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Coral Sea Ferry Sai Wan Ho - Kwun Tong Route

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Coral Sea Ferry Service Sai Wan Ho – Kwun Tong Route operates between Sai Wan Ho Ferry Pier and Kwun Tong Ferry Pier, and is a Cross-harbour route run by Coral Sea Ferry.

History[]

Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry Era[]

  • 2 July 1973: Operated by Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry as a water bus service.
  • 10 April 1983: The Hong Kong Island landing point was relocated to Sai Wan Ho.[1]
  • 1 April 1985: Car ferry service commenced, using vessels with one deck for vehicles and one for passengers; on 16 December of the same year, car and passenger services began operating separately.[2]
  • 31 July 1991: The Executive Council approved HYF to cease operating the Sai Wan Ho – Sam Ka Tsuen, Sai Wan Ho – Kwun Tong Vehicle ferry and passenger licensed ferry services.[3]
  • 1 September 1991: Service officially ceased.

Coral Sea Ferry Service Era[]

  • 2 November 1999: Coral Sea Ferry Service resumed operation, with a fare of HK$4.8.[4]
  • Before July 2008: Changed to coin box fare collection and began accepting Octopus card payment.[5]
  • 1 November 2008: Last sailing from Sai Wan Ho extended to 21:40.[6]
  • 1 November 2009: Fare adjusted to HK$5.5, with discounts for children, the elderly and the disabled.[7]
  • 16 October 2011: Service suspended between 08:33 and 10:18 due to the Cross Harbour Swim.[8]
  • 1 November 2013: Fare adjusted to HK$6.
  • Late July 2014: Due to rising operating costs and stagnant passenger growth, the operator applied to the Transport Department to cease the route by end of 2014.[9]
  • 4 January 2015: Fare increase agreement reached with the Transport Department.[10][11] Adult fare raised from $6 to $9, child and senior from $3 to $4.5.[12]
  • 14 January 2019: Two additional morning weekday sailings (Sai Wan Ho to Kwun Tong 08:18, 08:48; Kwun Tong to Sai Wan Ho 08:33, 09:03) introduced on trial, later made permanent.[13][14]
  • 4 September 2019: Following the 31 August incident, peak-hour passenger volume surged; an additional 18:10 sailing from Kwun Tong was introduced (Mon–Fri, excluding public holidays) until 30 September.[15]
    • Due to positive response, operator announced on 27 September that the extra sailing would become permanent,[16] rescheduled to 18:33 from 6 November.[17]
  • 30 January 2020: Morning peak schedule adjusted.[18]
  • 28 March 2020: Morning extra sailings changed (Sai Wan Ho 08:28, 08:38; Kwun Tong 09:03).[19]
  • 10 August 2020: Weekday extra sailings suspended.[20]
  • 21 September 2020: Weekday extra sailings resumed.[21]
  • 12 August 2023: Kwun Tong landing point relocated from Kwun Tong Public Pier to Kwun Tong Ferry Pier.[22]
  • 18 March 2024: Evening extra sailing (18:33 from Kwun Tong) cancelled.[23]
  • 2 May 2024: Morning extra sailings to Kwun Tong cancelled.[24]

Historical Information[]

For previous timetables and fares, please see Former Service Data.

Timetable[]

Template:Updated headway

Departing from Sai Wan Ho
Hour Minute
Daily
07 - 20 03, 33
21 03, 40
Departing from Kwun Tong
Hour Minute
Daily
06 48
07–20 18, 48
21 18
Remarks
  • The times listed above are pier closing times (except when ferry tickets are sold out in advance).
  • Seats are available on a first-come-first-served basis, passengers please wait for the next sailing when the current sailing is full.


Fares[]

Ordinary Ferry Service
Adult $9.0
Child $4.5
Elderly and Persons with Disabilities
(Cash or Elder Octopus)
Elderly and Eligible Persons with Disabilities
(JoyYou Card or Personalised Octopus for Persons with Disabilities)		 $2.0
Bicycle $5.0
Cargo (per 60 kg or 0.12 m³) $10.0
Fare remarks
  • This route has adult and concessionary fares (Child, Senior and Disabled) and the fare payable is as shown above.
  • Children aged 0 to 11 can enjoy half-fare concession/fare discount.
  • Elderly aged 65 or above can enjoy half-fare concession/fare discount.
  • Holders of Registration Card for People with Disabilities can enjoy half-fare concession/fare discount.
  • Hong Kong residents aged 60 or above using JoyYou Card, as well as eligible persons with disabilities aged less than 60 paying the fare with their "Persons with Disabilities" personalised Octopus card can enjoy a flat concessionary fare of $2.0; beneficiaries aged 65 or above will only need to pay the original concessionary fare if the concessionary fare after half-price discount of the regular fare for senior citizens or eligible persons with disabilities is less than $2.0. If the original full fare for Hong Kong residents aged between 60 and 64 is already below $2.0, the beneficiary only needs to pay the original full fare.
  • This route has joined the Public Transport Fare Subsidy Scheme, in which passengers paying their fare by Octopus cards will be included in the calculation of the subsidy.
  • Passengers should tender fare by cash or by Octopus card at the pier or upon embarkation. No change will be given.
  • This route has goods and bicycle fares.
  • Half-fare concession is available for passengers under 90 cm in height.
  • Passengers taking this route in any direction must pay the fare at Sai Wan Ho Ferry Pier.

Fleet[]

This route is served by a double-deck wooden ferry named Coral Sea 8A, with a capacity of 146 passengers (Certificate of Ownership No. A3773). In October 2016, Coral Sea 8A was transferred by Coral Sea Ferry to operate on the Sam Ka Tsuen – Tung Lung Island route, and this service was replaced by Coral Sea 8.[25][26]

List of Vessels
Vessel Name Certificate of Ownership No. Remarks
Coral Sea 8A A3773 Main vessel in service
Coral Sea 18 A4903 Supplementary vessel during peak hours
Coral Sea 8 A3473 Operates when vessel deployment is required
Tung Lung A3273 Operates when vessel deployment is required

Information updated as of September 2025.

On 7 July 2021, Secretary for the Environment Mr. Wong Kam-sing stated in the Legislative Council that the trial of electric ferries was expected to commence in 2023, with this route included in the Electric Ferry Pilot Scheme. The Government will fully subsidise ferry operators for the construction of electric ferries and related charging facilities, and cover the operation, maintenance, and repair costs during the 24-month trial period. A cross-departmental working group has been established to formulate the trial plan details, monitor progress, and evaluate performance. The Environmental Protection Department has appointed consultants to design the ferries and charging infrastructure and assist in tender preparation. Local ship engineers and academics will join as experts to participate in the design process. The Government aims to finalise the designs within this year, and both the operator and the Government will invite public tenders for the ferries and charging facilities later this year. As construction of the ferries and charging infrastructure will take time, the trial is tentatively expected to begin in 2023.[27]

Patronage[]

During the Hongkong and Yaumati Ferry (HYF) era, this route carried an average of 3,200 passengers and 285 vehicles daily. After the opening of the Eastern Harbour Crossing, passenger and vehicle volumes plunged by 71% and 91% respectively. In 1990, the Transport Department indicated that the cancellation of the route would have minimal overall impact on the public.[28]

After resumption of service, the area around Kwun Tong saw the rise of many industrial and commercial buildings, and the nearby Hoi Bun Road business district attracted increasing commuters. As the walking distance to Kwun Tong station is relatively long, there are many waiting passengers during peak hours. In response, the company strengthened morning peak-hour service to operate every 15 minutes.[29]

  • 2008: Average daily patronage – 700 passengers.[30]
  • 2015: Average daily patronage – 900 passengers.[31]

Gallery[]

Crystal Clear mimetype image
More pictures, photos and related information about this article are available in the following Gallery Page:
Coral Sea Ferry Sai Wan Ho - Kwun Tong Route(Edit)


See also[]

Notes and References[]

  1. ↑ 〈〉, Department of Justice, June 30, 1997.
  2. ↑ 〈〉, Department of Justice, June 30, 1997.
  3. ↑ Executive Council approval for terminating four loss-making ferry routes, Government Press Release, 31 July 1991.
  4. ↑ Coral Sea Ferry Service Ltd Facebook Page, 18 October 2016.
  5. ↑ Coral Sea – Octopus reader installed at Sai Wan Ho Pier, HKiTalk.net
  6. ↑ Service time extension for Coral Sea Sai Wan Ho – Kwun Tong route, HKiTalk.net
  7. ↑ Traffic Notice – Tender results for “Sai Wan Ho–Kwun Tong” and “Sai Wan Ho–Sam Ka Tsuen” licensed ferry services, Transport Department
  8. ↑ Sunday suspension of Sai Wan Ho ferry service during Cross Harbour Swim, HKiTalk.net
  9. ↑ Ferry company applies to discontinue Sai Wan Ho – Sam Ka Tsuen route, TVB News
  10. ↑ East District Council TTC Document 6/15 Attachment 1: Fare Adjustment for “Sai Wan Ho–Kwun Tong” and “Sai Wan Ho–Sam Ka Tsuen” ferry services, 17 December 2014.
  11. ↑ Sai Wan Ho ferry fares up 50%, Oriental Daily, 6 January 2015.
  12. ↑ Ferry Services Ordinance (Cap. 104) – Maximum fares for licensed ferry service, Transport Department
  13. ↑ Coral Sea Ferry Facebook, 9 January 2019.
  14. ↑ Kwun Tong Transport Facebook, 8 January 2019.
  15. ↑ Coral Sea Ferry Facebook, 4 September 2019.
  16. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/coralseaferryservice/photos/a.1625014894464211/2168025426829819/?type=3&theater
  17. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/coralseaferryservice/photos/a.1625014894464211/2168025426829819/?type=3&theater
  18. ↑ Coral Sea Ferry Facebook
  19. ↑ Coral Sea Ferry Facebook
  20. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/coralseaferryservice/posts/2422279328071093
  21. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/coralseaferryservice/posts/2457355274563498
  22. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid02LdiCY3h3Pjez7f8puQnxDR9FL5Kv5gGAYYeYnp2CsF6QrdPFjxCMqv4XfzkRTqrdl&id=100064740817146&mibextid=9R9pXO
  23. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/coralseaferryservice/posts/pfbid0htpa6ZPQfk3M3Wk398xLFUZfq6n9Jtq521RyKgYN3rFwqGsdFArDPRfUh2PHH4x1l
  24. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/coralseaferryservice/posts/pfbid02ogmodmTCSVh7CyxjhGLwDZZjT4qhZ4qvCsNj5kgHPQefiSbGCMhNvNbkjTKyVdW2l
  25. ↑ Coral Sea Ferry Co. Ltd. Facebook Page, 6 October 2016
  26. ↑ Coral Sea Ferry Co. Ltd. Facebook Page, 17 November 2016
  27. ↑ https://www.news.gov.hk/chi/2021/07/20210707/20210707_155908_673.html
  28. ↑ Eastern District Council Transport and Traffic Committee Paper No. 60/90, November 1990.
  29. ↑ Kwun Tong Public Transport Facebook Page, 11 December 2018
  30. ↑ Information Note – Waterborne Transport Services in Selected Places, Legislative Council Secretariat, 4 April 2019.
  31. ↑ Information Note – Waterborne Transport Services in Selected Places, Legislative Council Secretariat, 4 April 2019.

External links[]

V · T · E
Cross-harbour routes
Star Ferry
Central ↔ Tsim Sha Tsui • Wan Chai ↔ Tsim Sha Tsui
Sun Ferry
North Point ↔ Kowloon City • North Point ↔ Hung Hom
Fortune Ferry
Central ↔ Hung Hom • North Point ↔ Kwun Tong (↔ Kai Tak) • Water Taxi
Coral Sea Ferry
Sai Wan Ho ↔ Kwun Tong • Sai Wan Ho ↔ Lei Yue Mun(Sam Ka Tsuen)
Outlying Island Route • Kaito Route • Cross-Border Route
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