Sai Kung Sam Sing Wan Beach: A Hidden Public Beach in Hong Kong

In the Ma Nam Fu Peninsula of Sai Kung, New Territories, there is a public beach with first-class water quality – Sam Sing Wan Beach at Pak Sha Wan. Sam Sing Wan is secluded, with fine white sand, calm sea surfaces, and fewer visitors than other Hong Kong beaches, earning it the reputation as Sai Kung's hidden beach.

The Ma Nam Fu Peninsula, extending into Ngau Mei Hoi, is Y-shaped. Sam Sing Wan Beach is the branch on the right, not large in area. Although Sam Sing Wan Beach is a top-tier public beach in Hong Kong, there is no direct transport. There are only two ways to get there: by bus plus hiking, or by bus then ferry. Either take a bus to Sai Kung Pier and hike to Sam Sing Wan, or take a bus to Pak Sha Wan and then a ferry to Sam Sing Wan.

The hike from Sai Kung Pier to Sam Sing Wan is about five kilometers, not difficult, and even with children, it only takes two hours. Get off at the 299 Sai Kung Bus Terminus, go to the supermarket and market to buy ingredients for barbecue and hot pot. Start from Sai Kung Pier and walk along the seaside path. The bay is full of yachts, a dazzling sight. Turn right onto Chui Tong Road, at the three-way junction turn left onto Hong Chuen Road. Walk all the way to the end where there is a T-junction. If you go straight, you can reach the Lions Nature Education Centre and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Nature Education Centre, which is a good choice for a family-friendly hiking route.

Turn left into Hong Hong Road. The road is wide and beautiful, with tall trees, no people or cars. There is a small slope. Near the Hong Kong New Generation Cultural Association Science and Creative Centre, turn right onto Hong Fu Road. Walk to the end where the cement road ends. On the right railing, there is a sign prohibiting cars and the like. Go around the railing and start walking on a dirt trail uphill.

Enter the southern part of Ma On Shan Country Park. At a fork, there is a sign pointing toward Ma Nam Fu. Then it is a small mountain trail. This section is comfortable; even in the heat of summer, it feels quite cool. Another fork appears: one direction goes to Ma Nam Fu Village. Outdoor enthusiasts with good stamina often hike to the very tip of Ma Nam Fu Peninsula – Pak Ma Tsui – then return to Sam Sing Wan, but this requires excellent physical strength.

People heading to the beach usually choose the direction marked for Sam Sing Wan, and it is hard to get lost. On the way up and down the hill, the bay on the right often comes into view. The bay is dotted with yachts of various sizes, like stars in the sky. This is Pak Sha Wan. After descending, a cement road turns left and you will see the barbecue pits. Keep walking and you will reach Sam Sing Wan Beach.

The emerald green water contrasts with the white sand. Sam Sing Wan Beach is even smaller than Hap Mun Bay. Advertisements on beach umbrellas dot the beach. Under the umbrellas, couples or families sit on picnic mats, enjoying their holiday. Some come specifically to sunbathe, seeking a wheat-colored healthy tan. If you dislike direct sun, there is a row of sheltered walkways on the left side of the beach, providing shade and a sea view.

People swim, play in the water, and snorkel. Children splash in the sea with colorful floaties. Inside the shark net, there are two floating platforms where you can rest or sunbathe after swimming. Lifeguards are on duty in the watchtower on the beach. Under the scorching midday sun, lifeguards also patrol the sea in boats, giving a strong sense of safety.

Sam Sing Wan is managed by Hong Kong's Leisure and Cultural Services Department. The beach is well-equipped with a snack kiosk, first aid station, changing rooms, showers, lifeguards, barbecue pits, and other facilities, all free of charge. However, there is no legal camping area, and camping is not allowed. The barbecue area has tables, stoves, and stone benches, all free to use. A small shop on the third floor sells swimming gear, barbecue food, charcoal, and barbecue utensils.

At the barbecue pits, groups of friends enjoy a BBQ. Fish sizzles on the charcoal, emitting a rich aroma. Many foreigners gather for meals, with a cold can of San Miguel beer and a few skewers of grilled meat, fully enjoying the holiday vibe. Others have hot pot, boiling noodles and adding various semi-prepared seafood and vegetables, healthy and delicious. For those who prefer simplicity, they bring pastries, drinks, fruit, and fast food, enjoying a relaxed picnic by the sea.

After a meal and a short rest, you can change into swimsuits or snorkeling gear, put on a mask and snorkel, and go swimming and snorkeling in the sea. Sam Sing Wan Beach has a relatively steep slope; once you enter the water, it quickly becomes deep. But the water is clear enough to see the bottom, and small fish swim around. The happiest are the children, sitting on the fine white sand, building dream castles or chasing the waves barefoot.

Some children who love snorkeling, whether they can swim or not, dare to dive into the sea with their parents to explore the underwater world. There are many rocks at both ends of Sam Sing Wan Beach, and snorkelers like to gather there, diving to observe the sea fish by the rocks. Some bring waterproof cameras to capture wonderful moments underwater with friends and family.

In the evening, take a kaito ferry from Sam Sing Wan Pier across Pak Sha Wan, passing by many private yachts in the bay. This free public beach on a luxury coastline is truly precious in land-scarce Hong Kong. Regardless of wealth or origin, everyone shares the same simple and natural joy.

Travel tips: 1. Hike 4.5 km from Sai Kung Pier to Sam Sing Wan Beach. 2. Take minibus 1A or 101M or bus 92, get off at Sai Kung Pak Sha Wan. From April to November, on weekends, you can take a private ferry to Sam Sing Wan Beach, approximately once an hour. 3. Note the last ferry time from Sam Sing Wan Beach. If you miss the ferry, you can hike back to Sai Kung Pier along the original route. Night hiking takes longer, and you need to bring a headlamp or flashlight.

This travelogue is partly excerpted from my newly published book 'Not Working, Go to Island: The Blue Love Song of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area'. Without the consent of myself and the publisher, no one is allowed to publish the text and images of this travelogue (including but not limited to screenshot, screen capture, conversion to video, etc.) in anyone's name.