Clearwater Bay, up close

Clear Water Bay is where I would send travellers who want a quieter coastal day without pretending they have left Hong Kong behind. The peninsula sits in the Sai Kung area of the New Territories and mixes public beaches, country-park terrain and open views, but it is not an MTR-stop neighbourhood where everything is outside the station.

Clear Water Bay First and Second Beaches

The two public beaches are the easiest starting point. The current Hong Kong Tourism Board beach guide notes that Clear Water Bay Second Beach is consistently rated “good” for water quality, while First and Second Beaches are connected by a footpath that takes roughly 15 minutes. That is a much safer claim than calling the water permanently “the cleanest in Hong Kong”: beach-water ratings and conditions can change.

Both beaches have the usual public-beach advantages compared with an improvised cove: defined access, facilities and official management. Before swimming, I check current lifeguard arrangements, water-quality notices and weather rather than assuming conditions from a travel article.

Getting there without a car

There is no direct MTR station at the beaches. HKTB currently lists bus 91 from Choi Hung as a practical public-transport route to Clear Water Bay Second Beach. Depending on where you start, taxis can save time, particularly if you are combining a beach with a trailhead rather than returning to the same point.

Clear Water Bay Country Park

The peninsula is not just about sand. Clear Water Bay Country Park gives the day a completely different character, with exposed hills, coastal views and walking routes. HKTB highlights the Lung Ha Wan Country Trail, including views from Tai Leng Tung, which reaches about 291 metres, and the Tai Hang Tun kite-flying area. This is a better fit for travellers who want scenery and movement rather than a full day lying on a beach.

Choose a trail for the weather, not for bragging rights

Exposed Hong Kong hills can feel brutal in humid weather. I would not turn a hot, unstable summer day into an ambitious hike just because the map makes the route look short. Check the Hong Kong Observatory forecast and current country-park information, carry enough water and be ready to shorten the route if thunderstorms, rain or heat make the original plan silly.

Beach plus hike: the sensible combination

A good first visit usually works better as one main walk plus beach time rather than trying to tick off every trail and both beaches. If the weather is cool and stable, walk first and finish at the water. In hotter months, an early outdoor start followed by a slower beach session is usually more comfortable.

Food, water and practical supplies

This is not Central or Tsim Sha Tsui. Do not assume a cafe, convenience store or shaded indoor break will appear every few minutes. I take water and basic sun/rain protection before leaving the main transport points. For a longer day, plan where you will eat rather than relying on whatever happens to be near the trail exit.

Families and less-mobile travellers

The public beaches are the easier family choice; the country-park terrain requires more judgement. Parents should match the walk to children's heat tolerance and actual walking ability, while travellers with limited mobility should check beach access and transport drop-off points individually. A scenic peninsula is not automatically an accessible one.

How Clear Water Bay compares with Sai Kung

If you want restaurants, town atmosphere and boat-trip options, Sai Kung offers more variety. Clear Water Bay is better when the coast and outdoor space are the main event. They can be combined, but I would rather enjoy one properly than spend the whole day moving between stops.

A simple day plan

1. Check the HKO forecast and current beach/lifeguard information.
2. Travel out early by bus or taxi.
3. Choose one country-park walk that suits the conditions.
4. Finish at First or Second Beach if swimming conditions are suitable.
5. Return before the evening transport rush if you have a flight, dinner booking or other fixed commitment.

My take

Clear Water Bay works because it gives you two versions of Hong Kong in one day: managed public beaches and surprisingly open country-park scenery. Go for the coast, respect the weather, and keep the itinerary simpler than the map tempts you to make it.

Cheers, Carpe Diem & swap the skyline for sand, hills and sea air! 🍻⏳🌊

TATS Man

The coast-and-country-park itinerary wrangler