If winter in Hong Kong is the time to hit the trails, then summer is the time to hit the beaches! Hong Kong truly is fortunate to have it all, incredible hiking trails and beautiful beaches!

We’ve previously covered the best beaches on Lamma Island, Lantau Island, and of course, our favourite beaches in Hong Kong. But this time, we want to cover the best beaches on Hong Kong Island.

Now, the beaches on Hong Kong Island may not have the stunning blue waters found at Tai Long Wan or Long Ke Wan. But for those living on the island, they’re a very convenient escape from the city.

So, if you’re wondering which beach to head to on a summer’s day, here’s a list to help you decide.

Shek O Beach

• Facilities available:
  • Fast food kiosks, restaurants and cafes
  • BBQ pits
  • Changing rooms
  • Shower facilities
  • Toilets
  • Playground
  • Car park
  • Obstacle golf course
• How to get here:
  • Red minibus or bus number 9 from Shau Kei Wan MTR
  • X9 from Central (Star Ferry Terminal)

Shek O Beach is perhaps the best beach on Hong Kong Island in my opinion. Its rustic vibes, surrounding hills, and bustling cafes and restaurants make it a favourite for many on the island. It’s no surprise then that it’s always so crowded!

The sandy beach offers unobstructed views of the south with waves that are perfect for swimming.

There are plenty of restaurants and cafes around the Shek O Village to satisfy your cravings. And if the main beach gets too crowded, you can always escape to the smaller Shek O Back Beach.

Many choose to combine their visit to Shek O Beach with a hike on the Dragon’s Back. I highly recommend it too because the views of Shek O from the trail are spectacular!

Read more about Shek O in this post.

Read More About Shek O Beach

Big Wave Bay Beach

• Facilities available:
  • Fast food kiosks and cafes
  • BBQ pits
  • Changing room
  • Shower facilities
  • Toilets
  • Fee-charging car park
• How to get here:
  • Red minibus or bus number 9 from Shau Kei Wan MTR

2 km north of Shek O is Big Wave Bay Beach, its smaller, quainter neighbour.

Known as one of the best destinations for surfing, Big Wave Bay Beach certainly has its own charm. But even if you don’t surf, you can still enjoy the beach!

Much like Shek O, it too is surrounded by hills with no civilization in sight. But the beach just feels cosier thanks to its smaller size and closer hills.

There are a few shops and cafes next to the beach to grab a quick bite or drink. But it does lack the variety offered at Shek O.

And there’s also an ancient rock carving next to the beach that I recommend visiting.

More information on Big Wave Bay can be found in this post.

And if you feel like hiking to Big Wave Bay, you can do so via the Dragon’s Back or from Siu Sai Wan.

Read More About Big Wave Bay Beach

Repulse Bay Beach

• Facilities available:
  • Fast food kiosks, restaurants, cafes, and a mall
  • Changing room
  • Shower facilities
  • Toilets
  • Playground and beach volleyball court
• How to get here:
  • 6 – Central to Stanley
  • 6A – Central to Stanley Fort
  • 6X – Central to Stanley Market
  • 63 / 65 (public holidays only) – North Point Ferry Pier to Stanley Market
  • 66 – Central to Stanley Plaza (Ma Hang)
  • 73 – Cyberport / Wah Fu (North) – Stanley Market
  • 260 – Central Exchange Square to Stanley Market
  • 973 – Tsim Sha Tsui (Mody Road) to Stanley Market
  • GMB 40 / N40 – Causeway Bay (Jardine’s Bazaar) – Stanley Village
  • GMB 40X – Causeway Bay (Jardine’s Bazaar) to Stanley Prison
  • GMB 52 – Shek Pai Wan to Stanley Prison

Repulse Bay Beach is probably the most urban, scenic, and family-friendly beach on Hong Kong Island. Not only that, but it also has a colonial-era charm and resort-like feel.

Unlike Shek O or Big Wave Bay, Repulse Bay is a shorter drive from the north side of Hong Kong Island. Which just means it’s quicker to get to.

The beach is located in Repulse Bay, a high-end neighbourhood, and has many restaurants and shops next to the beach in a mall. This, for me, makes Repulse Bay Beach the best beach for families on the Island.

Other than the shops and restaurants, there are a couple of old temple structures located along the beach. Not to mention the beautiful hills (Twin Peaks and Violet Hill) in the background.

In fact, if you’re looking for a viewing point over Repulse Bay, take a hike on the Tsz Lo Lan Shan Path. It’s a flat trail with scenic views of the bay area.

Read More About Repulse Bay

Other closeby beaches

If you’d like to take a beautiful coastal walk at Repulse, it is possible to walk to the neighbouring Deep Water Bay and enjoy the beach there!

And on the other side of Repulse Bay are two smaller beaches, Middle Bay Beach and South Bay Beach. It is possible to reach them by foot or taxi.

Stanley Main Beach

• Facilities available:
  • Fast food kiosks, restaurants and cafes
  • BBQ pits
  • Changing room
  • Shower facilities
  • Toilets
• How to get here:
  • Bus 6/6A/6X from Central
  • Bus 973 from Tsim Sha Tsui
  • For other options, check Google Maps.

Often associated with the famous Dragon Boat Races in Hong Kong, Stanley Main Beach shares many similarities with Repulse Bay Beach. It’s family-friendly, located in an upscale neighbourhood with access to many shops and restaurants within walking distance from the beach.

However, its smaller size and lack of surrounding hills make it feel slightly less scenic.

Stanley Main Beach by itself it’s the prettiest of beaches. But it’s quite convenient to get to and offers so many water sports facilities, such as kayaking and windsurfing.

From the beach, one can directly see across Tai Tam Bay towards Cape D’Aguilar and Dragon’s Back.

But even if it isn’t one of the prettiest beaches on this list, Stanley is a fun neighbourhood to explore. So, one could easily make a day trip to Stanley and factor the beach into the plan.

Read More About Stanley

Other closeby beaches

And if Stanley Main Beach gets too crowded or you’re looking for a quieter beach, there are a few more beaches in the vicinity.

Right beside Stanley Main Beach is Hairpin Beach and it can be reached by a short 5-min walk along the coast.

There is also Chung Hom Kok Beach, located on the other side of the peninsula. However, it is a much longer 25 mins walk from Stanley Main Beach.

Turtle Cove Beach

• Facilities available:
  • BBQ pits
  • Changing room
  • Shower facilities
  • Toilets
  • Playground
• How to get here:
  • Bus 14 from Sai Wan Ho
  • Bus 314 from Siu Sai Wan (Island Resort)
  • GMB 16A, 16M, or 16X from Chai Wan

Turtle Cove Beach is a small beach, tucked between hills, next to Tai Tam Reservoir.

Because of its name, the beach is often confused with Turtle Beach (Sham Wan Beach) on Lamma Island which is an actual green turtle nesting site.

Unfortunately, there are no turtles at Turtle Cove Beach. But what you will find is a relatively quiet beach that not too many people visit.

The beach has basic facilities but no restaurants or cafes. So, feel free to bring your picnic basket!

There are a few historic relics abandoned on the side of the beach. And depending on the season, you may encounter a small stream running alongside the steps down to the beach.

Oh, did I not mention? In order to get to the beach, you’ll need to walk from the bus stop to the steps leading to the beach.

Simply follow the sign down to the beach. Unfortunately, this also means that you’ll need to climb back up those steps.

To Tei Wan Beach

• Facilities available:
  • None officially
• How to get here:
  • Red minibus or bus number 9 from Shau Kei Wan MTR. Remember to alight at the To Tei Wan (Dragon’s Back) bus stop.

Hong Kong Island is, after all, an island. And there are numerous beaches scattered all across the south side. So far, the beaches listed above are gazetted or maintained by the government.

But walk along the coast of Hong Kong and you’ll surely find many smaller, unmarked beaches. And To Tei Wan Beach is one such beach.

Located at the base of Shek O Peak and Dragon’s Back, along Hong Kong Trail Section 7, To Tei Wan Beach is relatively unknown.

Other than a boat and kayak rental shop and a small barbeque shack, there’s not much else on the beach. There is also an abandoned WWII pillbox, but it’s pretty badly damaged.

The beach is located directly opposite Stanley and Turtle Cove beaches but is so far away that you can hardly notice them.

What I loved about the beach is that it’s quiet, scenic, and secluded. If you’re one for picnics or like to bring your own food or drinks to a beach, To Tei Wan isn’t a bad option.

The only downside to the beach is that it’s a 500 m walk downhill from Shek O Road. And the only way back to the road are the steps uphill. Getting to and from the beach is a mini hike.

To Tei Wan Beach can be combined with the Tai Tam Coastal Village and all the information can be found in this post.

Read More About Tai Tam Coastal Hike

More beaches in Hong Kong

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to check out our favourite beaches on Lamma Island and Lantau Island too.

And if you’re looking for the best beach in all of Hong Kong, look no further than Long Ke Wan or Tai Long Wan.

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