To study the spatial distributions and seasonal differences of concentrations, source identification, and phase partitioning of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in surface water, intensive sampling was carried out along the marginal seas of China in four seasons. In the northern South China Sea (SCS), the highest PAH levels occurred in the summer (July to August) and autumn (October to November). In the East China Sea (ECS) and the Yellow Sea, the highest occurred in the summer (August) and winter (December). In all areas, the lowest PAH levels were found in the spring (May to June). The estimated mass inventory of PAHs in the surface water (0-5 m) of the northern SCS and ECS accounted for less than 8% of PAHs outflow into the offshore environment. That showed the consistent seasonal variation with PAHs levels. Land- and ocean-based emissions, surface runoff, and the open seawater dilution were the most important environmental factors influencing the seasonal heterogeneity and the spatial distributions of PAH in the surface water. The decline of observed organic carbon normalized partition coefficients in the four seasons was probably affected by the presence of submicrometer-sized soot particles accompanying the PAH outflow from China.