Golden Beach () is located at miles of Castle Peak Road in So Kwun Wat, New Territories, Hong Kong. It is contiguous with the adjacent Cafeteria New Beach and to its northwest.

Golden Beach is the largest public beach in Tuen Mun District with a total area of and a length of . The water quality is usually classified as Grade 2 (Fair). Tropical trees, like coconut, and flowers of various species are planted on both sides of a promenade running parallel to the beach. Refreshment kiosks, a hotel, and a shopping centre are located adjacent to the beach.

There is a volleyball court at the beach, which is a unique feature amongst the beaches of Hong Kong. The Hong Kong national beach volleyball team occasionally practise on Golden Beach.

History

Golden Beach was one of the first artificial beaches constructed in Hong Kong, following the private beach at Tai Pak in Discovery Bay. It was built in 1994 using about of sand. It opened to the public in 1995, originally under the management of the Regional Council.

In 2000, management of the beach was transferred to the newly formed Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD).

Features

thumb|Dolphin Square, near the beach

  • Changing rooms and showers
  • Dolphin Square
  • Restaurant
  • Seaside promenade
  • Toilets
  • Tuck shop

Patronage

Golden Beach is the busiest of the six gazetted beaches in Tuen Mun District. In 2016, according to the LCSD, it had an average attendance of 1,941 on weekdays, 4,438 on weekends and holidays, and 670,350 during the bathing season. This makes it one of the most well-attended beaches in Hong Kong, behind only Repulse Bay, Shek O, and Clear Water Bay Second beaches. On 1 August 2017, more than 18 lorry-loads worth of rubbish washed up on the beach in one 24-hour period.

Sand loss

thumb|A submerged lifeguard tower is visible at right, illustrating the sand loss problem.

The beach suffers from serious loss of sand, and has shrunk significantly over the past two decades. After Typhoon Hagupit hit Hong Kong in September 2008, the LCSD hired the CEDD to conduct remedial works at Golden Beach, at a cost of HK$7.2 million. This included replenishment of sand, construction of gabion walls, and construction of groynes. These improvements were made from 2009 to 2011. Still, Golden Beach is smaller than its original size and length.

Water quality

The Environmental Protection Department conducts water quality testing at Golden Beach at least three times per month, year-round. The department uses a four-point grading system to reflect water quality, where Grade 1 (Good) reflects the best quality. During the 1990s, the water quality at Golden Beach consistently ranked as Grade 3 (Poor). Various sewerage infrastructure improvements have helped boost the quality to an average of Grade 2 (Fair) since the turn of the millennium.