Abstract: Distribution characteristics, correlations and ecological risk of heavy metals in the surface sediments are studied with heavy metal data obtained from Huachang Bay of Hainan Province. Results show that the contents of heavy metals Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, Hg and As are 28.19, 18.35, 50.48, 35.75, 0.32, 0.05 and 12.71 mg/kg, with ranges from 8.41 to 51.45, 5.96 to 30.73, 16.87 to 99.15, 18.60 to 57.80, 0.12 to 0.76, 0.020 to 0.073, 6.02 to 17.56 mg/kg. Results of correlation analysis showed that Cu, Pb, Zn, Hg, Cr and Cd has the same source of impacts, mainly from the pollutants from mariculture. Besides, Cu, As and Hg is mostly effected by tides. Pb and Zn is mostly impacted both by tides and fishing boats. Cd and Cr is mostly impacted by shrimp ponds. Potential ecological risk assessment shows that high potential ecological risk coefficient ( RI ) for multi-species heavy metals is basically located in the central of Huachang Bay. The waters studied show a medium ecological risk in genera, and the strong and slight ecological risk is minor. The potential hazard factors for Cd and Hg are higher assessed by single metal and the potential risks decrease in orders from Cd to Hg, As, Cu, Pb, Cr and Zn.