BEACHES – NEW TERRITORIES 

(SEE ALSO  BEACHES - HONG KONG ISLAND  AND  BEACHES - OUTLYING ISLANDS)

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CLEARWATER BAY 
The south Clearwater Bay Peninsula in the south-east corner of the New Territories is a relatively unspoiled area with hills, country parks and rugged coastline. Clearwater Bay First Beach and Clearwater Bay Second Beach separated by a short stretch of rocky coast are both popular beaches with good facilities in a sheltered bay overlooked by wooded hills and peaks and the southern end by Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club. 

CLEARWATER BAY FIRST BEACH

Clearwater Bay First Beach

The smaller but more secluded of the two beaches has rather coarse sand and shingle and is reached via a long flight of steps. Facilities include changing rooms, showers, toilets, raft and BBQ area. Lifeguard service operates from April to October and there is a shark prevention net.

CLEARWATER BAY SECOND BEACH 

Clearwater Bay Second Beach

A short stretch of fine sand with good facilities including changing rooms, showers, toilets, raft and refreshment kiosk. Lifeguard service operates from March to November and the beach is protected by shark prevention net.

GETTING THERE – Bus 91 from Diamond Hill Bus Station (under Plaza Hollywood next to Diamond Hill MTR Station) terminates at Clearwater Bay Second Beach. Service frequency every 17 to 20 minutes. Journey time about 45 minutes. Bus stop Clearwater Bay First Beach is the stop before reaching the terminus at Clearwater Bay Second Beach. The two beaches are connected by footpath and steps which takes about 15 minutes to walk.
Green Minibus 103M from Tseung Kwan O MTR Station (every 13 to 20 minutes) also terminates at Clearwater Bay Second Beach. Journey time about 15 minutes. 



TAI LONG WAN (SAI KUNG) 

Pristine white sands at Ham Tin Beach, Tai Long Wan

Located in the Sai Kung East Country Park Tai Long Wan undoubtedly has Hong Kong’s finest beaches in an area of outstanding scenery and those visitors able to make the effort of making the difficult journey to this remote location which is along the path of the MacLehose Trail will be well rewarded. The beaches at Ham Tin Wan and Tai Wan are separated only by a short tree covered outcrop. Both are idyllic beaches with glorious stretches of fine silky white sands backed by swamps and overlooked by forested hills and the towering Sharp Peak in the distance. The beaches which look out over two small “twin” islands of Tai Chau and Tsim Chau are often almost deserted on weekdays. A memorable feature of Ham Tin beach is the precarious makeshift bridge cobbled together with wooden planks and rope which challenges visitors to cross a small inlet whilst keeping their balance and not getting wet. The currents here can be strong and the beach is not recommended for swimming. There are a couple of small beach café’s and toilets here and surf boards can be hired. From the southern end of the beach the trail can be seen climbing uphill and the path enjoys some spectacular coastline views before descending and crossing the Sheung Luk Stream shortly before reaching the hamlet of Sai Wan about 40 minutes walk from Ham Tin. San Wai is situated at the end of a wide creek and has another fine beach backed by fir trees. There are four café’s and toilets here and surfboards can be hired.

None of the beaches at Ham Tin, Tai Wan or Sai Wan are gazetted beaches (managed by the government Leisure and Cultural Services Dept) and there are no lifeguard services or shark prevention nets

The famous plank bridge at Ham Tin Beach

GETTING THERE - This is a remote beach which is difficult to reach for the casual visitor. To visit the beach from most parts of Hong Kong usually requires a full-day excursion but is a good opportunity for visitors who enjoy walking to explore this area of outstanding scenery.

Bus – take bus 94 (destination Wong Shek Pier) from Sai Kung Bus Terminus* to Pak Tam Au in the Sai Kung East Country Park (bus stop names are displayed in the bus – journey takes about 25 mins). From Pak Tam Au follow the MacLehose Trail east to Ham Tin Beach at Tai Long Wan. The trail is well signed and is concrete path and steps all the way. The walk takes about 90 minutes and there are a couple of strenuous uphill stretches. As an alternative there is an occasional ferry service from Wong Shek Pier to Chek Keng on the MacLehose Trail or speedboat operators often tout for business and will take visitors to Chek Keng. From Chek Teng to Ham Tin the walk takes about one hour.

Minibus - From Sai Kung Chan Man Street (outside McDonalds opposite multi-storey car park) there is also a minibus service NR29 to the end of Sai Wan Road above High Island Reservoir. From the end of Sai Wan Road to Sai Wan Village and beach at the southern end of Tai Long Wan takes about 40 minutes to walk. On Mondays to Fridays departures from Sai Kung are at 8-30am, 9-15am, 11-30am and 3-30pm and from the end of Sai Wan Road at 9am, 9-45am, 12 noon and 4-45pm. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays departures from Sai Kung are at 8-30am, 9-15am, 11-30am, 3-30pm, 4-15pm and 4-45pm and from the end of Sai Wan Road at 9am, 9-45am, 12 noon, 2-15pm, 4-45pm and 5-30pm.

Whichever route is chosen in hot weather visitors should take plenty of water to avoid the risk of dehydration.

*To get to Sai Kung take bus 96 from Diamond Hill MTR Station, bus 792M from Tiu Keng Leng MTR Station, bus 299 from Shatin or Green Minibus 1A from Choi Hung MTR Station exit C2.

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GOLDEN BEACH (HONG KONG GOLD COAST - TUEN MUN)

Hong Kong Gold Coast's popular Golden Beach with sands imported from Hainan Island, China

Located at Hong Kong’s Mediterranean-style Gold Coast Resort on the outskirts of Tuen Mun, Golden Beach is a 545-metre strip of flat clean pristine artificial sands alongside a promenade overlooked by blocks of modern luxury apartments and with views across busy shipping lanes towards Hong Kong International Airport and Lantau Island. The resort itself has the large Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel, Hong Kong Gold Coast Shopping Mall, marina and country club and the promenade is lined with tropical trees, flowers and refreshment kiosks. Sand for the beach was imported from Hainan Island in China. There are shaded benches in various places on the beach which becomes very busy during summer and at weekends. The beach has showers, toilets and changing rooms and refreshment kiosk and there is a year-round lifeguard service. Every Saturday and Sunday afternoon a French-themed arts fair Gold Coast Montmartre operates with handicrafts stalls, street art and other cultural features. Golden Beach is the most easterly of a series of beaches in Tuen Mun, all being within a short distance of each other. Cafeteria New Beach immediately adjacent to Golden Beach has a beach volleyball court which is sometimes used for practice by the Hong Kong Volleyball Team. The other beaches are Cafeteria Old Beach, Kadoorie Beach and Castle Peak Beach all of which are good beaches with good facilities and within walking distance of Golden Beach.

Excellent facilities at Hong Kong Gold Coast Resort complement Golden Beach's clean sands

GETTING THERE – Golden Beach is located on Castle Peak Road (possibly Hong Kong’s longest road stretching all the way from Kowloon to Yuen Long) and is served by the bus stop “Hong Kong Gold Coast”. Currently KMB bus services display bus stop names inside the bus. Citybus buses are currently (at May 2009) being fitted with bus stop name display panels which are not as yet working. There are direct bus services to Golden Beach by Citybus service 962 from Causeway Bay (Moreton Terrace Bus Terminus behind Hong Kong Central Library) via Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty, Central, Sheung Wan and Western Harbour Tunnel. Buses run at approx 15/20 minute intervals. There is a less frequent service by Citybus service 962B from Admiralty (West) Bus Terminus. The journey from Causeway Bay to Golden Beach takes about 70 minutes. Hong Kong Gold Coast/Golden Beach is also served by KMB route 53 from Tsuen Wan Nina Tower Bus Terminus close to Tsuen Wan MTR Station via Castle Peak Road and KMB route 61M which can be boarded at various points on Castle Peak Road in Tsuen Wan including outside Tai Wo Hau MTR Station. Alternatively from Tuen Mun MTR Station feeder service K51 serves Hong Kong Gold Coast/Golden Beach and from Castle Peak Road in Tuen Mun Town Centre buses 53, 61M, 52X also serve Hong Kong Gold Coast/Golden Beach. From Tuen Mun the journey to Golden Beach takes about 10 minutes.