Snorkeling at Sharp Island West: 46 coral species

46 hard coral species and 169 fish in shallow, beginner-friendly water

Snorkel the West Coral Area of Sharp Island, Hong Kong's largest cactus coral zone, on a 3.5-hour guided activity with a professional diving instructor. A 10-minute boat ride from Sai Kung Town Centre brings you to shallow, family-friendly waters where you'll see hard corals, threadfin porgy, spotted seahorse and other marine life. The day includes a safety briefing, all equipment, and time on the beach to explore the UNESCO Global Geopark Site, including the tidal tombolo called "The Angel Road".

The experience

The boat leaves Sai Kung Town Centre and reaches Sharp Island in 10 minutes. Once there, a diving instructor leads a safety briefing before you enter the water with your snorkeling mask, tube and life jacket. The shallow waters are built for beginners and families: no deep diving, no currents to fight. You're in the water looking at what's actually there: hard corals like platgyra sp. and pavona sp., the endangered threadfin porgy, spotted seahorse, and the 169 fish species that make this reef their home.

Sharp Island is also a UNESCO Global Geopark Site, so after snorkeling you can walk the beach and see volcanic rock formations (rhyolite and volcanic breccia), and "Pineapple Bun Rock." The tombolo, a natural sandbar called "The Angel Road," shifts with the tide, so timing matters if you want to see it fully formed. The instructor is there the whole time to point out what you're seeing and answer questions about the marine ecosystem.

Your guide takes photos throughout the activity, so you leave with images of the coral and the fish you actually saw. Mask, tube, life jacket and boat transfer are all included. Bring your own aquashoes or buy them at the pier to protect your feet on the rocks. The whole experience runs 3.5 hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Snorkeling mask and tube rental in child and adult sizes.
• life jacket rental in child, small, medium and large sizes.
• round-trip boat transfer from Sai Kung Town Centre.
• professional diving instructor for safety briefing and in-water guidance.
• photos taken by your guide during the activity.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:30 and 14:00

AgesAdult (25 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (15 to 24 years) · Child (under 15)

Live guideEnglish, Cantonese and Chinese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Splitdyboat

Is this one for you?The boat departs from Sai Kung Town Centre, so you don't need a car or a long transfer. Just get to the pier and you're on your way to the reef. This works for anyone staying in Sai Kung or arriving by public transport, since the town centre is the starting point.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Chinese, Chinese and Cantonese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (15 to 24 years); Child (under 15).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What coral and fish species will I actually see at Sharp Island West?

Sharp Island is home to over 46 hard coral species and 169 fish species. You'll encounter valuable corals like platgyra sp. and pavona sp., plus the endangered threadfin porgy and spotted seahorse, all in the shallow beginner-friendly waters where the snorkeling takes place.

How do I get from Sai Kung to the snorkeling site?

A boat departs from Sai Kung Town Centre and reaches Sharp Island West in 10 minutes. Round-trip boat transfer is included in the activity, so you don't need your own transport to the pier.

What happens after snorkeling in the water?

After snorkeling, you relax on the beach and explore the UNESCO Global Geopark Site. You can see volcanic rock formations, "Pineapple Bun Rock," and "The Angel Road," a natural sandbar that shifts with the tide.

What equipment is provided and what do I need to bring?

Snorkeling mask, tube, and life jacket are all included and sized for children and adults. You'll need to bring your own aquashoes to protect your feet on the rocks, or you can buy them at the pier. Bring enough water for the 3.5-hour activity.