Summer has hit and we’re ready to make the most of it. When water is your landing ground, it’s the perfect excuse to go all out. Of course, safety precautions still need to be taken, but if you love the thrill of adventure, you’ll find these watersports calling your name…
If surfing isn’t enough on its own, windsurfing takes it to another level. Soak up the rays as you soar through the wind and navigate your way using a sail. Opened by the uncle of Hong Kong’s own Olympic gold medalist, Lee LaiShan, Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre is the best place to take some windsurfing lessons or, if you need no introduction, the perfect place to windsurf with some friends. It also offers kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for rental.
Where: Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre, 1 Hak Pai Rd, Cheung Chau, Hong Kong
How much: Prices begin at $1,800/person for full-day classes. Call 2981 8316 for more info and bookings.
For a more laid-back option, why not try kayaking or canoeing? It’s a great way to get in a quick upper body workout and one of the best ways to enjoy the serene Hong Kong waters. The best spots are in Sai Kung and you can usually find kayak rental at sports centres and beaches. Kayaks are available for a daily (10am – 4pm) rate from $160 for a single and $260 for a double, with private coaching available for newcomers (note that it often closes during summer holidays).
Where: Sai Kung New Pier, Fuk Man Road, Hong Kong
How much: $160/person. Call +852 9300 5197 to make a booking.
Located in Tai Tam Tuk Village, HK Wakeboard is the perfect place to meet all your extreme water sports needs. Not only does it provide professional wakeboarding lessons, it also teaches wakeskating, wakesurfing, and have hoverboard/flyboard sessions for the adrenaline junkies.
Where: Tai Tam Tuk Village, Hong Kong
How much: Check out the packages here. Contact [email protected] or call 9454 5772 for more info.
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Hong Kong may not have the clearest or cleanest water, but you’d be surprised at the marine life you can spot out a little further out. For ease of access, head to Clearwater Bay, as a great base location to learn how to scuba dive at your own pace before you plan a diving holiday in Asia. We recommend getting a certification with Splash, who are highly professional and even organise dive trips abroad.
Where: Unit 5, 1/F, Ko Fu House, 58-72 Fuk Man Road, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong
How much: Prices very depending on course. Shore diving (Clearwater Bay area) is $500 for two dives. Boat diving (Sai Kung area) is $620 for two dives and lunch. Equipment rental is $250 per day. Check out the website for details.
Stand-up paddle boarding is as fun as it sounds and there’s no better place to try it than Sai Kung – offering a ton of reachable beautiful beaches. Book a session with Blue Sky Sports Club and explore the beauty of Hong Kong standing on water.
Where: G/F, No.60 Sun On Tsuen, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong
How much: Beginners courses start at $500/person. Blue Sky Member: $150 per day, Non-Members: $300 per day.
If wakeboarding had a sibling, it would be kiteboarding. While the two have similarities, kiteboarding depends much more on the right wind conditions. So if you find yourself with no plans on a day with a perfect breeze, we recommend trying out kiteboarding with the Kiteboarding Association of Hong Kong.
Where: Location is subject to change depending on the Kiteboarding Association.
How much: 3-day beginner package starts at $4500. The professional advice is worth it!
For our fellow surfers who need no introduction to this beautiful sport, Big Wave Beach is the spot to go. You can also take lessons at Shek O beach down the road. Surfing classes are a safe way to get an idea of what it might be like riding the waves solo. Fair warning: weekends draw in big crowds so be prepared!
Where: Big Wave Bay Road, Shek O, Hong Kong Island
How much: Board rental is available all along this beach and pricing varies depending on board length. Generally, you can get options within $250 for an hour, with a wetsuit thrown in the deal.
Go for a relaxing, refreshing pedal on top of the beautiful Inspiration Lake in the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. Pedal boats are safe, easy to operate, and can be a surprisingly good workout for the legs! It is great for a family day out or a laid back trip with friends.
Where: Inspiration Lake Recreation Centre, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Lantau
How much: 2-seat pedal boat costs $120/hour, 4-seater costs $150/hour. Open from 10am to 5pm.
If you’re looking to try out an extreme sport, flyboarding’s the one for you! Get your fix of adrenaline as a powerful stream of water propels you into the air. The flyboard is easy to operate and, with professional instruction offered by HK Wakeboard, you’re sure to learn cool tricks to reach new heights in no time!
Where: Tai Tam Tuk Village, Hong Kong
How much: $1,500/hour
Challenge your balance and improve your mindfulness with stand-up paddleboard (SUP) yoga. Whether you’re a self-professed yogi or a keen amateur, SUP yoga is the perfect activity to add some outdoor excitement to your yoga practice. If you need a break after doing too many warrior poses under the sun, just fall into the cool ocean. Aqua Terra offers both SUP classes and SUP yoga classes out of the studio in sunny Stanley Bay.
Where: Stanley main beach or Sai Kung
How much: Contact for pricing and class times.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in June 2016 by Bonnie Zheng, and was last updated in June 2020 by Tania Shroff.
