Hong Kong's best beaches for summer

Hong Kong might be best known as a concrete jungle of cloud-piercing skyscrapers, but few realise that more than 70% of the territory is protected green land. And within these leafy confines, you'll find 42 beautiful beaches, most equipped with free-to-use barbecue pits, water fountains, changing rooms, toilets, and showers – the perfect antidote to Hong Kong's hot sticky summers. Expect water temperatures similar to Vietnam or Thailand, generally hovering around 28°C over summer. Here's where to dive in.

Deep Water Bay, Hong Kong Island

Repulse Bay is arguably Hong Kong's most famous beach – but it's also the most touristed. Instead, join locals at neighbouring Deep Water Bay, a peaceful band of golden sand where you can lie in the shade of casuarina trees and listen to the lapping of the South China Sea. Just a 15-minute drive from Central, this surprisingly tranquil beach is the place to decompress with a good book or an alfresco snooze. At the end of the day, head to the beach's only cafe, CoCoNuts, for hot Thai curries and cold Chang beers.

Shek O, Hong Kong Island

Located in the south of Hong Kong Island, Shek O is a uniquely Hong Kong blend of low-rise village houses, billionaire's mansions, seafood restaurants, beach shack bars, a PGA-spec golf course, sailboats, and super-yachts bobbing in the water. Wander around the village's higgledy-piggledy lanes – segueing up to Tai Tau Chau Pavilion to take in breathtaking views of the ragged coast and South China Sea – before flopping on the soft sand. Shek O's gently sloping shores and protected waters make it a favourite with families and watersports enthusiasts.

Tai Long Wan, New Territories

Marooned at the end of a magnificent six-mile hike along the Maclehose Trail, it takes a bit of effort to reach Tai Long Wan – but it’s worth it when you arrive at bright white beaches with water bluer than Ryan Gosling's eyes. Or you could get there by speedboat from Sai Kung Village, which whooshes through Hong Kong's wondrous UNESCO biosphere reserve. We’d hike over in the morning (there are no shops en route so take plenty of water) and cruise back in the late afternoon (the last speedboat leaves at 5pm; be sure to buy your ticket in advance).

Tannery Beach, Lamma Island

Tannery Beach (Nga Kau Wan in Cantonese) is a little slice of Koh Samui on Lamma Island – all pale soft sands bookended with dramatic black boulders and island-studded sea views. People who live on Lamma keep quiet about this serene spot – and who can blame them for wanting this little treasure for themselves. To find it, walk 15 minutes uphill from Yung Shue Wa ferry pier and hang a left, staying on the path as it meanders back down to the shore. Completely unspoiled, there are no shops or stalls on the beach – so do take your own supplies.

Stanley Main Beach, Hong Kong Island

Tanned and toned dragon boat teams power across the horizon; catamaran sails flutter in the breeze; dogs in colourful lifejackets accompany their owners on stand-up paddle boards; teens backflipping back-flipping off pontoons… Stanley Main Beach is Hong Kong's mini-Bondi. Hire a stand-up paddleboard, kayak, or canoe and set off around the coast in search of tiny secret beaches, limpid lagoons, and clumps of plump sea cucumbers. Dry off at the British-style Smugglers Bar in Stanley Village, which has a beamed ceiling, wine barrel seats, and a wall of banknotes pinned by customers.

Cheung Sha Wan, Lantau

Comprised of two golden beaches stretching over three kilometres of the tranquil Lantau coast, Cheung Sha is not only Hong Kong's longest beach – it's also officially the cleanest. If it's peace and quiet you're looking for, aim for Upper Cheung Sha, where you can barbecue backed by lush sub-tropical rainforest. Prefer to keep busy? Lower Cheung Sha has a tiny seaside village with for-rent watersports equipment and restaurants selling fish and chips, pizzas, and Macanese specialities such as bacalhau grilled cod.

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