![[Yacht Outing] Hong Kong Yacht Mooring Guide｜Typhoon Shelters, Private Moorings｜Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs](assets/blog/HK-Yacht-Mooring-Guide-820x453.webp "[Yacht Outing] Hong Kong Yacht Mooring Guide｜Typhoon Shelters, Private Moorings｜Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs")
[Yachting at sea] Hong Kong yacht mooring guide | Typhoon shelters, private mooring | Introduction to the six major local yacht clubs
Author:
Kwiksure Team
Created On:
2025-05-16
Edited On:
2025-05-16
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Hong Kong boasts the deep and wide Victoria Harbour, as well as an extensive coastline and numerous outlying islands. Sailing out to sea offers a variety of unique views and a refreshing experience. If you plan to buy a boat in Hong Kong, the main concern is where to moor it. This time, Kwiksure shares information about mooring boats in Hong Kong waters, including major typhoon shelters and private yacht clubs.
Although Hong Kong has vast waters and mooring yachts should not be a "land problem," in reality, as of 2023, there were already 12,553 Class IV pleasure vessels. Currently, all the yacht clubs in Hong Kong combined offer about 2,300 yacht berths, and there are about 2,000 private mooring facilities in 43 different water areas, totaling only about 4,300 berths across the city. The number of moorings is clearly insufficient, and Hong Kong yacht owners also face a shortage of berths.
Typhoon Shelters
![[Yacht Outing] Hong Kong Yacht Mooring Guide｜Typhoon Shelters, Private Moorings｜Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs](assets/blog/DSC02996.webp "[Yacht Outing] Hong Kong Yacht Mooring Guide｜Typhoon Shelters, Private Moorings｜Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs")
Currently, there are 14 typhoon shelters in Hong Kong, using a first-come, first-served mooring system. With more boats than spaces, many 'drying boats' (fishing boats used for drying seafood), scrapped engineering vessels and pontoons, and even damaged yachts (commonly called "dead boats") occupy spots, making it extremely difficult to secure a berth.
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Locations of Typhoon Shelters in Hong Kong |
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Private Moorings
The Marine Department has designated 43 private mooring areas ("Mooring Areas") throughout Hong Kong waters. Boat owners can apply to the Marine Department to install private mooring facilities ("Moorings") in these areas as fixed private mooring spots ("Mooring Positions"). Fees depend on vessel length and location. However, since 2021, the Marine Department has stopped accepting new applications for private moorings.
According to Hong Kong Law Cap 548F: Merchant Shipping (Local Vessels) (General) Regulation, "with the owner's permission, you may moor at their private mooring," making it common for private moorings to be sublet or sold. Many private moorings are owned by yacht clubs. As of October 2023, the Marine Department has issued a total of 857 private moorings to clubs such as the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, Aberdeen Boat Club Ltd, Hebe Haven Yacht Club, and Hong Kong Marina Ltd.
In addition to using private moorings via yacht clubs, private mooring spots are also available for sale or rent online. Prices vary by area, location, length, and facilities, with sale prices starting from several hundred thousand HKD and monthly rents from several thousand HKD.
Marine Department Private Mooring Facility Fees |
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Length |
All other typhoon shelters and areas within the Victoria Harbour boundary |
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5m or below |
$270 |
$140 |
$73 |
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Up to 8m |
$475 |
$270 |
$140 |
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Up to 11m |
$670 |
$405 |
$210 |
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Over 11m |
$670 (first 11m) plus $210 for each additional 3m |
$405 (first 11m) plus $140 for each additional 3m |
$210 (first 11m) plus $140 for each additional 3m |
Yacht Club Berths
There are many yacht clubs in Hong Kong, with membership fees starting from tens of thousands to several million HKD. In addition to yacht berthing, they offer various facilities and services, so boat owners can choose according to their needs. Some clubs also offer short-term rental services, which, although more expensive, are more flexible than buying a berth.
Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs
Aberdeen Boat Club
![[Yacht Outing] Hong Kong Yacht Mooring Guide｜Typhoon Shelters, Private Moorings｜Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs](assets/blog/%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E4%BB%94%E9%81%8A%E8%89%87%E6%9C%8321231231.webp "[Yacht Outing] Hong Kong Yacht Mooring Guide｜Typhoon Shelters, Private Moorings｜Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs")
The Aberdeen Boat Club (ABC) was founded in 1967 to let members enjoy the pleasures of the southern waters of Hong Kong Island. The original clubhouse was simple, and the club was registered as Aberdeen Boat Club Ltd in the same year. The club has 170 wet berths, pontoon berths, restaurants, bars, a swimming pool, gym, squash courts, etc., and currently has over 1,000 members.
Clearwater Bay Yacht Club
![[Yacht Outing] Hong Kong Yacht Mooring Guide｜Typhoon Shelters, Private Moorings｜Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs](assets/blog/%E6%B8%85%E6%B0%B4%E7%81%A3%E9%81%8A%E8%89%87%E6%9C%832234234.webp "[Yacht Outing] Hong Kong Yacht Mooring Guide｜Typhoon Shelters, Private Moorings｜Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs")
Located on the Clearwater Bay Peninsula in Sai Kung, the Clearwater Bay Yacht Club was established in 1968 and is one of the largest yacht clubs in Hong Kong. The club occupies a large area and has excellent marina facilities, accommodating over 200 yachts. The clubhouse offers restaurants, swimming pools, gyms, and other leisure facilities, with both individual and corporate memberships available.
Gold Coast Yacht & Country Club
![[Yacht Outing] Hong Kong Yacht Mooring Guide｜Typhoon Shelters, Private Moorings｜Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs](assets/blog/%E9%BB%83%E9%87%91%E6%B5%B7%E5%B2%B8%E9%81%8A%E8%89%87%E6%9C%83%2024234234.webp "[Yacht Outing] Hong Kong Yacht Mooring Guide｜Typhoon Shelters, Private Moorings｜Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs")
Located in So Kwun Wat, Tuen Mun, this yacht club has a deep-water marina that can accommodate superyachts of 200 feet or more, with about 300 berths in total. The club offers a fitness center, a 35-meter swimming pool, tennis courts, a multipurpose activity room for squash and table tennis, mahjong rooms, and indoor/outdoor children's playgrounds. The club is also close to other Gold Coast facilities, including residences, a shopping mall, and hotels, providing comprehensive amenities.
Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
![[Yacht Outing] Hong Kong Yacht Mooring Guide｜Typhoon Shelters, Private Moorings｜Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs](assets/blog/%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E9%81%8A%E8%89%87%E6%9C%83%201111111.webp "[Yacht Outing] Hong Kong Yacht Mooring Guide｜Typhoon Shelters, Private Moorings｜Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs")
The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC) is one of the oldest yacht clubs in Hong Kong, established in 1894. The club has a variety of facilities, including yacht berths, gym, swimming pool, restaurants, and meeting rooms. Members can also participate in various water activities, such as sailing races, fishing, and water sports. Note that due to the high number of private berth applications, the waiting time can be several years.
Lantau Yacht Club
![[Yacht Outing] Hong Kong Yacht Mooring Guide｜Typhoon Shelters, Private Moorings｜Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs](assets/blog/%E5%A4%A7%E5%B6%BC%E5%B1%B1%E9%81%8A%E8%89%87%E6%9C%8313234234.webp "[Yacht Outing] Hong Kong Yacht Mooring Guide｜Typhoon Shelters, Private Moorings｜Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs")
Located in Discovery Bay, Lantau Yacht Club offers 148 berths ranging from 10 to 60 meters, including 38 superyacht berths for yachts up to 100 meters. Memberships are available for different durations, with full memberships lasting 10 years, subdivided into individual and corporate types, plus 3- to 5-year short-term memberships. Notably, the club offers day-based free cruising and dry berths for small speedboats and yachts.
Hebe Haven Yacht Club
![[Yacht Outing] Hong Kong Yacht Mooring Guide｜Typhoon Shelters, Private Moorings｜Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs](assets/blog/%E7%99%BD%E6%B2%99%E7%81%A3%E9%81%8A%E8%89%87%E6%9C%83234234234.webp "[Yacht Outing] Hong Kong Yacht Mooring Guide｜Typhoon Shelters, Private Moorings｜Introduction to 6 Major Local Yacht Clubs")
Hebe Haven Yacht Club offers pontoon berths and moorings for boats up to 18 meters, and dry berths for boats from 5.5 to 8.5 meters, plus jet ski parking. In addition to mooring services, the club organizes various boat races and provides diverse boatyard services, including lifting in and out, pre-race cleaning and inspection, mast storage, charging, and pumping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can yachts be moored in Hong Kong?
Yachts in Hong Kong can be moored at typhoon shelters, private mooring facilities, and major yacht clubs.
What are the major yacht clubs in Hong Kong?
The major yacht clubs in Hong Kong are Aberdeen Boat Club, Clearwater Bay Yacht Club, Gold Coast Yacht & Country Club, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, and Lantau Yacht Club.
What is the difference between a typhoon shelter and an anchorage?
An anchorage is a sea area designated for ocean-going vessels to stay for various reasons, such as customs clearance, waiting for a berth, or loading/unloading cargo. Anchorages are designated by law. In an anchorage, vessels are secured by anchor and may swing around the anchor due to wind or tide. Local vessels may approach or leave anchored ships. A typhoon shelter is a sea area partially surrounded by breakwaters, designated by law, for local vessels to moor and shelter during typhoons. Vessels frequently enter, leave, or navigate within typhoon shelters.
