Repulse Bay Beach

After our shore excursion group's photo stop enjoyment at Victoria Peak, our skilled driver whipped downhill towards Repulse Bay. Our guide kept mentioning the high cost of properties at The Peak but then said it's even more expensive to purchase or live in Repulse Bay. Repulse Bay is home or vacation home to many rich and famous Asians and non-Asians. Although I can see the beauty, less hectic atmosphere, and exclusivity of living in this bay area where residents can escape the frenetic city life, the name "Repulse Bay" annoyed me. So, I asked our guide about its history. He told the group that there are several unsubstantiated stories about the origin of the bay's name. But he's sticking to saying, "This bay was used as a base by pirates and caused serious concern to foreign merchant ships trading with China. The Royal Navy subsequently repulsed the pirates, hence the name." Anyway, we were allotted an hour to either wander along the beach sand (IMHO, the sand was coarse and not like the finer sand we have in Hawai'i) while dipping our toes into the cool water, roam through their shopping mall, or follow the guide to the Taoist Kwun Yam (Guanyin) Shrine at the southeastern side of the beach. We followed the group to the Kwun Yam Shrine to view the gigantic statues of Guanyin (Chinese Goddess of Mercy) and Tiānhòu (Empress of Heaven or Goddess of the Sea and Patron Deity of fishermen, sailors, and any occupations related to the sea). According to our guide, the Kwun Yam Shrine isn't "active"; the shrine-like exterior is just a façade for a small convenience store, although several people offered prayers with joss sticks or incense to the statues. The guide encouraged everyone to cross "The Bridge of Longevity" at least seven times because of the belief in extending your life an additional ten years with each crossing. Woohoo! My husband and I quickly jumped on board with that belief and traversed that bridge! We felt relieved and comforted by walking along the beachfront yet slightly unsettled by the densely built-up apartment buildings and estates behind us as the development reminded us about Hawai'i's Waikīkī, Kaka'ako, and Ala Moana neighborhoods. But, thankfully, our island isn't as densely populated as Hong Kong.

Repulse Bay 淺水灣 is in en route towards Stanley and I have only visited once during a day tour guide. It was a nice experience to escape the metropolitan atmosphere. Located at the southern end of Hong Kong yet fully accessible via public transportation and a common site for the privileged or advantage to settle.

In a way this beach is somewhat more fancier, and crowded, than the other beach, but unfortunately, like a lot of the beaches in Hong Kong, there really isn't all that much around here, other than appartments, and a beach. Yeah, as I mentioned, Hong Kong isn't really a place to visit to go to the beach, so these beaches aren't designed to be all that touristy. Okay, this one is somewhat cleaner, but the difficulty in getting here, and the lack of facilities, really means that it isn't a place I would hurry to visit again.

I saw a picture of my father standing on the beach of Repulse Bay when he was a young man in high school. I asked him to take me to the place where he took this picture. I loved Repulse Bay! It was so magical! Interesting modern architecture, and it felt like a resort. On a nice day, the beach is wonderful. I loved the Buddhist temple spot. You must go over to the spot with the Buddhist icons and walk around that area. Don't forget! I actually really liked the commercial area at Repulse Bay a lot! It was Americanized, but tasteful. We met with our old family friend that day, and she said her husband's family lived at Repulse Bay and she also thought it was too commercialized. I love the atmosphere at Repulse Bay and I would go back here to hang out in Hong Kong. Look around, and young, stylish Westerners are abound here. Must-see in HK.

For those heading south to Stanley or just looking for a departure from the bustle of the city, look no further than Repulse Bay. An easy 25 minutes away from the city center via bus / taxi, is a pseudo oasis of bay water, beach front properties, and a killer view. It is an easy staycation for locals and a destination for visitors, it is an easy spot to relax. This southern end of Hong Kong is among the most expensive in all of the island. The views and ease of public transportation make this an easy place for the wealthy to settle. A lot of beach businesses are sprouting up to cater to the growing demand of entertainment, shopping, and dining. The Pulse Mall is one destination that is ripe full of quality businesses and it's starting to become a real bonafide attraction. In terms of the beach itself, it's calming and the crowds are modest even on a summer weekend. The sand isn't going to be Philippines or Hawaii quality by any means, but at least it's clean and spacious enough for peeps to lay out and catch some sun. On a good weather day, this is definitely an area worth checking out during the warmer months.

This beach is located along the way to Stanley so it's perfect for a little sunbathing before or after shopping and food. I live on the Aberdeen side so there are green mini buses (#40) that go towards Stanley but stops at this beach. I came to the beach hoping to relax and catch a little sun. Little did I know that this beach has become a mainland tourist trap. You'll see tons of tour groups along the beach taking pictures and kicking sand about. So be sure you grab a spot away from the main part of the beach. The sand is also corse here so it easily dusts off when dry. They also have open facilities in case you need to shower.

Beautiful beach on the south side of the island. A bit built up and crowded, but understandably so. I went with a person in a wheelchair, and noted that the place was not that accessible-friendly. There were only two elevators available to go down to the beach level.

Repulse Bay is a beautiful and tranquil spot on the southern coast of Hong Kong Island. Just a 20 minute drive from the concrete jungle of downtown Hong Kong, Repulse Bay has a groomed beach, lovely views, clean water, and tons of bars and restaurants to wile away the day. As of November 2016, Repulse Bay lacks the tacky aspects of the other southern coast towns. This is a good spot.

WARNING: !Fleas! Fleas! Fleas! Beautiful location but the fleas hop onto you and bite Whatever you do, do NOT lay on the pebble beach!!! No wonder there was nobody swimming nor sun tanning! Itchy flea bites that bleed! Ay YAA!!! Maybe the Pirates called to REPULSE because of the bites all over their bodies! ARGHHH

Transportation: Take Buses No.6, 6A, 6X, 260 or 262 (bound for Stanley) from Central's Exchange Square or Central's Star Ferry Pier, and get off at Repulse Bay or take Minibus No.40 (bound for Stanley) at Causeway Bay's Tang Lung Street (Corner of Percival Street and Hennessy Road), and get off at Repulse Bay. Or better: Just hail a cab. They are quite inexpensive:-) On the west of the Repulse Bay, there is a Seaview Promenade connecting to Deep Water Bay. This is another popular beach, however Repulse Bay is more attractive. Never got photographed so much in our entire lives as the last time we were there. Crazy. Wanted to spend a relaxed day at that beautiful beach. It is really wonderful to bathe and sunbathe. The water is clear and warm. I was told that the shark nets are up from April/ May till the end of October. We really enjoyed ourselves last Thursday, but about 200 pics or more got taken of us by Chinese visitors. One busload after the other arriving. Some asking us first and others shooting us while walking by. At one point we had 10 of them sitting on our towels and posing with us as mascots while others took pics. Felt weird. Lovely beach though with a lot of facilities and restaurants and only a short bus ride from Central. Lots of trees provide shade for us who prefer lying in the shade to being fried in the sun.

It used to be just a humble fishing village and a prison outpost, popular among locals wanting to dip their toes in the ocean. Repulse Bay doesn't offer much in the way of sandy beaches; Hong Kong is a collection of jagged islands and rocky outcrops after all. But it has recently become a notable tourist destination, with bazaars, cafes, bars and a shopping plaza having popped up along the revamped waterfront. MTR doesn't reach this part of town; only double deck buses coming out of Exchange Square (Central) and minibuses (out of North Point) do. Taking the taxi would be an expensive alternative. http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/see-do/great-outdoors/beaches/repulse-bay-beach.jsp