Roll into Sai Kung along Hiram’s Highway and, a few minutes before the town itself, the road curves past a calm, almost mirror-still bay crowded with hundreds of moored yachts and sampans. This is Hebe Haven — known in Chinese as Pak Sha Wan (白沙灣) — the sheltered inlet that has been the spiritual home of Hong Kong sailing for the best part of a century.
A natural harbour for sailors
Hebe Haven is a small, deeply sheltered bay tucked behind a low headland and the offshore protection of Shelter Island, which shields it from the swell and most of the wind. That natural calm is exactly why it became a yachting hub: a safe place to moor boats year-round, close to the open sailing waters of Port Shelter yet protected from rough weather. On any given day the bay is a forest of masts, with dinghies, cruisers, traditional junks and tenders swinging gently on their moorings.
The name itself nods to the British naval connection — like nearby Shelter Island and the surrounding place names, “Hebe” comes from a 19th-century Royal Navy survey vessel. The English name and the Chinese name (literally “White Sand Bay”) have coexisted ever since, and locals use both interchangeably.
The sailing and marina scene
What sets Hebe Haven apart from anywhere else in the district is its marina culture. This is where Hong Kongers learn to sail, keep their boats and gather for regattas.
- The bay is home to the long-established Hebe Haven Yacht Club, one of the territory’s main sailing institutions, which runs courses, races and youth programmes.
- Several boatyards, chandleries and marine workshops line the shore, hauling out hulls, repairing engines and selling everything from rope to outboard motors — a working waterfront rather than a polished tourist marina.
- Weekends bring a steady traffic of sailors loading provisions, dinghies being launched off slipways and sampans ferrying owners out to their moorings.
Even if you never set foot on a boat, it is a genuinely pleasant place to wander, watch the activity on the water and absorb a side of Hong Kong life that feels worlds away from the city’s high-rises. Photographers love the dense tangle of masts and reflections, especially in the soft light of early morning or late afternoon.
Sampans to Trio Beach and beyond
For most visitors, Hebe Haven’s most useful feature is its sampans (kaito). Small licensed boats run from the bay across the water to Trio Beach (Sha Ha / Hap Mun area), one of the most popular and accessible beaches in inner Port Shelter. It is a short, scenic hop and a classic Sai Kung outing — pack a picnic or barbecue, ride the sampan over, spend the day on the sand and catch a boat back. Pay the boatman in cash and confirm the time of the last return trip before you go.
The bay is also a launching point for private boat trips, fishing charters and junk outings exploring the wider waters of Port Shelter and the islands toward Sharp Island.
How it differs from Sai Kung Town
It is easy to confuse Hebe Haven with the main town, but they have very different characters, and it pays to know which you want.
| Hebe Haven (Pak Sha Wan) | Sai Kung Town | |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Quiet marina village | Busy waterfront hub |
| Focus | Sailing, yachts, boatyards | Seafood, shops, ferries |
| Crowds | Sailors and locals | Tourists and day-trippers |
| Piers | Sampans to Trio Beach | Kaito to islands & beaches |
| Position | A few minutes before the town | The end of the road |
In short, Hebe Haven is the calm, nautical prelude; Sai Kung Town is the lively main act. Many visitors pass straight through Hebe Haven without realising it, but those in the know stop for the boats, the quieter waterside dining and the sampan to the beach.
Seafood and waterside dining
Hebe Haven has its own cluster of restaurants and casual eateries along and near the waterfront, including seafood spots that are quieter and more local than the famous strip in the main town. Dining here trades the bustle of Sai Kung Town’s seafood street for a more relaxed, neighbourhood feel, often with a view over the moored boats. It is a good option if you want a Sai Kung seafood meal without the weekend crush, or a coffee and a sit-down while you wait for a sampan.
Getting there
Hebe Haven sits right on Hiram’s Highway, the single road into Sai Kung, so almost every bus and minibus heading to the town passes it. There is no MTR station in Sai Kung, but the bay is very easy to reach.
| From | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Diamond Hill MTR (Exit C2) | KMB bus 92 | Passes Hebe Haven before the town |
| Choi Hung MTR (Exit C2) | Green minibus 1A | Frequent; passes Pak Sha Wan |
| Hang Hau MTR | Green minibus 101M / 101S | Tseung Kwan O side |
Simply tell the driver or watch for the Pak Sha Wan / Hebe Haven stop, which comes a few minutes before the main town terminus. Octopus card is accepted. For the complete rundown of routes from the city, see our getting to Sai Kung guide.
Best time to visit
Hebe Haven is enjoyable year-round, but it is at its liveliest at weekends, when sailors are out in force and the sampans run most frequently. Autumn and spring bring the most comfortable weather for boating and beach trips, while summer is ideal for the Trio Beach crossing. For photographers, the golden light of early morning or late afternoon turns the forest of masts and their reflections into a memorable scene.
Practical tips
- Carry cash for the sampans — most do not take cards.
- Confirm the last return boat before heading to the beach.
- Bring sun protection and water if you are crossing to Trio Beach for the day.
- Stop here on the way in rather than only on the way out, so you have time before the town.
- Combine the visit with a meal and shopping in Sai Kung Town, just up the road.
Nearby and itinerary ideas
Hebe Haven works best as part of a wider Sai Kung day. A popular plan is to catch a sampan over to Trio Beach in the morning, then continue into Sai Kung Town for a seafood lunch and a stroll along the promenade. Active visitors can pair the bay with a walk in the nearby Sai Kung West Country Park, whose green hills rise behind the inlet. However you fit it in, Hebe Haven offers a calm, salt-air glimpse of Hong Kong’s enduring love affair with the sea — the quiet harbour where Sai Kung’s boats come home.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Hebe Haven and Sai Kung Town?
Hebe Haven (Pak Sha Wan) is a small, sheltered marina bay you pass a few minutes before reaching the main town. It is quieter and focused on sailing and yachts, whereas Sai Kung Town is the bustling hub of seafood restaurants, shops and ferry piers.
Can I take a boat to Trio Beach from Hebe Haven?
Yes. Sampans (kaito) run from Hebe Haven across the bay to Trio Beach (Hap Mun Bay area), a popular and easy way to reach the sand for a swim or barbecue.
How do I get to Hebe Haven?
KMB bus 92 from Diamond Hill MTR and green minibus 1A from Choi Hung MTR both pass Hebe Haven on Hiram’s Highway, just before Sai Kung Town. See our getting to Sai Kung guide.
