(Updated 8/8/16)
Hong Kong is no doubt one of the best countries to go on a holiday. With so many places to visit, things to experience, food to try, the list is just never ending. And no, I’m not just talking about Hong Kong Disneyland, Ocean Park, The Peak or the Big Buddha. Although these are some of the main attractions in this beautiful country, there’s so much more to see. Case in point: Beaches in Hong Kong.
I’ve met a handful of people who were surprised to learn that Hong Kong has beaches. I remember this one time where I was in Causeway Bay, a fellow Filipino approached me and asked for directions. We ended up sharing a cab since the MTR was already closed and his hotel was near to where I was staying anyway. I asked him if he visited any of the beaches, and his answer was “they have beaches here?”.
Yes, there are beaches in Hong Kong and what I love the most about it is that it is very accessible. You don’t need a 4-6 hour drive or a plane ride to get there. To be honest, I have not been to all of them but I’m really keen to visit all. So allow me to share the ones that I have been to.
Note: How to go there is based on my personal experience. There are other possible mode of transportation aside from what I am sharing.
1. Hap Mun Bay Beach in Sai Kung
This is the first beach that I have been to. We went here on a weekday so we almost had the whole beach for us. The second and third time was on a weekend and boy, was it crowded!
How to go to Hap Mun Bay Beach:
Near Yau Ma Tei MTR station, take the red minibus in Dundas St that says Sai Kung. You can pay either by cash or Octopus.
Once you’re in Sai Kung, walk towards the right side of the pier and buy a boat (sampan) ticket from any of the booths there. You can only pay by cash and yes, it is a round trip ticket.
Sai Kung minibus: HK$16
Boat to Hap Mun Bay: HK$40
2. Shek O
I’ve only been here once and it was the 4th of July so it was pretty packed. I read a couple of articles that say Shek O Beach is the best on the island, I can’t agree yet since I haven’t seen the rest.
On the left side of the beach is a BBQ area where you can hire a pit if you brought your own food. There are BBQ restaurants and beachside cafes too.
Take the MTR to Shau Kei Wan Station and leave via Exit A3. Then take bus 9 to Shek O and get off at the Shek O Bus Terminus.
But to Shek O: HK$6.9
3. Long Ke Wan
Amongst the first two beaches that I went to, I think Long Ke Wan has the nicest and finest sand. The water was also nice but it was a bit cold and not as clean as it should be. It could be because of Typhoon Nida that just left couple of days ago. We saw a lot of people camping out and spending the night there since it was a very beautiful Saturday afternoon. And oh, the boats that you see nearby are junks (boat parties).
It takes more time to get here and a bit pricey. So make sure you come in a group. Also, you need to bring everything that you need, water, food, etc because there are no shops here.
How to go to Long Ke Wan Beach:
It’s the same way like going to Hap Mun Bay except you don’t take a boat. Once you are in Sai Kung, you need to take a green taxi and tell the driver that you would like to go to Long Ke Wan. The drive will be around 30 minutes.
You will then get dropped off and be ready to hike for 20 minutes. There is a trail so you don’t need to worry about getting lost.
Taxi: HK$300 (back and forth)
Bonus: This amazing infinity pool somewhere in Tai-O.
Prepare yourself for a bit of a hike to get there
What I know is that it’s not open to the public anymore and that swimming is prohibited because it is actually a reservoir, the drinking water for the Man Cheung Po residents.
The two beaches that I went to have toilets, shower and changing rooms (except Long Ke Wan that has 1 male and 1 female portable toilets). In Hap Mun Bay beach and Shek-O beach, you can buy food and drinks but you are welcome to bring your own. Just don’t forget to pick up your rubbish when you leave. I wasn’t kidding when I said I haven’t been to a lot but I am definitely looking forward to adding more to this list and soon camping sites and hiking trails!
How about you, have you been to any beaches in Hong Kong?
First time I heard about beaches in Hongkong. But seeing the pics they are ok. Meaning, if you are a local it will be fine. But Philippines is still is the Queen of Beaches 🙂
I personally think that they’re not so bad plus it’s easy and convenient to go to. But of course, can’t compare it to Boracay or Palawan 🙂
I agree that Hong Kong is one of the best places (out of the country) to go on a holiday since it’s so close. I’ve never really linked it to beaches though, more of amusement parks haha. Now you’ve opened my eyes to the possibilities.
Very true! It’s just a two hour flight, while in EDSA you can get stuck in traffic for more than that haha. Hope you’ll visit some 🙂
Whah, meron palang nice beaches sa Hong Kong. all along those above mentioned places lang ang alam ko rin.
Yes do! 🙂
seeing the pictures bigla kong na miss yung bicol. i forgot the name pero parehas nito.
The beaches are beautiful! Amazing photos Chel! I really hope that I can go to Hong Kong to visit these soon, people usually talk about HK for the shopping experience, not the beaches. It’s good to know that you can also do more than just shop!
Hongkong is one of my bucketlst. I will definitely visit this beaches I got the chance to visit here. Thanks for sharing.
Sorry if I am being ignorant here, about paying the transpo going to Hap Mun Bay, you said you can either pay via cash or octopus, are you saying this figuratively or seriously?
Oops sorry. Octopus is like an EZ-Link in Singapore. An all in one transportation card 🙂
I’m surprised to learn about it too. I should change the way I think about the side-effects of urbanization. I must be thinking a lot of dirty Manila.
It’s not actually just Hong Kong with good urban planning where they can preserve such places, Singapore did it too. I thought they don’t have beaches in Singapore but to my surprise they have Sentosa Island beaches.
I’ve been to foreign places and it’s saddening to know whenever it cross my mind and compare it to our/my Manila (like Marina Bay Sands versus Manila Bay). There are so much erected concretes and narrow roads here plus undisciplined human beings. I believe there are a lot of greeneries in Hong Kong too so as in Singapore (e.g. shrines, leisure parks, etc.). Back to the Philippines, I just don’t understand why the past Gov’t, local or wide, didn’t think about making our cities livable.
Couldn’t agree more. No proper planning happened here.
I’ve been to Shek O Beach since it’s in the tail end of the Dragon Back Trail. Too bad, we missed bumping into each other exploring the other side of Hong Kong.
The beaches look okay. I mean, no offense meant but I’m not really enticed. Maybe that’s because I’ve been to a lot of beaches in Pinas and they’re all so beautiful. Hehe. 🙂
I agree! We can’t really compare it to what we have but I still enjoyed it there 🙂
I know, I’m going back in September though.
I didnt know they have beaches too. i totally missed this during ny recent visit..
I’ve always associated Hong Kong with shopping so I was actually surprised it has so much to offer in terms of beaches.
It’s true that when you googled for HK, beaches are not on the top results. I’ve mostly viewed Hong Kong as an amusement and shopping destination. Might just drop by in one of their beaches if I’m staying there for a while. 🙂