Asiamarine’s fleet of Lagoon sailing and power catamarans provide a unique perspective of Hong Kong’s beautiful beaches and remote islands.
Words: Craig Hurst; Photos: Asiamarine / Shutterstock, Tai Long Wan, Luca Brianza/Shutterstock.com

A Lagoon Sixty 7 powercat cruises along the south of Hong Kong Island

Hong Kong is one of the most dynamic cities in the world, yet nestled around this bustling metropolis is about 1,100km of coastline full of beautiful beaches and remote places, a UNESCO Geopark, and hundreds of islands that will surprise and delight.

Day or overnight charters let guests experience an amazing side of Hong Kong that most people never get to see, as well as try out several yacht styles and models to find just the right one before making a purchase. These days, there’s a lot of buyer interest in sailing and power catamarans, which offer an abundance of space and comfort, as well as luxury.

LAGOON CHOICES

Asiamarine now offers three catamarans from French builder Lagoon, part of the Beneteau Group, in its Hong Kong charter fleet: the Lagoon 51 and Lagoon 620 sailing yachts, and the Lagoon Sixty 7 motoryacht.

The Lagoon 51, a new addition to the Asiamarine charter fleet, is perfectly equipped for a thrilling charter experience. It features plenty of marine toys, including a slide and an ocean pool, and even a karaoke system for onboard entertainment. With the capacity to accommodate up to 30 guests and six cabins, it’s ideal for large groups and overnight charters.

The Lagoon 51 is the most recent addition to Asiamarine’s Hong Kong charter fleet

The globally-popular Lagoon 620 is a favourite for family outings in Hong Kong waters, boasting many water toys such as paddleboards, fishing gear, an ocean pool and a tender. It’s designed to provide endless fun on the water.

The Sixty 7 is Asiamarine’s largest Lagoon charter catamaran and is particularly popular with corporate groups due to its expansive deck area. The elegant interior features nautical colours, offering a sophisticated setting for any event.

As for where to explore on a charter in Hong Kong, a good place to start is dynamic Victoria Harbour and then go northeast to the picturesque Sai Kung Country Park area, or south towards the islands of Lamma and Lantau. Bespoke itineraries and experiences with preferences of those boarding or booking are available through Asiamarine.

SAI KUNG

Hong Kong day trips include sailing up towards beautiful Tai Long Wan, which translates to ‘Big Wave Bay’. This bay boasts a white-sand beach that’s popular with surfers and campers, and is located on the eastern edge of Sai Kung Country Park.

Tai Long Wan offers 3km of sandy beach near Sai Kung

Another option is the beach at Long Ke Wan, which has been referred to as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world by CNN and many other media outlets around the world. Millionaire’s Bay is only accessible via boat or hike, and Millionaire’s Beach (Nam Fung Wan) is a popular spot for snorkelling.

A favourite destination among day-charter clients, Clear Water Bay beach is tucked away on the northeastern coast of Sai Kung.

TO THE SOUTH

Turning south, Sham Wan Beach on Lamma Island is best known as the only regular nesting site for green sea turtles in the South China Sea. This beautiful turtle beach is open to the public from June 1 to October 31, once the turtle nesting period is over.

Repulse Bay Beach is perhaps Hong Kong Island’s most popular beach. Nestled on the south side backed by striking hiking hills, the bay and beach have a colonial charm and resort-like feel.

Nearby, and also surrounded by hills, Deep Water Bay is a bathing beach in the city, a full view of which can also be appreciated at the mountaintop of Ocean Park, a few nautical miles away in Aberdeen.

Sailing past Hong Kong’s many buildings on the Lagoon 620

“For a two-day, one-night charter, I recommend cruising to Sai Kung Country Park and Tai Long Wan for a day of exploration and spending the night at Double Haven, where the waters are calm and serene,” said Laura Verbrugge, Asiamarine’s Head of Charter Team.

“One of our most popular three-day itineraries in the cooler months from September to February is to explore the remote Soko Islands, as well as Lamma Island in the southern part of Hong Kong.”

SOKO ISLANDS

Departing from Hong Kong Island’s Central Piers or Aberdeen on the south side, the voyage begins to the Soko Islands – located at the far southwest corner of Hong Kong’s territory. Once home to a small community of farmers and fishermen, today mostly only abandoned houses, ruins, and shrines remain.

Consisting of Tai A Chau, Siu A Chau and several smaller nearby islets, the area is often visited by Chinese white dolphins and porpoises, making it an excellent site for rare sightings of these beautiful marine animals. It has a very quiet anchorage and pristine waters, perfect for an overnight stay.

The interior of the Lagoon 51 is a great place to socialise

On the second day, guests can either stay in the Soko Islands to enjoy water toys, beaches and relaxation or go sailing to Tai O fishing village. This charming and popular tourist destination attracts numerous visitors who come to spend their day and soak in the village’s idyllic life, admire the traditional stilt houses, and savour local treats. This is followed by a walk on Lantau Island and a visit to the long and sandy Cheung Sha Beach.

On day three, the Lagoon catamaran cruises in the direction of Lamma Island, the third-largest in Hong Kong with a small population of fewer than 10,000 locals and expats. Also one of the best spots to admire the sunset in Hong Kong, Lamma has long been known as a laid-back place with a ‘hipsterish’ vibe, though it still clings on to the traditional way of life associated with fishing villages on the outlying islands.

There are many great restaurants in Yung Shue Wan village, and the island has plenty of small and clean beaches, with Sham Wan the most famous one because of the sea turtles. The beach and bay are closed from June 1 to October 31 during the rare turtle’s mating season.

UNESCO GEOPARK

Other multi-day charters with Asiamarine from March to September include cruising to Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park, which has very good water quality and diverse marine life and coral communities. This trip includes a night in Double Haven, perhaps one of Hong Kong’s most beautiful areas, and a visit to the UNESCO Geopark’s three larger islands.

Double Haven is a popular cruising area in the northeast part of Hong Kong

The ‘Maldives of Hong Kong’ itinerary includes the famous Tai Long Wan and Sai Wan beaches, plus Bluff Island / Basalt Island, then cruising back to stop by the Ninepin Islands. Bluff Island is the largest of this group and features the spectacular columnar sea cliffs that make the Geopark famous. These towering vertiginous cliffs dominate the senses as you paddle below them.

Ninepin Islands is a hidden hexagonal column paradise in Hong Kong. A series of 29 volcanic islands in the Sai Kung area. The hexagonal columns can be seen from afar, and the dramatic formation gives them a certain exotic air. This uninhabited island features beautiful water and sea caves.

Another itinerary for sightseeing at the Geopark begins in Sai Kung and after about 30 minutes reaches Jin Island. The rock there is rather fragmented, but the form of the hexagonal rock columns is clearly visible. Jin Island got its Chinese name from a bell-shaped sea arch at its south end.

Sailing on, the Lagoon soon comes to Fa Shan, of High Island, where a neat array of soaring hexagonal rock columns lines the shore. At the end of Fa Shan is an islet, called Po Pin Chau, with towering rock columns arranged uniformly on the sea cliff that make the formation look like a giant pipe organ.

The Ung Kong Group lies south of Fa Shan and a 10-minute boat ride will reveal the famous sculptural rock-column layer formations along the cliff face of Wang Chau.

So, if you’re living in Hong Kong, or visiting, start planning a Lagoon catamaran charter excursion with Asiamarine to some of these amazing places to escape the city and relax in the varied natural beauty of its extensive coastline and islands.

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