Categories > Guides and Tips
The Ultimate Guide to Kayaking in Hong Kong
- When is the best time to kayak in Hong Kong?
- Where are the best spots to kayak in Hong Kong?
- Hoi Ha
- Cheung Sha
- Hong Kong Geopark
- Yan Chau Tong
- How much is kayaking in Hong Kong?
- What should I wear when I kayak in Hong Kong?
- What should I bring when I kayak in Hong Kong?
- What are the best kayak tours in Hong Kong?
- Wild Hong Kong
- A-Team Edventures
- Long Coast Seasports
- Blue Sky Sports Club
Hong Kong may be better known for its urban areas, but did you know that our city also has opportunities for kayaking escapades? That’s right – not too far from our stunning skyscrapers are vast rivers and bodies of water perfect for kakayers.
If you want to get an unrivaled kayaking experience in Hong Kong, you’re on the right page. We’ll take you through everything you need to know below!
When is the best time to kayak in Hong Kong?
To make your kayaking experience in Hong Kong much more enjoyable, it’s advised to go kayaking during spring or autumn, especially if you’re a beginner. This is when the waters are least crowded with jet skis and boats.
It’s also suitable to kayak during summer but there may be more people then. Beginners aren’t advised to kayak at this time because they might bump into the boats or even people in the water.
However, if you’re a more experienced kayaker, then by all means jump into the waters during the summer!
Additionally, we find it best to kayak during the morning when the waters are a bit calmer. We do suggest looking up the tides beforehand too!
Where are the best spots to kayak in Hong Kong?
There are so many great spots to kayak in Hong Kong that it’s impossible to choose just one. We included four of our favorites in this list; however, feel free to check out other spots because chances are, they’re equally good!
1. Hoi Ha
| DIRECTIONS | https://goo.gl/maps/nJE4wWr6fVhoiviD8 |
| ADDRESS | Sai Kung, Hong Kong |
If you’re a curious adventurer who’s trying out kayaking for the first time, Hoi Ha would be a great starting point. In fact, this is quite a hotspot for beginners!
The waters at Hoi Ha are usually still and calm so it’s not too hard to paddle around, which also makes kayaking quite safe.
The best thing about Hoi Ha though, would be the clear waters. This means you don’t have to go too far away from the shore in order to have the best kayaking experience.
Based on experience, there’s also plenty of marine life to explore, so aside from kayaking, it would also be a good idea to try out snorkeling here!
2. Cheung Sha
| DIRECTIONS | https://goo.gl/maps/E93e3mn3QDU8avt86 |
| ADDRESS | Lantau Island, Hong Kong |
This beautiful white sand beach stretches for more than 3.2 kilometers, making it the longest beach in Hong Kong. It’s divided into two parts: the Upper Cheung Sha Beach and the Lower Cheung Sha Beach.
The Upper Cheung Sha Beach is away from the crowds. It’s because there’s no commercial establishments on the south side of the beach.
Meanwhile, the Lower Cheung Sha Beach is packed with restaurants, camping sites, and more. This is also where people kayak and do other watersports.
You can rent a kayak at the Long Coast Seasports in the area. They also have tours you can book (more on that later, don’t worry).
3. Hong Kong Geopark
| DIRECTIONS | https://goo.gl/maps/rk4YbvFq2jwY5z8b8 |
| WEBSITE | https://www.geopark.gov.hk/en |
| ADDRESS | Sai Kung, Hong Kong |
Hong Kong Geopark is one of the most stunning places to kayak. That’s why it’s popular among visitors and locals!
After all, it’s considered a UNESCO site. It’s well-known for its stunning rock formations that were the result of a volcanic eruption.
Additionally, the great blue waters found at the Geopark are considered some of the bluest waters here. You’ll be able to kayak with stunning views of the ocean!
Anyway, there are numerous islands at Geopark, so there are a lot of choices to go to when you plan on kayaking.
Our favorite spots however, are the Port Island and High Island.
Port Island is small and a bit hard to access, so we recommend bringing a guide with you. It’s filled with stunning colored rocks!
Meanwhile, High Island is where you’ll be able to see a clear view of the world-renowned rock formation. You can also traverse the exciting trail here if you have time.
If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can also paddle your way through some of the further islands like Bluff Island and Sharp Island. We also recommend bringing a guide with you here, especially if it’s your first time in the area.
4. Yan Chau Tong
| DIRECTIONS | https://goo.gl/maps/Wmxs9XZnQS5X4xdJA |
| ADDRESS | Country Park Visitor Centre, Bride’s Pool Rd, Shuen Wan, Hong Kong |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +85228841913 |
We recommend Yan Chau Tong to more experienced kayakers or those who plan on kayaking with a guide. The reason is that it’s quite hard to access, but the beautiful scenery makes up for it.
There’s also a rich population of marine life here as well as great natural wonders like seagrass beds and mangroves. These serve as nursery grounds for various marine lives like fish and larvae.
To know how to book a kayaking tour at Yan Chau Tong, by the way, keep reading. We’ll talk about it later!
How much is kayaking in Hong Kong?
If you plan on renting for just an hour, kayaking in Hong Kong would cost about $80 for a single kayak. Whereas if you’re renting for two people, it would cost around $140.
What should I wear when I kayak in Hong Kong?
When kayaking in Hong Kong, it’s important to be well-equipped for safety measures. Here are the following things you should wear when you kayak:
- Life vest – It’s important to enjoy kayaking while being safe at the same time. With that in mind, don’t skip the life vest. It could save your life during emergencies.
- Sunscreen – To protect your skin from the sun rays during kayaking, it’s important to wear at least 50 SPF sunscreen. Do note, however, that there are certain types of sunscreens that are harmful for the coral reefs. It’s best to avoid these ingredients: Octinoxate, Oxybenzone, Benzophenone-8, OD-PABA, Octocrylene, 3-Benzylidene camphor, Benzophenone-1, and 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor.
- Comfortable waterproof clothing – Opt for waterproof clothing because it’s much safer to wear something like cotton. Additionally, you should check the weather beforehand to know what’s best to wear. If it’s cold, layer with a polyester jacket and a waterproof jacket.
- Water Shoes or sandals – It’s important that your footwear is light-weight and suitable for water use. Using one will help protect your feet.
What should I bring when I kayak in Hong Kong?
When kayaking in Hong Kong (or any place for that matter), it’s important to bring the following:
- Spare paddle – You already have a paddle with you, so why do you need to bring extra? Well, there are times when paddles break or get lost so it’s important to have a spare one with you. After all, it’s hard to control the direction of where you will head if you don’t have a paddle.
- Phone in a waterproof cover or container – This is especially important if you’re traveling far from land. You’ll never know when you’ll need to call for help.
- Whistle – Kayakers use this for signaling, especially when they need help. In the waters, you can shout as much as you can, but the whistle will still be louder.
- Headlamp – If you’re kayaking during night for any reason, bringing a headlamp with you is a must. Since you need both hands to control the paddle, it has to be a headlamp.
- Water and snacks – It’s tiring to kayak, especially if you’re doing it for long periods of time. That’s why you should also bring water and snacks with you for fuel.
If you’re joining a kayaking tour, chances are, the tour guide will let you know what to bring with you. It’s possible that they already have some of the items listed above.
What are the best kayak tours in Hong Kong?
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced kayaker, it doesn’t hurt to have a guide every now and then. This is especially important if you’re new to the place or if it’s quite challenging.
Moreover, there are some spots that are far from land, so having a trusty guide by your side would make your kayaking experience a breeze.
We tried out several kayak tours and chose the best ones. We considered them based on the fun we had, the knowledge and expertise of the guide, and the value for money.
1. Wild Hong Kong
| WEBSITE | https://www.wildhongkong.com/ |
| ADDRESS | G/F, 35C, Wo Mei Village, Hong Kong |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +852 6087 1439 |
| PRICE | Group of 1-3: $800 Group of 4-7: $650 Group of 8+: $600 |
There are two kayaking tours to choose from at Wild Hong Kong: the Geopark paddle and the Hoi Ha paddle.
The Geopark paddle runs for 5 to 8 hours that is perfect for an experienced kayaker. This gives the adventurer plenty of time to explore the beaches and rock formation.
Please embed: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmm9N8CBVDh/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
The tour starts by meeting up with your guide at Sai Kung at 9:30 AM. After exchanging pleasantries, you’ll head to the launch beach where your kayaking adventure will begin.
The inclusion of the tour depends on one’s ability and the weather conditions however, it’s usually beaches and caves. Somewhere along the adventure, you’ll stop by to eat lunch.
Do note that it’s required that you bring your own lunch with you.
Around 3 – 4 PM is when you’ll end paddling and at 5 PM is when you’ll leave Sai Kung.
Meanwhile, the Hoi Ha paddle takes you on an easier adventure, making it perfect for beginners. It’s suitable even if it’s your first time kayaking.
However, if you want something more challenging, they can also adjust the difficulty for you by increasing the distance.
Anyway, the flow of the tour is exactly the same as the Geopark kayaking tour. If you’re looking for something that’s not included in what they offer, you can always ask for a customized tour so they can better cater to your needs.
Do note that the guides, equipment, paddles, and buoyancy aid are already included in the cost.
2. A-Team Edventures
| WEBSITE | https://www.ateamedventures.com |
| ADDRESS | 8/F, 37 Cochrane St, Central, Hong Kong |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +852 2560 8838 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Sunday 9 AM – 8 PM |
| PRICE |
A-Team Edventures offers a variety of kayaking tours – Tai O Village and Waterfall Tour, Hoi Ha Kayak and Snorkel. Cheung Chau Day Paddle, Cheung Chau Night Paddle, Double Haven Kayak and Camp, Tap Mun Kayak and Hike Tour, Wong Mau Chau, and Sai Wan Sea Caves.
It might be a challenge for you to pick which ones are the best, so we tried them all and took a vote.
After our team talked about it, we decided that Cheung Chau Night Paddle and Sai Wan Sea Caves would take the cake.
Cheung Chau Night Paddle is one of the more unique experiences because, well, you’ll be paddling at night, as the name implies.
Though they’ll be distant, you’ll get a fantastic and unique view of the Hong Kong city lights. There are certain occasions when adventurers will even see bioluminescence in waters, so hope that you’re lucky!
Note that the difficulty is about 3 out of 5, so it’s recommended for kayakers who are comfortable with moderate levels.
If you want to experience a UNESCO site, by the way, you should try the Sai Wan Sea Caves tour. It takes you to Geopark where you can see wonderful views of the rock formations up close through the caves.
It’s also recommended for kayakers who are experienced.
3. Long Coast Seasports
| WEBSITE | https://longcoast.hk |
| ADDRESS | Lantau Island, Hong Kong |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +852 5545 5625 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Friday 9:30 AM – 6 PM Saturday & Sunday 9:30 AM – 7 PM |
| PRICE |
There are several activities you can try at the Long Coast Seasport. Among those are surfing, team building, private lessons, and of course, kayaking.
For kayaking, you have the choice to rent, take a lesson from an expert, or tour with a guide.
When renting, you have the choice to pick 1, 2, or 3 seater kayaks. Of course, the larger the kayak is, the higher the cost.
When it comes to their classes, they accept individuals to groups of 5. All the needed gear is already provided.
Their tour takes you to the coolest kayaking spots along with a knowledgeable guide that will teach you all there is to know.
If you’re a group of 6, you can create your own schedule according to your availability. No need to join a bunch of strangers.
Anyway, at the Long Coast Seasports, you can also opt to stay at their available accommodations, which are the small caravan, deluxe caravan, and the teepee tent. We haven’t personally tried staying there, but we were able to take a peek and they all look clean and cozy!
4. Blue Sky Sports Club
| WEBSITE | https://bluesky-sc.com/ |
| ADDRESS | 近迴旋處, Sha Ha Rd, Sai Kung, Hong Kong |
| CONTACT DETAILS | +852 2791 0806 |
| OPERATING HOURS | Monday – Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM |
Blue Sky Sports Club has numerous kayaking tours available. Whether you’re a family with kids, a solo traveler, or a beginner kayaker, you’ll be able to find something that would suit you.
Since there are a lot of choices, we tried out several ones and chose our top 3 favorites: Family Mangrove Kayaking Experience, Geopark Double Sea Arches Adventure, and Kei Ling Ha BBQ Kayak Glamping.
The Family Mangrove Kayaking Experience takes you to Yung Shue O and Wu Chau. This tour is quite easy, so it’s perfect for children.
They allow those as young as 3 years old! Of course, those ages 3 to 16 still need parental supervision while kayaking.
Anyway, this tour costs $680 per head for adults and $340 per head for kids. Since the guide, safety gear, equipment, lunch, shower, and lockers are already included, we consider it good bang for your buck!
The Geopark Double Sea Arches Adventure will help you paddle your way to Bluff Island Sea Arch and Tiu Chung Sea Arch. Both of these are considered a UNESCO site.
The tour starts when they bring you to the destinations by boat. After arriving, you’ll start riding the kayaks to check out the beautiful geological landscapes which one can’t reach with a boat.
After the adventure, the guide will take you to Kau Sai Chau to unwind. This tour costs $890 per head for children and adults.
The Kei Ling Ha BBQ Kayak Glamping tour is a unique kayak experience that you wouldn’t be able to get in a lot of places.
Before camping starts, the instructors will teach you the basics of kayaking. Afterward, they will bring you to a cool spot nearby where you’ll get to see a glimpse of the countryside in Hong Kong.
When the tour is over, the guides will take you to the campsite where you can stay to get a well-deserved rest and a BBQ dinner.
Safety gear, tables, chairs, BBQ dinner, kayak equipment, safety gear, bathrooms, showers, and more are already included for the cost of only $980 per head.
We think it’s also important to mention that all the instructors at Blue Sky have a qualification under the International Surfing Association.
