Duration: Approximately 4 hours
Difficulty: ★★★☆☆
Suggested Route: Pui O Beach > Kayaking ＞ Beachside Dining
Highlights: Pui O Beach, located on South Lantau, is an inland beach with gentle waves and rolling hills on both sides, making it an ideal location for explorations throughout the year. If you and your family love water sports, take out a kayak to explore the waters around Pui O and enjoy a different kind of family fun.

In recent years, Lantau Island has grown in popularity as the go-to place for all kinds of water activities. Pui O, in particular, has been one of the top choices. Not only does it offer camping and stargazing experiences, but thanks to its gentle current, this remote beach is also the perfect spot for year-round kayaking, especially for families. On a clear day, take your children to Pui O, let them play "navigator" and embark on a nautical expedition.

2 Ways to Get to the Water Sports Centre
From Pui O’s Lo Wai Tsuen bus stop, there are two ways to get to the kayaking centre on Pui O Beach. You can either walk through Pui O Beach or the serene Ham Tin Garden. While the former is a shorter route, you will need to wade through the water. The latter takes longer but is a dry route and suitable for all ages.

Via Pui O Beach: Walk for about 6 minutes from the bus stop to Pui O Beach, then turn left. Walk for another 8 minutes or so, and you will reach the water sports centre near Tin Hau Temple. Note that there is a stream at the end of the beach, which you can only wade through when the tide is low.

Pui O Beach is crowded with visitors all year round. It's been attracting outdoor sports enthusiasts for all sorts of water activities in recent years.

Via Ham Tin Garden: From Pui O’s Lo Wai Tsuen bus stop, walk towards Ham Tin Garden for approximately 17 minutes and you’ll see the kayaking centre in front of you.

The water around Ham Tin Garden is connected with Pui O Wan to a form freshwater wetland, or a “lagoon”. Following the flow of the water and walk along Chi Ma Wan Road to reach the water sports centre Long Coast Seasports.

An All-Weather Beach for Water Activities
At the entrance of Pui O Beach are two towering stone columns engraved with a couplet, with the meaning of "Mountains, Water, and Beach of Beauty; Gorgeous, Majestic, and Picturesque Scenery." Pass through these columns and you will finally arrive at Pui O Beach, which stretches for 1.6 km and looks out to the vast and beautiful Pui O Wan. The beach is surrounded by mountains on three sides, gifting it with gentle wind and waves. The best parts? The powdery sand and clear water here are loved by water sports enthusiasts.

Tips: Pui O Beach offers many public facilities, including a campsite, BBQ pits, changing rooms, and showers. Before you go, plan your trip around your family's interests to make the most of your visit.

Preparation Before Your Voyage

When engaging in water activities, be sure to pay attention to the weather, assess your own physical condition, and map out your route. Remember to also apply the right sun protection and pack enough water, sports drinks, and food before heading out to sea. Recreational kayaks are relatively easier to control than touring kayaks. Under the guidance of a professional instructor, beginners can easily get into it once they have the basic gear and a well-fitting life vest on.

Put on your gear and head out for some kayaking fun!

The first step for beginners is to learn how to board. It's generally recommended that heavier partners board the hull first and sit at the back. The second paddler should then hold on to the centre of the hull to stabilise it, hand their paddle to the partner at the back, and then board the kayak.

Safely boarded? Off we go!

Explore Pui O Like a True Voyager
Pui O has become an increasingly popular destination for families looking to enjoy water activities. Kayaking is a popular choice for beginners because it's relatively easy to learn once you have mastered the basic skills and can navigate the sea. For those who are more experienced, choose a route that suits your physical and mental stamina, then freely explore the waters around Pui O.

Leo, coach and owner of Long Coast Seasports, has been involved in water activities for over 30 years and has visited beaches all over Hong Kong. He says that Pui O is his favourite place: "There aren't many swimmers here, and it’s got the perfect wind, land, and water for water activities. You can try them all no matter the season."

Here, coach Leo recommends several kayaking routes around Pui O. The 1 km-long Mong Tung Wan course is perfect for beginners. Another option is the 3 km route to Cha Kwo Chau, where you'll encounter the unique Fist Rock and other interesting rock formations. For an ecological tour, you can follow the stream just outside Tin Hau Temple during high tide and paddle to the mangrove area at the back. If you prefer something simpler, leisurely paddling around the beach can be just as fun.

Summer is the perfect time to experience all kinds of water activities here. Leo also mentions that Pui O Beach has gentler waves in the summer, making it ideal for beginners and recreational kayakers to practice reading the waves. Additionally, in Hong Kong's balmy summer, you'll only need light and comfortable water sports gear, whereas in winter, you may need a wetsuit to keep warm.

Many families enjoy kayaking at Pui O Beach.

For beginner kayakers, enjoying the ocean view in the breeze for the first time is always an unforgettable experience. Parents can let their children plan the kayaking route and play the role of "captain" during the trip. This helps develop their leadership, execution, and adaptability skills, making your visit to Pui O even more meaningful.

Recreational kayaks come with a flat platform design, making it easier for beginners to balance.

Relax, Enjoy the Breeze and Tuck in
After working out for over an hour, it's time to “fuel up”. Conveniently, there is a restaurant located near Pui O Beach.

The Treasure Island's Beach Club restaurant is located at Pui O Beach. You can also stay after your meal to watch the beautiful sunset.

Tips: There are other dining options around Lo Wai Village in Pui O, but be sure to check their opening hours to avoid disappointment.

The seaside Treasure Island's Beach Club is the restaurant of choice at Pui O Beach.

Recreational kayaking is a water activity suitable for the whole family. Based on their learning capabilities and physical condition, children can generally start explore kayaking at 4 years old. Choose a route that matches their ability so they can begin accumulating voyaging experience. As you freely explore the sea with them, it also nurtures their curiosity about nature – truly, it's a sea expedition for everyone.

 

How to get to Pui O Beach
1. Take bus 3M from Tung Chung Station Bus Terminus and alight at the Lo Wai Village bus stop, then walk for about 6 minutes to the beach; or
2. Take the ferry from Central Pier 6 to Mui Wo. Hop on bus 1, 2, 3M or 4 at the Mui Wo Bus Terminus, alight at the Lo Wai Village bus stop and walk for about 6 minutes to the beach.