Abstract: This study deals with the concentration and spatial distribution of heavy metals in the near-shore sediments of Beidaihe. The modified degree of contamination (mC_d) and potential ecological risk index are adopted to assess the heavy metals contamination. The results show that the mean concentrations of heavy metals are low in the study area in general. They are higher in the estuaries in the southwest part and northeast part and lower in the central part of the study area. It is obviously polluted in the estuaries of the Shihe and Renzaohe rivers and the urban inshore area of Qinhuangdao. Hg is the main element leading to pollution among the heavy metals.