The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (October 16) released the latest grading of water quality for 39 gazetted beaches (see Note 1) and one non-gazetted beach (see Note 2).
 
     Twenty-four beaches were rated as Good (Grade 1) and 16 as Fair (Grade 2).
 
Grade 1 beaches are:

Cafeteria New Beach*	Lo So Shing Beach
Cafeteria Old Beach	Lower Cheung Sha Beach
Cheung Chau Tung Wan Beach*	Pui O Beach*
Chung Hom Kok Beach	Repulse Bay Beach*
Clear Water Bay First Beach*	Shek O Beach*
Clear Water Bay Second Beach*	South Bay Beach*
Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach	St. Stephen's Beach*
Hap Mun Bay Beach*	Stanley Main Beach*
Hung Shing Yeh Beach*	Tai Po Lung Mei Beach*
Kadoorie Beach*	Tong Fuk Beach
Kiu Tsui Beach	Trio Beach*
Kwun Yam Beach	Upper Cheung Sha Beach

 
Grade 2 beaches are:

Anglers' Beach*	Hoi Mei Wan Beach*
Approach Beach*	Lido Beach*
Big Wave Bay Beach*	Ma Wan Tung Wan Beach*
Butterfly Beach*	Middle Bay Beach*
Casam Beach*	Silver Mine Bay Beach*
Castle Peak Beach	Silverstrand Beach*
Deep Water Bay Beach*	Ting Kau Beach*
Golden Beach*	Turtle Cove Beach

 
     Compared with the grading released last week, Cafeteria Old Beach and Clear Water Bay Second Beach have been upgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 1. Middle Bay Beach has been changed from Grade 1 to Grade 2.
 
     "The changes in beach water quality are generally within the normal range of natural fluctuation," an EPD spokesman said.
 
     Under the present grading system, beaches are classified into four grades, namely Good (Grade 1), Fair (Grade 2), Poor (Grade 3) and Very Poor (Grade 4), according to the level of E. coli in the water. Grades are calculated on the basis of the geometric mean of the E. coli counts on the five most recent sampling occasions.
 
     While the ratings represent the general water quality at the beaches, the EPD spokesman reminded members of the public that water quality could be temporarily affected during and after periods of heavy rain. Bathers should avoid swimming at beaches for up to three days after a tropical cyclone or heavy rainfall.
 
     A summary of beach grades is published weekly before the weekend. The latest beach grades based on the most current data may be obtained from the EPD's website on Beach Water Quality (www.epd.gov.hk/epd/beach) or the beach hotline, 2511 6666. Members of the public can also obtain the latest daily water quality forecast information for all beaches that are open for swimming through the EPD's dedicated webpage on the beach water quality forecast (www.epd.gov.hk/en/BWQForecast).
 
Note 1: Lifesaving services are provided by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department at 29 gazetted beaches, marked with an asterisk (*) above, from September 1. For details, please refer to the Leisure and Cultural Services Department's Special Announcement (www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/beach/index.html).
 
Note 2: This refers to Discovery Bay Tai Pak Beach which has no lifesaving service.

Ends/Friday, October 16, 2026
Issued at HKT 16:00

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