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Wondering where to go kayaking in Hong Kong? From the shores of Cheung Sha to the hidden caves in Sai Kung, these kayak tours and rentals are sure to float your boat.
Kayaking is one of the easiest watersports to get into and Hong Kong’s many beaches provide the perfect place to start your adventure. Whether you’re looking to explore the hidden sea caves of Sai Kung or just enjoy a casual day at sea, here are the best places to go kayaking in Hong Kong on a fine weather day.
Read More: Hong Kong Water Sports – SUP, Surfing, Scuba Diving, Kayaking And More
Things To Note Before You Go Kayaking In Hong Kong
Though all kayak tours and rentals should supply you with a life jacket, keep in mind that water, wind and weather conditions change rapidly.
- When renting a kayak or canoe, stay within a safe distance to land, and always set a time limit with the rental company so they know to expect you back within two hours. Don’t head into deep water if you’re not yet confident being in the ocean.
- Keep in mind that your phone may not always have reception, so only head to places you feel comfortable getting back from.
- Kayaking may seem like a relatively relaxed watersport but, after a few hours of working the waves under the sun, it’s sure to leave you tired. Bring plenty of water, energising snacks, a waterproof bag for valuables and, of course, suitable protection from the sun (sunblock, cap, sunglasses etc).
Read More: What To Know About Reef-Safe Sunscreen & Where To Buy It In Hong Kong
Where To Go Kayaking In Hong Kong
Kayaking Group Tours
If you’re on the hunt to check out the hard-to-reach places off Hong Kong’s coast, a guided kayaking tour is the best way to stay safe whilst exploring hidden natural beauties. We recommend Sea Kayak Hong Kong (contact 5506 3620 via WhatsApp for tours through Hong Kong Geopark) and Wild Hong Kong (contact 6087 1439 via WhatsApp for tours through Hong Kong Geopark and Hoi Ha). The experts here will cater the tour to your kayaking ability, and make sure you’re in good hands at sea.
Hong Kong Geopark In Sai Kung
The UNESCO Geopark in Sai Kung is consistently ranked one of (if not the best!) places to go kayaking in Hong Kong. Intricate rocks formed through a volcanic explosion and the crystal clear blue waters make you question the idea that this city could ever be considered a mere concrete jungle.
The park contains many islands across Hong Kong, but the best spot for individual kayaking would be High Island and Port Island. All of these islands have unforgettable views and plenty of caves to explore. If you’re looking to kayak to one of the further out islands such as Sharp Island, Tiu Cheung Island or Bluff Island, we would recommend going with a kayaking tour group.
How to get there: MTR to Choi Hung, then take minibus 1A into Sai Kung Pier and then hop on bus 99 to Muk Min Shan.
Renting or tours: Private kayaks can be rented from Ah Kwok Water Sports Centre (5702 8636) and companies like Wild Hong Kong (6087 1439) and Sea Kayak offer kayaking group tours.
Read More: 6 Instagrammable Rock Formations To Visit In Hong Kong
Hoi Ha
Inside the Geopark is a quiet village with a marine park called Hoi Ha village. The waters around the village are relatively calm, with minimal waves. Unlike some other beaches (especially those on Hong Kong Island), there is no need to go far out to find clear waters, so these two factors make it a perfect combination for any beginners wanting to learn how to kayak. There’s also plenty of marine life in the area which you may be able to see while paddling.
How to get there: MTR to Choi Hung, then take minibus 1A into Sai Kung, then minibus 7 into Hoi Ha. Walk straight through Hoi Ha village to reach the beach.
Renting or tours: There are no kayaking tours offered exclusively in Hoi Ha (although some Geopark tours may pass by) and the vendors do not have websites or contact numbers, but there are plenty of vendors along the waterfront. As this is a quieter village, you don’t have to worry about booking.
Kwun Yam Wan
Cheung Chau offers two main beaches for kayaking, Tung Wan and Kwun Yam Wan. We would recommend heading to the latter for a more serene and peaceful experience, as Tung Wan Beach can often be crowded. If you’re looking for something more unique than your typical kayaking experience, tour group A-Team Edventures offers a Cheung Chau night paddle where you can see the twinkle of passing ships and the distant lights of the Hong Kong skyline.
How to get there: Ferry from Central Pier 5 to Cheung Chau. Walk past Warwick Hotel, Tung Wan Beach will be a five-minute walk to the coast from there, take a right and walk another eight minutes to get to Kwun Yam Wan Beach.
Renting or tours: Private kayaks and kayaking tours are offered by family-run store Hing Kee Beach Store (2981 3478) For night kayak tours contact A-Team Edventures (2560 8838).
Read More: Your Ultimate Hong Kong Junk Boat Guide
Stanley
Stanley is a go-to beach for any Hong Kong Island resident and is full of places to rent kayaks from. Although the main beach can be overcrowded, there are plenty of small sandy shores nearby to paddle to that are completely empty and have surprisingly clear water to swim in. Watch the buildings of Stanley and Tai Tam slowly fade away as you move further out into the tranquil water. The primary place to rent from on the main beach is Hong Kong Aqua-Bound Centre which offers both kayaking tours and rentals of private and double kayaks. After you’ve tired yourself out from kayaking, you can explore the many shops and restaurants in Stanley Market and along the waterfront.
How to get there: Take bus 6, 6A, 6X or 260 from Exchange Square, Admiralty or Wan Chai to the Stanley Village stop and walk five minutes to the beach.
Renting or tours: Walking onto the furthest end of the beach, it’s impossible to miss Hong Kong Aqua-Bound Centre (8221 3876).
Read More: The Best Beaches In Hong Kong To Visit
Cheung Sha
Cheung Sha Beach is the longest beach in Hong Kong, spanning over 3.2 kilometres with fine white sand, and most importantly for kayaking, sparkling blue waters. Most watersports take place on Lower Cheung Sha Beach. When you’re kayaking, you’ll have views of Lantau’s stunning mountains without a single skyscraper in sight. The only provider for renting kayaks and tours is Long Coast Seasports, a resort on the beach that specialises in watersports. You can rent out a kayak and just explore, or you can attend one of its adventure tours which takes you to other islands in the area and gives you the chance to view amazing rock formations nearby.
How to get there: MTR to Tung Chung, then take 11, 11A, or 23 New Lantau Bus at Tung Chung Bus Terminus to Lower Cheung Sha Village.
Renting or touring: Long Coast Seasports offers private rentals of one, two or three-seater kayaks as well as adventure tours.
Read More: Lantau Island Guide – A Local’s Guide To South Lantau
Sheung Sze Wan
The turquoise waters of Clearwater Bay that frame Sheung Sze Wan make this remote spot a worthwhile trip for kayaking enthusiasts. Kayak rental from Sheung Sze Wan Kayak Hire is limited to three locations: Tiu Chung Island, Shelter Island and Green Egg Island. The latter, Sai Kung’s hidden gem Green Egg Island (also known as Lan Pan), is a popular destination for beginners. Tiu Chung Island or Jin Island is a little further out, but if you make it there you’ll be treated to some gorgeous sea arches.
How to get there: MTR to Hang Hau, then take a taxi to Sheung Sze Wan village and through Hiu Po Path down until you reach the beach.
Renting or tours: Contact Sheung Sze Wan Kayak Hire (6109 4445) for tours and kayak rental.
St. Stephen’s
If you want to stay on Hong Kong Island but avoid the crowds of Stanley Beach, the nearby (albeit smaller) St. Stephen’s Beach is the best place to get a little bit of privacy and seclusion and still have fun kayaking. The government-provided water centre organises a wide range of watersports training courses, and individual groups can also apply for packages or tailor-made programmes. As you go out into the water, you’ll be surrounded by the luscious trees that cover the area, as well as the buildings of both Stanley and Chum Hom Kok. The water here also tends to be a lot cleaner than that off of Stanley Main Beach.
How to get there: Take bus 6, 6A, 6X or 260 from Exchange Square, Admiralty or Wan Chai to the Hong Kong Sea School stop and walk 10 minutes to the beach.
Renting or tours: No kayaking tours are available at St Stephen’s. Contact St. Stephen’s Beach Water Sports Centre (2813 5407) to book training courses and enquire about kayak rental.
Tai O
Although Tai O is primarily known for being an old fishing village, there are plenty of places to kayak. We would recommend going with a kayaking tour group in the area since it is so rich in history and culture. The tour by A-Team Edventures starts in the Nam Chung village area, then you will have the chance to get a closer look at the stilt houses that Tai O is famous for. You will also get to see Hau Wong Temple, a symbol for Taoism. The slowly diminishing population of pink dolphins can also be found in this region, and despite the threat to their population due to airport and bridge development, you may catch a glimpse of them while paddling through the water.
How to get there: To get to Nam Chung, take the MTR to Fanling, then green minibus 56K to Nam Chung Lei Uk Village. However, the tour starts at Tai O Bus Terminus which can be reached by taking the MTR to Tung Chung and the Bus 11 from Tung Chung Bus Terminus.
Renting or tours: For kayaking tours contact A-Team Edventures (2560 8838).
Read More: Must-Do Waterfall Hikes In Hong Kong
Editor’s Note: “8 Places To Go Kayaking In Hong Kong” was originally published in September 2020 by Isabella Boyne and was most recently updated in June 2024 by Team Sassy.
Main image courtesy of Sheung Sze Wan Kayak Hire via Facebook, image 1 courtesy of Red Zeppelin via Unsplash, image 2 courtesy of Wild Hong Kong via Facebook, image 3 courtesy of Wild Hong Kong via Facebook, image 4 courtesy of Sassy Media Group, image 5 courtesy of HK Aqua-bound Centre via Facebook, image 6 courtesy of Long Coast Seasports – Cheung Sha beach via Facebook, image 7 courtesy of Sheung Sze Wan Kayak Hire via Facebook, image 8 courtesy of A-Team EDventures via Facebook.
