Five top destinations for a Hong Kong junk trip
From the beaches and bays of Sai Kung to islands dotted around Hong Kong, there's no shortage of places to go on a junk
Summer’s arrived, so it's high time we tapped the minds of Hong Kong’s junk boat junkies and junk operators to find out the best spots to drop anchor and the latest ideas for onboard fun.
They came up with a shortlist of five places to go - but it's not an exclusive list: junk trippers who want to drop anchor somewhere secluded just need to ask their boat's skipper for recommendations. “There’re a lot of small beaches and alcoves that are not even named on the map, so it’s good to let the skipper plan the route, especially if there are weather conditions to consider,” says Angus Harris, a skipper at Hong Kong Yachting.
And remember, take only memories (not shells and other things that belong in nature) and leave only footprints (not loads of rubbish).
1. The Ninepin Group
This cluster of 29 islands in the eastern waters of Hong Kong, known for its ancient rocks, is becoming a junk hot spot – and for good reason. The sculpted rock formations - shaped by weather and erosion, and possibly a volcanic eruption near Sai Kung about 140 million years ago, says the Hong Kong Geopark - are a must-see. Depending on the weather and currents, the ride can be a bit choppy, but it's well worth it. “You can swim to a little beach and hike up to a small temple/shrine. "We did that once and popped a bottle of champers on the top of the rock. It was gorgeous – with an expansive view out to sea from the other side,” says regular junk-goer Amy Russell.