SUP Yoga, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing and More: 11 Centers to Try Water Sports in Hong Kong
Dive into Hong Kong's aquamarine waters with these water sports.
Cheung Chau Windsurfing Center
One of the city’s most famous water sports, windsurfing is one level up from your regular surfing as it requires even more body strength to soar through the waves. The windsurfing center on Hongkongers’ favorite outlying island, Cheung Chau, is owned by the uncle of Lee Lai-shan, Hong Kong’s very first Olympic gold medalist, so you can expect to be taught by the best coaches in town. Beginners’ classes go from $1,500 per person per day for groups of three to five. They also offer kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for rental. Tired from all the sporting? Sit back, enjoy the amazing sea view, and have a bite at their outdoor cafe. 1 Hak Pai Rd., Cheung Chau, 2981-8316, ccwindc.com.hk
Chong Hing Water Sports Centre
This government-run center is located on a large artificial lake ideal for watersports and camping. Set amidst Sai Kung’s stunning scenery, it offers kayaking, dinghy sailing and windsurfing courses and rentals. Land-based facilities include an archery range, a basketball court, a lawn area, a volleyball field, a campfire site, a barbecue site, an assembly hall, sitting-out areas and a kitchen. West Sea Cofferdam, High Island Reservoir, Sai Kung, 2792-6810, lcsd.gov.hk
Jockey Club Wong Shek Water Sports Centre
Overlooking Long Harbour in Sai Kung East, the waters near this government-run center are ideal for sailing, windsurfing and canoeing with easy access to the open sea and superb coastal scenery. Runs training courses and fun days. Closed Tuesdays. Wong Shek Pier, Sai Kung, 2328-2311, lcsd.gov.hk
Kayak and Hike
Prefer something more laidback? Try kayaking with Kayak and Hike, brainchild of Paul Etherington, who’s been showing off Hong Kong’s amazing coastline to locals and visitors since 1998. Explore the breath-taking Geopark in Sai Kung in groups as the coaches take you through the waters (and on land with a bit of hiking as well), where you can see the unique rock formation and the magnificent marine life of Hong Kong waters up close. A comprehensive seven-hour kayak and hike session is priced at $800 per person. Sai Kung New Pier, Fuk Man Rd., Sai Kung, 9300-5197, kayak-and-hike.com
Kiteboarding Association of Hong Kong
Want to be gone with the wind? Then kiteboarding is the best way to go. This sport is similar to wakeboarding, but it’s totally up to the wind condition of the day and therefore, a lot less predictable. The Kiteboarding Association organizes kiteboarding races regularly, as well as classes for beginners. Learn to fly with their three-day beginner package for $4,500, which covers all you need to know to get up and going on the board, up to completing International Kiteboarding Organization’s kiteboarder level 1 and 2 qualifications. Prefer something lighter on your first trial? Go for their one-day kiteboarding discovery course for $600, which gives you all the information you need to determine if kiteboarding is the sport for you. kiteboarding.org.hk