Hong Kong Beaches - The Best and Most Accessible Beaches in the Region
Presumption Most people view Hong Kong as a concrete metropolis with little green space.
Yet around 3/4 of the territory is rural - with many sandy beaches, rocky foreshores, hills and mountains.
Facilities These areas are protected with National Park status and generously provided with footpaths, shelters, benches, barbecue pits, and litter bins.
Most public beaches have lifeguards, toilets, showers, BBQs and shark nets.
Not that sharks are common, but there were incidents 20-years ago.
Easy-Going People squash in urban Hong Kong.
Mongkok in Kowloon has almost double the population density of Manhattan, with 130,000 per square kilometer.
However, few live in rural Hong Kong - although some beaches get crowded weekends.
This makes the region ideal for beach hunters who appreciate conservation and scenic sub-tropical landscapes.
Although the best beaches are a little remote, some are within 1/2-hour of the city.
Where Are the Beaches? Popular Repulse Bay can be reached in a 20-minute bus ride from Central.
This south side of Hong Kong Island has many sandy beaches.
My favourite here is cozy Deep Water Bay - because it faces soft tree-lined sand, rather than concrete high-rises.
Further east has one of the best beaches in the region: Shek O.
This can be reached on the Island MTR line to Shau Kei Wan, then a bus for another 20-minutes.
Nearby is Big Wave Bay, popular with surfers.
Some of the most pristine beaches can take hours to get to like Tai Long Wan on the Sai Kung Peninsula.
My favorite there, and easier to reach, is Hap Mum Bay on Sharp Island - catch a sampan there from Sai Kung Town waterfront (HK$40 return weekends).
Other nice Hong Kong beaches are on islands accessible by regular boats from the Central Ferry Pier.
Like Lamma Island (don't be put off by the nearby power station), Cheung Chau, and Cheung Sha Beaches on Lantau Island.
What to do on the Beach? I'm not one for lying around - I can't relax sprawled on the sand.
Not even reading or listening to music.
I'm fearless of the "Not Allowed" signs, but it's usually too hot for me on the sand to do more than gulp iced beer.
I live to swim and play in the water.
The sea's warm all year.
The coldest at 18c is in February, and hottest in September, around 29c.
Hong Kong's good for this as there's no coral or rocks, and beaches are clean and picturesque.
Signs Although these warnings are not for fun, anyone who has seen a Mainland China beach will appreciate the reserve! Conclusion Hong Kong's not a destination just for beach holidays - but lounging on the sand and swimming in clear water never cooler than 24c, makes a busy business or shopping trip more civilized.
Yet around 3/4 of the territory is rural - with many sandy beaches, rocky foreshores, hills and mountains.
Facilities These areas are protected with National Park status and generously provided with footpaths, shelters, benches, barbecue pits, and litter bins.
Most public beaches have lifeguards, toilets, showers, BBQs and shark nets.
Not that sharks are common, but there were incidents 20-years ago.
Easy-Going People squash in urban Hong Kong.
Mongkok in Kowloon has almost double the population density of Manhattan, with 130,000 per square kilometer.
However, few live in rural Hong Kong - although some beaches get crowded weekends.
This makes the region ideal for beach hunters who appreciate conservation and scenic sub-tropical landscapes.
Although the best beaches are a little remote, some are within 1/2-hour of the city.
Where Are the Beaches? Popular Repulse Bay can be reached in a 20-minute bus ride from Central.
This south side of Hong Kong Island has many sandy beaches.
My favourite here is cozy Deep Water Bay - because it faces soft tree-lined sand, rather than concrete high-rises.
Further east has one of the best beaches in the region: Shek O.
This can be reached on the Island MTR line to Shau Kei Wan, then a bus for another 20-minutes.
Nearby is Big Wave Bay, popular with surfers.
Some of the most pristine beaches can take hours to get to like Tai Long Wan on the Sai Kung Peninsula.
My favorite there, and easier to reach, is Hap Mum Bay on Sharp Island - catch a sampan there from Sai Kung Town waterfront (HK$40 return weekends).
Other nice Hong Kong beaches are on islands accessible by regular boats from the Central Ferry Pier.
Like Lamma Island (don't be put off by the nearby power station), Cheung Chau, and Cheung Sha Beaches on Lantau Island.
What to do on the Beach? I'm not one for lying around - I can't relax sprawled on the sand.
Not even reading or listening to music.
I'm fearless of the "Not Allowed" signs, but it's usually too hot for me on the sand to do more than gulp iced beer.
I live to swim and play in the water.
The sea's warm all year.
The coldest at 18c is in February, and hottest in September, around 29c.
Hong Kong's good for this as there's no coral or rocks, and beaches are clean and picturesque.
Signs Although these warnings are not for fun, anyone who has seen a Mainland China beach will appreciate the reserve! Conclusion Hong Kong's not a destination just for beach holidays - but lounging on the sand and swimming in clear water never cooler than 24c, makes a busy business or shopping trip more civilized.
