Beaches of Hong Kong
The shelter provided by adjacent mountains keeps wave sizes generally small, and most beaches are thus suitable for swimming and recreation, if they can be reached.
About half of Hong Kong's more accessible beaches are gazetted and thus managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD).
With the increasing development and urbanisation of Hong Kong, water quality has worsened resulting in the closure of several beaches previously suitable for swimming.
Lifeguard service hours are 0900–1800 in April to May, September to October, and also on Mondays to Fridays in June to August.
On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in June to August, lifeguard service hours are 0800–1900.
There are refreshment kiosk, BBQ area, changing room, shower facilities, toilet and bathing shed.
Lifeguard service hours are 0900–1800 in April to May, September to October, and also on Mondays to Fridays in June to August.
On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in June to August, lifeguard service hours are 0800–1900.
Lifeguard service hours are 0900–1800 in April to May, September to October, and also on Mondays to Fridays in June to August.
On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays in June to August, lifeguard service hours are 0800–1900.
Golden Beach (黃金泳灘) is located at the 18½ milestone of Castle Peak Road, Tuen Mun.
Golden Beach is served by KMB bus routes 52X (Tuen Mun Central ↔ Mong Kok), 53 (Yuen Long station ↔ Tsuen Wan), 61A (Yau Oi South → Tuen Mun Road Interchange), 61M (Yau Oi South ↔ Lai King North), 252B (Handsome Court → Tsim Sha Tsui), 252X (Handsome Court/Chi Lok Fa Yuen ↔ Lam Tin station) and 261B (Sam Shing → Kowloon station); by Citybus bus routes 962/N962 (Lung Mun Oasis ↔ Causeway Bay), 962B/962S (Chi Lok Fa Yuen ↔ Causeway Bay); by Long Win Bus bus routes A33 (Airport ↔ Tuen Mun Road Interchange);
Deep Water Bay Beach (深水灣泳灘) is located on southern Hong Kong Island.
However, since they are not directly accessible by public transport, they tend to be quieter and less crowded than Repulse Bay.
Turtle Cove is very well equipped; with changing rooms, toilets and showers as well as a small playground, a soft drinks kiosk and seven barbecue pits.
Turtle Cove Beach is accessible by bus No.14 from exit A of the Sai Wan Ho MTR station or mini-bus 16X from Chai Wan; the beach is located near the Red Hill estate stop (past the Tai Tam Reservoir).
Big Wave Bay Beach (大浪灣泳灘) in Southern District is also the site of prehistoric rock carvings similar to those found on Cheung Chau Island.
[2] Not to be confused with other places called Big Wave Bay or Tai Long Wan in Hong Kong.
To reach the beach one must travel to Yung Shue Wan from Central by ferry, and then walk for about 20 minutes.
Some years ago the government of Hong Kong built shower and refreshment facilities there, which remain almost unused because of the beach's remote location and the absence of public transport.
It is popular for various water sports facilities, with two centres providing rentals of windsurfers and kayaks.
Also, it is where Hong Kong's first Olympic medallist, Lee Lai Shan, first learned and practised windsurfing.
Hong Kong's largest island, Lantau, has several beaches which are clean, uncrowded and relatively convenient to reach.
Many visitors rent a bike for the afternoon, and stop off at the many refreshment kiosks and little restaurants along the road fronting the beach.
If people do not feel like hurrying back into the city, they can also choose to stay overnight at the Silvermine Beach Hotel, located right on the waterfront.
A number of Hong Kong's larger non-gazetted beaches are popular, with the lack of official oversight and facilities often seen as part of their attraction.
Every week, water samples of each beach are collected for analysis to determine their bacterial level.
