Beaches · Hong Kong · China
The best beaches in and near Hong Kong
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Wpcpey, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Repulse Bay (About 30 minutes by bus from Central). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in April–December.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 6
- Swimming season
- April–December
- Warmest sea
- 28°C (82°F)
The beaches
About 30 minutes by bus from Central · Easy family beach day
1.Repulse Bay
A wide crescent of sand on the island's south side with lifeguards in season, backed by apartment towers and a Tin Hau shrine.
About 45 minutes by MTR and bus · Relaxed village atmosphere
2.Shek O
A village beach with barbecue pits and casual Thai and Western restaurants at the end of the Shek O Road.
About 50 minutes by MTR and bus or minibus · Surfing and post-hike swims
3.Big Wave Bay
A small surf beach at the end of the Dragon's Back hike, with board rental and snack shops.
About 1 hour by MTR and bus via Tung Chung · Space and calm
4.Cheung Sha Beach
One of Hong Kong's longest beaches, on south Lantau, with beach restaurants and a quieter feel.
About 2 hours by bus and hike or boat · Wild scenery
5.Tai Long Wan
Four remote, sweeping bays in Sai Kung East Country Park, reached by hiking or boat; no lifeguards.
About 35 minutes by bus from Central · Combining a beach with lunch and shopping
6.Stanley Main Beach
A small beach next to Stanley's seafront promenade, market and restaurants, popular with windsurfers.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 19°C (66°F) | 19°C (66°F) |
| February | 19°C (66°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| March | 20°C (68°F) | 22°C (72°F) |
| April | 23°C (73°F) | 26°C (79°F) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 29°C (84°F) |
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| July | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| August | 28°C (82°F) | 32°C (90°F) |
| September | 28°C (82°F) | 31°C (88°F) |
| October | 26°C (79°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| November | 24°C (75°F) | 24°C (75°F) |
| December | 21°C (70°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$ · Best for quiet stays, beach and couples
Sai Kung
Sai Kung town in the eastern New Territories has a waterfront of seafood restaurants with tanks of live fish, plus kaito boats to quiet beaches and the volcanic rock columns of the UNESCO Global Geopark. There are few hotels — mostly guesthouses and holiday rentals — and the city is about 45–60 minutes away by minibus and MTR.
- Good
- Beaches and hikes nearby; Relaxed seaside pace; Seafood dining
- Watch out
- Far from city sights; Limited hotel choice
- Nearby
- Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, Sai Wan beaches, Sharp Island
Getting to the beaches
- Metro — The MTR runs from about 6am to around 1am, with trains every few minutes on core lines.
- Tram — Double-decker trams run east–west along Hong Kong Island's north shore for a low flat fare — slow but scenic.
- Ferry — The Star Ferry crosses the harbour, and fast and ordinary ferries from the Central Ferry Piers serve Lamma, Cheung Chau, Lantau and Peng Chau; TurboJET ferries go to Macau.
- Bus — Double-decker buses and red and green minibuses reach the south side of the island, Sai Kung and the country parks; green minibuses run fixed routes with fixed fares.
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in October–November. None of them is peak season, so beaches stay manageable.
Beach safety
Hong Kong has low street crime, though pickpocketing happens in crowded markets and on the MTR. Watch for typhoon and rainstorm warnings in summer, and take heat seriously on hikes. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Hong Kong have beaches?
Yes: Repulse Bay, Shek O, Big Wave Bay, Cheung Sha Beach, Tai Long Wan and Stanley Main Beach.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Hong Kong?
Usually April–December, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Hong Kong?
Repulse Bay: A wide crescent of sand on the island's south side with lifeguards in season, backed by apartment towers and a Tin Hau shrine.