Abstract: From July 26 to August 5, 2023, 30 surface sediment samples were collected from the sea area of Lingao, Hainan, and the heavy metal contents in the sediments were analyzed to investigate the pollution status, risk level and pollution sources. The results showed that the distribution characteristics of six heavy metal contents-Hg, Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb-were similar, with high-value areas located in the northwestern part of Lingao waters, near Hongpai Harbour, near Huanglong Harbour and in the Wenlan River. The high-value area for As was in the central part of Lingao sea area. The average contents of all seven heavy metals met Class I quality standards for marine sediments. Specifically, the compliance rates with Class I standards across all stations for Hg, As, Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb are 100%, 87%, 90%, 97%, 100%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The geological accumulation index results indicated that the pollution levels of the seven heavy metals followed the order: As＞Pb＞Hg＞Cr＞Cd＞Cu＞Zn. The potential ecological risk levels were ranked as Hg＞Cd＞As＞Pb＞Cu＞Cr＞Zn. Overall, the heavy metals in the study area exhibited no pollution or low risk. Hg, Cr, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb in the surface sediments of the Lingao sea area primarily originated from industry activities and marine transportation. As in the nearshore areas mainly derived from coastal aquaculture and agriculture, while offshore As may be related to natural geological background factors and inputs from the open sea.