The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (August 21) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).
Thirteen beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and 27 as Fair (Grade 2).
| Grade 1 beaches are: | |
| Cafeteria New Beach | Kwun Yam Beach |
| Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach* | Lo So Shing Beach |
| Chung Hom Kok Beach | Repulse Bay Beach* |
| Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach | Shek O Beach* |
| Hap Mun Bay Beach* | South Bay Beach* |
| Hung Shing Yeh Beach* | Upper Cheung Sha Beach |
| Kiu Tsui Beach | |
| Grade 2 beaches are: | |
| Anglers' Beach* | Lower Cheung Sha Beach |
| Approach Beach | Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach* |
| Big Wave Bay Beach* | Middle Bay Beach |
| Butterfly Beach* | Pui O Beach* |
| Cafeteria Old Beach | Silver Mine Bay Beach* |
| Casam Beach* | Silverstrand Beach* |
| Castle Peak Beach | St. Stephen's Beach |
| Clear Water Bay First Beach | Stanley Main Beach* |
| Clear Water Bay Second Beach* | Tai Po Lung Mei Beach* |
| Deep Water Bay Beach* | Ting Kau Beach* |
| Golden Beach* | Tong Fuk Beach |
| Hoi Mei Wan Beach | Trio Beach |
| Kadoorie Beach | Turtle Cove Beach |
| Lido Beach* | |
Compared with the grading released last week, Cafeteria New Beach and Chung Hom Kok Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1, and Big Wave Bay Beach, Castle Peak and Silver Mine Bay Beach from Grade 3 to Grade 2.
Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, an EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.
A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the EPD’s dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast).
Note 1: Lifesaving services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 21 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from June 1. For details, please refer to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department’s Special Announcement (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/index.html).
Note 2: This refers to Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach which has no lifesaving service.
Ends/Friday, August 21, 2026