If the incoming heat has you longing for a dip in the sea and a spot of sunbathing, head to one of our dozen picks of Hong Kong’s best beaches. While Repulse Bay is probably the most famous, the city is home to a surprising number of beaches if you’re looking for a bit of swimming by the Hong Kong seaside. Make sure to always check the Leisure and Cultural Services Department website for updates regarding beach closures.
#1 Repulse Bay
With its perfect crescent shape, this is the most recognisable beach in the city, with the added advantage of having shops and restaurants on tap at The Pulse and The Repulse Bay. Check out the gardens at one end of the beach, with colourful statues of deities
such as Tin Hau.
Where: Beach Road, Repulse Bay
How to get there: Taxi or bus 6, 6A, 6X, 66 or 260 from Exchange Square in Central
#2 Shek O
This beach on the southside is packed with locals on weekends, who come not only for the lovely stretch of sand and inviting water, but for the street food and market stalls in Shek O village, as well as local restaurants.
Where: Shek O Road, Shek O
How to get there: Taxis, minibuses and bus 9 from Shau Kei Wan MTR station exit A3
#3 Big Wave Bay Beach
Not to be confused with Big Wave Bay (see #10, below), this beach is north of Shek O and popular with surfers for its decent break. The Dragon’s Back hiking trail is nearby, as is a prehistoric rock carving that’s now a declared monument.
Where: Big Wave Bay Road, Shek O
How to get there: Bus 9 from Exit A3 at Shau Kei Wan MTR Station
#4 Cheung Sha Beach
South Lantau locals and expats head to Cheung Sha to spend a family day by Hong Kong’s seaside at one of the restaurants facing the sand, with quick dips in the ocean in between food and drinks. Keep an eye out for wandering Lantau buffaloes!
Where: South Lantau Road, Lantau
How to get there: Ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo, then bus 1 or 2 from the town centre, or a blue Lantau taxi
#5 Pui O Beach
Not far from Cheung Sha is Pui O, another Lantau favourite that’s loved for its laid-back vibe. There are showers and barbecues here, and even a kiosk to rent surfboards and other equipment.
Where: South Lantau Road, Lantau
How to get there: Ferry to Mui Wo, then bus 1 or a blue Lantau taxi
#6 Tai Pak Wan
This Discovery Bay beach is a short hop from the ferry terminal and has an excellent kids’ playground at the north end. Enjoy a day on the sand, and then dine at one of the nearby D’Deck restaurants to get your return ferry to Central for free.
Where: Discovery Bay Road, Discovery Bay
How to get there: Ferry from Central Pier 3. Turn right at Discovery Bay ferry pier and walk 5 minutes to beach entrance
#7 Hung Shing Yeh Beach
This is possibly one of the most chilled beaches in Hong Kong. It’s been the scene of many a beach party and barbecue as Lamma locals and visitors alike congregate to enjoy some peace away from hectic Hong Kong.
Where: Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island
How to get there: Ferry from Central Pier 4, then turn right at the pier and walk 20 to 30 minutes along the Family Trail
#8 Kwun Yam Beach
Hong Kong’s first Olympic gold medallist, windsurfer Lee Lai-Shan, trained at this beach. It’s now the site of the Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre. It’s also a lovely little covey beach nestled into nature.
Where: Just to the east of Tung Wan Beach
How to get there: Take a ferry from Central Pier 5 to Cheung Chau, then walk to Tung Wan Beach, and Kwun Yam Beach is five minutes further on
#9 Golden Beach
This was the first artificial beach in Hong Kong. At 545m long, it’s also the largest beach in Tuen Mun, with refreshment kiosks, shops and restaurants just off the sand, as well as a volleyball court.
Where: 18.5 milestone of Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun
How to get there: The beach is serviced by a number of KMB, Citybus and MTR feeder buses
#10 Big Wave Bay & Ham Tin Beach
Fancy a spot of camping? Tai Long Wan (“Big Wave Bay”) on the Sai Kung Peninsula is just the spot. From Pak Tam Au, it’s a one-hour hike along the MacLehose Trail and down to the beach. You can get food at this Hong Kong seaside spot, as well as hire camping equipment. Nearby Ham Tin Beach has some shops for drinks and snacks.
Where: Sai Kung Peninsula
How to get there: Bus 94 to the start of the hike at Pak Tam Au
#11 Clear Water Bay Beaches
First Beach and Second Beach at beautiful Clear Water Bay are both great picks; First Beach is smaller and more secluded. Both have shower and toilet facilities, while Second Beach also has a kiosk.
Where: First Beach – Tai Wan Tau, Clear Water Bay Road; Second Beach – Tai Au Mun Road
How to get there: MTR to Diamond Hill and bus 91; the two beaches are connected by a footpath and steps (15-minute walk)
#12 Long Ke Beach
You’ll need a boat to get to this beach, or you can access it from Stage 2 of the Maclehose Trail. While it doesn’t have infrastructure or shops, Long Ke is one of Hong Kong’s best beaches, and a popular weekend junk destination.
Where: Sai Kung
How to get there: Green taxi from Sai Kung to East Dam, then follow the signs to Long Ke Wan; or jump on a speedboat from Sai Kung Pier
#13 Deep Water Bay
One of the more picturesque beaches, this Southside beach is usually busy on weekends, but with views out to Middle Island and the Ocean Park cable car, it’s always a pleasant experience nonetheless. It connects to Repulse Bay via Seaview Promenade, a walking and jogging trail.
Where: Island Road, Deep Water Bay
How to get there: Bus 6, 6A or 260 from Exchange Square in Central. Green minibus 40 or 52
#14 Stanley Beach
There’s plenty to do on a day trip to Stanley with an extensive street market, high street shopping and a strip of restaurants to enjoy looking over the water. There are also two beaches: Stanley Main Beach on the eastern end and St Stephen’s Beach to the west. Both have sand for sunbathing and barbecue facilities. Stanley Main Beach is popular with windsurfers and is the site of dragon boat championships in June.
Where: Stanley Market Road, Stanley
How to get there: Taxi or bus 6, 6A, 6X, 66 or 260 from Exchange Square in Central
#15 Turtle Cove Beach
This little beach is secluded and only 70m long. The beach has showers and barbecue facilities, but does not have any stalls selling food or drinks, so you will need to bring a picnic or barbecue. Its exclusive vibe makes it one of the top Hong Kong beaches.
Where: Tai Tam Road, Stanley
How to get there: Bus 14 from exit A at Sai Wan Ho MTR or minibus 16X from Chai Wan to Red Hill estate bus stop. Stairs near the bus stop lead to the beach.
#16 Silvermine Beach
If you get to Mui Wo and can’t be bothered moving on to a second destination, Silvermine Beach is just a short stroll from Mui Wo town centre. The beach takes its name from the original reason for the Mui Wo settlement, a now defunct silver mine. The Silver Mine Hotel is located overlooking the beach, but Mui Wo has a number of Hong Kong seaside eateries with excellent reputations as well as a few local seafood restaurants.
Where: Tung Wan Tan Road, Miu Wo, Lantau
How to get there: Ferry to Mui Wo and then turn right at the pier and walk 10-15 minutes following the signs
#17 Tung Wan Beach
Tung Wan Beach on Cheung Chau has a link to the Olympics, being the place where Hong Kong’s first-ever gold medallist trained. Lee Lai-Shan won gold at Atlanta in 1996. Head to Tung Wan Beach and enjoy views of Lamma Island and Aberdeen, as well as the garden commemorating the achievements of Shan Shan.
Where: Cheung Chau Beach Road and Hai Pak Road, Cheung Chau
How to get there: Take the ferry from Central Pier 5 to Cheung Chau. From Cheung Chau ferry terminal, walk along Tung Wan Road 10 minutes to Tung Wan Beach
#18 Silverstrand Beach
This small beach is on the Clearwater Bay peninsula in Sai Kung. A wide range of facilities are available, including car parking, refreshment kiosks, barbecue pits, changing rooms and shower facilities.
Where: Clearwater Bay Road, Sai Kung
How to get there: MTR to Hang Hau, and then a bus
#19 Trio Beach
This small beach is a huge favourite with families, including for the short but enjoyable sampan trip that you take to get there from Hebe Haven. You can also do a short hike to the beach along the peninsula to the north, from near the Lions Nature Education Centre.
Where: Sai Kung
How to get there: MTR to Hang Hau; 101 bus to Sai Kung and get off at Hebe Haven/Pak Sha Wan for sampan. Or MTR to Choi Hung, 1A bus to Sai Kung and get off at Hebe Haven.
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