Best Hong Kong junk boat trips

Sun and sea are best enjoyed aboard one of Hong Kong's beautiful wooden floating vessels

By CNNGo 16 August, 2011

From commercial voyages of the second century to private party cruises of today, Hong Kong junk boat trips just never get old

Hong Kong junk boats once carried treasure across oceans. Now they host recreational missions that resemble everything from quiet historical tours to a wild Lan Kwai Fong party night.
From the plebeian to privileged, here are three Hong Kong junk boat trips for every taste.

Peoples' junk

After operating as a fishing boat for more than 25 years, the last authentic Hong Kong junk, the Duk Ling, was restored in the 1980s. It is now operated by the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

All you need to hop on this vintage beauty is a foreign passport and HK$100. Book ahead as this inexpensive hour-long cruise around Victoria Harbour is popular.

You can catch the junk on either side of Victoria Harbour: Kowloon Public Pier at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursdays, 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Saturdays; Central Pier 9 at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursdays, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturdays. Bookings must be made in advance at the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry pier visitor information center.

The Duk Ling can also be hired for private parties starting from HK$9,000 for two and a half hours. It holds up to 36 people.

See more details at www.discoverhongkong.com, www.dukling.com.hk.

Classy junk

Saffron Cruises' Huan.

If you’re looking for a certain kind of gilded authenticity then a Saffron Cruises Hong Kong junk outing is the one you want to book.
Saffron operates 16 junks, including the Huan, a traditional three-mast teak junk with a capacity of 56 people.
In addition to Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day cruises, Saffron offers wine-tasting, cigar-smoking, jazz and champagne junk cruises in the evenings.
Or you may want to opt for a day of sun and surf by cruising to hard-to-reach beaches such as Tai Long Wan in Sai Kung, where reliable waves pound the shore and draw surfers.

For more information: info@saffron-cruises.com, www.saffron-cruises.com.

Luxury junk

The Michaelangelo.

With more than 400 square meters of living space accommodating up to 60 guests, Michelangelo is a breathtaking wooden vessel.
A large dining area, saloon, front deck and upper sun deck kitted out with oriental rugs in colonial style will keep your party exploring for hours.
These cruises from Luxury Super Junk come with a professional chef and service staff. Drink and hors d’oeuvres packages start at HK$800 per person. The lower deck features a master bedroom with private bathroom.
Michelangelo sails from Aberdeen or Central to the Po Toi, Deep Water Bay or just around Victoria Harbour. A minimum of 30 guests is required. Day charters run from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening charters start at 7:30 p.m. and can last until 1:30 a.m.

For prices, bookings and more information, contact +852 6493 2650 or email at info@luxurysuperjunk.com. www.luxurysuperjunk.com

Other Hong Kong junk boat options:

Popular are catered Hong Kong junk boats, like those operated by Jaspa's, which take away any need for self-catering. Bookings can be tailored to the point where all you need to do is turn up with friends and some money and then let the crew take care of everything else. Find more details about Jaspa's junks here.
Below are links to other Hong Kong junk boat operators. Most have set prices for the boat and also for extras like ice and drinks. Most require you to bring your own food or have some island seafood restaurant destinations in mind.