Summer on the water in Hong Kong

From junk trips to dragon boat racing, some of Hong Kong’s most popular activities take place on the water. And during the blazing summer months, there’s no better place to be. 

As always, take appropriate safety precautions when going out on the water. Avoid going alone, check weather conditions beforehand, keep within designated areas and wear a life vest if required. Be sure also to wear sun protection and to drink plenty of water.

Here are some of the most popular water sports in Hong Kong, and where to try them. 

Kayaking

Of all the water activities you can try in Hong Kong, kayaking is one of the most accessible. With rental shops on virtually every beach and little to no formal training needed, it’s a great casual weekend activity. There’s nothing like the sound of waves gently lapping against your kayak as you take in the wide expanse of sea to make your worries recede. 

Popular rental shops, offering both single and two-person kayaks, include Ah Kwok Water Sport Centre at Sha Ha Beach in Sai Kung, and Treasure Island at Pui O Beach and Long Coast Seasport at Cheung Sha Beach, both on Lantau Island. One of our favourite places to kayak is Hoi Ha Marine Park, which boasts calm, clean waters and a sense of seclusion. You can rent kayaks for the whole day from Ho King Store – it’s best to reserve them in advance. For more intrepid kayaking adventures, consider joining a tour with Wild Hong Kong . 

Rental prices vary depending on the centre, day, and type of kayak; expect to pay anything from HK$150 per hour to HK$300 for a full day.

Stand up paddleboarding

This Hawaiian activity has seen a rise in popularity in recent years, as it’s relatively easy to pick up (though you may wobble a bit at first) and strikes a balance between physical activity and taking in the scenery. As its name suggests, it involves standing upright on a board and using a paddle to propel yourself over the water. 

There are plenty of rental shops in Hong Kong now offer SUP boards for hire, the Hong Kong Aqua-Bound Centre at Stanley Main Beach, Long Coast Seasport at Cheung Sha Beach and Blue Sky Sports Club at Sha Ha Beach in Sai Kung being among the easiest to reach. Many of these centres also offer courses if you want to build up a solid foundation or further hone your technique. If you’re looking for a change of scene, try Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre on Kwun Yam Beach on Cheung Chau Island. 

Again, prices can fluctuate, from HK$120 an hour to HK$300 a day, so check centre websites for up-to-date price lists.

Windsurfing 

While windsurfing can require a bit of effort to get to grips with, the sense of freedom as you fly through the wind, your board skimming over the waves, is totally worth it. 

To be deemed seaworthy, you’ll need to attend a couple of hours of training. The aforementioned Hong Kong Aqua-Bound Centre offers private courses starting at HK$900, but a more affordable option at just HK$130 is the LCSD’s beginner’s course . Held at Chong Hing Water Sports Centre over two days, it'll take you through how to assemble your board and sail, and how to manoeuvre on the water. 

Once you complete your training, you’ll have access to other LCSD water sports centres , like those in Wong Shek and Stanley, which offer the chance to get out on open water. Windsurfing is a great autumn sport too, as winds tend to be stronger then. 

Dinghy sailing

If you’re looking to perfect the art of true leisure, try sailing. A gentle sport, it’s generally suitable for all ages and abilities, and allows you to spend time on the water without overexerting yourself. 

However, it does require some prior knowhow. Both the LCSD and the Hong Kong Sailing Federation offer beginner courses for dinghy sailing across several centres. The LCSD requires you to complete both its two-day Level 1 course and four-day Level 2 course, priced at HK$70 and HK$140 respectively, before you can set out on your own. Dinghies are fairly small and lightweight, making them easy to manage, and you’ll find the most complex part is making sense of the different ropes. 

After that, things should be (literally) smooth sailing – provided wind conditions are favourable. The most comfortable windspeed for beginners is roughly between 10 and 20km/h, or when two to four stripes of the windsock are extended (it’s a good idea to learn how to read these!). Again, the LCSD centre in Wong Shek is a great choice of location, as is Tai Mei Tuk Water Sports Centre.

Wakeboarding 

More of a thrill seeker? Wakeboarding could be for you. Almost like an aquatic version of snowboarding, wakeboarding involves being pulled along by a rope behind a motorboat while standing with your feet strapped onto a board. As you ride into the waves created by the boat, you can attempt to perform tricks and jumps, just as you would in snowboarding. 

You may have encountered wakeboarding during a junk boat excursion – it’s a popular add-on activity. If you’re keen to try a longer session, consider hiring a boat in Tai Tam with Wakeboard Hong Kong ; rentals start at HK$1,300 per hour, but if you round up a few friends, you canspread out the cost. And if you’d like to hone your skills with a coach, group lessons are available with Aqua-Bound, starting at HK$3,000 for two hours.

Wake surfing

Think of wake surfing as the younger, laid-back sibling of wakeboarding. While it similarly involves riding on a board in the wake of a boat, wake surfing has a couple of key differences. The focus is on doing turns rather than jumps, and your board won’t have any feet straps, giving your more freedom of movement. Crucially, the boat speed is slower, so if you fall into the water, the impact will be much softer. This makes wake surfing more accessible to people of different ages and abilities.

That said, this sport still requires some patience and practice – especially in order to let go of the rope and ride on your own. Start your journey at a centre like WakeSurfingHK in Tai Tam, or Long Coast Seasport in Cheung Sha, which both offer lessons priced at around HK$1,500 for an hour. If you want to spend an entire day on the water, you can opt for a special package with WakeSurf Players . For HK$11,000, they’ll take you and five friends out for eight hours of catching waves.

Open water swimming 

It may seem daunting at first if you’re accustomed to swimming in a well-lit, chlorinated pool, yet open water swimming is not only a great way to make the most of Hong Kong’s gorgeous coastline, but also offers a liberating and invigorating form of exercise. 

For safety in numbers, however, we recommend joining a swim group like Open Water Swimmers of Hong Kong , whose members regularly meet up to swim in the waters of Repulse Bay, Deep Water Bay, Chung Hom Kok and Stanley. You’ll need to already be a competent swimmer to join, so if you want to strengthen your skills beforehand, consider signing up for lessons with Harry Wright International or ESF Explore . Prices are available upon enquiry or enrolment. 

Be sure to equip yourself with a well-fitting swimsuit (or a wetsuit, if you want to better protect yourself from the cold, sun or sea salt), anti-fog goggles and a bright swim cap so you’re easy to spot.