Overview
South Bay is a beach break on Pingtan, also known as Haitan, the biggest island in Fujian and the fifth largest in China. Waves break over a mix of uneven reef and sand, and there are several surfable waves north and south of the big rock. A nice lefthander runs right beside the rocks, and righthanders show up in the middle of the bay once the huge 7 m tide drops out.
When It Works
The bay draws swell from northeast through east, with northeast (NE) the best match. It works from 0.3 m / 1 ft to 2.4 m / 8 ft and is moderately consistent overall. It can also be surfed with strong east and northeast onshore wind, which makes it a pretty consistent option through winter.
Wind and Tide
Look for west (W) offshore wind. The bay can work through low, mid and high tide, with a rising tide generally the better call, and high tide tends to be the better end of that.
Local Tips
This one suits beginners, and the lineup is usually quiet. Watch for rocks close to the shore and strong rips.
Access
A bridge to Xiaoshandong opened the island up in 2010. The main spot is about a 10 minute drive east of town, just south of Pingtan bay in a smaller, deeper bay.
