Beaches of Hong Kong
Template:Short description Template:Use Hong Kong English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Geography of Hong Kong Hong Kong has a long and jagged coastline with many bays and beaches. The shelter provided by adjacent mountains keeps wave sizes generally small, and most beaches are thus suitable for swimming and recreation, if they can be reached.
About half of Hong Kong's more accessible beaches are gazetted and thus managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). Many that are not gazetted are also popular, and some privately owned beaches are publicly accessible.
With the increasing development and urbanisation of Hong Kong, water quality has worsened resulting in the closure of several beaches previously suitable for swimming. These include Approach Beach, Ting Kau Beach, Anglers' Beach, Gemini Beaches, Hoi Mei Wan Beach, Casam Beach and Lido Beach in Tsuen Wan. In 2011, Lido Beach, Casam Beach, Approach Beach and Hoi Mei Wan Beach were reopened following an improvement in water quality.<ref>"Four beaches in Tsuen Wan to reopen with improved water quality", Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Press Release, June 13, 2011 Template:Webarchive</ref>
Gazetted beaches
A total of forty-two beaches in Hong Kong are gazetted and managed by LCSD. Twelve of these are located on Hong Kong Island, with the remaining 30 spread across the New Territories, including the Outlying Islands. Some are temporarily closed to swimmers.
Full list
1. Butterfly Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
2. Castle Peak Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
3. Kadoorie Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
4. Cafeteria Old Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
5. Cafeteria New Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
6. Golden Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
7. Anglers' Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
8. Gemini Beaches ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
9. Hoi Mei Wan Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
10. Casam Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
11. Lido Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
12. Ting Kau Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
13. Approach Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
14. Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
15. Trio Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
16. Kiu Tsui Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
17. Hap Mun Bay Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
18. Silverstrand Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
19. Clear Water Bay First Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
20. Clear Water Bay Second Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
21. Deep Water Bay Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
22. Repulse Bay Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
23. Middle Bay Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
24. South Bay, Hong Kong ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
25. Chung Hom Kok Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
26. St. Stephen's Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
27. Stanley Main Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
28. Hairpin Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
29. Turtle Cove Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
30. Shek O Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
31. Rocky Bay Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
32. Big Wave Bay Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
33. Hung Shing Yeh Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
34. Lo So Shing Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
35. Kwun Yam Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
36. Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
37. Silver Mine Bay Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
38. Pui O Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
39. Upper Cheung Sha Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
40. Lower Cheung Sha Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
41. Tong Fuk Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
42. Tai Po Lung Mei Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})
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Tuen Mun
Kadoorie Beach
Kadoorie Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) is located at 18¾ milestone, Castle Peak Road. The enquires of the beach are 2450 6336 and 2451 3461. There are BBQ area, changing rooms, shower facilities and toilet. Lifeguard service hours are 0900–1800 in April to May, September to October, and also on Mondays to Fridays in June to August. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in June to August, lifeguard service hours are 0800–1900. Lifeguard services are suspended during winter (November to March).
Cafeteria Old Beach
Cafeteria Old Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) is located at 18¾ milestone, Castle Peak Road. The enquires of the beach are 2450 6306 and 2451 3461. There are refreshment kiosk, BBQ area, changing room, shower facilities, toilet and bathing shed. Lifeguard service hours are 0900–1800 in April to May, September to October, and also on Mondays to Fridays in June to August. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in June to August, lifeguard service hours are 0800–1900. Lifeguard services are suspended during winter (November to March).
Cafeteria New Beach
Cafeteria New Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) is located at 18½ milestone, Castle Peak Road. The enquires of the beach are 2450 6440 and 2451 3461. There are refreshment kiosk and beach volleyball court. Lifeguard service hours are 0900–1800 in April to May, September to October, and also on Mondays to Fridays in June to August. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in June to August, lifeguard service hours are 0800–1900. Lifeguard services are suspended during winter (November to March).
Golden Beach
Golden Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) is located at the 18½ milestone of Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun. It is the largest beach in Tuen Mun with a total area of 78,500 m2 and a length of 545 metres. It is the first artificial beach in Hong Kong. It is classified as a Grade 2 beach, meaning that the water quality is fair. Refreshment kiosks, a hotel and a shopping mall are to be found adjacent to the beach.
Golden Beach is unique amongst the beaches of Hong Kong in that it has a volleyball court. The Hong Kong Beach Volleyball Team occasionally practises on Golden Beach.
Golden Beach is served by KMB bus routes 52X (Tuen Mun Central ↔ Mong Kok), 53 (Yuen Long station ↔ Tsuen Wan), 61A (Yau Oi South → Tuen Mun Road Interchange), 61M (Yau Oi South ↔ Lai King North), 252B (Handsome Court → Tsim Sha Tsui), 252X (Handsome Court/Chi Lok Fa Yuen ↔ Lam Tin station) and 261B (Sam Shing → Kowloon station);
by Citybus bus routes 962/N962 (Lung Mun Oasis ↔ Causeway Bay), 962B/962S (Chi Lok Fa Yuen ↔ Causeway Bay);
by Long Win Bus bus routes A33 (Airport ↔ Tuen Mun Road Interchange);
by MTR Bus feeder bus routes K51 (Fu Tai ↔ Tai Lam) and K53 (Tuen Mun station ↺ So Kwun Wat).
Tsuen Wan
Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach – Ma Wan
Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) is located on Ma Wan island.
Hong Kong Island
Deep Water Bay Beach
Deep Water Bay Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}泳灘) is located on southern Hong Kong Island. See Deep Water Bay Beach.
Repulse Bay Beach
Repulse Bay Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), traditionally Hong Kong's most popular because of its easy access by bus and extensive facilities, is located on southern Hong Kong Island. See Repulse Bay Beach.
Middle Bay Beach and South Bay Beach
These two small beaches at South Bay and Middle Bay are located within walking distance of Repulse Bay Beach. However, since they are not directly accessible by public transport, they tend to be quieter and less crowded than Repulse Bay.
Turtle Cove Beach
The beach situated east of Stanley and west of Tai Tam Reservoir is Turtle Cove Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) which is a Grade 1 beach of less than 70 meters in length. Turtle Cove is very well equipped; with changing rooms, toilets and showers as well as a small playground, a soft drinks kiosk and seven barbecue pits.
Turtle Cove Beach is accessible by bus No.14 from exit A of the Sai Wan Ho MTR station or mini-bus 16X from Chai Wan; the beach is located near the Red Hill estate stop (past the Tai Tam Reservoir). From near the bus stop, stairs lead down the hill to the beach.
Big Wave Bay Beach
Big Wave Bay Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) in Southern District is also the site of prehistoric rock carvings similar to those found on Cheung Chau Island.<ref>C.Michael Hogan, 2007, Cheung Chau Rock Carvings, The Megalithic Portal, ed. A. Burnham</ref> Not to be confused with other places called Big Wave Bay or Tai Long Wan in Hong Kong.
Lamma Island
Hung Shing Yeh Beach
Hung Shing Yeh Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) is the most popular beach on Lamma Island. The sand on the beach is very fine, like powder. The water of the Beach is clean and it is classified as a Grade 1 beach.
Near the beach, there is a barbecue area, refreshment kiosk, and shower and changing facilities.
There is no public transport on Lamma Island. To reach the beach one must travel to Yung Shue Wan from Central by ferry, and then walk for about 20 minutes. The route is signposted.
Lo So Shing Beach
Lo So Shing Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) is located on Lamma Island between the main villages of Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan. The water of the beach is clean and it is classified as a Grade 1 beach. Some years ago the government of Hong Kong built shower and refreshment facilities there, which remain almost unused because of the beach's remote location and the absence of public transport.
To reach the beach one must travel to Yung Shue Wan or Sok Kwu Wan by ferry, and then walk for about 40 minutes.
Cheung Chau
Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach and Kwun Yam Beach
There are two main beaches on Cheung Chau: Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) and Kwun Yam Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}) aka. Afternoon Beach. Although they are not as big as the well-known beaches along the Hong Kong Island coast, they have much character. Kwun Yam Beach is a beautiful fine white beach situated on the east coast of Cheung Chau. The water quality is good and it is classified as Grade 1. It is popular for various water sports facilities, with two centres providing rentals of windsurfers and kayaks. Many lovers like to take leisurely walks there and to enjoy the village scene which still maintains the old traditions. Also, it is where Hong Kong's first Olympic medallist, Lee Lai Shan, first learned and practised windsurfing. A formal monument to her achievement is erected in the children's playground on Tung Wan Beach, while an unofficial monument is to be found beside the "windsurfer" café and centre owned by her uncle and first coach, situated between the two beaches.
Lantau Island
Silver Mine Bay Beach
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Hong Kong's largest island, Lantau, has several beaches which are clean, uncrowded and relatively convenient to reach. For all of them, the first step is to simply take the ferry from Central to Mui Wo. Then, if necessary, one can just hop on a bus.
Silver Mine Bay Beach ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), which is a Grade 1 beach, is the easiest one to get to, since it is located about a 5-minute walk away from the Mui Wo ferry pier. Since there is a sandbar area, this beach is ideal for flinging frisbees or flying kites. Further along the beach is a swimming area with several lifeguards on duty. Many visitors rent a bike for the afternoon, and stop off at the many refreshment kiosks and little restaurants along the road fronting the beach. If people do not feel like hurrying back into the city, they can also choose to stay overnight at the Silvermine Beach Hotel, located right on the waterfront. Also, there are several other hotels and guesthouses in the area where people can stay.
Pui O Beach
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Cheung Sha Beaches
Cheung Sha Beach is located in Cheung Sha, on the southern shore of Lantau Island. It is divided into two parts by a small headland: Upper Cheung Sha Beach (east) and Lower Cheung Sha Beach (west). It is 3 km long and is one of the longest beaches in Hong Kong.<ref>Time Out Hong Kong: "Get Out: Cheung Sha Beach" Template:Webarchive, 8 May 2009</ref> The beaches are accessible from South Lantau Road.<ref>Leisure and Cultural Services Department: Lower Cheung Sha Beach</ref> Tong Fuk Beach is located nearby, to the west of Lower Cheung Sha Beach.
Tong Fuk Beach
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Non-gazetted beaches
A number of Hong Kong's larger non-gazetted beaches are popular, with the lack of official oversight and facilities often seen as part of their attraction. Other, smaller locations may be difficult to reach and likely exclusive for any visitor that finds them. However such non-maintained beaches may have accumulated significant flotsam and jetsam of varying attractiveness. A few bays, such as Hoi Ha, lie within protected areas and swimming may be prohibited.
- Chung Wan (Template:Zh) South Crooked Harbour, North District
- Cheung Sha Wan (Template:Zh) Northeast Ping Chau
- Crescent Bay (Template:Zh) Crescent Island, Mirs Bay
- Lo Kei Wan (Template:Zh) Crescent Island, Mirs Bay
- Tung Wan (Template:Zh) Wong Wan Chau, Mirs Bay
- Wu Kai Sha (Template:Zh) Wu Kai Sha, Ma On Shan
- Lung Mei (Template:Zh) Plover Cove, East Tai Po
- Hoi Ha Wan (Template:Zh) Hoi Ha Wan, North Sai Kung Peninsula
- Nam She Wan (Template:Zh) East Sai Kung, Mirs Bay
- Tung Wan (Template:Zh) East Sai Kung, Tai Long Wan
- Tai Wan (Template:Zh) East Sai Kung, Tai Long Wan
- Ham Tin Wan (Template:Zh) East Sai Kung, Tai Long Wan
- Tai Long Sai Wan (Template:Zh) East Sai Kung, Tai Long Wan
- Long Ke Wan (Template:Zh) Long Ke Wan, East Sai Kung
- Long Ke Tsai (Template:Zh) Long Ke Wan, East Sai Kung
- Pak Sha Chau (Template:Zh) Sai Kung Hoi, Sai Kung
- Pak Lap Wan (Template:Zh) High Island, South Sai Kung
- Ma Tau Wan (Template:Zh) High Island, South Sai Kung
- Kam Lo Wan (Template:Zh) High Island, South Sai Kung
- Nam Fung Wan (Template:Zh) High Island, South Sai Kung
- Kau Sai Wan (Template:Zh) Kau Sai Chau, Sai Kung
- Whiskey (Template:Zh) Kau Sai Chau, Sai Kung
- Campers' Bay (Template:Zh) Port Shelter, Clearwater Bay
- Pak Shui Wun (Template:Zh) Port Shelter, Clearwater Bay
- Bayside (Template:Zh) Port Shelter, Clearwater Bay
- Little Palm (Template:Zh) Port Shelter, Clearwater Bay
- Lung Ha Wan (Template:Zh) Port Shelter, Clearwater Bay
- Ung Kong Wan (Template:Zh) Bluff Island, Clearwater Bay
- Lung Kwu Upper (Template:Zh) Lung Kwu Tan, west Tuen Mun
- Lung Kwu Lower (Template:Zh) Lung Kwu Tan, Tuen Mun
- Dragon Bay (Template:Zh) Tsing Lung Tau, Tsuen Wan
- To Tei Wan (Template:Zh) Shek O, Cape D'Aguilar
- Tai Pak Wan (Template:Zh) Discovery Bay, East Lantau Island
- Tai Long Wan (Template:Zh) Chi Ma Wan, South Lantau Island
- Yi Long Wan (Template:Zh) Chi Ma Wan, South Lantau Island
- Sha Lo Wan (Template:Zh) West Tung Chung, North Lantau Island
- Tai Long Wan (Template:Zh) Shek Pik, South Lantau Island
- Lo Kei Wan (Template:Zh) Shui Hau, South Lantau Island
- Kau Ling Chung (Template:Zh) Fan Lau, Southwest Lantau Island
- Fan Lau Tung Wan (Template:Zh) Fan Lau, Southwest Lantau Island
- Fan Lan Sai Wan (Template:Zh) Fan Lau,<ref>Jules Brown and Dinah Gardner, Hong Kong and Macau, page 187</ref> Southwest Lantau Island
- Luk Keng Wan (Template:Zh) Yam O, Northeast Lantau Island
- Tai Kwai Wan (Template:Zh) Northwest Cheung Chau
- Po Yue Wan (Template:Zh) Southwest Cheung Chau
- Pak Tso Wan (Template:Zh) Southwest Cheung Chau
- Shek Pai Wan (Template:Zh) Southeast Lamma Island
- Mo Tat Wan (Template:Zh) East Lamma Island
- Kwo Chau Wan (Template:Zh) Tai Chau, Ninepin Group
- Siu A Chau Wan (Template:Zh) Siu A Chau, Soko Islands
Water quality grading system
Gazetted beaches in Hong Kong are classified into four grades (Grades 1 – 4) according to the level of E. coli in the water of the beaches. This is done by the Environmental Protection Department. Every week, water samples of each beach are collected for analysis to determine their bacterial level.
Grade 1 means that the water quality of the beaches is good, with an E. coli count of no more than 24 per 100 mL of beach water and no known cases of skin or gastrointestinal illnesses among swimmers there.
Grade 2 means that the water quality of the beaches is fair, with an E. coli count of 25–180 per 100 mL of beach water and no more than 10 reported cases of skin and gastrointestinal illnesses per 1000 swimmers.
Grade 3 means that the water quality of the beaches is poor, with an E. coli count of 181–610 per 100 mL of beach water and 11–15 reported cases of skin and gastrointestinal illnesses per 1000 swimmers.
Grade 4 means that the water quality is very poor, with an E. coli count greater than 610 per 100 mL of beach water. Also the rate of skin and gastrointestinal illnesses is greater than 15 cases per 1000 swimmers. As a result, swimming is not advised at Grade 4 beaches.
See also
- List of beaches
- Environment of Hong Kong
- Geography of Hong Kong
- Conservation in Hong Kong
- List of places in Hong Kong
- Shark net
- Swimming shed
References
External links
- Leisure and Cultural Services Department: Public Beaches on Hong Kong Island
- Leisure and Cultural Services Department: Public Beaches in the New Territories
- Environmental Protection Department
- Grading of beach water quality
- Beaches of Hong Kong, from HK-place.com
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