Hong Kong’s water taxi service offers a great view as it travels around Victoria Harbour. Photo: Martin Chan
Source:
https://scmp.com/lifestyle/travel-leisure/article/3155856/four-tours-around-hong-kongs-victoria-harbour-and-beyond Travel & Leisure
Four tours around Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour and beyond, from a basic ferry to dim sum on a junk and a luxury catamaran/hotel package
- Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour and surrounding waters show the city at its best, and there are a number of tours available
- Prices range from the HK$45 Hong Kong Water Taxi to the HK$100,000-plus Peninsula Seafaring Staycation
Hong Kong’s “water taxi” ferry service takes passengers on a 70-minute circular tour from Hung Hom to Tsim Sha Tsui to Central and back again, departing at 7.20pm. Photo: Martin Chan
Gawping at Hong Kong’s waterfront never gets old, and the city offers a variety of different vessels from which to take it in, from no-frills ferries to Chinese junks with servings of dim sum and luxurious yacht charters. Here’s our pick of the best ways to sail the city’s waters.
Hong Kong Water Taxi
When we heard about Hong Kong’s new water taxi service we were hoping for the equivalent of the Thames Clippers in London or the Paris Batobuses, which are hop-on hop-off, have numerous stops and huge windows for ogling the scenery from.
Sadly, the Hong Kong Water Taxi, operated by Fortune Ferry, doesn’t quite match up.
The route has just three stops – the boat rotates from Hung Hom to Tsim Sha Tsui East to Central and back again. The vessel is a second-hand, 170-seat ferry that has been tarted up with some garish lights and AstroTurf on the small rear upper and lower decks.
There are two enclosed air-conditioned cabins and, for now, it’s running only once per day, departing from the Hung Hom ferry pier at 7.20pm on a 70-minute Symphony of Lights tour.
The hope is that the sailings will increase when international tourism resumes.
What the Hong Kong Water Taxi does have going for it, however, is the novelty of something new to do during the pandemic, and affordability, with tickets costing just HK$48 (US$6.20) for adults and HK$24 for children aged 12 and under and the over-65s.
Water taxi tickets cost HK$48 (HK$24 for concessionary fares) and must be booked; hongkongwatertaxi.com
Star Ferry: A Symphony of Lights Harbour Cruise
The Star Ferry is one of Hong Kong’s top attractions and a trip on it among the world’s most scenic commutes, but years of land reclamation mean the crossing is now over in a seven-minute flash.
Extend your trip on one of the Star Ferry’s three sightseeing tours on board the World Star boat, which is described as “eco-friendly” as it is powered by a diesel-electric engine; it has an air-conditioned cabin with a small cafe and two large open-air decks.
The 90-minute East tour departs at 2.30pm, cruising along Hong Kong Island’s east coast and returning past Lei Yue Mun village and Kai Tak Cruise Terminal. The Sunset tour (departing at 4.30pm and returning at 6.30pm) takes in the colourful Kwai Tsing Container Terminals, Tsing Ma Bridge and Stonecutters Island. And the one-hour Symphony of Lights cruise shows the city at its glittering best.
Three trips are offered on Star Ferry’s eco-friendly World Star. Photo: K.Y. Cheng
Once you’ve taken in the views, have a poke around the lower deck, where you’ll find ferry signage and original features. Tickets are available from the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry desk up to 10 minutes before departure. Strangely, they can’t be booked online.
Star Ferry tours start from HK$120 per person; starferry.com.hk
Sail on the authentic Chinese junk Aqua Luna, while enjoying some delicious dim sum. Photo: Roy Issa
Aqua Luna Dim Sum Cruise
What could be more appealing than cruising Victoria Harbour on board an authentic Chinese junk complete with stiff red fan sails? How about the same sailing with a side order of delectable, beautifully presented dim sum?
Aqua Luna’s two-hour tour from Central to Aberdeen has been updated to include a selection of dishes from Dim Sum Library. On the menu are black truffle har gau, crystal shrimp dumplings, black garlic siu mai, wild mushroom dumplings with beetroot, wagyu beef puffs, sea bass spring rolls and scallop fried rice, followed by a plump little egg tart. Everything arrives piping hot and is top quality.
There’s a vegetarian menu, too, and everyone gets one complimentary beer, wine or soft drink.
The twin harbour route is another delight, delving into the watery heart of Aberdeen with its remaining houseboats, sampans and fishing vessels. Look out for the hulking remains of the Jumbo Floating Restaurant in the belly of the harbour.
Aqua Luna dim sum cruise costs HK$450 per person; aqualuna.com.hk
The Peninsula Seafaring Staycation takes you away from the city with an overnight stop in Tai Long Wan (above) or Double Haven. Photo: Getty Images
The Peninsula Seafaring Staycation
Priced at HK$107,800 (including taxes) and available to book until the end of November, The Peninsula’s Seafaring Staycation takes harbour cruising to the next level. Up to six guests can enjoy two nights in a grand deluxe harbour view suite and an adjoining room at the hotel, followed by an overnight charter on a bright white, four-bedroom Lagoon 450 catamaran, made available by Simpson Yacht Charter.
Leaving from Sai Kung Pier (transfers are included), guests will be taken on a journey taking in Clear Water Bay, Bluff Island, Lamma, South Bay and Repulse Bay, with an optional glide through Victoria Harbour, before dropping anchor in Tai Long Wan or Double Haven in Hong Kong’s Unesco Geopark.
Breakfast is included at the hotel, along with two New Encounters experiences, which include retro photographic portraits, perfume workshops and visits to the Pen’s helipad and memorabilia-filled aviation lounge.
On-board catering isn’t included in the price but can be arranged with the hotel at an additional cost.
The Peninsula Seafaring Staycation starts from HK$107,800, B&B, for up to six guests; peninsula.com