50 Things to Do in Hong Kong During Summer

Making the Most of Hong Kong's Hottest Season

Summer in Hong Kong runs from June through September. It is hot (30-34°C), humid (80-95%), and punctuated by typhoons and thunderstorms. But it is also when the city comes alive with outdoor adventures, beach culture, and seasonal activities you cannot enjoy the rest of the year. Here are 50 things to do in Hong Kong during summer.

Beaches and Swimming

• 1. Shek O Beach — Hong Kong's most popular beach with a laid-back village feel. Grab Thai food at Shek O Thai afterward.
• 2. Big Wave Bay — The best surf spot on Hong Kong Island. Rent a board for around HK$100/hour.
• 3. Repulse Bay — Wide, clean beach with facilities including showers and changing rooms. Can get crowded on weekends.
• 4. Clear Water Bay First Beach — Crystal-clear water and less crowded than south-side beaches. Worth the trip to Sai Kung district.
• 5. Long Ke Wan — Pristine beach accessible only by hiking (about 45 minutes from Sai Wan Pavilion). One of Hong Kong's most beautiful.
• 6. Tai Long Wan (Ham Tin Beach) — Stunning beach in Sai Kung reached by boat or a two-hour hike. Camp overnight for the full experience.
• 7. Cheung Sha Beach, Lantau — Hong Kong's longest beach, split into upper and lower sections. The lower beach has the Stoep restaurant serving South African food.
• 8. Hap Mun Bay (Half Moon Bay) — Accessible by kaito boat from Sai Kung. Excellent snorkelling.

Water Sports

• 9. Stand-up paddleboarding in Sai Kung — Multiple rental shops along the waterfront. HK$150-250/hour.
• 10. Kayaking to Sharp Island — Paddle from Sai Kung to the tombolo connecting Sharp Island. The geological formations are UNESCO-listed.
• 11. Wakeboarding at Tai Tam — Cable wakeboarding at Tai Tam Bay. Great for beginners.
• 12. Sailing in Victoria Harbour — Join the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club for Wednesday evening races, or book a junk boat trip.
• 13. Snorkelling at Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park — Protected marine area in Sai Kung with excellent visibility and coral.
• 14. Diving at Po Toi Island — Hong Kong's southernmost island with surprisingly good diving conditions in summer.
• 15. Jet ski rental — Available at Sai Kung and Lantau. Expect to pay HK$500-800 per session.

Island Hopping

• 16. Lamma Island — Ferry from Central, hike between Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan, eat seafood. A perfect day trip.
• 17. Cheung Chau — Rent a bicycle, eat mango mochi, swim at Tung Wan Beach. No cars on the island.
• 18. Peng Chau — The quietest of the outlying islands. Tiny, charming, and virtually tourist-free.
• 19. Po Toi Island — Remote and rocky, with excellent seafood restaurants. Ferries run only on weekends.
• 20. Tap Mun (Grass Island) — Rolling green hills, wild cows, and a camping area. Ferry from Wong Shek Pier.

Night Activities (Beating the Heat)

• 21. Night hike up The Peak — Start from the Peak Tram lower terminus around 7pm. The city lights from Lugard Road are spectacular.
• 22. Night market at Temple Street — Open-air market in Jordan selling everything from electronics to jade. Best visited after 8pm.
• 23. Rooftop cinema — Pop-up outdoor screenings appear throughout summer at venues like the Metroplex rooftop in Kowloon Bay.
• 24. Night fishing in Sai Kung — Charter a boat for evening squid fishing. Operators along the Sai Kung waterfront charge around HK$300-500 per person.
• 25. Star gazing at Sai Kung East Country Park — One of Hong Kong's designated Dark Sky spots with minimal light pollution.

Indoor Escapes

• 26. Ice skating at Elements Mall — Full-size rink in the air-conditioned comfort of a luxury mall.
• 27. M+ Museum (West Kowloon) — World-class contemporary art museum. Free admission to many galleries.
• 28. Hong Kong Palace Museum — Rotating exhibitions from Beijing's Palace Museum. Adjacent to M+ in the West Kowloon Cultural District.
• 29. Science Museum (Tsim Sha Tsui) — Interactive exhibits across four floors. Free admission on Wednesdays.
• 30. Bowling at South China Athletic Association — Old-school bowling in Happy Valley. Air-conditioned relief.
• 31. Rock climbing at Verm City — Indoor bouldering gym in Chai Wan with routes for all levels.
• 32. PMQ galleries (Central) — Former Police Married Quarters converted into a creative hub with rotating art shows and workshops.

Food and Drink

• 33. Mango desserts at Hui Lau Shan — The definitive summer treat chain. Mango pomelo sago is the classic order.
• 34. Egg waffles from street vendors — Best eaten walking through Mong Kok on a warm evening.
• 35. Cold noodles at Japanese restaurants in Wan Chai — Light, refreshing summer lunches.
• 36. Oyster omelette at Tai O — Take the ferry to this fishing village on Lantau and eat at the waterfront stalls.
• 37. Herbal tea from traditional shops — Bitter but cooling. Kung Lee on Hollywood Road has been serving since 1948.
• 38. Craft beer crawl through Sham Shui Po — Emerging brewery scene in one of Hong Kong's oldest neighbourhoods.

Hiking (Early Morning or Late Afternoon)

• 39. Dragon's Back — Hong Kong's most famous trail. Start early (before 8am) to avoid the worst heat.
• 40. Sunset Peak, Lantau — Start at 4pm for a sunset summit. Bring a headlamp for the descent.
• 41. MacLehose Trail Stage 1-2 — Coastal hiking with swimming opportunities at Sai Wan and Ham Tin.
• 42. Waterfall hike to Bride's Pool — Shaded trail in Tai Po leading to a beautiful waterfall pool.
• 43. High Island Reservoir East Dam — Hexagonal rock columns and dramatic coastal scenery in the Sai Kung Geopark.

Unique Summer Experiences

• 44. Junk boat trip — Hire a junk with friends for a day of island-hopping and swimming. Split between 20 people, it costs HK$300-500 per person.
• 45. Watch the horse races at Happy Valley — Wednesday night races run through summer. Entry is HK$10 and the atmosphere is electric.
• 46. Typhoon watching — When a T8 signal is hoisted, the city shuts down. Stock up on supplies and watch the storm from a safe indoor spot.
• 47. Visit the Ten Thousand Buddhas Monastery — 430 steps up a hillside lined with golden Buddha statues in Sha Tin.
• 48. Sunrise at Tai Mo Shan — Hong Kong's highest peak (957m). Start the hike at 4am for a sunrise above the clouds.
• 49. Camp at Pak Tam Chung — Car-accessible campsite in Sai Kung Country Park. Bring a tent, barbecue supplies, and insect repellent.
• 50. Take the tram from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan — The entire route takes about 90 minutes and costs HK$3. Sit on the upper deck for a slow, scenic tour of the north side of Hong Kong Island.

Summer Survival Tips

• Hydrate constantly — carry a water bottle everywhere
• Wear sunscreen — the UV index in Hong Kong regularly hits 10+ in summer
• Check the Hong Kong Observatory app for typhoon and thunderstorm warnings
• Carry an umbrella — afternoon rainstorms are sudden and heavy
• Embrace air conditioning — Hong Kong malls and the MTR are aggressively air-conditioned. Carry a light layer.