Guide to Tai Long Wan HONG KONG
Finally made it out to Tai Long Wan this past weekend! If you live on Hong Kong Island, it definitely is a bit of a trek to get to. Was it worth it? I’m still not completely sold on this question...Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful beach, nestled in a somewhat secluded area of Hong Kong. Probably because it was so hyped up by everyone that I had such high expectations so that it wasn’t as amazing as I had imagined in my head - mostly because:
While the water was pristine - the main beach itself was so shockingly dirty! Plastic wrappers, sand bags, big metal and plastic drums, and the list of trash on the beach goes on and on
Much smaller than I imagined - there are 2 beaches, the both quite small in nature. I only stayed in the main one so perhaps the 2nd and more secluded beach is cleaner (I hope so!)
How to Get There
By Car and Hike
Get to Sai Kung Town. There are numerous ways to get to Sai Kung Town. For me, I usually take the MTR to Tai Hang and the the 101M Minibus
Sai Kung Town to Sai Wan Pavilion.
Take NR29 Minibus. Be sure to check the time tables though as the bus doesn’t come frequently
Take a taxi. Taxi lines are available in the main transit hub area in Sai Kung Town. The fare is around $100 HKD
Sai Wan Pavilion to Tai Long Wan Hike. Total distance around 2.5km and takes around 30 minutes. Hiking from Sai Wan Pavilion to Tai Long Wan beach is not difficult since the distance is not long and it’s mostly flat and downhill towards the end of the hike. You’ll pass by a few scenic spots along the way! Beware of wild boars!
Speed boat: Sai Kung Town - Tai Long Wan
By Boat
There are a few vendors offering boat rides to Tai Long Wan at Sai Kung Public Pier. You can also purchase tickets back, which is what we did, from Tai Long Wan to Sai Kung Public Pier.
For the return trip, you can purchase your tickets at the restaurant and book a few hours in advance. Cost is $150 HKD pp.
Be prepared for a VERY bumpy ride back! (I was totally unprepared for how bumpy and splashy the ride was. Felt like I was in an amusement park. No joke) Gorgeous scenery though if you can hang on to your seats enough and enjoy the column formation of the surrounding islands that are part of the UNESCO Geopark.
Gorgeous views, shiny sun, and a nice beach umbrella to give me some shade!
Other Things to Know
Beach umbrella rentals available at the restaurant. There is no shade on the beach, hence either bringing a cover or renting a beach umbrella would be a good idea if you don’t want to get too burnt! $80 HKD with $200 HKD deposit. Beware of the wind though! Our umbrella flew away twice…so be sure to anchor it well into the sand and weigh it down properly!
Drinks and snacks available at the restaurant.
Secluded side beach a bit of a walk from the main beach is on the left if you are looking for a less crowded spot. We didn’t venture to the other side (too lazy…)
