Hong Kong City Guide - Getting There By Water

The Port of Hong Kong, situated right at the heart of the territory, between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island, is a major global maritime hub, providing a stream of ocean traffic visible from the city centre. It is administered by the Marine Department of the Government of Hong Kong (tel: 2852 4345; website: www.info.gov.hk/mardep). The public passenger ferry terminals process some 18 million passenger trips a year.

Hong Kong harbour's Ocean Terminal (tel: 2118 8951; website: www.oceanterminal.com.hk), situated on Kowloon Side, is a major cruise destination, able to accommodate the largest liners. Many of the cruise trips, however, are overnight casino trips to international waters, catering for the Chinese passion for gambling. The Ocean Terminal contains 24-hour customs and immigration services at Western Anchorage, left luggage, banks and bureaux de change. The facilities at the adjacent Harbour City mall are extensive and include banking, duty-free shops, department stores, cafes and restaurant.

Some hydrofoil and ferry services (including daily ferries, every half hour to/from Macau) depart from China Ferry Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Others depart from the Shun Tak (tel: 2859 3333) Macau.

Ferry services: Many cruise lines serve the Port of Hong. Hovercrafts and jet catamarans link Hong Kong Island and Kowloon with Chinese ports in Guangzhou, Shenzhen and other neighbouring centres, including Shenzhen Airport. Far East Hydrofoil Co Ltd (tel: 2921 6688) is the main provider. There are also a number of ships sailing to major Chinese ports, although these are less frequent. There is a fast hydrofoil link to Macau. Ships berth at the China Hong Kong City Terminal, in Tsim Sha Tsui. Cruise ships of the Star Line also berth at the Ocean Terminal, giving a superb view of central Hong Kong from arriving boats.