Hong Kong’s Best Family-Friendly Junk Boat Trips

Hong Kong junk boat season is back again!

Aren’t we lucky to call Hong Kong home? With the weather warming up, it is time to get out and explore our stunning islands (there’s more than 200 around the territory!). There are hidden tropical beaches and you can expect grand, sweeping stretches of sand taking you a world away from the city. Gather up your crew of sun worshippers, because junk season is here again! Sassy Mama has sourced the most family-friendly junk boat trips and cruise operators around town. All you have to do is step on board and enjoy. We care about our city (and our planet), so we were excited to find some with exceptionally eco-friendly options (#plasticfree). All aboard!

Here’s a rundown of all the info and insider tips you’ll need to plan the best family junk trip ever.

Read more: Kid-Friendly Adventures: Our Favourite Camping Spots For The Whole Family

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Breakaway Yachting

Get ready to junk in style! We love Breakaway’s all-inclusive “A Day at Sea” package, for an affordable, hassle-free day out on the water. From the moment you step onto their modern white yacht, everything is taken care of. Breakfast is served soon after you board (you can even enjoy a proper coffee from the onboard De’Longhi Espresso Machine) and the delicious food keeps coming with lunch and snacks provided throughout the day (free-flow soft drinks, beer, red, white and sparkling wine too!). Safety-minded parents will love that they have kid-sized life jackets while your little ones are busy splashing about with the inflatables, noodles and kayaks. Breakaway Yachting prides itself on extraordinary service and certainly go the extra mile to make sure everyone (Mum and Dad included) have a fabulous day out on the high seas.

Sassy Mama readers can enjoy a $1,000 discount for A Day at Sea/Dinner (any date between now till Monday, 31 August 2020), simply use the code SassyBreakaway when booking.

How much: $1,090 for adults, $450 for kids under 12, free for kids under 4, minimum of 15 adults

Breakaway Luxury Yachting, Kwun Hoi Path, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, 6180 5059, [email protected], www.breakawayhk.com

Read more: Best Beaches In Hong Kong: Our Ultimate Guide On Where To Go

Family-Friendly Junk Boats

Hong Kong Junks

It’s always great when you hear another junk company is going plastic free. Hong Kong Junks is committed to eliminating plastic bottles and straws, all plates and cutlery are reusable and it’s switched to cans for easier recycling. It even goes one step further and will reward you and your guests for getting in on a beach clean up! If you book the boat only package and participate in a clean up on the day it’ll provide the gloves and bags, organise for the collection and disposal of rubbish and reward you with a case of beer and a bottle of bubbles for every 20 people on board.

Catering to all budgets, you can choose from boat-only hire, all-day parties or full-service events with Hong Kong Junks. It’s the go-to for good ol’ fashioned junk fun. Hong Kong Junks has room for up to 40 people and the food and drink options are solid crowd-pleasers (vegetarian, gluten-free, and kids’ menu by Nosh). Pool noodles, floating mats and stand up paddleboards are all available.

Sassy Mama tip: Water sports enthusiasts should head to Stanley Bay for windsurfing and wakeboarding.

How much: All-inclusive packages $750 for adults (minimum 20 people), $500 for 11 to 17 year-olds, $300 for 5 to 10 year-olds, boat only packages start at $8,000. Kid’s party package is available Monday to Friday and Sundays for $15,000 for a maximum 30 kids and adults (must be a ratio of 1 adult to 5 children on board). Price includes all day food and free-flow softdrinks and juices.

Hong Kong Junks, G-02, G/F, Discovery Bay North Office Block One, Siena Avenue, Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2840 1588, [email protected], hongkongjunks.com.hk

Hong Kong Yachting

Known for its sought after Tarzan and Jungle Jane boats, Hong Kong Yachting is your go-to for traditional and family-friendly junk boat trips. The fun stuff is included (the inflatable slide and a trampoline are sure to be a hit with the kids) and food and drinks are also taken care of in its Ultimate Junk Boat package. For something a little different, get off the tourist route with the Container Port Tour– an unforgettable tour discovering one of the largest and busiest container ports in the world. No other tour takes you here! Kids get to see the big picture of logistics and watch ships loading, unloading, refuelling, and being pushed by tugs.

How much: The Kids Party package on Tarzan and Jungle Jane start at $580 per person (minimum 30 people) and includes a traditional junk without inflatables, Thai or island seafood menu and non-alcoholic drinks. There is also a package for $750 per person (minimum 40 people) that includes inflatables, service staff, BBQ menu and non-alcoholic drinks package.

Hong Kong Yachting, 18A Gee Chang Hong Centre, 65 Wong Chuk Hang Rd, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, 2526 0151, [email protected], www.hongkongyachting.com

Floatudio

This Cheung Chau-based operator is a newcomer to the Hong Kong Junk scene and quickly becoming popular with local families. There are options for full and half-day bookings that will sail you away from the usual crowds and instead see you exploring Cheung Chau and Lantau Island by sea. For something a bit different book onto the nighttime squid fishing trip (sure to be a winner wtih the kids!) or a relaxing round island sunset tour.

How much: Boat only full-day (8 hours) Monday to Friday: $4800, Saturday and Sundays: $5800 (maximum 25 people, extras $150 per person); Squid Fishing – 7:30pm to 10:30pm: adults – $180 per person, kids aged 4 to 11 – $120 (Cheung Chau departure only, minimum 15 people). Additional pick-up fee for Mui Wo, Peng Chau and Discovery Bay – $800; Lamma Island – $1,000; Aberdeen/ Central – $1,500.

Floatudio, Sai Wan Pier, Cheung Chau, 6628 1218, [email protected], www.floatudio.com

Read more: Your Family-Friendly Neighbourhood Guide To Cheung Chau

Saffron Cruises Ltd

Create your family’s dream junk trip! Whether you choose the iconic three red sails of the Chinese sailing boat or a 98ft motor cruiser yacht to cross Victoria Harbour, the food and drinks, waiter service, slides, speedboats, wakeboards, banana boats, and even karaoke on board can all be provided.

Sassy Mama tip: Host a party with entertainment from a clown, face painter, or even a magician!

How much: Prices and packages vary, contact Saffron for a custom quote.

Saffron Cruises Ltd, 5/F Foo Sang Building, 69 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2857 1311, [email protected], www.saffron-cruises.com

Lazydays

Lazydays caught our eye because of its push toward eco-tourism. It’s an all-time family favourite for the ultimate boat charter experience in Hong Kong. Recently it pledged to become a “No Junk” junk company and has partnered with Plastic Free Seas HK to implement green initiatives. Expect to find filtered water machines, zero single-use plastics and easy recycling on board. If you feel like going the extra mile, ask them about including a beach clean up in your day! There are all-inclusive package options on sleek motor cruisers for a maximum of 50 people with an onboard chef and wait staff (vegan, paleo and other dietary requirements can also be catered to). Families with young children will enjoy the baby paddling pool and selection of toddler toys, as well as buoyancy aids for children under 12 years old. There’s also the option to add on inflatable loungers, trampolines, slides and more.

Sassy Mama tip: Just a small squad? Lazydays has ticketed trips, which means you don’t need a big group to book – and it’s also a great way to meet new friends.

How much: Boat only rental ranges from $15,000 to $32,000 depending on the boat chosen. There are a range of menus to choose from inluding the full day set for $280 per person, a Thai menu for $290 per person or an a la carte menu (prices start from $320 per tray and minimum spend applies)

Lazydays, Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 3488 1534, [email protected], www.lazydays.com.hk

Jaspas Junks

Often seen as the go-to on the Hong Kong junk boat scene, the ever-popular Jaspas Junks are back after a brief hiatus. These family-friendly junk boats depart from Pak Sha Wan pier in Sai Kung (coach tranfer available for extra cost) and take in the sights around Sai Kung and Clearwater Bay.

How much: All-inclusive menu (including alcoholic drinks): adults – $750; kids: 1 to 4 years – $150; 5 to 12 years – $250; 13 to 15 years – $500. Minimum charge for charters – $10,500

Jaspas Junks, 2792 0970, [email protected], www.casteloconcepts.com/jaspas-junk

Orange Tree Cruises

For an all inclusive family day out on an immaculately restored Chinese junk, Orange Tree Cruises should make your list. They serve up delicious breakfast treats (and a cheeky Bloody Mary) on arrival and all food throughout the day is cooked on board by professional chefs. Free-flow alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are also included. The kids will love taking to the captains chair for a photo op, bouncing on the inflatable trampoline and taking the kayak for a paddle. We also love to see that Orange Tree Cruises are now free from single-use plastics!

How much: Day Cruise, 10:30am to 5:30pm – adults $850 per person; kids under 15 – $500 per person (under 3 years free). Plus and additional 5% staff gratuity.

Orange Tree Cruises, 9633 1942, [email protected], www.orangetree.com.hk

Hello Hong Kong

Have the whole family hoisting sails and manning the wheels of the Local Hero boat with Captain Ryan. You can choose from half and full day options or an overnight eco-adventure sailing trip. If your family is up for even more excitement, help the captain prepare a cookout on the beach and then camp out overnight (or sleep in one of the cabins on board).

Sassy Mama tip: Sailing lessons are included in the package for anyone in the family who is up for it!

How much: $9,700 for three-hour sails, $14,000 for seven-hour sails (both up to 16 people), $24,500 for an overnight eco-adventure sailing trip (up to four people).

Hello Hong Kong, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, [email protected], www.hellohongkong.com.hk

Sea Lagoon

Get ready for a fun day on the high seas with friends and family on any of Sea Lagoon’s boats! Ask them to take you and your brood swimming in the clear waters of Sai Kung’s Bluff Island. With a spacious galley and an open sundeck to fit 30 people, it can tailor a package to suit your needs.

How much: Summer package including food and drinks from $20,000. Boat only packages also available

Sea Lagoon, 1104 Crawford House, 70 Queen’s Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2165 4196, [email protected], www.sealagoon.com

Holimood

Holimood is your one-stop booking website to find the perfect family-friendly junk boat trip. Use its handy search tool to book anything from a single ticket on a variety of day trips to an all inclusive package based on your party numbers, destination and dates. With boats ranging from luxury yachts to speed boats, even house boats and ferries, there is sure to be something to suit your group.

How much: Prices and packages vary.

Holimood, Workshop 3, 12/f, Gravity, 29 Hing Yip St, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong, 9858 8494/ 5406 3347, [email protected], www.yacht.holimood.com

Read more: Our Ultimate Guide To The Best Swimming Pools In Hong Kong

Editor’s Note: This post was originally written by Czarina Sunga on 19, April 2018 and updated most recently by Jess Mizzi on 25, June 2020.