Sanya's typhoon season peaks in September-October, with an average of 3-5 typhoons affecting the city each year. Warnings come in four levels: blue (may be affected within 24 hours), yellow (significant impact within 24 hours), orange (severe impact within 12 hours), red (extremely severe within 6 hours). At yellow, start adjusting plans; at orange or above, all boat trips, island attractions, and outdoor shows suspend.
What to do during a typhoon: ① Flights — buy changeable tickets in advance; typhoon cancellations are fully refundable; ② Hotels — book "free cancellation" rooms; most hotels allow free date changes during typhoons; ③ Attractions — Wuzhizhou, West Island, and Boundary Island suspend ferry service; Nanshan Temple and Tianya Haijiao also close; ④ Backup itinerary — Atlantis Sanya Water Park (indoor sections open), Sanya Duty-Free City, Hainan Tropical Ocean University Museum, Mangrove Tree Cinema, hotel spas; ⑤ Supplies — stock up on snacks and water beforehand; food delivery and convenience stores shut down during the storm.
Insurance tips: ① Add flight delay insurance when booking (20-30 RMB, pays 200-400 RMB for 4+ hour delays); ② Travel insurance covering weather-related disruptions (ZhongAn or Ping An, 30-50 RMB); ③ Pay for hotels with a credit card that includes travel insurance. Honestly, your hotel is the safest place during a typhoon. Five-star hotels have backup power and emergency supplies — treat it as a "do-nothing day": pool, spa, a book. It can become a restorative rest day in the middle of your trip.