Repulse Bay

Hong Kong and its surrounding islands have plenty of sleepy fishing villages and secluded beaches, but if you’re looking for a more upscale beach resort experience, you’ll find it at Repulse Bay. Primarily a high end residential area, Repulse Bay also has a crescent-shaped white sand beach -- one of the best on Hong Kong Island -- with a roped off area for swimming and a shopping and dining venue inside the Repulse Bay Tower.

Some of the beaches on Lantau and Cheung Chau Islands are nicer and quieter, but Repulse Bay scores extra points for its proximity to the city. In just a 20-minute bus ride from Central you can be soaking up the sun in Repulse Bay. To ensure a quieter beach experience, avoid the central portion of the beach where tour buses from the Mainland tend to unload; opt instead for eastern portion. You’ll find grocery and convenience stores in the area where you can buy supplies for a picnic lunch, but expect prices to be higher than if you stock up in the city before coming.