9 of the best beaches in Hong Kong

Hong Kong may be famous for its “concrete jungle” reputation, but beyond the skyscrapers lies a surprisingly wild side, with its beaches remaining one of the region's most overlooked attractions. For travelers staying longer than 48 hours, heading to the shore offers a chance to experience a slower, quieter side of the city, from rocky coves reached by traditional sampans to crystal-clear bays that have to be earned with a hike. These are the best beaches in Hong Kong.

1. Repulse Bay

Best beach for food and drinks

Hong Kong's most famous beach, Repulse Bay is popular for good reason: it's easy to reach and surrounded by enough restaurants, cafes and bars to turn a simple swim into a full day out. Between dips, refuel with punchy Thai flavors at Sip Song – don't leave without trying the "Don't Tell Mom" roti pancake – or tuck into Amalfi Coast-style pizza at Amalfitana. Above the sand, some of the city’s priciest apartment towers climb the hillside, giving the bay a distinctly urban backdrop.

Local tip: Come on a weekday morning or around sunset for a much calmer atmosphere.

• Location: Beach Rd, Repulse Bay

• How to get there: No 40 minibus from Causeway Bay, or buses from Central and Admiralty; taxis from Central take around 20 minutes

• Amenities: Showers, changing rooms, accessible toilets, playground, beach volleyball court and restaurants.

2. Tai Long Wan

Best beach for beach hopping

Tucked away in eastern Sai Kung, Tai Long Wan – meaning “Big Wave Bay” – is part of the High Island volcanic landscape, whose distinctive rock formations date back around 140 million years. This spectacular 3km stretch of coastline comprises four beaches: Sai Wan, Ham Tin Wan, Tai Wan and Tung Wan. With powdery white sand, impossibly clear water and lush hiking trails linking each bay together, most people spend the day beach hopping, cooling off with swims and stopping for a cold drink or simple seafood lunch at the open-air cafes scattered around Ham Tin and Sai Wan. 

Local tip: To experience Tai Long Wan at its best, stay overnight and camp under the stars.

• Location: Tai Long Wan, Sai Kung District

• How to get there: Take a green taxi from Sai Kung town and then hike for 90 minutes to the beach. Alternatively, take a 30-minute speedboat from Sai Kung Pier, which costs about HK$130 for a one-way journey

• Amenities: Restaurants and toilets at Sai Wan and Ham Tin beaches only. Ham Tin offers camping equipment for rental.

3. Cheung Sha Beach

Best beach for families

Over on South Lantau, Cheung Sha Beach – split into Upper and Lower Cheung Sha – is the longest beach in Hong Kong, with a broad, open shoreline that rarely feels crowded. Families come for paddleboarding, kayaking and easy afternoons building sandcastles, while groups of friends linger over long seaside lunches between swims, with casual spots like Bistro Sun N Sand and Harbour Cafe being right on the beach.

Local tip: Pair your beach day with a trip to nearby Mui Wo or Tai O for a slower glimpse of old Hong Kong.

• Location: Cheung Sha Beach, South Lantau Rd, Lantau Island

• How to get there: Ferry from Central to Mui Wo, then bus 1/2/4 or taxi; or MTR to Tung Chung, then taxi

• Amenities: Restaurants, accessible toilets, showers, light refreshment kiosks, BBQ pits, changing rooms.

4. Big Wave Bay

Best beach for wave watching

Once Hong Kong’s go-to surf beach – before surfing was banned across the city’s public beaches – Big Wave Bay still draws crowds for its rolling waves and easygoing vibe. But there’s more to it than the surf culture legacy: the beach is home to prehistoric rock carvings declared a historic monument, and marks the rewarding endpoint of the famous Dragon’s Back hike, with wide views across the South China Sea along the way. Grab a cold beer and snacks at the relaxed beachfront cafe.

Local tip: Skip weekends if you can – Big Wave Bay is a favorite among local hikers and fills up quickly once the Dragon’s Back trail gets busy.

• Location: Big Wave Bay Rd, Shek O, Hong Kong Island

• How to get there: Take the No 9 bus from Shau Kei Wan MTR station or hike from Dragon’s Back

• Amenities: Refreshment kiosk, barbecue pit, changing rooms, shower facilities, accessible toilets, lifeguard services.

5. Tung Wan Beach

Best beach for water sports

The largest beach on Cheung Chau is known for its water sports facilities, making it a go-to for an active day in the sun. Here, colorful fishing boats bob offshore while windsurfers and kayakers make use of the calm bay. Just minutes from the ferry pier, it’s an easy stop before or after exploring the island’s charming, car-free streets – and a reminder that this sleepy, dumbbell-shaped island has serious sporting history, too, as the training ground of Hong Kong’s first Olympic gold medallist, Lee Lai-Shan.

Local tip: Rent a bike and loop the island before or after your beach time to soak up Cheung Chau’s slow, coastal rhythm.

• Location: Tung Wan Beach, Cheung Chau

• How to get there: Take a 30-minute ferry from Central to Cheung Chau, then it’s a 10-minute walk to the beach

• Amenities: Changing room, shower facilities, accessible toilet, lifeguard services.

6. Clearwater Bay Second Beach

Best beach for swimming

You'll often spot regulars powering through their morning laps here. Known for its clear water and broad sweep of sand, it’s the kind of beach that makes for an easy escape when you’ve got a free afternoon and don’t want the hassle of a long hike, thanks to the direct staircase that descends from the bus stop to the long crescent-shaped shore. Don’t expect much shade though – sunscreen and a hat are essential here.

Local tip: Come early in the morning for calmer water and to catch local swimmers doing their daily laps.

• Location: Clearwater Bay Second Beach, Tai Au Mun Road, Clearwater Bay 

• How to get there: Go to Tseung Kwan O MTR station and take the 103M minibus to the last stop

• Amenities: Barbecue pit, shower facilities, changing room.

7. Hung Shing Yeh

Best beach for calm waters

Lamma Island, a slow-paced escape just 30 minutes by ferry from Central, is a popular day trip. Its main beach, Hung Shing Yeh, is known for its golden sand, calm waters and easygoing vibe, even with the Lamma Power Station sitting across the bay as an oddly cinematic backdrop. Enjoy a hearty bowl of beef brisket noodles from Fai Kee, a local favorite in Yung Shue Wan.

Local tip: Walk the coastal trail between Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan. It’s one of the easier family-friendly hikes in Hong Kong.

• Location: Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island 

• How to get there: Take a ferry to Lamma Island from Central and walk about 30 minutes

• Amenities: Barbecue pit, shower facilities, changing room, accessible toilet.

8. Long Ke Wan

Best beach for getting off-the-grid 

On a clear day, the drive to the East Dam of High Island Reservoir – the drop-off point before the beach – offers sweeping views of Hong Kong’s UNESCO-listed volcanic landscape. Tucked between rugged hills and dramatic rock formations, Long Ke Wan feels wonderfully remote, a pristine stretch of soft white sand and azure water where the soundtrack is mostly wind, waves and birdsong. With no shops, cafes or facilities nearby, it’s one of the few places in Hong Kong that genuinely feels off the grid.

Local tip: Pack more water and snacks than you think you'll need, as there are no facilities here.

• Location: Long Ke Wan (Long Ke Beach), Sai Kung East Country Park 

• How to get there: From Sai Kung town, take a 20-minute taxi to High Island Reservoir East Dam. From there, it’s a steep 25-minute walk downhill. Alternatively, take a scenic 30-minute speed boat from Sai Kung Pier (note that this can be quite choppy)

• Amenities: This is a very secluded beach and there are no facilities.

9. Hap Mun Bay

Best beach for snorkeling

In Sai Kung’s UNESCO Global Geopark, Hap Mun Bay – also referred to as Half Moon Bay – is just a short sampan ride from the town center, making the journey there part of the experience. These traditional wooden fishing boats offer a glimpse into Hong Kong’s old coastal culture before dropping you at one of the city’s most picturesque beaches. Expect emerald-green water, volcanic rock formations and a quieter, more castaway feel than many of Hong Kong’s better-known beaches. Nearby, the Sharp Island tombolo – nicknamed the “Fairy Walk” – appears at low tide, creating a natural sand path across the water that’s perfect for a stroll before slipping on your goggles to snorkel around the rocky shoreline.

Local tip: Bring water shoes if you plan to snorkel. The rocky shoreline around Sharp Island is where you’ll spot the clearest water and most marine life.

• Location: Hap Mun Bay, Sharp Island, Sai Kung

• How to get there: Head to Sai Kung Pier and look for the sampan “aunties” selling boat tickets to Hap Mun Bay (roughly HK$40)

• Amenities: Refreshment kiosk (open on weekends), barbecue pit, toilet, shower facilities, changing room.