Sai Kung Boat Trip Tips- How To Get There & Things To Do

Imagine a lush paradise just a few miles away from the bustling city of Hong Kong…

…and you will be imagining Sai Kung.

Sai Kung is a peninsula in the northeast region of Hong Kong that encompasses a district and town center by the same name.

It is known as the “back garden of Hong Kong,” and is where the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark and Country Parks are located. These parks are very popular destinations for tourists and locals alike.

This sprawling haven is a natural gem just a short trip from the heart of the city. It is home to countless little islands and hidden beaches, as well as emerald-green mountains perfect for hiking to see some amazing ocean views.

Sai Kung also integrates its traditional rural customs with a modern city’s energy and drive. A lot of cultural heritage is retained, as seen in the many temples and fishing villages in the area. These fishing communities help make Sai Kung famous for its fresh and delicious seafood restaurants. The locals value the traditional festivals very much, so events are frequently held that bring even more liveliness and color to the district!

So, how do you get there, and what should you see?

Keep reading for our best recommendations on getting the most out of your trip to Sai Kung!

🗺️ How To Get To Sai Kung 🗺️

Although the quickest and most direct way to get to Sai Kung is by car or taxi, there are slightly longer, yet much cheaper options available! For example, there is the MTR, Hong Kong’s well-designed and ultra-efficient subway system. From one of its stations, you can then take a minibus or a taxi, depending on your budget.

🚗 By Car/Taxi

This route all depends on where you start out. In general, head towards the northeast part of Hong Kong, then once you hit Clear Water Bay Road, follow it until you get to Hiram’s Highway. From there, it is a straight shot all the way up to Sai Kung Town.

This site has a great list of places you can park once you’ve reached your destination.

If going by taxi, simply tell your driver that you want to go to Sai Kung, and he or she will take you to Sai Kung Town. Rates vary depending on where you start out; from Central to Sai Kung, it will be about 200 HKD.

🚌 By MTR/Minibus/Bus

There are several different routes you can take by MTR. The fastest way to go is from Hang Hau, but you can also depart from Choi Hung or Diamond Hill. All bus routes will drop you off at their respective stations in Sai Kung Town.

This site has a great list of alternative bus routes.

💡 Hang Hau: MTR → Hang Hau (Tseung Kwan O/Purple Line) → Green Minibus #101M (Bus Station By MTR Station; 20 Minutes To Sai Kung)

💡 Choi Hung: MTR → Choi Hung (Kwun Tong/Green Line) → Exit C1 → Green Minibus #1A (30 Minutes To Sai Kung)

MTR → Choi Hung (Kwun Tong/Green Line) → Exit C1 → Bus #92 (Lung Cheung Road Outside MTR Station; 30 Minutes To Sai Kung)

💡 Diamond Hill: MTR → Diamond Hill (Kwun Tong/Green Line) → Exit C2 → Bus #92 (40 Minutes To Sai Kung)

🎉 Things To Do In Sai Kung 🍴

From exploring the ancient temples to trekking the surrounding mountains, there are countless things to do in Sai Kung! Here are a few of our favorites…

🗝️ Explore The Heritage

Unlike the hectic waterfront of Victoria Harbor, Sai Kung’s peaceful pier provides a serene environment to relax, and take in the horizon of sky and sea. A leisurely stroll around Sai Kung’s Town Center supplies a quaint look into the daily lives of the locals; however, to further delve into Sai Kung’s history and heritage, try checking out these sites:

• Che Kung Temple – Ho Chung
• Hung Shing Temple – Kau Sai Chau
• Tin Hau Temple – Fat Tong Mun
• Sheung Yiu Folk Museum – Sheung Yiu Village
  • Note: This village is home to the Hakka Minority, whose colorful traditions include the Hakka Unicorn Dance, a special dance that fuses folk music and martial arts. The Hakka People believe that the Chinese Unicorn, the qilin, is a good luck symbol to ward off all evil, so this dance will likely be performed on special occasions, such as Chinese New Year, weddings, and birthdays.

⛰️ Hike The Mountains

The vast parks in Sai Kung contain probably hundreds of great hiking trails that lead to stunning peaks with even more incredible views of the islands below and afar. Some hikes are a bit tough, but just be sure to take plenty of water, some snacks, and proper hiking gear! Here are some of our favorite trails and destinations, found primarily in Sai Kung East Country Park and Ma On Shan Country Park:

• Buffalo Hill
• High Island Reservoir
• Ma On Shan Country Trail
• MacLehose Trail
• Sai Kung Rock Pools
• Sharp Peak/Nam She Tsim
• Tai Kam Chung
• Tai Tan Country Trail

There are also a lot of cool rock formations around Sai Kung that you can either hike or boat to. Check these out:

• Po Pin Chau
• Sha Tong Hau
• Sharp Island

🏖️ Relax On The Beach

Another great pastime is chilling on one of the many pristine beaches. It is no wonder that this is where Hong Kongers go when they want real island vibes! A Google Image Search of any of the following beaches will instantly make you wish you were sunbathing on the warm sand with the sound of crashing waves in your ears.

• Ham Tin Beach
• Hap Mun Wan
• Kiu Tsui Beach
• Long Ke Wan
• Sai Wan
• Tai Long Wan/Big Wave Bay
• Trio Beach
• Tung Wan
  

  Sai Wan

  

  Tai Long Wan 

Some of the beaches listed, like Long Ke Wan, are quite hard to get to on foot, or even by car. Taxis can get pretty expensive, and some drivers will mark up their rates for return trips. We recommend taking a boat to these especially scenic areas, and making a day of it!

 🛥️ Party On A Boat

Because Sai Kung is surrounded by water, one of the best ways to get around is by boat. You can see cultural sites, enjoy beautiful views of both mountain and sea, and even visit the beach, all by boat! You can also get up close and personal with the islands’ fascinating rock structures. Basically, everything mentioned above!

There are also tons of boat options to choose from…

Looking to have a fun-filled party with friends? We’ve got great all-inclusive junk boat party packages!

Leaning more towards a pampering experience? Check out our luxury cruisers!

We also offer lots of drink packages that you can add on to any boat. Beer, wine, liquor…we’ve got it all!

On a boat, you can combine all the essential aspects of a great holiday: dining, drinking, swimming, sunbathing, and partying!

Want even more perks?

Our Sai Kung boats are usually much cheaper and more available than our city boats, so if it’s peak boating season, and you can’t seem to find a vessel, try looking for ones servicing the Sai Kung area!

These boats also tend to offer more water activities, as the countryside means more space to play!

There is no need to worry about the language barrier in communicating with your boat crew either – although they, for the most part, only speak basic English, they are very friendly and welcoming of their home!

The secluded waters of Sai Kung are truly the perfect place to spend a day at sea.

🎣 Feast On A Seafood Dinner

After a day out on the water, head back to the pier for a delicious seafood dinner on the famed Sai Kung Seafood Street. Dine on fresh shrimp, fish, lobster, squid, abalone, crab, scallops, and more! There are even some restaurants here that have earned themselves Michelin Stars! Here are our suggestions:

• Chuen Kee Seafood Restaurant
• Loaf On (Michelin)
• Sing Kee Seafood Restaurant (Michelin)

🍻 Unwind At A Bar

If you’ve still got energy after a full day of fun plus a giant seafood feast, props to you! But don’t head home just yet. You might be surprised to know that Sai Kung houses lots of entertainment to end your evening with a bang! From a bowling bar to a stargazing park, there is plenty to do after the sun has gone down. Take a look:

• Beach Pub
• Casa Tapas Bar
• Duke of York Pub
• Sai Kung Astropark – Sai Kung East Country Park
• Tiki Tiki (Island-Themed Bowling Bar)