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This study examines the spatio-temporal variations in the sea-surface chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) concentration and their associated underlying driving forces in the northern South China Sea (SCS) from 2004 - 2010. A stratified analysis method and the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Chl-a product, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis data, with maps of monsoon winds and current systems were used in this work. Validation indicated that the MODIS-derived Chl-a is in good agreement with in-situ measurements (R2 = 0.815), accurate enough for analyzing the temporal-spatial variations of Chl-a in the northern SCS. The results show that the spatial heterogeneity of the Chl-a concentration was lowest in winter and increased in spring. The seasonal Chl-a concentration dynamics varied spatially and depended predominantly on the distance from the coastline. The most important factors that affect the Chl-a concentration spatial variability were identified as the monsoon, surface current and sea surface temperature (SST).