Beaches of Hong Kong
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Template:Geography of Hong Kong
Hong Kong has a long coastline which 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, huge waves seldom appear at the bays, which makes them suitable for swimming.
However, with the increasing development and urbanisation of Hong Kong, water quality worsened resulting in the closure of many 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 in Hong Kong are managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). A number of other beaches are privately-owned, but are nonetheless publicly accessible.
Beaches managed by the LCSD suitable for swimming
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.
- Butterfly Beach ( 蝴蝶灣泳灘 )
- Castle Peak Beach ( 青山灣泳灘 )
- Kadoorie Beach ( 加多利灣泳灘 )
- Cafeteria Old Beach ( 舊咖啡灣泳灘 )
- Cafeteria New Beach ( 新咖啡灣泳灘 )
- Golden Beach ( 黃金泳灘 )
- Anglers' Beach ( 釣魚灣泳灘 )
- Gemini Beaches ( 雙仙灣泳灘 )
- Hoi Mei Wan Beach ( 海美灣泳灘 )
- Casam Beach ( 更生灣泳灘 )
- Lido Beach ( 麗都灣泳灘 )
- Ting Kau Beach ( 汀九灣泳灘 )
- Approach Beach ( 近水灣泳灘 )
- Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach ( 馬灣東灣泳灘 )
- Kiu Tsui Beach ( 橋咀泳灘 )
- Hap Mun Bay Beach ( 廈門灣泳灘 )
- Trio Beach ( 三星灣泳灘 )
- Silverstrand Beach ( 銀線灣泳灘 )
- Clear Water Bay First Beach ( 清水灣第一灣泳灘 )
- Clear Water Bay Second Beach ( 清水灣第二灣泳灘 )
- Big Wave Bay Beach ( 大浪灣泳灘 )
- Shek O Beach ( 石澳泳灘 )
- Turtle Cove Beach ( 龜背灣泳灘 )
- Hairpin Beach ( 夏萍灣泳灘 )
- Stanley Main Beach ( 赤柱正灘泳灘 )
- St. Stephen's Beach ( 聖士提反灣泳灘 )
- Chung Hom Kok Beach ( 舂坎角泳灘 )
- South Bay Beach ( 南灣泳灘 )
- Middle Bay Beach ( 中灣泳灘 )
- Repulse Bay Beach ( 淺水灣泳灘 )
- Deep Water Bay Beach ( 深水灣泳灘 )
- Hung Sing Yeh Beach ( 洪聖爺灣泳灘 )
- Lo So Sing Beach ( 蘆鬚城泳灘 )
- Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach ( 長洲東灣泳灘 )
- Kwun Yam Beach ( 觀音灣泳灘 )
- Silvermine Bay Beach ( 銀礦灣泳灘 )
- Pui O Beach ( 貝澳泳灘 )
- Upper Cheung Sha Beach ( 上長沙泳灘 )
- Lower Cheung Sha Beach ( 下長沙泳灘 )
- Tong Fuk Beach ( 塘福泳灘 )
1. Butterfly Beach ( 蝴蝶灣泳灘 ) - New Territories
Butterfly Beach is located in Tuen Mun.
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.
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.
19. and 20. Clearwater Bay Beaches ( 清 水 灣 泳 灘 ) - New Territories
Clearwater Bay Peninsula contains two scenic beaches - Clearwater Bay First Beach (grade 1) and Clearwater Bay Second Beach (grade 2).
The beach is occasioned by families every weekend, and in this regard carparks, refreshment kiosks and barbecue pits are to be found there. To ensure the safety of swimmers, lifeguards and shark nets are also present on the beach.
Clearwater Bay is served by KMB bus no. 91, from Diamond Hill MTR station.
21. Big Wave Bay Beach ( 大浪灣泳灘 ) - Hong Kong Island
Big Wave Bay Beach is located at Big Wave Bay, on the eastern coast of Hong Kong Island.
Image:Shek o beach hong kong 300px.jpg
22. Shek O Beach (石澳泳灘) - Hong Kong Island
- See Shek O.
23. Turtle Cove Beach ( 龜 背 灣 泳 灘 ) - Hong Kong Island
The beach situated at 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. Because there are no signposts, people do not know that you are already there until you get there. It is pretty quiet since it is only frequented by those in the know. Turtle Cove is very well "equipped"; with changing rooms, toilets and showers as well as a small playground, a soft drinks kiosk and a couple of barbecue pits.
To get there, people can take bus No.14 from exit A of the Sai Wan Ho MTR station. Once having gone past the Tai Tam Reservoir, they should keep an eye open for a building called Red Hill on their left. Then they should get off at that stop, and walk on till stairs leading people down the hill can be seen. People can reach the Beach by following those.
30. Repulse Bay Beach (淺水灣泳灘) - Hong Kong Island
- See Repulse Bay
31. Deep Water Bay Beach ( 深 水 灣 ) – Hong Kong Island
Deep Water Bay Beach is a popular beach on Hong Kong Island. It is quite near Repulse Bay Beach. Therefore, there is a pathway connecting the two beaches, Marechiato Seaview Promenade. People can have a walk along the pathway from one beach to another beach, watching the beautiful view nearby. As Deep Water Bay Beach is a Grade 2 beach, the water quality of the Beach is fair.
There are refreshment kiosk and barbecue area near Deep Water Bay Beach for people to have their meals or barbecue. Moreover, the Beach is next to a golf course. So apart from swimming, people can also go there to play golf.
It is quite convenient for people to go to Deep Water Bay Beach. They can go there by Bus no. 6A, 6X and 260 from Central. Also they can travel to there by private cars, as there are car parks near the Beach.
32. Hung Shing Yeh Beach ( 洪 聖 爺 灣 泳 灘 ) - Lamma Island
Hung Shing Yeh Beach 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 + changing facilities.
There is no public transport on Lamma Island. To reach the beach you will need to travel to Yung Shue Wan from Central by ferry, and then walk for about 20 minutes. The route is sign-posted.
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 here, which remain almost unused because of the beach's remote location.
To reach the beach you will need to travel to Yung Shue Wan or Sok Kwu Wan from Central by ferry, and then walk for about 40 minutes.
However, it is inconvenient for people to go there because no public transport reaches the place. People need to travel to Yung Shue Wan or Sok Kwu Wan on Lamma Island from Central by ferry. Then they need to walk for a period of time to reach the Beach.
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. They are not as big as those well-known beaches along the Hong Kong Island Coast. But, they do have their own characters. Kwun Yam Beach is a beautiful fine white beach situated at the east coast of Cheung Chau. The water quality is good and it is classified as a Grade 1 beach. It provides a series of water sports facilities. Many lovers like to take leisure walks there and to enjoy the village scene which still keeps the old traditions. Also, it is the place at where Hong Kong first Olympic medalist, Lee Lai Shan, practiced 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 "winder surfer" cafe owned by her uncle which is situated between the two beaches.
36. Silvermine Beach ( 銀 礦 灣 泳 灘 ) - Lantau Island
Hong Kong's largest island, Lantau, has several beaches which are clean, uncrowded and relatively convenient to get there. For all of them, the first step is to simply take the ferry from Central to Mui Wo. Then, if necessary, people can just hop on a bus.
Silvermine 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 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 Lantau natives 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 around there for people to stay.
37. Pui O Beach ( 貝澳泳灘 ) - Lantau Island
Pui O Beach is located on the southern shore of Lantau Island.
38. and 39. Cheung Sha Beaches ( 長沙泳灘 ) - Lantau Island
Cheung Sha Beach on the southern shore of Lantau Ismand, is divided into two parts: Upper Cheung Sha Beach and Lower Cheung Sha Beach. It is 3km long and is the longest beach in Hong Kong.
Privately-owned/Other beaches suitable for swimming
- Chung Wan (涌 灣)
- Crescent Bay (娥 眉 灣)
- Lo Kei Wan (Crescent Island) (籮 箕 灣 （ 娥 眉 洲 ）)
- Tung Wan (Double Island) (東 灣 （ 往 灣 洲 ）)
- Wu Kai Sha (烏 溪 沙)
- Lung Mei (龍 尾) Tai Po
- Hoi Ha Wan (海 下 灣) Sai Kung North
- Nam She Wan (蚺 蛇 灣) Sai Kung North
- Tung Wan (Tai Long Wan) (東 灣 （ 大 浪 灣 ）) Sai Kung North
- Tai Wan (大 灣) Sai Kung North
- Ham Tin Wan (鹹 田 灣) Sai Kung North
- Tai Long Sai Wan (大 浪 西 灣) Sai Kung North
- Long Ke Wan (浪 茄 灣) Sai Kung North
- Long Ke Tsai (浪 茄 仔) Sai Kung North
- Pak Sha Chau (白 沙 洲) Sai Kung
- Pak Lap Wan (白 臘 灣) Sai Kung
- Ma Tau Wan (馬 頭 環) Sai Kung
- Kam Lo Wan (蠄 蟧 灣) Sai Kung
- Nam Fung Wan (南 風 灣) Sai Kung
- Kau Sai Wan (滘 西 灣)
- Ung Kong Wan (甕 缸 灣)
- Whiskey (白 環)
- Campers' Bay (露 營 灣) Clearwater Bay
- Pak Shui Wun (白 水 碗) Clearwater Bay
- Bayside (碧 沙 灣) Clearwater Bay
- Little Palm (小 棕 林) Clearwater Bay
- Lung Ha Wan (龍 蝦 灣) Clearwater Bay
- Lung Kwu Upper (龍 鼓 上 灘) Tuen Mun
- Lung Kwu Lower (龍 鼓 下 灘) Tuen Mun
- Dragon Bay (青 龍 灣)
- To Tei Wan (Deity Bay) (土 地 灣) Shek O
- Tai Pak Wan (大 白 灣) Discovery Bay, Lantau Island
- Tai Long Wan (Chi Ma Wan) (大 浪 灣 （ 芝 麻 灣 ）) Chi Ma Wan
- Yi Long Wan (二 浪 灣) Chi Ma Wan
- Sha Lo Wan (沙 螺 灣) Lantau Island
- Tai Long Wan (Shek Pik) (大 浪 灣 （ 石 壁 ）) Lantau Island
- Lo Kei Wan (Shui Hau) (籮 箕 灣 （ 水 口 ）) Lantau Island
- Kau Ling Chung (狗 嶺 涌) Lantau Island
- Fan Lau Tung Wan (分 流 東 灣) Lantau Island
- Fan Lan Sai Wan (分 流 西 灣) Lantau Island
- Luk Keng Wan (鹿 頸 灣) Lantau Island
- Tai Kwai Wan (大 貴 灣) Cheung Chau
- Po Yue Wan (鯆 魚 灣) Cheung Chau
- Pak Tso Wan (白 鰽 灣) Cheung Chau
- Cheung Sha Wan (長 沙 灣)
- Shek Pai Wan (石 排 灣) Lamma Island
- Mo Tat wan (模 達 灣) Lamma Island
- Kwo Chau Wan (果 洲 灣)
- Siu A Chau Wan (小 鴉 洲 灣)
Grading system of beaches
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 Environmental Protection Department. Every week, water sample of each beach is collected for analysis to find out its bacterial level.
Grade 1 means that the water qualities of the beaches are good. The amount of E. coil is no more than 24 counts per 100 mL of beach water. Also no case of skin and gastrointestinal illnesses is detected for swimmers who have swum in the beaches.
Grade 2 means that the water qualities of the beaches are fair. The amount of E. coil 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. coil 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 in the Grade 4 beaches.
See also:
- Geography of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Country Parks & Special Areas
- Ecology of Hong Kong
- List of buildings, sites and areas in Hong Kong