A Connected Harbourfront, A Shared Experience – Diverse Activities on both sides of the Victoria Harbour

To create a more accessible, connected and vibrant harbourfront for all, the Development Bureau (DEVB) and various sectors have been dedicated to promoting the incremental approach and implementing numerous harbourfront enhancement projects, with the target of extending the total length of the harbourfront promenade to 34 kilometres by 2028. In recent years, we have actively rolled out new initiatives, including the introduction of diverse water activities to harbourfront sites in Kwun Tong and Wan Chai, enhancement of the open space at Sai Ying Pun Harbourfront Park (SYPHP), and progressive implementation of the East Coast Boardwalk project in North Point, with a view to bringing members of the public closer to water bodies. This time, I have invited colleagues from the Harbour Office of the DEVB and the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD), together with relevant partner organisations, to introduce the above projects.

New water activity hotspot at typhoon shelter in Kowloon East

Assistant Secretary (Harbour) of the DEVB, Miss CHENG Suet-ching, Lacus, says that, Kowloon East, adjacent to the Victoria Harbour, boasts an approximately 11-kilometre waterfront promenade stretching through Ma Tau Kok, Kai Tak Development Area (KTDA) and Kwun Tong. With the desired result of the water quality improvement measures for the KTDA, the water quality of the water bodies at Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter (KTTS) and Kai Tai Approach Channel has significantly improved. Taking this opportunity, the Energizing Kowloon East Office has put forward water body co-use proposals, and formulated the “Guidelines for Co-using KTTS” with the Marine Department regarding the co-use of the KTTS water body as a typhoon shelter, a vessel mooring area and a place for holding sports or recreational activities during non-typhoon days. Moreover, the Marine Department has doubled up the width of the vessel passageway in KTTS along Kwun Tong Promenade from 50 metres to around 100 metres so as to release more space for water recreational activities.

At present, three water sports training centres which have progressively come into operation at the harbourfront sites around KTTS are managed by the Hong Kong China Canoe Union, the Hong Kong Water Sports Council and the Kwun Tong Sports Promotion Association respectively. A variety of local and international water sports, recreational activities and training courses covering canoeing, board rowing and stand-up paddling have been organised at the water bodies near KTTS. The 15th Asian Dragon Boat Championships were also held there last year.

Mr CHOW Yiu-ming, Alan, the Chairman of the Kwun Tong Sports Promotion Association, says that the Kowloon East harbourfront possesses unique advantages for promoting water activities in consideration of its convenient geographical location and accessible transport, thereby making it well-suited for hosting large-scale events and enabling it to create synergies with the Kai Tak Sports Park.

Unlocking the harbour’s charm through water-friendly experiences on Wan Chai harbourfront

Project Manager (Harbour) of the DEVB, Ms CHAN Lai-kuen, Jenny, introduces that the Ocean Explorer Water Sports Hub, situated in Wan Chai, serves as the first public-oriented water sports centre in the urban area of Hong Kong Island. Operated by the Hong Kong Playground Association (HKPA), the hub has provided not only water activity courses specially designed for learners at different levels, but also novel water-friendly experiences for the public by offering featured options suitable for all ages, such as the classic duck-shaped paddle boats, Victoria Harbour sunset and night tours, tours with pets, stand-up paddling polo, and water bikes. Furthermore, major events including the Selection Regatta for the 15th National Games of China of the sport of Radio Sailing and Shenzhen Hong Kong Macau Paddleboard Tour 2025 were held at the hub. For the latest event details, please visit HKPA’s website at https://www.hkpaoe.com.

Mr CHOW, a student participant of the “City Quest” community engagement programme organised by City University of Hong Kong, joined water cycling at the hub for the first time. He finds it a unique and valuable opportunity to enjoy water activities against the picturesque backdrop of the Victoria Harbour. With the coach’s attentive guidance, he shares that beginners could also easily master the skills after a few rounds of practice and ride smoothly on the water, giving participants a strong sense of achievement.

Funded by the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, enhancement works for the hub will commence in 2026 for upgrading its hardware facilities so as to continue promoting water activities and harbourfront development.

Sai Ying Pun Harbourfront Park to bring creative and inclusive harbourfront space by end of the year

Apart from a diverse range of water activities, the vibrancy of Hong Kong’s harbourfront is also expressed on land. Connecting the harbourfront promenades along the Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park and Western Wholesale Food Market, the newly completed SYPHP offers a quality public space with both leisure and landscape functions, providing the public with new seaside experiences.

Occupying an area of around 1.32 hectares, the park was designed and constructed by the ArchSD and is managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Senior Architect of the ArchSD, Miss CHENG Hiu-ying, Miffi, introduces that the park’s key attraction is the introduction of novel and creative facilities which include “Cloudie Puff” — Hong Kong’s first cloud shaped outdoor inflatable play equipment in a public space. With its anti-slip and buffering properties, it is designed to accommodate multiple children playing at the same time. Throughout the design process, the design team has prioritised balancing the excitement of play with user safety. In addition to installing seatings with protective padding and displaying notices of rules, staff members are arranged to provide on-site explanation of the rules and management in relation to the user age groups, capacity limits and duration of use is also in place. Prior to the park’s official opening, children of different ages were invited to trial sessions, with adjustments subsequently made to equipment rules and arrangements based on actual usage to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.

Moreover, Ms Jenny CHAN says that the park features a first-ever water play and sand play zones on the Victoria Harbourfront, allowing children to enjoy the scenery while engaging in tactile games, marking a breakthrough in sensory experiences offered by traditional playgrounds. Mrs MA, a parent who attended a trial session with her children, considers that the sand play area stimulates the children’s senses, and the thoughtfully equipped sanitary facilities nearby make cleaning up after playtime easier. She also remarks that the panoramic harbourfront view allows parents to relax and enjoy the scenery whilst watching over their children.

To provide intergenerational and inclusive play experiences, the park features a large turntable platform supported by an accessible pathway integrated with recreational elements, enabling wheelchair users to enjoy the equipment as well. The park also offers an observation deck and other playful facilities such as the “Dancing Swing” and “Sunset Slide”, alongside ancillary facilities including babycare rooms and refreshment kiosks. Separately, the Home Affairs Department has carried out beautification works on a retaining wall of the Western Harbour Crossing, and will construct a pet garden within the park, with a view to adding vibrancy to the harbourfront, creating a diversified leisure place which is “all-age, family, and pet-friendly”, and injecting new vitality into the harbourfront of Central and Western District.

Opening of East Coast Boardwalk (Eastern Section) in end-2025 to form a continuous 13-kilometre Victoria Harbourfront on Hong Kong Island

In addition, the East Coast Boardwalk (Eastern Section) in North Point is scheduled for phased opening from December 2025 onwards. The new section of around 1.1 kilometres long will link up the East Coast Boardwalk (Western Section) opened in early 2025 and the North Point Promenade to Hoi Yu Street in Quarry Bay.

Ms Jenny CHAN says that upon the full opening of the Boardwalk, the approximately 13-kilometre harbourfront stretching from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan will be officially connected, thereby realising the vision of “seamless boardwalk linking island west and east”. Beyond mere connectivity, it will also link up the commercial pulse of Central and Western District, the historical ambience of Wan Chai District and the cultural richness of Eastern District, creating more possibilities for future harbourfront development.

The DEVB will continue to work with all sectors to further enhance the harbourfront and introduce more innovative elements, making the Victoria Harbourfront a quality shared public space for everyone to enjoy.
Please click on the image above to watch the video.
Project Manager (Harbour) of the Development Bureau (DEVB), Ms CHAN Lai-kuen, Jenny (left), and Assistant Secretary (Harbour) of the DEVB, Miss CHENG Suet-ching, Lacus (right), state that the DEVB has been working closely with various sectors to enhance the harbourfront under the “incremental approach”, with the goal of extending the total length of the Victoria Harbour harbourfront promenade to 34 kilometres by 2028. In recent years, the DEVB has proactively introduced new initiatives to make our harbourfront more vibrant.
Project Manager (Harbour) of the Development Bureau (DEVB), Ms CHAN Lai-kuen, Jenny (left), and Assistant Secretary (Harbour) of the DEVB, Miss CHENG Suet-ching, Lacus (right), state that the DEVB has been working closely with various sectors to enhance the harbourfront under the “incremental approach”, with the goal of extending the total length of the Victoria Harbour harbourfront promenade to 34 kilometres by 2028. In recent years, the DEVB has proactively introduced new initiatives to make our harbourfront more vibrant.
The Kwun Tong Promenade has successfully hosted a number of large-scale local and international competitions and water sports events, including water polo matches and dragon boat races. In addition, three water sports training centres have been established and progressively come into operation at the harbourfront sites in Kwun Tong, injecting vitality into the water sports and tourism development of Hong Kong.
The Kwun Tong Promenade has successfully hosted a number of large-scale local and international competitions and water sports events, including water polo matches and dragon boat races. In addition, three water sports training centres have been established and progressively come into operation at the harbourfront sites in Kwun Tong, injecting vitality into the water sports and tourism development of Hong Kong.
The Kwun Tong Promenade has successfully hosted a number of large-scale local and international competitions and water sports events, including water polo matches and dragon boat races. In addition, three water sports training centres have been established and progressively come into operation at the harbourfront sites in Kwun Tong, injecting vitality into the water sports and tourism development of Hong Kong.
Chairman of the Kwun Tong Sports Promotion Association, Mr CHOW Yiu-ming, Alan, says that the Kowloon East harbourfront possesses geographical and transport advantages, making it well-suited for hosting large-scale events and enabling it to create synergies with the Kai Tak Sports Park.
Chairman of the Kwun Tong Sports Promotion Association, Mr CHOW Yiu-ming, Alan, says that the Kowloon East harbourfront possesses geographical and transport advantages, making it well-suited for hosting large-scale events and enabling it to create synergies with the Kai Tak Sports Park.
Situated at the Water Sports and Recreation Precinct in Wan Chai, the Ocean Explorer Water Sports Hub is the first facility of its kind in the urban area of Hong Kong Island. Through the provision of a diverse range of water leisure and training activities, the Hub creates an all-ages, pet-friendly, water-friendly space for the public.
Situated at the Water Sports and Recreation Precinct in Wan Chai, the Ocean Explorer Water Sports Hub is the first facility of its kind in the urban area of Hong Kong Island. Through the provision of a diverse range of water leisure and training activities, the Hub creates an all-ages, pet-friendly, water-friendly space for the public.
Situated at the Water Sports and Recreation Precinct in Wan Chai, the Ocean Explorer Water Sports Hub is the first facility of its kind in the urban area of Hong Kong Island. Through the provision of a diverse range of water leisure and training activities, the Hub creates an all-ages, pet-friendly, water-friendly space for the public.
Mr CHOW, a student participant of the “City Quest” programme organised by City University of Hong Kong, experienced water cycling for the first time at the Hub. He finds that taking part in a water activity in the heart of the city, against the backdrop of the Victoria Harbour skyline, offers a unique and valuable opportunity for beginners to experience water sports.
Mr CHOW, a student participant of the “City Quest” programme organised by City University of Hong Kong, experienced water cycling for the first time at the Hub. He finds that taking part in a water activity in the heart of the city, against the backdrop of the Victoria Harbour skyline, offers a unique and valuable opportunity for beginners to experience water sports.
Mr CHOW, a student participant of the “City Quest” programme organised by City University of Hong Kong, experienced water cycling for the first time at the Hub. He finds that taking part in a water activity in the heart of the city, against the backdrop of the Victoria Harbour skyline, offers a unique and valuable opportunity for beginners to experience water sports.
Senior Architect of the Architectural Services Department, Miss CHENG Hiu-ying, Miffi, introduces the newly completed Sai Ying Pun Harbourfront Park, an inclusive public space allowing visitors to relax, have fun and enjoy stunning views while offering a fresh harbourfront experience upon its opening by the end of the year.
Senior Architect of the Architectural Services Department, Miss CHENG Hiu-ying, Miffi, introduces the newly completed Sai Ying Pun Harbourfront Park, an inclusive public space allowing visitors to relax, have fun and enjoy stunning views while offering a fresh harbourfront experience upon its opening by the end of the year.
The Sai Ying Pun Harbourfront Park is a vibrant public space featuring diversified facilities, including an observation deck, inclusive play facilities and a pet garden, while connecting the promenades at its eastern and western ends.
The Sai Ying Pun Harbourfront Park is a vibrant public space featuring diversified facilities, including an observation deck, inclusive play facilities and a pet garden, while connecting the promenades at its eastern and western ends.
The Sai Ying Pun Harbourfront Park is a vibrant public space featuring diversified facilities, including an observation deck, inclusive play facilities and a pet garden, while connecting the promenades at its eastern and western ends.
The park has introduced “Cloudie Puff” — Hong Kong’s first cloud-shaped outdoor inflatable play equipment in a public space. To balance challenges and safety, the design team has installed protective padding, displayed notices of rules, and established management for user age groups, capacity limits and session duration. Before opening, trial sessions with children were held to refine arrangements, ensuring users’ safety and full enjoyment.
The park has introduced “Cloudie Puff” — Hong Kong’s first cloud-shaped outdoor inflatable play equipment in a public space. To balance challenges and safety, the design team has installed protective padding, displayed notices of rules, and established management for user age groups, capacity limits and session duration. Before opening, trial sessions with children were held to refine arrangements, ensuring users’ safety and full enjoyment.
The first-ever water and sand play zone on the Victoria Harbourfront offers a sensorial experience beyond traditional playgrounds.
The first-ever water and sand play zone on the Victoria Harbourfront offers a sensorial experience beyond traditional playgrounds.
The first-ever water and sand play zone on the Victoria Harbourfront offers a sensorial experience beyond traditional playgrounds.
Mrs MA, a parent of a participant in the trial session, appreciates the sand play area which can stimulate children’s senses, as well as the thoughtful washing facilities nearby and the open view that allows parents to unwind while watching over their children.
Mrs MA, a parent of a participant in the trial session, appreciates the sand play area which can stimulate children’s senses, as well as the thoughtful washing facilities nearby and the open view that allows parents to unwind while watching over their children.
The East Coast Boardwalk (Eastern Section) in North Point is scheduled for phased opening from December 2025 onwards. The new section of around 1.1 kilometres long will link up the East Coast Boardwalk (Western Section) opened in early 2025 and the North Point Promenade to Hoi Yu Street in Quarry Bay.
The East Coast Boardwalk (Eastern Section) in North Point is scheduled for phased opening from December 2025 onwards. The new section of around 1.1 kilometres long will link up the East Coast Boardwalk (Western Section) opened in early 2025 and the North Point Promenade to Hoi Yu Street in Quarry Bay.
The East Coast Boardwalk (Eastern Section) in North Point is scheduled for phased opening from December 2025 onwards. The new section of around 1.1 kilometres long will link up the East Coast Boardwalk (Western Section) opened in early 2025 and the North Point Promenade to Hoi Yu Street in Quarry Bay.
Pictured is the artist’s impression of the Eastern Section.
Pictured is the artist’s impression of the Eastern Section.
Upon the full opening of the Boardwalk, the approximately 13-kilometre harbourfront stretching from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan will be officially connected, thereby linking up the core areas of Hong Kong Island, realising the vision of “seamless boardwalk linking island west and east”, and providing more possibilities for future development of the Victoria Harbourfront.
Upon the full opening of the Boardwalk, the approximately 13-kilometre harbourfront stretching from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan will be officially connected, thereby linking up the core areas of Hong Kong Island, realising the vision of “seamless boardwalk linking island west and east”, and providing more possibilities for future development of the Victoria Harbourfront.

9 November, 2025

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