In 1935, Higher Fishery Vocational School of Shantou, Guangdong Province was established in Shantou City.

In 1937, the School was moved to the town of Gongping and renamed Guangdong Higher Vocational School of Fishery.

In 1945, the Vocational School was moved to the town of Shanwei and renamed Higher Fishery Vocational School of Shanwei, Guangdong Province

In 1950, the Vocational School was renamed Guangdong Higher Technical School of Fishery.

In 1952, the Technical School was renamed Guangdong Technical School of Fishery.

In 1953, the School was renamed Guangdong Fishery School.

In 1955, the School was moved to Jiangmen City.

In 1960, the Department of Fishery with Jinan University was incorporated into Guangdong Fishery School. In the same year, the school was moved to Tangjia Bay and renamed Guangdong Fishery Academy.

In 1962, Zhanjiang Branch of the Engineering College of Southern China was incorporated into the Academy.

In 1963, the Academy was moved to Zhanjiang City and renamed Zhanjiang Fishery Academy.

In 1979, the Academy was promoted be a college running undergraduate programs, and renamed Zhanjiang Fishery College.

In 1980, Zhanjiang Fishery College and Zhanjiang Agricultural Academy were incorporated and named Zhanjiang Ocean University which was located in Eastern Huguangyan, Zhanjiang City. Zhanjiang Agricultural Academy was founded in 1958 as a Branch of Southern China Agricultural College in Huguangyan, Zhanjiang City. It was once named Zhanjiang Agricultural College in 1978 and the Wuqi Agricultural University of Zhanjiang City in 1976.

In 2001, Zhanjiang Meteorological School was incorporated into Zhanjiang Ocean University. The school began its establishment in 1956 and was founded in 1958.

In 2005, Zhanjiang Ocean University was renamed Guangdong Ocean University, with the approval of the Education Ministry of China.