If you fancy spending a few hours on the beach whilst visiting Hong Kong, but don’t want to travel to the outlying islands just for that, head to Repulse Bay.

The wide beach lies on the southern coast of Hong Kong Island and can be reached by a direct bus from the city centre.

In Stanley, I particularly enjoyed the laid-back seaside atmosphere and a stroll around the market. However, if I had to choose a spot closer to the city centre for a longer swim, I’d prefer Repulse Bay. It’s more spacious and has everything you need right by the beach.

• Beach entry: free.
• How much time to allow: about an hour for a walk, half a day or more for a swim.
• Transport: direct buses from Central, Stanley and Tsim Sha Tsui; the MTR doesn’t go to the beach.

Book a hotel by the beach

What is Repulse Bay like?

The beach forms a long arc of sand between the green hills and the houses of the Repulse Bay neighbourhood. The beach has coarser, but still comfortable, golden-coloured sand.

The entry into the water is safe and very gentle.

Compared to Stanley Main Beach, there’s more space here. On the other hand, don’t expect a deserted cove: Repulse Bay is one of the city’s best-known beaches and attracts large crowds, particularly at weekends.

You can easily spend the whole afternoon here swimming.

There are public toilets, showers and changing rooms by the beach, as well as a children’s playground and a beach volleyball court.

You can get food and drink from the restaurants and shops along the coast, including at The Pulse complex, right opposite the beach.

There’s no charge to access the beach. If you don’t fancy a swim, you can stroll along it, sit by the sea and carry on to the shrine at its eastern end. An hour or so is enough for a visit like this.

What else is there to see apart from the beach?

At the eastern end of the coast stands the colourful Kwun Yam Shrine, featuring large statues of the goddesses Kwun Yam and Tin Hau. It’s just a short walk from the sand, and the place is well worth a visit, even if you’ve come to Repulse Bay mainly to go for a swim.

The Repulse Bay building overlooking the beach is also of interest. The famous Repulse Bay Hotel once stood on this site.

Today, instead of hotel rooms, you’ll find apartments, shops and restaurants; The Verandah restaurant evokes some of the original atmosphere. So don’t be misled by the name if you’re looking for a hotel for a standard tourist stay.

Repulse Bay, or Stanley?

For a day at the beach, I’d choose Repulse Bay. It has a larger beach, more space for swimming and plenty of facilities right by the water.

I’d go to Stanley, on the other hand, for the market, the promenade and a stroll between several smaller beaches. You can easily combine both places: direct buses 6, 6X and 260 run between Stanley and Repulse Bay.

How do you get to Repulse Bay?

The nearest MTR station is a long way from the beach. So, from the centre of the island, take a direct bus and get off at the Repulse Bay Beach stop.

• From Central: buses 6, 6X and 260 from Exchange Square. The journey takes around 30–45 minutes, depending on the route and traffic; the fare, payable on boarding, is 11,40 hkd, 11,70 hkd or 15,10 hkd.
• From Stanley: the same routes 6, 6X and 260 towards Central. Allow about 15–25 minutes and pay the same fare when boarding. The fare is around 6,50 hkd.
• From Tsim Sha Tsui: direct route 973. You’ll pay 18,10 hkd when boarding; the bus also stops at Repulse Bay Beach on its way through the southern part of the island.

On large Citybus coaches, you can pay using an Octopus card or your own contactless payment card. You can find more information about routes and payment methods in the section on Transport in Hong Kong.

Is it worth staying in Repulse Bay?

Yes, if you want to spend most of your stay by the sea, on the beaches and on the quieter southern coast.

This sort of accommodation can also be easily combined with a visit to Ocean Park. However, for a first short visit to Hong Kong, when you mainly want to explore the city, I’d choose a hotel in Central, Wan Chai or near another MTR station.

From Repulse Bay, you’ll have to rely on a bus or a taxi to get to the city’s sights.

Don’t be misled by the name of the historic ‘The Repulse Bay’: today it’s mainly a residential complex and shopping arcade. It makes more sense to choose from the hotels near Ocean Park and in the Wong Chuk Hang district. None of the following hotels are within walking distance of Repulse Bay Beach; you’ll need to take a bus or a taxi to get to the beach from them.

• Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel – the best compromise if you want to alternate between the beach and exploring the city. It’s situated next to Ocean Park MTR station, has an outdoor swimming pool and, of the three listed, is the closest to Repulse Bay.
• The Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong – for those who prefer a seaside hotel stay. It offers views of the coastline and a large outdoor swimming pool; you’ll need to make your way to Repulse Bay from here, as the hotel itself is situated next to Ocean Park.
• Nina Hotel Island South – a more practical choice if you want to keep an eye on your budget whilst staying on the south side of the island. It’s about a 5-minute walk from Wong Chuk Hang MTR station; the hotel also has an outdoor pool.

We compare other neighbourhoods to stay in the city in the chapter ‘Where to stay in Hong Kong’.

What to see around

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