Abstract: In this paper, mineral composition, microstructure, cementing materials, physico-chemical properties of marine soil are systematically investigated and chemical composition of sea water are analysed. Soil samples for this study are obtained from three areas: Weizhou Island, Hainan Island, Nansa Islands in South China Sea. Experimental results indicate that the mineral composition of marine soil mainly consists of ellite, chlorite, kaolinite and quartz, the cementing materials contains free oxides, carbonate and organic matter, the variety of microstructure is also revealed. The properties mentioned above would be the main causes of special engineering characters of marine soil.