Beaches of Hong Kong

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Hong Kong Portal

Hong Kong has a long coastline that is full of twists and turns with many bays and beaches. Many of them are well sheltered by mountains nearby, as Hong Kong is a mountainous place. As a result, large waves seldom appear at the bays, making them suitable for swimming.

However, 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.

The majority of beaches suitable for swimming in Hong Kong are managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, and are officially referred to as gazetted beaches. A number of other beaches are privately owned or not gazetted, but are nonetheless publicly accessible.

Contents

[edit] Beaches suitable for swimming, managed by the LCSD

At present, a total of forty beaches in Hong Kong are managed by the LCSD. Eleven of them are located on Hong Kong Island and the southern part of Kowloon Peninsula, and the remaining 29 are located across the New Territories, including the outlying islands.

  1. Butterfly Beach (蝴蝶灣泳灘)
  2. Castle Peak Beach (青山灣泳灘)
  3. Kadoorie Beach (加多利灣泳灘)
  4. Cafeteria Old Beach (舊咖啡灣泳灘)
  5. Cafeteria New Beach (新咖啡灣泳灘)
  6. Golden Beach (黃金泳灘)
  7. Anglers' Beach (釣魚灣泳灘)
  8. Gemini Beaches (雙仙灣泳灘)
  9. Hoi Mei Wan Beach (海美灣泳灘)
  10. Casam Beach (更生灣泳灘)
  11. Lido Beach (麗都灣泳灘)
  12. Ting Kau Beach (汀九灣泳灘)
  13. Approach Beach (近水灣泳灘)
  14. Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach (馬灣東灣泳灘)
  15. Kiu Tsui Beach (橋咀泳灘)
  16. Hap Mun Bay Beach (廈門灣泳灘)
  17. Trio Beach (三星灣泳灘)
  18. Silverstrand Beach (銀線灣泳灘)
  19. Clear Water Bay First Beach (清水灣第一灣泳灘)
  20. Clear Water Bay Second Beach (清水灣第二灣泳灘)
  21. Big Wave Bay Beach (大浪灣泳灘)
  22. Shek O Beach (石澳泳灘)
  23. Turtle Cove Beach (龜背灣泳灘)
  24. Hairpin Beach (夏萍灣泳灘)
  25. Stanley Main Beach (赤柱正灘泳灘)
  26. St. Stephen's Beach (聖士提反灣泳灘)
  27. Chung Hom Kok Beach (舂坎角泳灘)
  28. South Bay Beach (南灣泳灘)
  29. Middle Bay Beach (中灣泳灘)
  30. Repulse Bay (淺水灣泳灘)
  31. Deep Water Bay Beach (深水灣泳灘)
  32. Hung Sing Yeh Beach (洪聖爺灣泳灘)
  33. Lo So Sing Beach (蘆鬚城泳灘)
  34. Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach (長洲東灣泳灘)
  35. Kwun Yam Beach (觀音灣泳灘)
  36. Silvermine Bay Beach (銀鑛灣泳灘)
  37. Pui O Beach (貝澳泳灘)
  38. Upper Cheung Sha Beach (上長沙泳灘)
  39. Lower Cheung Sha Beach (下長沙泳灘)
  40. Tong Fuk Beach (塘福泳灘)

[edit] 6. Golden Beach (黃金泳灘) - New Territories

Golden Beach is located at the 18.5 km 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 meters. 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 buses no. 52M from Kwai Fong and no. 53 from Tsuen Wan.

[edit] 14. Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach (馬灣東灣泳灘) - Ma Wan island

Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach is located on Ma Wan island.

[edit] 21. Big Wave Bay Beach

Big Wave Bay Beach is also the site of prehistoric rock carvings similar to those found on Cheung Chau Island.[1]

[edit] 23. Turtle Cove Beach (龜背灣泳灘) - Hong Kong Island

The beach situated east of Stanley and west of Tai Tam Reservoir is Turtle Cove Beach which is a Grade 1 beach. Being less than 70 meters long, it can easily be considered as a "baby beach". 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.

To get there, people can take bus No.14 from exit A of the Sai Wan Ho MTR station or the mini-van 16X from Chai Wan. Once having gone past the Tai Tam Reservoir, they should keep an eye open for an estate called Red Hill on their left. Then they should get off at that stop, and walk on till stairs leading people down the hill to the beach can be seen.

[edit] 28. and 29. South Bay Beach (南灣泳灘) and Middle Bay Beach (中灣泳灘) - Hong Kong Island

These two small beaches 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. Middle Bay is popular with gay beachgoers.

[edit] 30. Repulse Bay Beach (淺水灣泳灘) - Hong Kong Island

This beach, 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.

[edit] 31. Deep Water Bay Beach (深水灣) - Hong Kong Island

The beach is located on southern Hong Kong Island. See Deep Water Bay.

[edit] 32. Hung Shing Yeh Beach (洪聖爺灣泳灘) - Lamma Island

Hung Shing Yeh Beach 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.

[edit] 33. Lo So Shing Beach (盧鬚城泳灘) - Lamma Island

Lo So Shing Beach is located on Lamma Island about halfway 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 from Central by ferry, and then walk for about 40 minutes.

[edit] 34. and 35. Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach (長洲東灣泳灘) and Kwun Yam Beach (觀音灣) - Cheung Chau

There are two main beaches on Cheung Chau, Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach and Kwun Yam Beach. Although they are not as big as the well-known beaches along the Hong Kong Island coast, they do have their own qualities. 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 a Grade 1 beach. It provides many water sports facilities, particularly for sailboarding. Many lovers like to take leisurely walks there and to enjoy the village scene which still keeps the old traditions. Also, it is the place where Hong Kong's first Olympic medallist, Lee Lai Shan, practised when she was young. 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" cafe owned by her uncle, which is situated between the two beaches.

[edit] 36. Silvermine Bay Beach (銀鑛灣泳灘) - Lantau Island

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.

Silvermine Bay Beach, 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 Cheung Chau 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. [1]

[edit] 37. Pui O Beach (貝澳泳灘) - Lantau Island

Main article: Pui O

[edit] 38. and 39. Cheung Sha Beaches (長沙泳灘) - Lantau Island

Cheung Sha Beach on the southern shore of Lantau Island, is divided into two parts: Upper Cheung Sha Beach and Lower Cheung Sha Beach. It is 3 km long and is the longest beach in Hong Kong.

[edit] 40. Tong Fuk Beach (塘福泳灘) - Lantau Island

Main article: Tong Fuk

[edit] Privately owned/Other beaches suitable for swimming

  1. Chung Wan (涌灣) South Crooked Harbour, North District
  2. Cheung Sha Wan (長沙灣) Northeast Ping Chau
  3. Crescent Bay (娥眉灣) Crescent Island, Mirs Bay
  4. Lo Kei Wan (籮箕灣) Crescent Island, Mirs Bay
  5. Tung Wan (東灣) Wong Wan Chau, Mirs Bay
  6. Wu Kai Sha (烏溪沙) Wu Kai Sha, Ma On Shan
  7. Lung Mei (龍尾) Plover Cove, East Tai Po
  8. Hoi Ha Wan (海下灣) Hoi Ha Wan, North Sai Kung
  9. Nam She Wan (蚺蛇灣) East Sai Kung, Mirs Bay
  10. Tung Wan (東灣) East Sai Kung, Tai Long Wan
  11. Tai Wan (大灣) East Sai Kung, Tai Long Wan
  12. Ham Tin Wan (鹹田灣) East Sai Kung, Tai Long Wan
  13. Tai Long Sai Wan (大浪西灣) East Sai Kung, Tai Long Wan
  14. Long Ke Wan (浪茄灣) Long Ke Wan, East Sai Kung
  15. Long Ke Tsai (浪茄仔) Long Ke Wan, East Sai Kung
  16. Pak Sha Chau (白沙洲) Sai Kung Hoi, Sai Kung
  17. Pak Lap Wan (白臘灣) High Island, South Sai Kung
  18. Ma Tau Wan (馬頭環) High Island, South Sai Kung
  19. Kam Lo Wan (蠄蟧灣) High Island, South Sai Kung
  20. Nam Fung Wan (南風灣) High Island, South Sai Kung
  21. Kau Sai Wan (滘西灣) Kau Sai Chau, Sai Kung
  22. Whiskey (白環) Kau Sai Chau, Sai Kung
  23. Campers' Bay (露營灣) Ngau Mei Hoi, Clearwater Bay
  24. Pak Shui Wun (白水碗) Ngau Mei Hoi, Clearwater Bay
  25. Bayside (碧沙灣) Ngau Mei Hoi, Clearwater Bay
  26. Little Palm (小棕林) Ngau Mei Hoi, Clearwater Bay
  27. Lung Ha Wan (龍蝦灣) Ngau Mei Hoi, Clearwater Bay
  28. Ung Kong Wan (甕缸灣) Bluff Island, Clearwater Bay
  29. Lung Kwu Upper (龍鼓上灘) Lung Kwu Tan, west Tuen Mun
  30. Lung Kwu Lower (龍鼓下灘) Lung Kwu Tan, Tuen Mun
  31. Dragon Bay (青龍灣) Tsing Lung Tau, Tsuen Wan
  32. To Tei Wan (土地灣) Shek O, Cape D'Aguilar
  33. Tai Pak Wan (大白灣) Discovery Bay, East Lantau Island
  34. Tai Long Wan (大浪灣) Chi Ma Wan, South Lantau Island
  35. Yi Long Wan (二浪灣) Chi Ma Wan, South Lantau Island
  36. Sha Lo Wan (沙螺灣) West Tung Chung, North Lantau Island
  37. Tai Long Wan (大浪灣) Shek Pik, South Lantau Island
  38. Lo Kei Wan (籮箕灣) Shui Hau, South Lantau Island
  39. Kau Ling Chung (狗嶺涌) Fan Lau, Southwest Lantau Island
  40. Fan Lau Tung Wan (分流東灣) Fan Lau, Southwest Lantau Island
  41. Fan Lan Sai Wan (分流西灣) Fan Lau,[2] Southwest Lantau Island
  42. Luk Keng Wan (鹿頸灣) Yam O, Northeast Lantau Island
  43. Tai Kwai Wan (大貴灣) Northwest Cheung Chau
  44. Po Yue Wan (鯆魚灣) Southwest Cheung Chau
  45. Pak Tso Wan (白鰽灣) Southwest Cheung Chau
  46. Shek Pai Wan (石排灣) Southeast Lamma Island
  47. Mo Tat wan (模達灣) East Lamma Island
  48. Kwo Chau Wan (果洲灣) Tai Chau, Ninepin Group
  49. Siu A Chau Wan (小鴉洲灣) Siu A Chau, Soko Islands

Note: some of these beaches are difficult to reach. Because they are not maintained by the government, some may be unclean at times. As no lifeguards are on duty, swimmers are recommended to exercise caution.

[edit] Grading system of beaches

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 find out their bacterial level.

Grade 1 means that the water qualities of the beaches are good. The amount of E. coli is no more than 24 counts per 100 mL of beach water. Also no related case of skin and gastrointestinal illnesses has been reported by swimmers who have swum at these beaches.

Grade 2 means that the water qualities of the beaches are fair. The amount of E. coli is about 25 – 180 counts per 100 mL of beach water. Also the rate of skin and gastrointestinal illnesses is no more than 10 cases per 1000 swimmers.

Grade 3 means that the water qualities of the beaches are poor. The amount of E. coli is about 181 – 610 counts per 100 mL of beach water. Also the rate of skin and gastrointestinal illnesses is about 11 – 15 cases per 1000 swimmers.

Grade 4 means that the water quality is very poor. The amount of E. coil is greater than 610 counts 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, swimmers are advised not to swim at Grade 4 beaches.

[edit] See also

[edit] Line notes

  1. ^ C.Michael Hogan, 2007, Cheung Chau Rock Carvings, The Megalithic Portal, ed. A. Burnham
  2. ^ Jules Brown and Dinah Gardner, Hong Kong and Macau, page 187

[edit] External links

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