This guide covers the Island's gazetted public beaches and its best-known trails. For homes near the water or the hills, browse our Southern 港島南 sector, or our Western, Central and Eastern sectors for trailheads close to the city.
Beaches
All of Hong Kong Island's gazetted public beaches are in the government's Southern District and are managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD). Lifeguard services are seasonal and can be suspended, and red flags are hoisted when swimming is unsafe. Check LCSD's beach page before you go.
| Beach | Location (LCSD address) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Water Bay Beach | Island Road, Deep Water Bay | Shark prevention net; barbecue pits, changing rooms and showers |
| Repulse Bay Beach | Beach Road, Repulse Bay | The Island's best-known beach, with a restaurant, playground and beach volleyball court; shark prevention net |
| Middle Bay Beach | South Bay Road, Repulse Bay | Smaller bay south of Repulse Bay; shark prevention net |
| South Bay Beach | South Bay Road, Repulse Bay | Quieter bay with barbecue pits; shark prevention net |
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | Chung Hom Kok Road, Chung Hom Kok | Sheltered beach with a playground; shark prevention net |
| St. Stephen's Beach | Wong Ma Kok Path, Stanley | Small beach near Stanley; shark prevention net |
| Stanley Main Beach | Stanley Beach Road, Stanley | Popular for water sports; shark prevention net |
| Turtle Cove Beach | Tai Tam Road, Stanley | Secluded cove on Tai Tam Road with a playground; shark prevention net |
| Shek O Beach | Shek O Road, Shek O | Wide beach next to Shek O village, with barbecue pits, a playground and a car park; shark prevention net |
| Big Wave Bay Beach | Big Wave Bay Road, Shek O | Popular with surfers and the end point of the Hong Kong Trail; shark prevention net |
| Hairpin Beach | Stanley Beach Road, Stanley | Not open for swimming (LCSD) |
| Rocky Bay Beach | Shek O Road, Shek O | Not open for swimming (LCSD) |
Scroll sideways to see the full table ›
Beach safety tips
- Swim only at beaches where lifeguards are on duty, and never when the red flag is flying.
- Lifeguard hours vary through the year, and some beaches suspend lifeguard services in winter. LCSD publishes the current arrangements.
- Water quality is monitored by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). Check the EPD's beach water quality updates before swimming.
Hiking trails
Hong Kong Island has six country parks managed by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD): Pok Fu Lam, Aberdeen, Tai Tam, Tai Tam (Quarry Bay Extension), Shek O and Lung Fu Shan. They are crossed by well-signposted trails, several of which start within walking distance of residential areas.
Hong Kong Trail
A long-distance trail of about 50 km, divided into eight sections. It runs from The Peak across the length of the Island to Big Wave Bay. Many people walk it a section at a time. Highlights include:
- Section 1 (The Peak to Pok Fu Lam Reservoir): about 7 km and roughly 2 hours according to AFCD. It follows level Lugard Road, with famous views over Victoria Harbour, then descends to Pok Fu Lam Reservoir, the oldest reservoir on Hong Kong Island.
- Sections 5 and 6 (Wong Nai Chung Gap, Jardine's Lookout, Mount Butler and Tai Tam): steep climbs to some of the best harbour viewpoints on the Island, then down into the wooded Tai Tam valley and its reservoirs.
- Section 8 – Dragon's Back (To Tei Wan to Big Wave Bay): about 8.5 km and around 2 hours 45 minutes according to the government's Round-the-Island Trail website. It climbs to Shek O Peak (284 m) and follows the undulating ridge towards Wan Cham Shan, with views over Shek O, Stanley and Tai Tam, before finishing at Big Wave Bay.
Peak Circle Walk (Lugard Road and Harlech Road)
A mostly level loop around Victoria Peak that AFCD describes as a favourite with Peak visitors at weekends. AFCD's 2.2 km Pok Fu Lam Tree Walk along Lugard Road takes about 45 minutes. This is an easy introduction to Hong Kong walking and is suitable for families.
Wilson Trail Section 1: Violet Hill and The Twins
Running between Stanley Gap Road and the Wong Nai Chung Reservoir area via The Twins and Violet Hill, this short but demanding section is known for its long flights of steps and sea views. AFCD notes that the Wilson Trail and the Hong Kong Trail both pass Jardine's Lookout.
Tai Tam Reservoirs
Tai Tam Country Park contains four historic reservoirs: Tai Tam Upper, Byewash, Intermediate and Tuk. They were built between 1888 and 1917. The paths around them are a gentler, shaded alternative to the ridge walks.
Mount Parker and Quarry Bay
The Quarry Bay Extension of Tai Tam Country Park includes Mount Parker (532 m), with sweeping harbour views. AFCD describes it as a favourite morning walk for Eastern District residents. The 2,500 m Quarry Bay Jogging Trail along Sir Cecil's Ride runs towards Braemar Hill.
Aberdeen Country Park
It is centred on the Aberdeen Upper and Lower Reservoirs above Aberdeen, with shaded paths that link to the Hong Kong Trail.
Lung Fu Shan
At 47 hectares, Lung Fu Shan is Hong Kong's smallest country park. It sits above the Western Mid-Levels and is easy to reach from Mid-Levels West and Sai Ying Pun.
Hiking safety tips
- Start early in summer, carry plenty of water and check the Hong Kong Observatory forecast before setting out.
- Avoid exposed ridges during thunderstorm, rainstorm or high heat warnings.
- Stay on marked trails, and tell someone your route.
Living near the beach or the hills
- Southern 港島南: Repulse Bay, Deep Water Bay, Stanley, Chung Hom Kok, Tai Tam and Shek O for beach living.
- Western 港島西: Pok Fu Lam and Mid-Levels West for Pok Fu Lam Country Park, Lung Fu Shan and the start of the Hong Kong Trail.
- Central 港島中: The Peak and Mid-Levels for the Peak Circle Walk.
- Eastern 港島東: Quarry Bay, Tai Hang and Mid-Levels East for Mount Parker, Jardine's Lookout and Tai Tam.
See all current listings on homewise.hk.
Frequently asked questions
How many public beaches are there on Hong Kong Island?
LCSD lists 12 gazetted beaches on Hong Kong Island, all in Southern District. Two of them, Hairpin Beach and Rocky Bay Beach, are currently listed by LCSD as not open for swimming.
Do Hong Kong Island beaches have shark nets?
Yes. LCSD shows shark prevention nets at ten Southern District beaches, including Repulse Bay, Deep Water Bay, Stanley Main, Shek O and Big Wave Bay.
Are beaches open all year?
Beaches are accessible year-round, but lifeguard services are seasonal and are suspended at some beaches in winter. Check LCSD's website for current lifeguard hours and any red-flag notices.
What is the most famous hike on Hong Kong Island?
Dragon's Back, part of Section 8 of the Hong Kong Trail, runs over Shek O Peak to Big Wave Bay. For an easier walk, the level Lugard Road loop around The Peak is very popular.
Which areas are best for living close to beaches?
The Southern sector, including Repulse Bay, Deep Water Bay, Stanley, Chung Hom Kok and Shek O, is closest to the Island's beaches. See our Southern district guides.
Notes and sources
Information checked on 3 October 2026.
- LCSD, Southern District beaches (addresses, facilities, shark nets, "not open for swimming" status): https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/index/beach-location-hk/beach-address-south.html
- LCSD, beaches introduction and current notices: https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/
- LCSD Swimmers' Handbook, list of 12 Hong Kong Island beaches: https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/swimhandbook/pbb/pbb2.html
- AFCD, list of country parks and areas: https://www.afcd.gov.hk/English/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/cou_vis_cou.html
- AFCD, Pok Fu Lam Country Park (Hong Kong Trail Sections 1–2, Lugard/Harlech Road, Pok Fu Lam Tree Walk): https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/cou_vis_cou_pfl/cou_vis_cou_pfl.html
- AFCD, Tai Tam Country Park (reservoirs, Mount Parker, Jardine's Lookout, Wilson Trail Sections 1–2, Quarry Bay Jogging Trail): https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/cou_vis_cou_tt/cou_vis_cou_tt.html
- AFCD, Aberdeen, Lung Fu Shan and Shek O Country Parks: https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/cou_vis_cou_abe/cou_vis_cou_abe.html ; https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/cou_vis_cou_lfs/cou_vis_cou_lfs.html ; https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/country/cou_vis/cou_vis_cou/cou_vis_cou_so/cou_vis_cou_so.html
- Round-the-Island Trail (government), Hong Kong Trail Section 8 / Dragon's Back: https://www.roundislandtrail.gov.hk/en/exploring-the-trail/route-suggestions/hong-kong-trail-section-8-to-tei-wan-to-tai-long-wan
