Serene, foreboding, dappled with sunlight, or scoured by rain, Lantau’s beaches are where it’s at. Discover our top five
We are fortunate indeed to have wonderful beaches here on Lantau, from big open bays complete with lifeguard towers and Coca-Cola stalls, to small, hidden gems tucked beneath rugged cliffs. Here are five of the best to visit, or revisit this summer.
PUI O BEACH
Pui O’s environs are hard to beat. The route from the bus stop on South Lantau Road takes you past sleepy Pui O village, and through fields where water buffalo are often found grazing, or simply hanging out. Once you reach the water, you are presented with an untouched beach flanked by a rocky outcrop on the Chi Ma Wan Peninsula to the southeast, and Yi Tung Shan and Sunset Peak to the northwest.
At the beach itself, you can spend your day in several ways. Parents can set up shop at Treasure Island’s terraced restaurant and watch the kids gallivant on the beach below. The group also offers beach chair, kayak and board rentals, as well as coolers and beach bags in case you prefer to pick up supplies and lug them across the “black” sand. Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from going it alone (by bringing your own board); Pui O is diligently supervised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). The lifeguard hours in summer, as with all beaches that are maintained by the LCSD, are from 9am to 6pm on weekdays, and from 8am to 7pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
One of the most appealing aspects of Pui O is how easy it is to overnight there. The tents and cabanas offered by Treasure Island may be the prudent, albeit more expensive option, if your priority is a good night’s sleep. However, the LCSD campsite on the other side of the beach is at most 50 metres from the sea (tide dependant) and there you’ll be rocked to sleep by the sound of the waves smashing the shore. Either way, it’s truly hard to reconcile the fact that you’re in Hong Kong with what you witness as the sun sets on Pui O.
SILVERMINE BAY BEACH
A perfect crescent of sand nestled below Lin Fa Shan peak and the spectacular Mui Wo basin, Silvermine Bay Beach is busier than most on Lantau, largely because it’s somewhere you can enjoy the sand and sea without too much hassle. Like Pui O, it’s supervised by the LCSD. This easily accessible beach has excellent facilities, including barbecue pits. Although, when it comes to getting something to eat you are spoilt for choice, as all of Mui Wo’s restaurants are within a 10-minute walk from the beach.
If you and your friends are the active sort, have a turn using the beach volleyball court nestled under a pair of trees just metres from the river Silver. Alternately, spend a night at Silvermine Beach Hotel and enjoy some of the myriad outdoor activities on offer – you can rent stand-up paddle boards, peddle boats and kayaks.
It is worth mentioning, however, that the water quality at Silvermine Bay Beach is on-average rated as “Fair” by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD), the grade below “Good,” and the beach can get quite crowded on weekends.
UPPER CHEUNG SHA BEACH
One of two sister beaches divided by an unassuming headland that barely reaches the coast, Upper Cheung Sha is the longest beach on Lantau (3 kilometres), and one of the longest in Hong Kong. To get there simply hop off the bus at Cheung Sha Ha Tsuen, and walk down the slope.
This beach is also maintained by the LCSD, and the lifeguard post at the western end has the usual showers, toilets and changing rooms. While the sand is soft, there are some rocks dotted around both in the water and on the beach itself, so be a bit careful where you set up, and where you swim. Be sure to smile at the passing water buffalo.
Bring lots of water and snacks if you plan to stay the day, as Upper Cheung Sha has less amenities and restaurants than its lower, busier counterpart, and there is very little shade. This beach is best enjoyed under a portable umbrella, with a cooler full of drinks, sandwiches, chips and dips.
TAI LONG WAN
By far the smallest and most remote beach on this list, Tai Long Wan, which translates as Big Wave Bay, actually boasts three beaches. And it’s unique in all ways but in name. There’s a Tai Long Wan in Sai Kung, one on the easternmost coast of Hong Kong Island, and not one but two on Lantau – the other one shoulders Sea Ranch and is only accessible by hike or sampan from Cheung Chau. It’s a spectacular beach, but a bit too out of the way for most.
To visit this particular Tai Long Wan is still quite a trek. After getting off a bus at Sha Tsui at the corner of Shek Pik Reservoir, follow Wang Pui Road (and the sound of crashing waves) through Tai Long Wan village to the beach. If you’re taking it easy, or have small children in tow, it may take up to 30 minutes to reach the beach from the road.
As a reward for your efforts, you’ll likely find yourself on a completely deserted beach. Palms, ferns and Banyan trees dot the waterline and the sand is silky and white. There are no chairs, umbrellas or lifeguards on duty, and definitely no restaurants. Everything you will need for the day, you will have to bring yourself. This may seem like a drawback, but with the hectic lifestyles so many of us lead, simple seclusion (perhaps enjoyed with a few friends or family) is a real luxury.
TAI PAK WAN
Call us biased but this guide would not be complete without a shout-out to DB’s own Tai Pak Wan. Some 400 metres long, it’s our go-to for leisurely swims and long walks, sun worshipping and beach volleyball. Though busy at weekends during summer, it’s first and foremost a neighbourhood hangout, a place for residents – and their dogs – to meet and mingle.
Backed by rolling hills and well-appointed homes, and directly adjacent to both the ferry pier and main plaza, Tai Pak Wan sets the resort vibe for which DB is celebrated. And it’s only as old as the community it serves: created in the 1980s, it’s Hong Kong’s first man-made beach. The sand (300,000 cubic metres, imported from the mainland) is surprisingly soft and white, and the water is generally calm and clear.
Built, owned and managed by Hong Kong Resort Company Ltd, Tai Pak Wan is lined with family-friendly amenities, including a beach playground (Hong Kong’s largest) with climbing frames, slides and swings, even a mini zipline. It’s a hub for community events and increasingly popular with watersports enthusiasts. You’ll find Lantau Boat Club at the far end.
Before heading home, there’s the option to dine al fresco at D’Deck: take your pick from Turkish to Thai – these days there’s even an upmarket fish ‘n’ chip shop right on the seafront.