With quarantine-free travel still out of reach, many are seeking different ways to explore the city. Rebecca Lo lists how locals are discovering another side of Hong Kong by land and sea.

On May 26, travel-starved locals welcomed the news that they can resume cruising again. A "staycations at sea" commencing in July will allow cruise ship operators to run two-night packages for guests desperate for a getaway even if they are not allowed to step ashore. Holidaymakers must be fully vaccinated and all vessels must run at 50 percent capacity.

Dubiously nicknamed "cruises to nowhere," the program offers some comfort to those discouraged by the now-suspended Hong Kong-Singapore quarantine-free bubble, shelved for the second time after Singapore saw a spike in infections in mid-May. Possible travel bubbles between Hong Kong and Australia and New Zealand are still in the works.

As school holidays are fast approaching, Hong Kong families are getting more creative with their travel plans as they hunker down for another summer in their hometown. One of the most popular pursuits is to take advantage of the city's many miles of coastline and sandy beaches through private yacht charters.

The sea beckons

Joe Yuen, co-founder of yacht brokerage, charter and sales company JW Marine, has seen his business pick up since the pandemic. People stuck in Hong Kong have extra time and cash to go sailing. Wakeboarding, wakesurfing or jet skiing are fun diversions to avail of while one is out on the water. Yuen has observed that yacht owners are buying more, investing more and upgrading more than in previous years.

"Hong Kong is very accessible and it is convenient to get to the sea compared to other cities," Yuen said. "In our charter business, we see a real mix of clientele — locals, people from the mainland, expats, family, friends. We are also seeing younger people who view yachting as a leisure activity and are not so concerned about the boat's performance features. They tend to prefer vessels that are more comfortable and with nicer decor."

Yuen, a lifelong sailor who studied in Florida, is co-owner of a 76-foot Monte Carlo yacht named Aurore that is available for charter. The three-level vessel offers four cabins below deck for those needing afternoon naps, and an air-conditioned central area for dining and lounging. Stylish sofas at the stern and bow as well as above deck allow people to take in the panorama and sea breezes.

"Even before the pandemic, people preferred day trips and to stay within the city boundaries when they set out to sea," Yuen noted. "Popular spots are Lamma, Cheung Chau and Sai Kung. With its popularity only increasing, the (yachting) industry is expanding. The city needs more marinas and boat clubs to meet the demand."