With milder Autumn weather on its way, camping is the quintessential family-friendly activity of the season. Whether you’re looking to pitch a tent on the beach or roast marshmallows in a barbecue pit at a camping site, you will discover a range of awesome options below. Here’s our picks of the best family-friendly camping sites in Hong Kong.
Tap Mun
Also called “Grass Island,” Tap Mun is a popular camping site for families, and is located off the northeastern coast of the Sai Kung Peninsula. It takes a while to get there – so have snacks at the ready – but it’s worth it! While you’re there, check out the delicious local seafood before your camping adventure.
Getting there: Take a taxi from MTR University Station, Exit B, to Ma Liu Shui Ferry Pier for a kaito. This will take around 1.5 hours. Alternatively, take bus 94 from Sai Kung to Wong Shek Pier for a kaito. This will take around 35 minutes.
Pui O Campsite
This is another of the popular family-friendly camping sites in Hong Kong, since it’s easy to access. The campsite has all the facilities you need for a camping trip, including barbecue pits, toilets, changing rooms and showers. Play on the beach or go hiking – Pui O is the perfect place for a fun family outing!
Book in advance or call +852 2852 3220.
Getting there: From Central Ferry Pier, head to Pier 6 and take the Lantau Mui Wo ferry. When you arrive, take bus number 1 or 4 from the Mui Wo ferry pier to Pui O. Alternatively, take bus 3M or A35 from close by the Tung Chung Metro station.
Tai Long Wan
This is for the adventurous family depending on how you get there (you can either hike or take pubic transport, see below) but Tai Long Wan is one of the most beautiful camping sites in Hong Kong, and is adjacent to Stage 2 of the MacLehose Trail. There are basic facilities like changing rooms and barbecue pits, as well as some restaurants on the beach.
Tip: Depending on when you go, you can see glow-in-the-dark plankton swimming in the ocean!
Getting there: First, head to Sai Kung, either via:
- The MTR to Choi Hung Exit C1 and then the green minibus 1A to Sai Kung Town
- The MTR to Hang Hau Exit B and then the green minibus 101M to Sai Kung Town
- The red minibus from Dundas Street in Mong Kok to Sai Kung Town directly
Once you’re in Sai Kung Town:
- Take minibus 29R to Sai Wan Pavilion in Sai Kung Country Park
- Take a taxi to Sai Wan Pavilion (roughly 20 minutes)
- Take a speedboat to either Sai Wan beach or Ham Tin beach (about 30 minutes), which costs $120 to $150 per person
Alternatively, you can take a taxi directly from Hong Kong Island or Kowloon and get dropped off at Sai Wan Pavilion.
Find out about hotel staycations in Hong Kong
Ham Tin Wan
Ham Tin Wan offers silky sand and crystal clear water in a peaceful coastal environment with a panoramic view of Sharp Peak. This stunning location is the perfect beach campsite for families who want to get away from the busy city. With restaurants, cooking pits, flushing toilets, and showers this spot strikes a perfect balance between remoteness and easily accessible.
Getting there: Take a taxi or minibus 29R from Sai Kung Town to Sai Wan Pavilion and hike for an hour to the campsite. Or, from Sai Kung Bus Terminal take Bus 94 or take Bus 96R at the Diamond Hill MTR Bus Terminal or take Minibus 7 (Hoi Ha) at Sai Kung Town. Get off at Pak Tam Au stop. Trace the second stage of MacLehose Tail towards Chek Keng and Tai Long Au, which takes around 2 hours walk to arrive Ham Tin Wan Campsite. Families with younger kids may opt to get there by speedboat from Sai Kung pier.
Nam Shan
Close to Pui O beach at South Lantau Road is Nam Shan campsite. The extensive campsite is a place where families can enjoy picnic seating, playgrounds and a large barbecue area. The site is well equipped with camping platforms, clothes lines, bathrooms with flushing toilets and more. Don’t miss the viewing point to take in the views of Mui Wo and Pui O Bay!
Getting there: Take any bus from Mui Wo to Nam Shan. Alternatively, head to Tung Chung Town and take bus number 3M to Nam Shan. The campsite is next to Nam Shan bus stop.
Tung Lung Chau
Just a 20-minute walk from the pier, Tung Lung Chau campsite has facilities including barbecue pits, pavilions, rubbish bins, information boards, dry toilet pits and stream water. There are also stores on the walk from the ferry to the camping area. Tung Lung Chau is perfect for history buffs, the designated Special Area includes the campsite and a Qing Dynasty fort, built over 300 years ago.
Getting there: From Kowloon, take the ferry from Sam Ka Tsuen pier in Lei Yue Mun in Yau Tong. From Hong Kong Island, take the ferry from Shau Kei Wan Typhoon Shelter in Sai Wan Ho.
Related articles:
- Best family friendly hikes in Hong Kong
- Malvern Forest-Beach Nature Explorers Programme: Learning In and From Nature
Featured image courtesy of Shutterstock; picture 1 courtesy of Shutterstock; picture 2 courtesy of Flickr; picture 3 courtesy of Shutterstock; picture 4 courtesy of Shutterstock; picture 5 courtesy of Lemiapp.com; picture 6 courtesy of Shutterstock
