The temporal and spatial change characters of coastline and tidal flat in the islands with different principle functions in the Zhoushan Archipelago were analyzed, using a coastal remote sensing monitoring dataset with 30 m spatial resolutions at annual interval from 1986 to 2017. The results suggested that the coastlines in Zhoushan Archipelago advanced toward the sea, with many water areas(152 km2) and tidal flats(18 km2) reclaimed into lands and the government policies were the main driven factors. The change characters were various among the islands with different principle functions. In particular, the land reclamation was significant in the islands with the principle functions of comprehensive development, coastal industry, coastal tourism, and harbor and logistics, accounting for 96% of the archipelagos new lands. The land reclamation was slight in the islands with marine science and education and scientific fishery functions, accounting for 4% of the archipelagos total new lands. Meanwhile, the coast was stable and well protected in the islands with ecological conversation and clean energy functions. The results could provide scientific basis for coastal zones ecological protection and restoration projects, as well as the marine principle functional zoning.