Please remember when visiting Hong Kong beaches, that the city is hot and just like a good boy scout, it’s best to be prepared. Wear high factor sun-cream before grilling. Similarly, Hong Kong beaches are strictly non-nudist across the board, and you’re likely to find the long arm of the law if you peel off your clothes.
1. Stanley Beach
Stanley is a village on the south of Hong Kong Island. The village is well developed, with a host of western style bars and restaurants lining the waterfront. The village also has two beaches; Stanley Main Beach and St Stephen’s beach.
Water Quality – Good, 3/5. Stanley Main Beach is reasonably clean, although some rubbish is evident in the water. Acceptable to most.
Facilities – Excellent. Stanley is the epitome
2. Silvermine Bay Beach
Out on Lantau Island, Silvermine Bay is a relaxed beach next to Lantau’s unofficial capital, Mui Wo. Lantau is much more chilled out than Hong Kong Island and is a great option if you have kids.
Water Quality – Overall, excellent 5/5. Clear of Hong Kong Island, Lantau’s beaches are some of the cleanest in Hong Kong.
Facilities – Good, with a decent selection of western style eateries and bars. Lifeguards and shark nets are in place. One drawback is the infrequency of the ferry in the evening, especially at weekends.
How to Reach – Ferry from Central Pier to Lantau Island
3. Shek O Beach
A beautiful beach set on the south of Hong Kong Island, popular with suits on retreat from the city.
Water Quality – Overall, good 4/5. Shek O has very good water quality, making it worth the extra effort to reach. Around the corner, Big Wave Bay also has excellent water quality and the best surfing in Hong Kong.
Facilities – Very good. Shek O is a fantastic seaside village, with a wide selection of quaint restaurants that offer great al fresco seating. Changing rooms, lifeguards and shark nets are all also in place.
How to reach – No 9 Minibus from Shau Kei Wan MTR station
4. Deepwater Bay Beach
Probably Hong Kong’s most popular beach, this can be put down to Deepwater Bay’s proximity to Central, rather than the quality of the beach.
Water Quality – Overall, poor 2/5. Because of its closeness to Central Hong Kong, the water around Deepwater Bay is extremely poor. Although many locals still swim in the water, you may decide not to.
Facilities – Excellent. Two restaurants serve the beach, as well as a host of snack stalls. Lifeguards are on patrol most of the year and the bay is covered by shark nets, changing rooms are available. Packed at weekends.
How to Reach – Bus 6 or 6X from Central.
5. Sai Kung Beach
A great daytrippers option. Sai Kung takes a little more effort to reach as it is in the eastern part of the New Territories.
Water Quality – Overall, good 4/5. As Sai Kung is a good distance from Hong Kong Island and this helps keep its water very clean.
Facilities – Excellent. Plenty of dining and drinking available including some tasty gourmet restaurants. Sai Kung is a great option for those interested in watersports, including kayaking and windsurfing - just up the road is the Sai Kung sail club.
How to Reach – Bus number 92 from Diamond Hill MTR in Kowloon
