Hong Kong is one of the most underrated yachting playgrounds in Asia: hundreds of islands, warm weather for much of the year, and plenty of spots where you can cruise, anchor, swim, paddle, and dine—often within a short run from your home marina.
This guide is written place-by-place for practical weekend planning, especially for motor yacht owners (and boat buyers who want to understand where they’ll actually go after buying).
Quick weekend map (by departure area)
- From Aberdeen (South HK): Lamma Island, Repulse Bay, Deep Water Bay, Po Toi, parts of Lantau
- From Kwun Tong / Victoria Harbour: Victoria Harbour skyline cruise, Tai Miu Wan (Clear Water Bay)
- Going further East/Northeast: Sai Kung islands (Shelter/Bluff/Basalt), Kau Sai Wan, and longer runs to Tai Po / Plover Cove
1) Lamma Island (from Aberdeen) — the classic “fuel-saving” day trip
If your motor yacht is moored in Aberdeen, Lamma Island is one of the easiest and most rewarding short cruises. It’s close enough to feel like an “after-work” escape, yet different enough to feel like a real getaway.
Why boaters love it
- Short run (often under ~10 minutes from Aberdeen, depending on exact mooring)
- You can anchor or tie up near the restaurant areas
- Seafood restaurants, casual dining, and a relaxed island vibe
- Hiking trails and small local sights to explore on foot
2) Repulse Bay & Deep Water Bay — easy anchoring + beach access (but can get busy)
These are two of the most famous beaches on Hong Kong Island’s south side, and they’re popular because they’re convenient, scenic, and generally feel sheltered compared with more open-water areas.
What to do here
- Anchor, swim, chill
- Kayak / SUP (especially nice in calmer pockets)
- Swim toward the beach when safe and appropriate (always avoid marked swim zones and heavy traffic)
What to know
- Can be crowded on weekends/holidays
- Wakes can be an issue when other boats are doing wakeboarding/skiing nearby
3) Po Toi Island — a scenic, boater-friendly adventure with great food
Po Toi Island (south of Hong Kong Island) is a fantastic half-day or day-trip destination from Aberdeen. It’s well known for its rock formations, hiking, and the feeling that you’ve left the city behind.
Highlights
- Interesting coastal rock scenery
- Ancient carvings (a fun “purpose” for the trip)
- Hiking trail with big sea views
- A well-known seafood restaurant—many boaters plan the trip around lunch
4) Lantau side beaches + nearby islands — relaxed cruising and easy exploring by SUP
Heading west gives you a different Hong Kong: bigger horizons, sandy stretches, and island-hopping that suits a relaxed weekend itinerary.
Suggested stops to build your guide
- Mui Wo (easy day-trip vibe; beach + village feel)
- Discovery Bay beaches
- Peng Chau (small island atmosphere)
- Kau Yi Chau (often searched for coastal scenery & Caves
Why it’s great for boat owners
- Plenty of spots where you can anchor, launch a tender, SUP, or kayak
- A good area for “slow boating” days—less about speed, more about exploring
5) Victoria Harbour — skyline cruising & fireworks from the sea
If you keep your boat around Kwun Tong / Victoria Harbour, you already have one of the world’s most iconic cruising backdrops.
Best experiences
- A sunset cruise for the Hong Kong skyline
- Fireworks viewing by boat during festive seasons (a huge crowd favorite)
6) Tai Miu Wan (Clear Water Bay) — a calm, family-friendly “15-minute escape”
One of the most practical, high-enjoyment anchor spots (especially from Kwun Tong direction) is Tai Miu Wan, on the back side of Clear Water Bay. Many boaters like it because it often stays calm and feels “protected” while still being close to the city. You can use very little fuel to get here from anywhere in the city side like Hong Kong island, Kwun Tong, Tsueng Kwan O.
Why it’s a standout
- Often calm almost all the time
- Short run (about ~15 minutes from Kwun Tong moorings, depending on exact start/sea state)
- Great for swimming, light fishing, kayaking, and SUP
- Works well for kids because it’s usually within a more sheltered zone
What to know
- Can be slightly crowded on holidays/weekends
7) Sai Kung & nearby islands — clear water, sheltered anchorages, and “Hong Kong’s back garden”
Whiskey Beach Sai Kung.
Kai Sau Wan Beach Sai kung.
Basalt Island
Moving northeast toward Sai Kung is where many boat owners fall in love with Hong Kong boating. The key detail (as many skippers learn quickly) is that you may cross a short stretch of choppier water around the Clear Water Bay area—then you’re rewarded with sheltered island waters.
Must-list places (great for your picture-based guide)
- Shelter Island – known for very calm anchoring thanks to protection from surrounding land, Favorite kayaking spot.
- Bluff Island – scenic cruising and clear water views
- Basalt Island – dramatic coastal geology; popular with divers and explorers
- Kau Sai Wan Beach – anchor and head in for the beach vibe (often busy on weekends)
What it feels like on a good day
- Clean-looking water, beautiful coastlines, and lots of “discoverable” pockets
- Great for swimming, a quick dip, snorkeling, Kayaking and relaxed lunch at anchor
8) The longer Northeast run: Tai Po, Tai Mei Tuk, Tolo Harbour & Plover Cove — calm waters worth the journey
Devil’s fist, is a famous place where the rock formation looks like a fist coming out of the ground.
Tai Mei Tuk
If you continue farther north and east, you’ll reach a part of Hong Kong that often feels much calmer and more spacious once you arrive—especially around Plover Cove and the outer edges of the Northeast New Territories. The trade-off is that it typically means a couple of hours of cruising from the busier areas, and depending on your route you may have to cross more exposed water on the way.
Once you’re up there, you can explore spots like Crooked Island (Kat O), Crescent Island, and the dramatic rock formation known as Devil’s Fist, then tuck back toward the more sheltered waters near Tai Po and Tai Mei Tuk (a popular gateway area by Plover Cove).
Best suited for
- 30–40 ft+ yachts (generally more stable and comfortable)
- Experienced skippers if you’re doing it in a smaller, lighter speedboat
- Days with a sensible forecast (wind direction matters a lot)
Why boating unlocks “hidden Hong Kong”
Many of Hong Kong’s most beautiful coves, sea caves, and rocky coastlines can be time‑consuming to reach by road or public transport—and while some places are accessible by ferry or tour, they don’t always match your timing, your group, or your preferred route. With a private boat (or even a rented one), you get the freedom to leave when it suits you, choose the most comfortable anchorage, and shape the day around the weather and everyone’s energy. That’s what makes boating in Hong Kong so fun: relaxed island lunches, spontaneous swims, quiet bays, and the feeling of having your own floating base for exploring.
And it’s not just about the destinations—it’s also about what happens on board. Boating naturally creates a new connection with family and friends: kids and parents learning together, sharing small responsibilities, and communicating more clearly because everyone is part of the same journey. Whether it’s helping with fenders, keeping a lookout, or simply coordinating plans for the next stop, it encourages people to work together as a team.
The same idea even applies to companies. A day on the water can be a surprisingly effective way to build communication, trust, and team spirit—because real teamwork shows up in the little moments, and the shared experience stays with people long after you’re back on land.