It’s no surprise that Hong Kong is a boat enthusiast’s dream. With our city’s combination of abundant friendly waters to explore and plenty of extra cash to splash, it’s no wonder that we’re home to world-class sailing clubs, ship brokers and boating aficionados galore. If you’ve always wanted to hit the high seas but don’t know where to start, here’s our guide to everything you need to know about the life aquatic. Hong Kong is made up of more than 200 islands—that’s a whole lotta sea to explore.

Extreme Sailing

Local daredevils aren’t content tooling around in a dinghy. Hana R. Alberts explains how to get wet—really wet.

Once you’ve mastered port and starboard, it’s time for the big leagues. A territory made up of 218 islands, Hong Kong is a great place for beginners to learn the basics and for aficionados to try their hand at hardcore competition.

A frequent participant in long-distance nautical races, retired civil servant James Lau owns a 45-foot yacht named Tipsy Frenz with a group of buddies. Lau earned his sailing chops through a government-run course, Outward Bound and advanced training at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.

“We are one of the few boats that try to do as many ocean-going races as possible,” Lau says. “It provides a chance for you to get close to nature—to harness the power of nature—without the interference of household chores or business calls.”

Races can last several days, so Lau and his crew take turns staying awake and manning the boat in four-hour shifts. Tipsy Frenz was one of five pioneering entrants in a new race across the Taiwan Strait; the inaugural event in May of this year kicked off in Hung Hom, crossed the South China Sea and ended in Kaohsiung. A race to Nha Trang in Vietnam occurs every two years. Shelved this year because Typhoon Megi, the 656-nautical-mile race is rescheduled for October 19. (Lau and co. are currently gearing up for this one.)

Plus, every two years during Easter week, there’s a two-day race from the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club’s Victoria Harbour headquarters that takes competitors 480 nautical miles to San Fernando City, north of Manila; on alternate years, there is also the China Sea Race, which also finishes in the Philippines, in Subic Bay on Luzon’s western coast.

The truly hardcore have a go at the Aberdeen Boat Club’s Four Peaks Race, which combines sailing, paddling and trail running. Held in January each year since 1985, the rigorous lineup for elite boats involves scaling four mountain peaks—and sailing between each one. Traverse the waters from the start at Tai Tam Bay to Sai Kung, where runners scramble 700 meters up Ma On Shan. Next, charter your course to Cape D’Aguilar (a peninsula to the south of Shek O) for another summit, followed by a slog to Lantau, where participants climb Lantau Peak. Finally, tackle wild, overgrown Mt. Stenhouse on Lamma. Exhausted and sore, make a beeline for the finish, located between Middle Island and Round Island off of Repulse Bay.

This year’s Four Peaks winner, Tristan Stewart, is an 11-year veteran of the race. Acting as skipper for 10 crew members, his boat Wicked clocked in at a grueling 19 hours and 21 minutes. By day, Stewart works for Microsoft; in his off-hours, he and his crew train by running up mountains day and night, and practicing picking up and dropping off runners, who have to get to shore in dinghies or kayaks before they can start running up peaks.

The wintertime race produces some memorable moments. “We’ve had everything from really, really freezing cold and wet conditions to drifting around with no wind. The excitement comes from the adrenaline of doing something different, of getting out of your warm clothes and into your running gear and jumping into a wet kayak,” Stewart says. “You know you’re alive.”

He jokes: “We normally have a few rums afterwards, so if there’s any pain it goes away.”

Finally, if you want a slightly more tame adventure, try circumnavigating Hong Kong Island. District Councilor Paul Zimmerman and compatriots Dennis Wong Shun-kit and Francis Ong hold the official record for circumnavigation—back in 1990 they completed the loop with a time just shy of two hours and 42 minutes. Currently the holders of the 35-year-old Cariad Trophy, they completed their sail in December, when a strong northern wind helps propel boats to top speed.

“We all met at the Hobie Club [in Tai Tam], and we schemed how we were going to win over a bowl of noodles at the dai pai dong that is the restaurant at the boat club,” Zimmerman recalls. It’s been 21 years since they set the record—and Zimmerman says it’s about time it got broken. So, sailors, what are you waiting for?

Sailing Clubs

Hit the high seas with these sailing clubs that are open to all.

Aberdeen Boat Club
Although you have to be a member to enjoy Aberdeen Boat Club’s restaurant, bar, swimming pool and other facilities, it still has a year-round schedule of sailing courses that are open to members and non-members, children and adults alike. If you own a boat and want to start racing, the Sailing and Marine Committee can arrange for an experienced sailor to sail with you and explain the process. Members pay a one-off joining fee and monthly subscription. 20 Shum Wan Rd, Aberdeen, 2552-8182, www.abclubhk.com.

Hebe Haven Yacht Club
Started in 1963, Hebe Haven is perfect for nautical enthusiasts and has provided yachting and boating facilities as a private members club in the picturesque bay of Pak Sha Wan in Sai Kung for over 45 years. It has a busy schedule of training courses for adults and children, members and non-members. Individual sailboats can be rented by the day at reasonable prices. Facilities include a restaurant, a bar, and a cruiser that can be rented by members. 10.5 Miles Hiram’s Highway, Pak Sha Wan, Sai Kung, 2719-9682, www.hhyc.org.hk.

Hong Kong Catamaran Club
With a mission to promote Hong Kong as a “sailing paradise,” the Catamaran Club is the first club to be affiliated with the American Sailing Association. Seven sailing courses are offered, from Basic Keelboat sailing to Advanced Costal Cruising. Yachts can also be rented for corporate and private functions. They also offer sailing tours around various parts of Hong Kong. Room 1704, Tung Wai Commercial Building, 109 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, 2511-9398, www.cata.hk.

Hong Kong Hobie Club
Established in the late 1970s by a group of enthusiastic sailors, the Hobie Club is located in Tai Tam Bay, which has some of the best sailing waters in Hong Kong. The club organizes a mix of racing, training and social events, usually with something happening every other weekend. Available facilities include a clubhouse, sail store, BBQ areas, and a restaurant. GPO Box 11697, Hong Kong,
2813-5003, www.hobie.com.hk.

Jockey Club Wong Shek Water Sports Center
Overlooking the calm waters of Long Harbor in Sai Kung East, this public center is a paradise for water sports lovers. Apart from offering sailing courses, the center also rents out dinghies to those with the necessary certificates. In addition, it also offers sailing competitions and rents out kayaks and windsurfers. The center also has a food kiosk available. Wong Shek Pier, Sai Kung, 2328-2311, www.lcsd.gov.hk.

Boat Brokers

Got a couple hundred thousand burning a hole in your pocket? Go on, buy a boat.

Jebsen Marine
Jebsen has a rich seafaring heritage tracing all the way back to the late 19th century. It offers complete brokerage services, from financing to insuring your boat, by a team of experienced specialists. Jebsen offers new, luxury yachts from brands such as Archambault, Hanse, Nautitech, Riva and Fairline. They are also renowned for quality after-sales support, so your boat will always be well looked-after. Unit 5, G/F, Aberdeen Marina Tower, 8 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen, 3180-3189, www.jebsenmarine.com.

Saffron Marina
Saffron Marina makes owning your own boat in Hong Kong easy. Both new and secondhand boats are available for sale, from luxury yachts to junks. Whatever your budget is, you’ll find a boat that fits your needs. While Saffron focuses on boats for sale in Hong Kong, it also has global connections with agents from around the world so you can find the exact boat you want. This is the only boat-seller in Hong Kong that allows you to make arrangements for boat shares between three or more people. Level 20, Teda Building, 87 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, 3583-5234, www.saffron-marina.com.

Sai Sha Watersports
If your finances don’t quite stretch to a luxury liner, this center stocks everything you need for kayaking. It has the largest range of kayaks for sale in Hong Kong, and is the sole distributor of Australian brand Viking. It also stocks plastic boats, inflatable boats, foldable boats and power boats as well as dinghies by US company Escape. Shop G24, EMAX, Hong Kong International Trade & Exhibition Center, 1 Trademart Drive, Kowloon Bay, 2792-8307, www.sai-sha.com

Seanergy Ltd.
With over 17 years of experience selling new and used yachts in Hong Kong, Seanergy Ltd not only assists you with your search for a new yacht, but it also helps with the sale of your existing vessel. With a wide array of brands to choose from, Seanergy can also help you conduct a worldwide search and all the necessary procedures to help you get your dream boat. Room 605, 6/F, East Ocean Center, 98 Granville Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui East, 2366-2183, www.seanergy.com/