E. coli. Although I braved going in, I had to constantly watch the kids to prevent them from stepping on trash or stones. The worst part was the sand in the water was very sharp and painful to walk on, and you had to watch out for piles of stones. It’s completely different from the carefree wave-playing feeling at Dongchong. Taking kids here would only be miserable—strongly not recommended! 6. Dashaomeisha and Xiaoshaomeisha: Overcrowded Like Dumplings, Poor Hygiene Makes You Afraid to Let Kids Touch the Water Don’t get your hopes up for Dashaomeisha and Xiaoshaomeisha! Every time I go, they are packed with people, both on the beach and in the water, like dumplings in a pot. The kids can’t play properly at all. The water is not clean, there’s a lot of trash on the beach, and I’ve heard E. coli levels are too high. I don’t even have the courage to let the kids touch the water. Every visit is regrettable—definitely avoid these with kids!