A walk to the sidelines of urban Hong Kong is an absolute wonder for one to uncover its lesser-known coastal treasures on the island.
Repulse Bay Beach. Photo from Hong Kong Tourism Board
Why pack your swimming attire for a trip to Hong Kong if you are only going to use it at the hotel’s pool? Bring along your sun hat as not many know that hidden beneath the shadows of a world-class metropolitan city are its secret scenic beaches.
Beyond the fascinating buildings, vibrant nightlife and lip-smacking food, it is commonly forgotten that Hong Kong is afterall, made up of several islands. Situated in the southeast of China, Hong Kong’s beaches are a perfect escape from the fast-paced city life and play hosts to all sunbathers and outdoor buffs with summer recreations on the waters.
Big Wave Bay Beach. Photo from Getty Images
Big Wave Bay Beach
The surfer’s paradise in Hong Kong is one of the best-equipped beaches for a family picnic or beach gathering. Besides the readily available beautiful location with public BBQ pits, equipments like parasols, beachmats, surfboard and wetsuit are up for rents.
Photo from Getty Images
Living up to its namesake, Big Wave Bay Beach is a remote surfing spot enveloped by green hills. For interested amateurs, you can even take up surfing lessons at the beach from the professionals. Another nearby attraction is a large prehistoric rock carving with geometric designs and animals.
Popular for: Surfing
Location: North of Shek O, Hong Kong island
How to get there: Taking a direct cab from Central to Shek O would take 30 minutes. For cheaper alternative, public transport like the MTR or buses go to Chai Wan and you can enjoy the short scenic hike from Chai Wan to Big Wave Bay.
Cheung Sha Beach. Photo from Hong Kong Tourism Board
Cheung Sha Beach
Known as the longest beach in the country, Cheung Sha beach is an ideal escapade from the urban capital. In the absence of high-rise buildings, it certainly makes one hard to believe that the serene beach is part of Hong Kong as the beach overlooks an endless horizon of the blue sea ringed by nature and adjacent hills.
Paddle Boarding. Photo from Hong Kong Tourism Board
The beachfront of lower Cheung Sha beach is populated with cafes and restaurants besides a water-sports center that rents out kayaks, paddle-board and surfing equipments. Other than sunbathing in the day, there is also a camping ground for a campfire night at the beach.
Popular for: Windsurfing from November till March
Location: South coast of Lantau island
How to get there: From Central Ferry Pier, take a ferry ride to Mui Wo. Once arrived, take bus number 1 or 2 to Cheung Sha Ha Tsuen. The beach would be walking distance from the stop. If you’re driving, do take note that parking is limited by the beach.
Hung Shing Yeh Beach. Photo from Hong Kong Tourism Board
Hung Shing Yeh Beach
Hung Shing Yeh beach is a commercial site on Lamma island with a long line of eateries, shops and street vendors heading to the sandy area. Compared to other beaches in Hong Kong, this beach is notable with rocks decked by the coast.
Photo from Adobe Stock
Hung Shing Yeh beach is a sunny calling for a breezy relaxation for locals and tourists so do expect large crowds on weekends and Hong Kong’s public holiday. Close by, Lamma Power Station beach is a small, less crowded seaside bank overlooking Lamma power plants if you want to escape the crowd.
Popular for: Sunset BBQ
Location: North of Lamma island
How to get there: Take a short ferry trip from Central Ferry Pier heading to Yung Shue Wan Pier. Once arrived, the beach is only a 20-30 minutes walk on the main road from Yung Shue Wan Pier with road signs to the beach.
Tung Wan Beach. Photo from Hong Kong Tourism Board
Tung Wan Beach
Don’t be surprised if you catch couples taking wedding photos on the beach. Tung Wan beach has one of the best picturesque views in Hong Kong with the country’s longest suspension bridge, Tsing Ma Bridge, and clear blue sky in the backdrop.
Fitted with shark net and lifeguards on duty, the beach is safe for swimming, windsurfing, canoeing and surfing if the wave permits. Tung Wan beach is a scenic spot to go for a fun weekend. Furthermore, the nearby Noah’s Ark Theme Park could be an optional stop when the weather turns awry.
Popular for: Windsurfing
Location: Cheung Chau island
How to get there: It takes a 30 minutes ferry ride from the Central Ferry Pier to Cheung Chau and it is only a 10 minutes walk to the beach from the pier. You can rely on sign posts along Tung Wan Road while making your way to the beach.
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Sham Wan Beach
This coast at Lamma island is unique to green turtles as it is their only nesting site in the whole South China Sea. Due to its ecological importance, authorities closed the site from early June till end of October every year to allow turtles to breed. After the nesting period, the beautiful beach is reopened to public. The only way to get to the remote beach is through a 3 kilometres hike through Mo Tat Wan New Village.
Text by Jessy Wong
