Five yachts from Guangdong Province arrived at Lantau Yacht Club in Discovery Bay, Hong Kong, on 16 October 2026, for the official launch of southbound yacht travel. The event followed the introduction of northbound travel in June and a September agreement to establish two-way access for recreational vessels.

From left to right: Fan Kesheng, Xu Weigang, Michael Wong, Mable Chan and Wong Sai-fat.

Acting financial secretary Michael Wong, secretary for transport and logistics Mable Chan and director of marine Wong Sai-fat officiated at the ceremony, joined by Xu Weigang, director-general of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong, and Fan Kesheng, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Guangdong Province. HKR International deputy managing director Quincy Chow and executive vice-president of hospitality Franklin Mak also attended the event.

Through the new policy, Hong Kong and Guangdong authorities aim to make cross-border yacht travel more convenient and encourage recreational boating and marine tourism across the Greater Bay Area.

Guangdong-registered yachts seeking entry into Hong Kong through the southbound policy must be capable of navigating up to 20 nautical miles offshore and handling waves of at least two metres. Yacht owners or masters must complete the required procedures online before departure and undergo inspections at one of six designated clearance points in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai or Zhongshan.

The first Guangdong yachts arrive at Lantau Yacht Club for the launch of southbound yacht travel.

In his speech at the ceremony, Michael Wong discussed Hong Kong’s efforts to develop its yacht industry and highlighted plans for new yacht clubs at the airport, Lamma Island, Aberdeen and Hung Hom, which would provide more than 1,100 additional berths and four clubhouses. He also referred to measures introduced by the Marine Department in June to facilitate yacht visits and an upcoming superyacht exhibition in early November.

Tommy Ho, chairman of the Hong Kong Yachting Association, said: “Today marks a transformative moment for Hong Kong’s yachting sector. The southbound policy not only opens up the Chinese Mainland market to our local marinas but also positions Hong Kong as the essential gateway for international yachts entering the Greater Bay Area. This is the catalyst we have been waiting for to elevate our industry to global standards.”

Images courtesy of the Hong Kong SAR Government.