How To Get To Tai Long Wan, Sai Wan, And Ham Tin Beaches?

Most families in Hong Kong have not ventured to the city’s most beautiful beach – Tai Long Wan! When Hong Kong’s sky turns blue, you simply must take advantage! Pack up the kids, grab the sunscreen, and journey over to one of Hong Kong’s most beautiful beaches.

This beach is located on the east coast of the Sai Kung Peninsula. Here you will find 4 main beaches – Sai Wan (West Bay), Ham Tin Wan, Tai Wan (Big Bay), and Tung Wan (East Bay). The third beach and arguably the most beautiful is known as Tai Long Wan (Tai Wan).

THE HIGHLIGHTS:

BEACHES: Here, you will find stretches of white sand beaches, clear blue water, and views of some of Hong Kong’s most spectacular mountains. Although the beaches are luckily never too crowded, Sai Wan and Ham Tin beaches often attract more people as they are the first beaches to reach and the only ones with facilities. If you prefer more seclusion, head to Tai Wan or Tung Wan.

SURFING: Tai Wan is famous for surfing. Experienced surfers will tend to bring their own board, but it can be rented from the restaurant on Ham Tin. For beginners, it is recommended to take a few lessons. Luckily you can book a class at Surf Hong Kong in Sai Wan!

Editor’s Note: The water can be dangerous, especially during the winter period, be sure to keep your eyes on your kiddos. There is no lifeguard here! 

CAMPING: It’s a must! You can rent equipment in Ham Tin Wan and walk 10 minutes to Tai Long Wan. Enjoy DIY campfires on the beach or head to one of the restaurants next door. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

HIKING: There are plenty of hiking trails around the area! You can hike across the beach paths from Sai Wan and Ham Tin Wan to reach the further two beaches, or for a tougher climb, the famous Sharp’s Peak at your doorstep.

Editor’s Note: Sharp peak is a tough hike, even for experienced hikers. It is not recommended to take children or even young teens on this hike as you need a good fitness level, and there is some climbing involved towards the end.

WATERFALLS: The Sheung Luk Stream is hidden between the hills between Sai Wan and Ham Tin beaches. This is where you should bring older children or at least ones that are strong enough swimmers or divers to jump off a two-story waterfall, as many have done here. Have fun but play it safe! From Sai Kung town, take a cab to Sai Wan Pavilion and follow the trail to Sai Wan beach. When you see a milepost by a bridge that says KK 291795, the stream is just beside that bridge. Click here for more detailed directions.

DIRECTIONS:

Sai Wan Beach & Tai Long Wan Beach

How to get there: Take the MTR to Diamond Hill, then catch the KMB 94 bus to Wong Shek Pier. From the pier, hire a private sampan to take you directly to the beach or Chek King (depending on the waves). The hike from Chek King to the beach is 30-45 minutes.

Fast Route: Take a taxi to Wong Shek Pier in Sai Kung Country Park. Take a sampan directly to the beach. The boat ride is fun for kids! If the waves are too wild, you can take the sampan to Chek Keng, where you will embark on a 1-hour hike to the beach. It is doable in a pram, but there are a few initial stairs.

Pram Strolling and Hiking Route: Take a taxi to the Sai Wan Pavillion (you might need to change to a New Territories taxi in Sai Kung Town). Walk along High Island Reservoir all the way to Sai Wan. To get to Ham Tin, you will need to plan for a proper hike. Alternatively, you can request the sampan from Wong Shek Pier to drop you off at the pier (around HK$20), and you can then do a short and most stroller-friendly hike to Ham Tin. Tai Long Wan is pretty easy to access from Ham Tin.

Sai Kung Direct: You can arrange a sampan to take you directly from the Sai Kung Pier to the beach, but it will be pricey, so make sure you grab a crew!