Beach Bums:
We list the top local sandy stretches
#1 REPULSE BAY
This crescent-shaped beach is popular with locals and tourists alike and is easily the most recognisable beach in the city, making it one of the top Hong Kong beaches. Once you’ve had your fill of surf and sun, you can have a meal at one of the restaurants adjacent to the beach or head into The Repulse Bay to do some shopping. Make sure you check out the gardens at the southern end of the sandy strip, with colourful statues of traditional 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 DEEP WATER BAY
One of the more picturesque beaches in Hong Kong, 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
#3 STANLEY BEACH
There’s plenty to do on a day trip to Stanley, with the 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
#4 HAM TIN BEACH
If you don’t mind the idea of hiking for an hour or more to get to the beach, then Ham Tin Wan is a great outing. It’s one of several beaches along the stretch of Tai Long Wan (Big Wave Bay) in Sai Kung, and it feels a million miles from the city. In the tiny village here you’ll find some shops for getting drinks and snacks, and you’ll also want to take photos on the rickety wooden footbridge that leads across to the beach.
Where: Sai Kung Country Park
How to get there: Several options from Sai Kung town, including bus 94 to Pak Tam Au, from where it’s a 6km walk to the beach
#5 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’ll 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
#6 SHEK O
This beach has long been one of Hong Kong’s favourites. Take the number 9 bus from Shau Kei Wan Station on weekends and it will be packed with local Hongkongers heading out for a day of surf and sand. Once you get off the bus, there are plenty of 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
#7 BIG WAVE BAY BEACH
Not to be confused with Big Wave Bay up in the New Territories (see #4), this is popular with surfers with decent waves as a result of winds coming from two directions. It can be pretty crowded at weekends. Big Wave Bay Beach is close to the Dragon’s Back hiking trail, and is also home to 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
#8 CHEUNG SHA BEACH
This beach is a popular day trip for Lantau locals who head down with their families to spend the day at one of the restaurants facing the sand, making it easy for the kids to play on the beach under watchful eyes and for everyone to cool down with quick dips in the ocean in between food and drinks. You can get to Cheung Sha by car or bus from Mui Wo town centre. 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 Mui Wo town centre
#9 CLEAR WATER BAY BEACHES
The beautiful Clear Water Bay is on the eastern shore of the Clear Water Bay peninsula, and has two great beaches known as First and Second Beach. Both have shower facilities, toilets and rafts, but only First Beach has a barbecue area, while only Second Beach has a kiosk. The former is smaller and more secluded. 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, which stops at First Beach before terminating at Second Beach; the two beaches are connected by footpath and steps; it’s about a 15-minute walk
#10 PUI O BEACH
Nestled down in South Lantau, Pui O is loved for its laid-back vibe, which makes it an easy entry on our list of top Hong Kong beaches. It has showers, barbecues and even a kiosk to rent surfboards and other equipment. You might see some buffalo here too. Where: South Lantau Road, Lantau
How to get there: Ferry to Mui Wo, and then the number 1 bus takes about 15 minutes, or get a blue Lantau taxi
#11 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 settlement here, a now defunct silver mine. The Silver Mine Beach Resort is located overlooking the beach, but Mui Wo has a number of 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 to 15 minutes following the signs
#12 TAI PAK WAN
This Discovery Bay beach is a short hop from the ferry terminal and its ease of access makes it one of the top Hong Kong beaches. There is an excellent kids’ playground at the north end of the beach. Enjoy a day on the sand and if you then have lunch or dinner at one of the nearby D’Deck restaurants you will get your return ferry trip to Central for free.
Where: Discovery Bay Road, Discovery Bay
How to get there: Ferry from Central Pier 3; head to the right as you get off at Discovery Bay ferry pier and walk five minutes along the water to beach entrance