Ferries

I like boats. And Hong Kong has a lot of them. Since Hong Kong has so many islands, ferries are a popular way to travel around the SAR. In my five weeks here I have travelled on 5 different ferry routes and loved them all because they all offer unique views of Hong Kong. 

The Star Ferry (Central-Tsim Sha Tsui-Wan Chai) runs short trips across Victoria Harbour. It has been in operation since the 1880's, is crazy cheap ($3HKD) and offers spectacular views of the Hong Kong and Kowloon skylines. I have taken it countless times because it is a convenient way to hop between Central and Tsim Sha Tsui. The ferries have two classes, the lower deck which is more industrial and smells of diesel, and the upper deck which had wood floors and is much more spacious and quiet. 

Star Ferry. Hong Kong skyline in background.

The Discovery Bay-Central Ferry is the one we take most often because it runs between the town my parents live in and the Central District in Hong Kong. Along the way you get to see Hong Kong Disney, humungous cargo ships, and great views of the Hong Kong and Kowloon skylines. Most of the ferries have closed decks but once and a while you can get lucky and get on one that is open at the top. 

Bec and Tim on the Discovery Bay-Central ferry open deck. Kowloon in the background.

The Discovery Bay-Mui Wo Ferry runs between these two towns on Lantau Island. It is a short ride but you get views of many of the outlying islands including Peng Chau and Cheung Chau. The ferry has open upper and lower decks and is the most convenient way to get between the two towns since there is no connecting road. 

The Hong Kong-Macau Ferry is the best way to travel between China's two Special Administrative Regions. The ferries are very recognizable because they are either bright red or bright blue. The red ones are actually hydrofoils. This is the only ferry that I have taken that doesn't have an outdoors observation deck. I like taking this ferry after dark because you can see the skylines of Macau and Hong Kong all lit up. 

The Tai O-Tung Chung Ferry was my favourite ferry ride of them all. The ferry sails close to the northern coast of Lantau Island so you can see all of the mountains right up close. From this ferry you can also sometimes see Hong Kong's famous pink dolphins. As the ferry nears Tung Chung there are great views of the Hong Kong airport where you can watch the planes land as the you go by. The ferry also goes under the Ngong Ping cable car and through an area where hundreds of people fish and dig for clams at low tide. 

Plane landing at Hong Kong airport. Spotted from Tai O ferry.

Under the Ngong Ping cable cars