Letters | Hong Kong can be a marine draw like Phuket
- Readers discuss how Hong Kong can capitalise on its ocean attractions, what the city should focus on to attract tourists, and why trolleys should be readily available at Airport Express stations
To my surprise, even with the many tourists hitting these places on a daily basis, the beaches were generally clean and the water quality was extraordinary. When I dove into the sea, the coral reef was in good shape and the seabed was nearly free of debris.
Unknown to many domestic and overseas tourists, several places in Hong Kong offer relaxing beaches suitable for a variety of water sports. Our city might not have as many marine creatures as Phuket, but it is endowed with rich biodiversity.
Snorkellers will find Green Egg Island, Kat O and Pak Lap Wan appealing for their colourful coral reefs. Scuba divers will be pleased to know they can do wreck and cave dives in Yin Tsz Ngam and Tsim Chau. Tai Mei Tuk and Hoi Ha Wan are musts for canoeists, and hikers can trek through Sharp Peak and camp on the beach.
Unfortunately, Hong Kong’s beaches and seabed are less clean than Phuket’s. If Hong Kong can make good use of its marine resources and keep its beaches and islands clean, there is no doubt it can transform itself into a destination like Phuket, that is, a place Hongkongers want to explore and which tourists from the mainland and overseas want to visit.