The work aims to improve corrosion resistance and tribological property of metallic zinc in marine environment. Super-hydrophobic film was prepared on metallic zinc by adopting chemical etching and self-assembly technique. Film structure and wettability of the film were characterized. Moreover, corrosion resistance and tribological property of the super-hydrophobic film on metallic zinc were studied in simulated sea water (3.5% NaCl solution). Multiscale micro-nano ZnO structure was detected on the surface of metallic zinc after being etched by aqueous solution containing N,N-dimethylformamide. The as-fabricated surface modified by a layer of stearic acid exhibited super-hydrophobicity, its water contact angle was 150° and rolling angle below 5°. Meanwhile, the super-hydrophobic film on metallic zinc in 3.5% NaCl aqueous solution exhibited excellent corrosion resistance, and could significantly reduce friction and wear. The superhydrophobic film prepared on zinc by adopting simple chemical etching and self-assembly technology exhibit excellent corrosion resistance ad tribological property in marine environment.