Sandy toes, sun-kissed nose and endless ocean views – life’s too short to not enjoy beach days. If you need some dire beach therapy, Hong Kong is the place to be. Many top-quality beaches with clear, pristine waters nurture the city’s landscape. Whether you want to tingle your toes on the sandy shores, take a dip in the sea or just soak up the balmy sun views – Hong Kong is home to some of the cleanest beaches with the best water quality that’ll make your experience surreal. To make your summers more worthwhile, let’s take you through the 10 clean water beaches in Hong Kong you simply can’t miss.
No wonder you’ll find a beautiful beach at every nook and cranny of the city. However, not all of them are worth dipping your toes into. Did you know Hong Kong’s Environmental Protection Department continually assesses the city’s beaches based on their water quality?According to the latest beach water quality grading, only a handful of beaches attained a ‘Good’ (Grade 1) rating. From the small Hap Mun Bay Beach where campers and beach babies often enjoy the pristine waters of the bay to Sai Kung’s Trio Beach, that’s a hidden gem for hikers, adventurers and beach lovers alike – these sites flaunt crystal clear blue waters.
So, are you ready to explore? Scroll through our guide to discover the top 10 clean water beaches in Hong Kong with clean water.
10 best beaches in Hong Kong with the cleanest waters
Jump To / Table of Contents
- Hap Mun Bay Beach
- Repulse Bay Beach
- Cheung Sha Beach
- Trio Beach
- Shek O Beach
- Middle Bay Beach
- South Bay Beach
- Stanley Main Beach
- Hung Shing Yeh Beach
- Tung Wan Beach and Kwun Yam Beach, Cheung Chau
1 /10
Hap Mun Bay Beach
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Hap Mun Bay or Half Moon Bay gets its name from its crescent-like shape. Located in Hong Kong’s smallest island country park, Sharp Island, it’s a hidden gem whose alluring beauty, golden sand shores and great water quality are unmatched. You’ll see a lot of campers barbequing on the shore and sightseers and swimmers making the most of the remote lagoon.
For those unversed, Sharp Island is also a part of the UNESCO Geopark, which means it offers stunning natural beauty. All adrenaline junkies can even hike from Kiu Tsui Beach (which is located at the other end of the island) to Hap Mun Bay to witness some great panoramic views of the landscape.
However, because of the remote location, facilities are scarce here. So, make sure to carry all essential supplies.
How to reach: Take a small ferry (kaito) from Sai Kung Town pier to Sharp Island (usually takes 15 minutes).
2 /10
Repulse Bay Beach
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Bask in Hong Kong’s luxury paradise at Repulse Bay Beach, which is surrounded by upscale cafes, award-winning restaurants and bars at The Pulse. It’s loved by tourists and locals alike, offering all amenities like showers, changing rooms, clean washrooms etc. Once you’re done with your beachside adventures, you can head to Repulse Bay Beach’s southern end where the famous Tin Hau Temple lies. Built in honour of the Goddess of the Sea in 1873, the temple is one of the most historically rich, colourful and ornate Buddhist temples.
How to reach: From the Jardine’s Bazaar in Causeway Bay, hop on minibus 40 or 40X and get down at the Repulse Bay Beach bus stop.
3 /10
Cheung Sha Beach
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At 3 km long, Cheung Sha Beach is the longest beach in Hong Kong, lying on the outskirts of Lantau Island. Its pristine and clear waters are tucked away from massive crowds, and you’ll find this hidden gem perfect to relax and sip beers with your family/ partner on a hot weekend or dive into intense water sports for some action. The beach is divided into two sections: Upper and Lower Cheung Sha Beach.
The Lower Cheung Sha Beach is the more commercial and happening spot filled with numerous beachfront restaurants with appetizing meals. Meanwhile, the Upper Cheung Sha Beach is the prettier, more tranquil spot of the two, perfect for those who want to steer clear of all the commotion. It has a light refreshment kiosk, barbecue pits, changing rooms, shower facilities, and washrooms.
How to get there: Use a ferry to go from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo. Hop onto bus 1 or 2 to reach Cheung Sha Beach.
4 /10
Trio Beach
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A small and secluded beach in Sai Kung, Trio Beach is nestled in lush greenery. A sampan ride or relatively easy and flat hike of about 30-40 minutes will lead you to this hidden gem that flaunts the softest sand and clean water. Enjoy the panoramic views of Shelter Island and Clearwater Bay, engage in a match of beach volleyball, dip yourself in the cool waters or just sip beers while reading your favourite book in silence – Trio Beach is ideal for all those wanting a day-long escape from the madness of city life.
How to reach: You can opt for a30-minute hike, or a 10-minute sampan (boat) ride to reach Pak Sha Wan. Hop on another sampan from Pak Sha Wan Pier to Trio Beach.
5 /10
Shek O Beach
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Retreat to the southeast of Hong Kong Island where you’ll be greeted with the beautiful Shek O Beach. A popular beach populated with cafes, bars and restaurants, Shek O Beach has fine white sand and clear blue waves. It’s a favourite pick for all hikers, giving them direct access to one of Hong Kong’s best hiking spots, the Dragon’s Back hiking trail. A lot of people make their way to the beach after hiking Dragon’s back. Surfers can also visit the adjacent Big Wave Bay Beach, ideal to engage in the thrilling water sport.
How to reach: Take the MTR to reach Shau Kei Wan station and get down via Exit A2. Get on the red minibus marked ‘Shek O’ from the adjacent tunnel and get down at the Shek O Beach. You can also take bus 9 from Shau Kei Wan to Shek O Beach.
6 /10
Middle Bay Beach
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Located at the heart of South Bay and Repulse Bay, Middle Bay Beach is a serene stretch of sand and clear water for those who want to avoid hordes of people. Despite being located right around the corner from Repulse Bay Beach, Middle Bay is an often-overlooked spot. Enjoy a barbeque evening with your family or friends, tucked away from the mayhem of the metropolis. The beach offers fast food kiosks, BBQ pits, changing rooms, shower facilities and rafts.
How to reach: Get on either Bus 6, 6A, 6X, 66 or 260 from Exchange Square Bus Terminus to Repulse Bay. From here you can either walk or take a taxi to Middle Bay Beach.
7 /10
South Bay Beach
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A charming cove nestled in the peaceful bounty of nature on the weekdays, and Hong Kong’s OG party beach on the weekend – South Bay Beach offers the best of both worlds. It’s perfect for those who don’t mind a little adventurous hike all the way into a beautiful landscape offering solitude. The sweeping sea views are made even better with a picturesque glimpse into the Ocean Park. Moreover, you’ll find all the facilities here including changing rooms, showers, barbeque pits, raft rentals, and a small snack stand.
How to reach: Hop onto us 6, 6A, 6X, 66 or 260 from Exchange Square Bus Terminus to Repulse Bay. Then either walk or take a taxi to South Bay Beach.
8 /10
Stanley Main Beach
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Another gem in the city’s Southern District, Stanley Main Beach isn’t only packed with immaculate seaside viewers but also exquisite architecture along the coastline. This easily accessible and facility-rich spot is packed with barbecue pits, showers, and kiosks. The waterfront is lined with well-designed bars and restaurants. For those of you who don’t know, Stanley Beach also serves as one of the favourite locations of Hong Kong’s annual Dragon Boat Championships, making this erstwhile sleepy beach a tourist hotspot.
How to reach: Take bus 6, 6x or 260 from MTR Central Station Exit A to Stanley Village Bus Terminus.
9 /10
Hung Shing Yeh Beach
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One of the most sought-after beaches on Lamma Island, Hung Shing Yeh is a favourite among family and friends who want to spend the day barbequing, engulfed by the beauty of the crystal water and soft sand. The facilities for changing and showering are excellent, while places to eat and drink right near the beach are plentiful. There is a reasonably large sandy area, with several shady trees you can nestle inside for a relaxing experience.
How to reach: Take a ferry from Central Pier 4 to Yung Shue Wan ferry pier. From here, walk along the Lamma Island Family Walk trail for about 30 minutes and you’ll reach Hung Shing Yeh Beach.
10 /10
Tung Wan Beach and Kwun Yam Beach, Cheung Chau
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Two beautiful beaches, Tung Wan Beach and Kwun Yam Beach, enhance the beauty of Cheung Chau Island. They’re very popular among holiday visitors, who either take up windsurfing or relax on the golden sands. A range of water sports facilities are offered by Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre here, so if you’re looking for a thrilling weekend by the beach, definitely come visit.
How to reach: From Central Pier 5, use a ferry to reach Cheung Chau Island. A five-minute walk from here will lead you to Tung Wan Beach or Kwun Yam Beach.
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Two beautiful beaches, Tung Wan Beach and Kwun Yam Beach, enhance the beauty of Cheung Chau Island. They’re very popular among holiday visitors, who either take up windsurfing or relax on the golden sands. A range of water sports facilities are offered by Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre here, so if you’re looking for a thrilling weekend by the beach, definitely come visit.
How to reach: From Central Pier 5, use a ferry to reach Cheung Chau Island. A five-minute walk from here will lead you to Tung Wan Beach or Kwun Yam Beach.
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(Feature image credit: Discover Hong Kong)
Note:
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which are the cleanest beaches in Hong Kong?
Hap Mun Bay Beach, Repulse Bay Beach, Cheung Sha Beach, Trio Beach and Shek O Beach are some of the best beaches in Hong Kong with cleanest water.
What activities can visitors enjoy at beaches in Hong Kong?
Visitors can enjoy sunbathing, surfing, kayaking, and beach volleyball or barbeque by the shore. There are several bars, cafes and restaurants alongside many beaches for you to grab scrumptious meals.
Can you swim in Hong Kong beaches?
Yes, you can swim in Hong Kong beaches.
What are the water sports or adventure activities to enjoy at clean water beaches in Hong Kong?
Windsurfing, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving are some of the water sports/ activities visitors can enjoy at Hong Kong beaches.
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