Hong Kong & Guangdong
- j
- f
- m
- a
- m
- j
- j
- a
- s
- o
- n
- d
Positives
- Consistent NE monsoon swells
- Offshore mornings
- Easy board rental
- Close to Hong Kong
- English widely spoken
Negatives
- Mostly flat in spring and summer
- Mainly beachbreak
- Short-period windswells
- Language barrier in Guangdong & Guangxi
- Pollution
Hong Kong & Guangdong surf travel guide
Surfing in Hong Kong is far removed from the big city shopping, skyscrapers, crowded streets and junks jostling in the harbour. Set in a much more peaceful rural setting at least an hour drive away, the relatively consistent beachbreaks and fickle, secret reefbreaks can produce some quality waves, in seasonally specific conditions.
Guangdong offers more options with Xichong and Dongchong being the first beaches surfed outside of Hong Kong. Dongchong has a fun righthand point just off the marina. Xichong is the summer break, with a plethora of fun peaks. Breaks here favour low tide and can get quite busy. Next headland up, the Pingtan area also offers breaks for all swell directions. Twin Moon Bay can get good in summer while a bit north the village of Gaoyanwei has beaches and reefs exposed to winter NE swells. Further north, the beach town of Zhelang provides spots for both summer southerly and winter northeasterly swells. The pier of 88, just north of town, is possibly the best, most consistent spot in the area with long left walls partly sheltered from the wind. The northernmost surf area in Guangdong is Nan’ao Island where Qing’ao Bay is one extremely consistent beach for NE and E swells, sitting right on the Tropic of Cancer. In between these surf areas lay endless possibilities for exploration especially during the winter months (November to March).
Guangxi province is located a long way west of Hong Kong in the virtually enclosed Gulf of Tonkin behind Hainan Island. This region has only recently embraced surfing with its epicentre being Silver Beach in Beihai. During summer southern windswells, this long stretch of sand offers several soft peaks, with a bit more power showing close to the jetty at the eastern end of the beach.
Surf spots in Hong Kong & Guangdong
Research the 11 surf breaks in Hong Kong & Guangdong and discover what spots suit the current conditions.
Break lowdown
We’ve collated the wave data giving you a unique insight into the 11 breaks in Hong Kong & Guangdong.
When to go
Surf and weather statistics to help plan your surf trip to Hong Kong & Guangdong
- jan
- feb
- mar
- apr
- may
- jun
- jul
- aug
- sep
- oct
- nov
- dec
Library
Helpful surf travel videos and articles featuring Hong Kong & Guangdong.
Travel Information
General
- Current Time
- Tourists
- 62,900,000
- Population
- 1,439,323,776
- Tourist Info
- Tourist Info
Security
Health
Money
- Currency
- CNY
Cost of living
Communication
- Dialing in
- +86
- Dialing out
- 00
- Emergencies
- 112
- Language
- Standard Chinese (Mandarin/Putonghua), Yue (Cantonese), Wu (Shanghaiese), Minbei (Fuzhou), Minnan (Hokkien-Taiwanese), Xiang, Gan, Hakka dialects, minority languages
Electricity
- Plug Type
- aci
Visas
Long term visas are complicated to get, expensive and vary quite a bit from country to country. As of 2025, 59 nations enjoy a 15 days visa on arrival policy. They include Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Brazil. These policies can change quite often so get informed before booking your flight.
Although part of China, the former English colony has its own visa policy. Nationals of about 170 countries and territories may visit Hong Kong without a visa/entry permit for a period ranging from 7 days to 180 days.
Getting There
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is one of the world's busiest freight and passenger hubs. Shenzhen and Guangzhou are also major hubs with flights to and from pretty much everywhere in the West. From there it’s just a couple of hours drive to most surf spots.
Getting Around
All options are well-catered for and generally very affordable, including taxis, buses, ferries, trains and trams. Boards are not allowed on high-speed trains and tourists are not allowed to drive a car without a Chinese driving license in Guangdong and Guangxi. Things are easier in HK where renters must possess a valid driver's license from their home country and an international driving permit (IDP).
Accommodation
HK hotels are relatively expensive starting at $75/n. China is cheaper; Zhelang has 3-star hotels for $40/night. Prices in Xichong and Zhengzhou area vary according to the season. $30-50 in the low season and three times as much during Chinese New Year and National Holidays. Meals are cheap, but not like a western Chinese take-away. Pinghai hotels offer rooms starting from $30. Home stays are also available through AirBnb and Ctrip.
Activities
HK is the events capital of Asia for arts, sports, theatre, festivals and concerts. Visit The Peak for a stunning bird's eye view of town or get lost shopping in Kowloon district. HK is a vibrant city, but nature escapes are close by. Shenzhen and Guangzhou are some of the most modern cities in the world with stunning skyscraper views and bustling nightlife. Guangxi is more rural and offers karst mountains and idyllic country villages around the capital Guilin and Yangshuo
Hazards & hassles
Beaches can get shut with no warning in case of typhoon. Surfing is officially banned all over Hong Kong but the law hasn’t been fully enforced yet. This means that if anything happens (for example a tourist drowns), the beaches can be shut and surfing banned. Guangdong and Guangxi spots are more laidback, but expect the beaches to be crowded during national holidays. Pollution can be an issue especially close to rivermouths (like in Pinghai). Plastic is omnipresent on Guangdong beaches. Traffic can be awful outside Shenzhen and Guangzhou.
Handy Hints
Rent or buy boards at Eric's Shop on Big Wave Bay HK beach; rental boards $7/d and bodyboards $3/d, or store your own boards. 3 shops in HK sell boards ($390-780). In China, driving is illegal for gweela's (foreigners). Shenzhen is a Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
Due to global pandemic, Visas, Getting There, Getting Around or Accommodation information and pricing may have changed. Always check Government Travel Advice before travelling.