boating
Junk trippin’ And other ways to get out on the water this summer. By Hannah Grogan. Who doesn’t love a junk trip? The best way to beat the heat, the junk is a much-loved Hong Kong institution. Leaping from the top deck is a rite of passage – you probably have your own signature style. Plus, the finest boating waters in the territory are right on our doorstep, with clean waters, white beaches and (if you’re lucky and can go mid-week – or wait till winter) a desertisland ambience. Take a junk from Sai Kung or Pak Sha Wan piers out to the beaches around Rocky Harbour and you’ll find space to lay your towel on even on the busiest Sunday afternoon. Book a catered package, take
your own food, or drop anchor at one of several restaurants that can be reached from the water. At High Island, order a slap-up seafood feast at yachties’ favourite Yau Ley (Sha Kiu Tsuen, 2791 1822), or pull up at the fish farm complex at Waterfall Bay, near the Unesco World Heritage Temple on Kau Sai Chau, which serves excellent Cantonese seafood with the bonus of catching your own fish. Junks heading to Clearwater Bay first and second beaches can call in to Po Toi O’s famous seafood restaurants, Seafood Island (2719 5730) and Fai Kee (2719 9129), for a slap-up meal.
Where to hire a junk Hong Kong Yachting Charters 30- and 40-person junks equipped with iPod systems, a brand new sailing catamaran and two racing yachts, the 40ft Circus (for 10 people, plus crew) and 60ft V1 (for 18 people, plus crew). And, yes, you will be expected to haul on a few ropes. 2526 0151, www.hongkongyachting.com. Island Junks A fleet of teak junks can accommodate up to 50 guests with a range of add-on services, including Thai massage. 2877 5222, www.islandjunks. com.hk. Jaspas Party Junks These junks are a blast, with great barbecued food, bottomless Sea Breeze cocktails (plus beer, wine, soft drinks), pre-loaded iPods and that famous laid-back hospitality. 2792 6001, www.jaspasjunk.com. Pana Oceans Junks and cruisers for 33-58 people, with catering options available. 2815 8235, www.panaoceans.com.
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Jubilee Jubilee rents junks and Western-style cruisers for day trips, fishing and squid trips. There’s a wide range of toys for hire, including banana boats and wakeboarding. 3555 5666, www.jubilee.hk. Mes Amis A fully catered 44ft party junk for up to 32 guests, with bottomless cocktails, beers, wine and soft drinks and a western menu served by onboard staff. Pickup locations on Hong Kong Island and Tsim Sha Tsui. Speedboat available. 3170 7063, www.mesamis.com.hk. Standard Boat This long-established company has a fleet of wooden junks, luxury motorboats, yachts and even ferries for hire. 2570 1792, www.standardboat.hk. Vikings Charter A fleet of catered or non-catered junks, plus speedboats for banana boating, water-skiing and wakeboarding. 2576 8992, www.boatandboating.com.