Objective To investigate the cultivation, biochemical features and drug susceptibilities of Vibrio vulnificus. Methods Three strains of Vibrio vulnificus were isolated from fatal patients in the Second Hospital of Jiaxing, Zhejiang province. Cultivation, identification and antibacterial susceptibility test were performed. Results Vibrio vulnificus grew on blood agar as dull-gray, opaque colonies with β-hemolysis. The organism presented positive in lactose, cellobiose fermentation and O/129 (10 μg) tests, but lack of inositol and rhamnus. The antibacterial susceptibility tests showed that Vibrio vulnificus strains were sensitive to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, imipenem, cefepime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, compound sulfamethoxazole and nitrofurantoin, however, resistant to gentamicin, tobramycin, aztreonam and cefazolin. Conclusions Vibrio vulnificus can be isolated from blood, bubbles fluid, and stool. Rapid identification, early diagnosis, and prompt empirical antibacterial therapy are important for reducing the mortality.