Hong Kong - Weather
The climate is subtropical. June to September is hot, humid and rainy. October to January is cooler and less humid. The typhoon season is from May to December with the highest frequency between June and September.
Typhoon procedures
Typhoons are most likely in September but can occur all year round. When a typhoon is expected, information and warnings are broadcast in 15 minute intervals day and night. Visiting yachts may seek refuge in an approved typhoon shelter, of which there are 14 in Hong Kong for small craft, some for less than 50m LOA, others for less than 30m LOA. Alternatively, it is possible to secure to a government B class mooring, but advance booking is necessary. Yachts too large for the shelters can either find a mooring or a sheltered anchorage, notifying the port authority of their position.
Tropical cyclones in this area are often severe with winds frequently exceeding 150km/hr. Skippers are advised to take early precautionary action whenever any tropical cyclone warning signal is issued. Latest tropical cyclones and weather information can be obtained from the Hong Kong Observatory.
Brunei Bay Radio operates a regular voice broadcast sked of METAREA and local coastal forecasts for SE Asia waters, the NW Pacific and the eastern Indian Ocean. For details of Brunei Bay Radio broadcast skeds and frequencies, see http://www.bruneibay.net/bbradio/bbrschfvoice.htm.
For links to free global weather information, forecast services and extreme weather information see the Noonsite Weather Page.
The Vessel Traffic Centre, call sign “Mardep” maintains a continuous listening watch on channel 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67. Skippers may obtain navigational information from the Centre when navigating in or near the waters of Hong Kong.
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YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
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Courtesy Flag Discounts
YachtFlags.com provides high quality courtesy flags that are manufactured in durable Knitted Polyester fabric. Knitted so that the fabric itself does not deteriorate in the constant movement that marine flags are usually exposed to, and polyester so that the flag does not weaken in the strong UV-light usually found in the main sailing areas of the world.
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There is limited information available on Noonsite for Hong Kong and given our new yacht is being delivered there, we have looked into the rules and regulations as a foreign yacht. We are informed that in principle foreign yachts are not allowed to cruise in Hong Kong. In order to cruise you must complete the formalities and you must employ a local captain onboard at all times when the yacht is underway. The minimum foreign qualification accepted is RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and only then once you have sat a local knowledge test in Hong Kong. This test has a long waiting list right now.
There are two levels of test – up to 15m (where you can the local test backed by RYA Day Skipper) and up to 24m (where you need RYA Yachtmaster). You can’t even drive your tender if the dinghy is more than 3m in length and has an engine of more than 4hp.
In addition, the availability of visitor berths is very scarce. Due to local shortage, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club have allocated all of their berths to permanent owners. We are currently hunting around for a berth where we can accept delivery of the boat.
In short, Hong Kong may not be as easy as it seems!
Hi Christine,
There are quite a lot of well sheltered anchorage in Hong Kong albeit not always around the usual locations. You can drop me an email (djghosie@gmail.com) to let me know you needs and I could share you with some suggestions.
Have fun coming to Hong Kong.
Thanks a lot for the contact! We are now registered under our yacht name so might come up as a different person on this reply. We are waiting for our boat to be delivered to us from the shipyard in China and as soon as we are in Hong Kong, I’ll most certainly drop you an email for suggestions.
Hong Kong has many islands, there are fast Ferry’s to and from the islands.
In particular – Lantau island – Silvermine Bay Beach( East inlet cove) has a fast ferry that will take to you into HongKong within 30 mins at a cost of approx 44 HKD/person. Sometimes it’s easier to let someone else do the driving.
You can take your Dingy to the beach (weekends are more busy), and get some cold resentments instead of going into HK itself, there is a local market there, open during day hours, listed until 8 pm.
There is a local Waterfall and mine (closed off, public access). Bicycles are typically used around this island.
Do you want a taste of some English style food (trust me I was starving)… Between Pui O Beach and Sivermine Beach – “The Water Buffalo” Owner Operator – taste of a small English Pub. Take Taxi (expensive Appox $40 HKD ) or Bus ( $4HKD as there is regular transport to and from the Beaches) – Note that BUS fare are done though the METRO Card or Exact Change.
HongKong and Singapore are very busy areas, especially in Shipping.
Hi.
We are currently sailing north of Borneo and we are heading to Palawan and China before the SW monsoon gets too strong.
We have to schedule a haul out before December and we are considering HK as our first option. We would love to have recommendations! We don’t pretend to stay dry longer than 3 days.
Our boat is a Lagoon 45.
I will have a look on noonsite periodically, otherwise I can get contacted through my email: moreau.sail@yahoo.com
Thanks!
Amandine Moreau