FAQs: Coasteering in Hong Kong
Activity Basics
What is coasteering and how is it different from hiking, canyoning, or snorkeling?
Coasteering is an adventure activity where you move along a rocky coastline by swimming, scrambling, climbing, and doing optional jumps in the “wave zone” where sea meets rock, instead of following a normal trail or staying on a boat. With Splitdyboat, that means exploring Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark sea arches, caves, and volcanic rock columns up close in the water, not just viewing them from a distance.
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Compared with hiking, coasteering leaves the land trail and takes you into the intertidal zone, so you are in and out of the sea rather than walking on dry paths.
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Compared with canyoning, it happens on the coast (not in a river gorge) and usually does not use ropes or abseiling, focusing instead on swimming, traversing rocks, and surf play.
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Compared with snorkelling, coasteering is more about moving along the coastline, climbing and jumping with full safety gear, while snorkelling mainly focuses on floating and watching marine life in calmer water.
What will we actually do on the tour?
On Splitdyboat coasteering tours, you move along the coastline by a mix of easy rock scrambling, short swims, and optional small jumps, guided step‑by‑step by our instructors. Our itineraries are designed as beginner‑friendly and manageable for most people with basic fitness and water confidence, not extreme routes.
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Typically you will:
- Travel by speedboat to a scenic Geopark coastline, then enter the water in full safety gear to explore sea arches, caves, and volcanic rock formations up close.
- Alternate between swimming in sheltered sections, traversing low rocks, and trying low‑level jumps or “wave play” features, with bigger jumps always optional and never compulsory.
Where in Hong Kong do you run coasteering tours?
Splitdyboat coasteering tours run in the Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, on the eastern side of Hong Kong. This includes famous spots like Jin Island and Bluff Island in the Ung Kong Group, known for dramatic sea arches, caves, and hexagonal volcanic rock columns.
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Typical routes for our coasteering products focus on areas such as the Double Sea Arches around Jin Island and Bluff Island and the Hexagonal Rock Columns coastline near Wang Chau and Basalt Island, accessed by speedboat from Sai Kung. Exact location and route for your session are confirmed in the product page and pre‑tour email, adjusted slightly depending on wind and wave conditions on the day.
How long is the coasteering tour from meet-up to finish?
Splitdyboat coasteering tours take about 2 hours from meet-up to finish, including briefing, boat ride, and time in the water.
Typically there is a short safety and geology briefing at Sai Kung Public School, followed by roughly 90 minutes of speedboat sightseeing plus coasteering in the sea arches and rock columns, with exact timing shown on each product content page.
How much time is spent in the water?
Splitdyboat coasteering tours spend around 60–90 minutes in the water, depending on the exact route and sea conditions that day. This includes time for swimming, rock scrambling, crossing sea arches or caves, and taking photos at key spots.
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The rest of the session is used for safety briefing, gear fitting at Sai Kung Public School, and the speedboat transfers to and from the Geopark coastline. Exact water time for each product is shown on the specific tour page and in your confirmation email.
Safety & Fitness
Is coasteering safe? What qualifications do your guides have?
Coasteering with Splitdyboat is run as a guided, safety‑first adventure using helmets, buoyancy aids and other protective equipment, with routes chosen to match the day’s sea conditions and the group’s ability. Like any outdoor water sport there is some inherent risk, but groups stay close to the guide, follow a clear safety brief, and we avoid features that are unsuitable in rough weather.
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Most of our lead guides are Dive Masters with extensive rock, ocean, and coasteering experience, and others hold recognised lifeguard and water rescue qualifications plus first‑aid training, which aligns with good‑practice standards for coasteering leaders. This mix of professional diving, lifeguarding and local coastal knowledge allows the team to manage entries/exits, jumps, and changing swell safely while giving you an enjoyable line along the Geopark coast.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer?
You do not need to be a strong or fast swimmer, but youmust be comfortable in open water with a life jacket and able to do basic swimming or doggy‑paddle over short distances.
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For Splitdyboat coasteering, routes and pace are chosen to suit beginners, and there are extra buoyancy aid for everyone that keeps you afloat while guides stay close and support less confident swimmers.
Are there any age, weight, or health restrictions?
There are some basic restrictions for safety, but most healthy guests can join. Children aged 9+ are welcome on Splitdyboat tours as long as they are accompanied and supervised by an adult, with specific requirements outlined in our Terms and Conditions and Geopark FAQ.
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Coasteering is not recommended if you are pregnant or have serious heart, respiratory, spinal, knee, ankle, or other significant medical issues; guests should be in generally good health and able to manage uneven terrain and open water with a buoyancy aid. If you have any medical condition or concerns, let us know in advance and consult your doctor; final participation is at your own risk and subject to our safety assessment on the day.
Equipment & Clothing
What do I need to bring myself?
Most essentials are simple: swimwear, aqua shoes, sun protection, and a change of clothes. Splitdyboat provides the technical safety gear like life jacket, helmet, gloves for coasteering.
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For your coasteering tour, please bring:
- Swimwear to wear under the wetsuit, plus a towel and dry clothes for after the tour
- Secure water shoes or old trainers with good grip (they will get wet), and optional light gloves for rock contact
- Sun protection: water, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and a small waterproof bag / phone case if you want to carry your own items
What equipment do you provide?
Splitdyboat provides all the key safety and technical equipment, so you can focus on the adventure. This includes a helmet, life jacket (PFD / buoyancy aid), and main coasteering gear appropriate for the route and conditions.
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For our Geopark coasteering tours, we also arrange the speedboat transfers, professional guides, and necessary group safety kit, while you mainly need to bring personal items like swimwear, shoes, towel, and sun protection as listed on each product page.
Can I wear glasses or contact lenses during coasteering?
You can wear contact lenses during coasteering and most people have no problems, but there is always a small chance a lens may wash out, so bringing a spare set is recommended.
If you need to wear glasses, it is better to attach them securely with a sports/glasses strap so they do not fall off in the water; very expensive or irreplaceable glasses are not recommended as they can still be lost or damaged in waves.
Can I bring my phone or camera? Do you offer photos or GoPro/media packages?
You can bring a phone or action camera at your own risk, but it must be in a proper waterproof case and secured with a strap or lanyard so it will not be lost in the water or waves. Very expensive or fragile cameras are not recommended, as no case is 100% guaranteed waterproof in repeated jumps and surf.
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Splitdyboat’s coach guides also help capture photos and short clips during the coasteering session when conditions allow, and media links or samples are shown on our coasteering product pages. There is currently no GoPro or media packages, if available, will be listed on the specific tour page and in your pre‑tour email.
Booking & Availability
Do you run coasteering tours all year round, or is it seasonal only?
The main coasteering season is typically spring to autumn (around March–October), when water and air temperatures are more comfortable;
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During those months, coasteering tours can operate everyday, weather and sea conditions permitting, thanks to Hong Kong’s mild climate.
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Specific dates and available sessions are shown on each tour’s product page.
What is the minimum and maximum group size?
No minimum—even solo travelers (1 person) are welcome! We run shared tours daily with flexible capacity.
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Group Options
- Small groups (1-9): Join our regular coasteering tours—no minimum required.
- Medium groups (10-20): Private tour available — perfect for families, events/companies.
- Large groups (20+): Special arrangements are required, as each speedboat accommodates around 15–20 guests, and the coach‑to‑participant ratio is kept below 1:10 for safety and quality.
Contact us via WhatsApp or booking page for private tour quotes. All tours weather permitting!
Do you offer private or corporate coasteering sessions?
Yes. Splitdyboat offers private and corporate coasteering sessions for teams, schools, and special groups, with customised timing and route in the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark.
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In addition to the coasteering experience, private/co‐branding days can include exclusive speedboats, dedicated guides, and add‑on activities such as sightseeing, snorkeling, or island hopping, designed as team‑building or incentive experiences. For large groups, multiple boats and guides can be arranged, with a low coach‑to‑participant ratio to keep things safe and interactive.
Meeting Point & Check-In
Where is the meeting point and how do I get there?
The meeting point for our coasteering tours is Sai Kung Public School, 30 Po Tung Road, Sai Kung, right in the centre of Sai Kung Town. From there, our team checks you in, does the safety briefing, and then transfers you to the pier or speedboat.
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You can reach Sai Kung Public School easily by MTR + minibus (e.g. Choi Hung → minibus 1A, or Hang Hau → minibus 101M) or by taxi to Sai Kung Town / Tin Hau Temple area, then walk a short distance to the main school entrance.
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When should I arrive for check-in?
Please arrive at least 15–20 minutes before your scheduled tour time so we can complete check‑in, gear fitting, and the safety briefing without rushing.
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Late arrivals may miss the boat departure and are treated according to our standard terms, so always allow extra time for weekend traffic and finding the meeting point at Sai Kung Public School.
What if I'm running late to the boat departure?
If you are running late, the boat cannot wait and may depart without you, as we must keep to the schedule and tide/sea conditions. If you fail to arrive at the meeting point on time, it is treated as voluntarily giving up your place and no refund will be given under our Terms & Conditions.
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Please plan to arrive 15–20 minutes before the stated meeting time, and if you foresee a delay, contact us on WhatsApp as early as possible; while we cannot guarantee arrangements, the team will advise if any options are available.
Cancellation & Changes
Can I change my coasteering tour date?
Yes, one free reschedule if 3+ days before departure. Contact via My Orders with booking ID.
What’s the weather cancellation policy for coasteering?
Full refund if we cancel due to unsafe weather.
We cancel tours for unsafe waves, No. 3 typhoon signal or higher, typhoons, or extreme conditions like Amber/Red/Black rainstorm warnings—full refund guaranteed.
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Weather Monitoring
- HK Observatory + Windy.com wind/wave forecasts.
- Captain makes final call on-site for safety.
Contact WhatsApp if conditions change. Safety first!
Popular Coasteering Tour in Hong Kong
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Geopark Double Sea Arches Volcano Coasteering Tour
Regular price HK$580.00Regular priceUnit price / per -
Geopark Hexagonal Rock Columns Coast Coasteering Tour
Regular price HK$580.00Regular priceUnit price / per
