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 human 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. In 2011, Lido Beach, Casam Beach, Approach Beach and Hoi Mei Wan Beach were reopened following an improvement in water quality.^[1]

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

Gazetted beaches

A total of forty-two beaches in Hong Kong are managed by the LCSD. Twelve of them are located on Hong Kong Island, and the remaining 30 are located across the New Territories, including the Outlying Islands. Some are temporarily closed to swimmers.

Full list

Tuen Mun

Kadoorie Beach

Kadoorie Beach (加多利灣泳灘) is located at 18¾ milestone, Castle Peak Road. The enquires of the beach are 2450 6336 and 2451 3461. There are BBQ area, changing rooms, shower facilities and toilet. Lifeguard service hours are 0900–1800 in April to May, September to October, and also on Mondays to Fridays in June to August. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in June to August, lifeguard service hours are 0800–1900. Lifeguard services are suspended during winter (November to March).

Cafeteria Old Beach

Cafeteria Old Beach (舊咖啡灣泳灘) is located at 18¾ milestone, Castle Peak Road. The enquires of the beach are 2450 6306 and 2451 3461. There are refreshment kiosk, BBQ area, changing room, shower facilities, toilet and bathing shed. Lifeguard service hours are 0900–1800 in April to May, September to October, and also on Mondays to Fridays in June to August. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in June to August, lifeguard service hours are 0800–1900. Lifeguard services are suspended during winter (November to March).

Cafeteria New Beach

Cafeteria New Beach (新咖啡灣泳灘) is located at 18½ milestone, Castle Peak Road. The enquires of the beach are 2450 6440 and 2451 3461. There are refreshment kiosk and beach volleyball court. Lifeguard service hours are 0900–1800 in April to May, September to October, and also on Mondays to Fridays in June to August. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in June to August, lifeguard service hours are 0800–1900. Lifeguard services are suspended during winter (November to March).

Golden Beach

Golden Beach (黃金泳灘) is located at the 18½ 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 metres. 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 bus routes 52X (Tuen Mun Central ↔ Mong Kok), 53 (Yuen Long station ↔ Tsuen Wan), 61A (Yau Oi South → Tuen Mun Road Interchange), 61M (Yau Oi South ↔ Lai King North), 252B (Handsome Court → Tsim Sha Tsui), 252X (Handsome Court/Chi Lok Fa Yuen ↔ Lam Tin station) and 261B (Sam Shing → Kowloon station);
by Citybus bus routes 962/N962 (Lung Mun Oasis ↔ Causeway Bay), 962B/962S (Chi Lok Fa Yuen ↔ Causeway Bay);
by Long Win Bus bus routes A33 (Airport ↔ Tuen Mun Road Interchange);

by MTR Bus feeder bus routes K51 (Fu Tai ↔ Tai Lam) and K53 (Tuen Mun station ↺ So Kwun Wat).

Tsuen Wan

Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach – Ma Wan

Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach (馬灣東灣泳灘) is located on Ma Wan island.

Hong Kong Island

Deep Water Bay Beach

Deep Water Bay Beach (深水灣泳灘) is located on southern Hong Kong Island. See Deep Water Bay Beach.

Repulse Bay Beach

Repulse Bay Beach (淺水灣泳灘), 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 Beach.

Middle Bay Beach and South Bay Beach

These two small beaches at South Bay and Middle Bay 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.

Turtle Cove Beach

The beach situated east of Stanley and west of Tai Tam Reservoir is Turtle Cove Beach (龜背灣泳灘) which is a Grade 1 beach of less than 70 meters in length. 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.

Turtle Cove Beach is accessible by bus No.14 from exit A of the Sai Wan Ho MTR station or mini-bus 16X from Chai Wan; the beach is located near the Red Hill estate stop (past the Tai Tam Reservoir). From near the bus stop, stairs lead down the hill to the beach.

Big Wave Bay Beach

Big Wave Bay Beach (大浪灣泳灘) in Southern District is also the site of prehistoric rock carvings similar to those found on Cheung Chau Island.^[2] Not to be confused with other places called Big Wave Bay or Tai Long Wan in Hong Kong.

Lamma Island

Hung Shing Yeh Beach

Hung Shing Yeh Beach (洪聖爺灣泳灘) 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.

Lo So Shing Beach

Lo So Shing Beach (蘆鬚城泳灘) is located on Lamma Island 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 by ferry, and then walk for about 40 minutes.

Cheung Chau

Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach and Kwun Yam Beach

There are two main beaches on Cheung Chau: Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach (長洲東灣泳灘) and Kwun Yam Beach (觀音灣) aka. Afternoon 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" café owned by her uncle, which is situated between the two beaches.

Lantau Island

Silver Mine Bay Beach

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.

Silver Mine Bay Beach (銀鑛灣泳灘), 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 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.

Pui O Beach

Cheung Sha Beaches

Cheung Sha Beach is located in Cheung Sha, on the southern shore of Lantau Island. It is divided into two parts by a small headland: Upper Cheung Sha Beach (east) and Lower Cheung Sha Beach (west). It is 3 km long and is one of the longest beaches in Hong Kong.^[3] The beaches are accessible from South Lantau Road.^[4] Tong Fuk Beach is located nearby, to the west of Lower Cheung Sha Beach.

Tong Fuk Beach

Non-gazetted beaches

Many 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. Non-gazetted beaches are also not equipped with shark nets. Some bays, such as Hoi Ha, lie within protected areas and swimming may be prohibited.

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 Peninsula
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) Port Shelter, Clearwater Bay
24. Pak Shui Wun (白水碗) Port Shelter, Clearwater Bay
25. Bayside (碧沙灣) Port Shelter, Clearwater Bay
26. Little Palm (小棕林) Port Shelter, Clearwater Bay
27. Lung Ha Wan (龍蝦灣) Port Shelter, 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,^[5] 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

Water quality grading system

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. coli 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.