Hong Kong Sailing Guide – Courses, Clubs, Boat Rental

HONG KONG SAILING FEDERATION: Sailing Lessons For Kids And Adults - Open To All

The Hong Kong Sailing Federation (HKSF) is the national authority for the sport of sailing in Hong Kong. HKSF offers various sailing programs, and it's open to all, regardless of physical ability, whether young or old, beginner or advanced, looking for weekend sailing, competitive racing, or ocean cruising. The Junior Program is divided into 4 levels, and beginners will begin their course on a dinghy, a simple and inexpensive way to get started in the sport and is accessible to everyone.

Hong Kong Sailing Federation, Room 1009 Olympic House, 1 Stadium Path, So Kon Po, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong +852 2504 8159, https://sailing.org.hk/

ROYAL HONG KONG YACHT CLUB: Sailing Lessons For Kids + Adults, Events And More - Members-Only

One of the oldest clubs in Hong Kong, the RHKYC on Kellett Island needs little introduction. A massive club house with various dining venues and a bar cater to the many social events that take place at the club all year round. RHKYC is active in all local and regional races and regattas. Get junior involved in sailing courses for children as young as six, and if you’re feeling inspired to get your feet wet, there are also beginners’ courses for adults too.

RHKYC, Kellett Island, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2832 2817, yscommittee@rhkyc.org.hk, www.rhkyc.org.hk.

Photo by Ting Chan

ABERDEEN BOAT CLUB: Sailing Programs, Camps And More - Available To Members/Non-Members

Aberdeen Boat Club offers a wide range of facilities for yacht, speedboat, and cruiser owners spread over two clubhouses, with jetty and pontoon moorings available for members’ exclusive use. They also offer great sailing training programs, which are run by ABC Sailing Instructors. ABC has an extensive Schools Sailing Program, and they also offer options for private tuition, together with other watersports, including Kayaking, SUP, and Windsurfing. Courses are open to both club members and non-members, with adult courses generally scheduled at the weekends and youth courses at weekends and during school holidays.

Aberdeen Boat Club, 20 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, +852 2552 8182, abclubhk.com

HEBE HAVEN YACHT CLUB: Sailing Courses + Camps - Available To Members/Non-Members

There are perks to being part of this yacht club, such as all-access to the clubhouse and restaurant on the edge of the water. Sailing courses are open to members and non-members. If you want to get your children into sailing, sign them up for their Optimist Stage 1 Program.

The little sailors will be taking part in 5 days of training on/off the water gaining confidence and basic knowledge of what it takes to be an 'Optimist Sailor.' By the end of the course, they will be confident sailors and can handle and control the boat on their own.

The Hebe Haven Yacht Club, Hiram's Highway, Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung, Hong Kong, +852 2719 9682, sailadmin@hhyc.org.hk, www.hhyc.org.hk

HONG KONG HOBIE GUIDE: Races, Sailing Trips + Monthly Events - Members-Only

Dig your toes into the soft white sand along the beach at To Tei Wan, which Hong Kong Hobie Club calls its home turf. They organize a mix of races, training sessions, and various social events – with something usually happening every month. The main events occur from September to November – when the northeast monsoon offers the best sailing conditions. But they organize racing events all year round. Club members frequently participate in inter-club boat races in Hong Kong; some even sign up for events held in the Philippines, Thailand, and China!

As well as sailing and racing, members can also bring family & friends to enjoy the club facilities on the beach, from having a BBQ to swimming and fishing. The sailboats that are available are the Hobie 16s, Formula 18 Hobie Tigers and Wildcats.

Hong Kong Hobie Club, To Tei Wan, Hong Kong, +852 6846 6311, club@hobieclub.org.hk, www.hobieclub.org.hk

LANTAU BOAT CLUB: Casual Outings, Races, Family Activities - Members Only

Located right on the beach in Discovery Bay, Lantau Boat Club hosts family activities throughout the year for members and welcomes anyone enthusiastic about sailing to join them. They also provide easy water access for casual outings, racing, and more! Unfortunately, they don’t offer formal training, but if you’re a beginner, they can pair you up with an experienced helm for an introduction sail. And they can also recommend several qualification courses you can take before joining the club.

Lantau Island Rowing Club, 15/F, Flat F, Onda Court, La Costa, Discovery Bay, Hong Kong, www.lantauboatclub.com

HONG KONG YACHTING: Charter A Sail Boat

Let someone else do all the work! Charter a yacht from Hong Kong Yachting. With a fleet of luxury yachts, sailboats, and junks, and a crew devoted to taking care of your every whim, all you need to do is lounge back and work on your tan. They do encourage you to lend a hand for the full sailing experience, but you can do as much or as little as you care to. Gung-ho sailors with their own crew can also rent sailboats for a day of fun.

Hong Kong Yachting, Room 801, 8/F Tai Yau Building, 181 Johnston Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong, +852 2526 0151, sales@hongkongyachting.com, www.hongkongyachting.com

BUY SAILING GEAR: Sky International

This is a one-stop shop for all of your sailing needs, offering items for your little tykes right up to adult sizes. It’s a little shop, but they carry gear from the brand names such as Crewsaver, Allen Brothers, RWO, English Braids, Nexus Marine and can also make customized sails. Stay safe by picking up a handy high-tech tracking device with navigational functions that double as an emergency identifier, along with life jackets for the whole family.

Sky International, Room 703, 7/F, Henan Building, 90 Jaffe Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong, +852 2827 5876, web@sky-international.com, www.sky-international.com/

BUYING A SAILING BOAT: Boats and Yachts Limited

This boat brokerage helps owning a boat happen a lot easier by assisting with the purchase and sale of boats, as well as offering registration, insurance and maintenance help. There are plenty of listings on the website, so all you have to do is point and click on the vessels that tickle your fancy.

Boats and Yachts Limited, +852 6605 5653, edward@boatsandyachts.com.hk, www.boatsandyachts.com.hk

SAILING HOLIDAY: Sailing Holiday on The Silolona

For a maritime adventure that the whole family can enjoy, book a once-in-a-lifetime journey aboard the Silolona—a luxury, wooden Indonesian phinisi that charts across Southeast Asia on private sailing holidays.  Wee-pirates and family will love sailing to the Mergui archipelago off the coast of Burma, diving into the depths of the Andaman sea, visiting the tribespeople of Papua New Guinea, or viewing the Komodo dragons up close in Indonesia.

Silolona, +62 (0) 361 286 682, info@silolona.com, www.silolona.com