Photo: SCMP
Which begs the questions, what lies beneath the waves? Is there life beyond the surface? And how do Hongkongers experience the life aquatic? Well the answer is simple: With the same zest and verve the people of the SAR do anything and everything else. There are plenty of means to get below the waves and learn about the wet and wild world of the South China Seas.
So in this vain here are a few means to wet your submariner’s appetite:
Scuba Diving and Snorkelling
There are plenty of scuba diving operators in all quarters of the territory including Splash Hong Kong, Diving Adventure Ltd, and Urban Diver Ltd to name but a few. Just make sure you research the company seriously and make sure they, and you, have the correct certificates to go diving. Also make sure visibility is good, not a given in Hong Kong’s waters. Then it’s simply time to get beneath the waves. There are some 200 islands in Hong Kong and no shortage of potential diving sites. Some scuba clubs organize weekend dives - often by chartering a junk. Popular diving destinations include Sai Kung and Sharp Island. Though overfishing and development have taken their toll recent regulations, have seen certain species make a comeback. The Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department runs a website with a comprehensive list of the creatures of the deep.
If you’re not too keen on strapping on the tanks Hong Kong’s coast has plenty of wonders lurking in the shallows to cast your eyes over. Hoi Ha Wan, one of Hong Kong’s marine parks, is very popular with snorkellers. From the rustic Hoi Ha Village, follow the path passing an old temple and a lime kiln until you reach a large bay. Then take a left down a flight of steps to a pier. If the day is clear and the tide is low, you should be able to see the heads of locals snorkeling through the water enjoying the so-called brain coral (due to the unique patters). The coral attracts a variety of fish varieties.
Dolphin Watching
This remains one of Hong Kong’s treasured natural attractions; taking a boat trip to view the native and endangered pink dolphins. The Sha Chau and Lung Kwu Chau Marine Park to the west of the city is where you’re most likely to see the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins. Again several operators promote dolphin-watching boat tours but best pick one with an ecological view that is invested in sustaining the habitat of these extraordinary creatures to survive for future generations to enjoy.
Aquariums
Photo: Ocean Park
Hong Kong’s world famous Ocean Park is home to the Grand Aquarium, an epic experience where you can get up close and personal with of 5,000 fish from over 400 species. The tourist blurb claims this to be a “multisensory journey from the shore to the darkest depths of the ocean.” Indeed, it may be a man made eco-system but expect to be dazzled none the less.
To develop your knowledge of marine life further, particularly if you have young ones in tow, head over to the Hong Kong Science Museum in Kowloon where the Miffy and the Ocean exhibition has been developed to teach children about sea creatures and to arouse awareness about the crisis in the oceans.
Glass Bottom Boat
A great way to experience Hong Kong’s ocean life is via a glass bottom boat cruise. Cruise services vary but try to ship through Hoi Ha Wan Marine Park, one of the first batch of Marine Parks established in Hong Kong that is home to over 60 species of coral and 120 fish species and is protected by the World Wild Life Fund that operate marine education programmes, including a glass-bottomed boat trip to observe the corals.