Cheung Chau
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Escape the city and explore the peaceful side of Hong Kong as we list the best locations to kayak (Photo: Wild Hong Kong/Instagram)
From Cheung Chau to the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, there are plenty of stunning locations to kayak in Hong Kong. Get out and explore a different side of the city with these kayaking locations and tours
Although the summer months may be officially drawing to a close in Hong Kong, we’re lucky enough that the weather stays warm enough for us to enjoy water sports in the city almost year-round. And with the Covid-19 pandemic still putting travel plans on pause for the foreseeable, why not make the most of the extra time spent at home by exploring a different side of Hong Kong?
From the night kayaking in Cheung Chau, to exploring lesser-known islands in Sai Kung’s Country Park, we’re listing the best places to kayak in Hong Kong.
See also: Hong Kong Water Sports: Your Guide To Surfing, Paddle Boarding, Wake Boarding And More
Cheung Chau
Perfect for a day trip, Cheung Chau can be easily reached from Central in under an hour. Along with cute cafes, shops and beaches, the island is a great spot to try your hand at kayaking.
Not only offering SUP and windsurfing rentals, the Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre (CCWC) has kayaks to rent. Single, double and even triple kayaks and available, with a one hour minimum for all rentals, and life jackets included––ideal if you want to explore the island at your own pace.
If you're looking for an organised tour, A Team Edventures offer both day and night kayaking trips around Cheung Chau. The day trip explores coastal temples and rock carvings, while the night trip gives you the opportunity to paddle under the stars, with lucky kayakers even spotting the unique sea bioluminescence.
See also: Island Guide: What To Eat, Drink And Do In Cheung Chau
Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark
Located in the East and Northeast New Territories, the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark is one of the best locations in Hong Kong to explore by kayak.
The park features unique sites such as the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region and the Northeast New Territories Sedimentary Rock Region, along with secluded islands like Sharp Island, which can be explored via kayak.
Although kayaks can be rented in the area, guided tours are recommend in this region to make the most of your day out, and to ensure you can explore the more remote areas of the Geopark. Companies such as Wild Hong Kong offer full-day tours for those that want to adventure out in search of remote islands and untouched beaches, with Sea Kayak Hong Kong also able to arrange trips that venture our to inner the islands of Shelter Bay, Sharp, Yim Tin Tsai and more.
See also: What To Do, See And Eat In Tai Long Wan
Lower Cheung Sha Beach
Not only is Lantau's Cheung Sha Beach the longest in Hong Kong, but it is also regarded as one of the areas with the cleanest water in the city.
While Upper Cheung Sha Beach offers more in the way of restaurants and bars, it's Lower Cheung Sha Beach that is the place for waterspouts of all varieties––including kayaking. Head to Long Coast Sea Sports Centre for rentals, with one, two and three seater kayaks available, or book in for a short guided tour and venture to destinations such as Pui O, Tong Fuk and other nearby islands.
The company also has a dedicated glamping site, featuring two types of accommodations, namely Safari tents and caravans, which come with air-conditioning, shower facilities and deluxe camping mattresses. The campsite offers an overnight stay package that includes breakfast, water sports equipment rental and access to other facilities such as snooker table, trampoline and playground for the kids for those looking for a weekend excursion.
See also: Hong Kong Hikes: The Best Trails On The Outlying Islands
Hoi Ha
Located north of the Sai Kung West Country Park, Hoi Ha is a beautiful and remote area that's well-suited for first-time kayakers. Explore the quaint village of Hoi Ha, and then venture to into the waters of the Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park––a protected area that contains 60 types of hard coral and 120 species of coral fish.
Wild Hong Kong offers a one-day kayak tour for beginners, which takes you through the gentle and pristine waters, offering ample chances to spot marine life.
If you're not looking for a guided tour, there are a handful of vendors in Hoi Ha village that you can rent kayaks and life jackets from on arrival.
See also: 10 Country Parks And Nature Reserves To Visit In Hong Kong
Tai O
Known for its traditional stilt houses, premium seafood delicacies and a tranquil lifestyle, the fishing village of Tai O is also a popular kayaking destination.
A favourite for day trippers, if you've exhausted the restaurants, hikes and temples to visit, be sure to book a kayak tour in with A Team Edventures. The tour begins in the Nam Chung village area and proceeds into Tai O village for a closer look at the famous “pang uk”––the stilt houses that characterise Tai O living––before heading to the Hau Wong Temple and venturing into the habitat of Hong Kong's rare pink dolphins.
See also: Neighbourhood Guide: What To Eat, Drink And Do In Tai O
Stanley
Not just a tourist destination for its famous market, Stanley has not one, but two, beaches which offer kayaking and other water sports. It's also one of the most accessible locations for kayaking from Hong Kong Island.
Found just five minutes from Stanley Main Beach, St. Stephen’s Beach Water Sports Centre offers both rentals and classes including tuition. The centre faces southwest overlooking Lamma Island, with the autumn months enjoying relatively calm waters, and the summer months seeing stronger gusts and choppier seas.
Contrastingly, as Stanley Main Beach is sheltered from southwesterly winds and waves by Stanley Peninsula, it sees calm conditions in summer, with fresh easterly to northeasterly winds prevalent in autumn for more experienced kayakers. Like at St. Stephen's, kayak training classes and equipment rental are both available at the Stanley Main Beach water Sports Centre and at Hiwindlover Water Sports Centre.
