How Deep Is Hong Kong’s Iconic Victoria Harbour?

Hong Kong Special Administration Region (Hong Kong SAR) is an area in China that is 1,063 square miles in size. The region is important to the nation’s history and business operations. Hong Kong Harbour, also called Victoria Harbour, has been very important for economic expansion in the past and present. So, how deep is Hong Kong Harbour? We’ll show you how deep this body of water is as well as some of the history that took part in the area. 

What Is the Maximum Depth of Hong Kong Harbour?

Hong Kong Harbour is 141 feet deep at its greatest depth, and the area where it is deepest is called the Lei Yue Mun Channel. The majority of the harbour is not that deep, though. The average depth in the harbour is between 33 and 40 feet, which is deep enough for many ocean-faring vessels.

The shallowest point in the past was an area called Yau Ma Tei Fairway, a region that only has a depth of about 15 feet. The harbour is also about 8 miles across as the crow flies, from Green Island to A Kung Ngam, the typical boundaries of the harbor. However, the harbor takes a long, curving path between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula, so the measure of the waterway is probably closer to 8.5 miles.

The Significance of the Harbour in the Past and Present

The history of this harbour stretches back centuries, far beyond the Opium War (First China War) that would see Hong Kong Island ceded to the British under the Treaty of Nanking signed in 1942. Glossing over much of the region’s history, Hong Kong grew into an economic powerhouse and cultural center during the 1950s to late 1990s. Britain relinquished its control over the territory on July 1, 1997, and Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of China.

Hong Kong continued to grow in the ensuing decades. Today, it is one of the largest financial centers in the entire world, and it is home to the second-most billionaires of any city in the world. The Port of Hong Kong is one of the busiest in the world. In 2022, the port handled roughly 17 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent container units) throughout the year.

Maintaining the harbour and ports is of utmost importance in this area. The government undertakes frequent dredging and maintenance projects to ensure the waterways remain clear. This harbour is important for domestic and international trade, travel, and tourism.

However, the area around Hong Kong Harbour has also been a part of land reclamation projects. While these projects increase the amount of land available to build on, it has made the harbour smaller, narrowing it.

Where Is Hong Kong Harbour/Victoria Harbour on a Map?

The entire island south of Shenzhen is part of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Hong Kong Harbour lies between Hong Kong Island to the south and the larger Kowloon Peninsula to the north, all of which are a part of the Hong Kong SAR.

The harbor stretches from Green Island in the west to A Kung Ngam in the east. No bridges cross this important body of water, though. People take one of three traffic tunnels to reach the Kowloon Peninsula, or they have to take a ferry across.

The islands have many important locations, like the University of Hong Kong, the Wong Nai Chung Reservoir Park, and the various container terminals that facilitate international trade. The region is densely populated and consistently hums with activity.  

What Wildlife Lives in Hong Kong Harbour?

Hong Kong Harbour, or Victoria Harbour, has many animals that live in the waters and the area surrounding the water. Even though this region is heavily populated, wildlife still finds a way to flourish. Visitors to this area may see some of the following animals:

• Green sea turtles
• Yellow croaker fish
• Rock grouper
• Japanese seabass
• Surf bream
• Crescent sweetlips

The harbor has a lot of ship and boat traffic, but that does not stop the fish from thriving in these waters. Other animals live along the shores in this region, especially birds. A few of the birds that people can spot in this region include:

• White-bellied sea eagle
• Imperial eagle
• Cinereous vulture
• Black-faced spoonbill birds

Several other species of birds exist in this region, and many species of animals live on Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula.

About Hong Kong SAR

Hong Kong is not a very large region, but its economic opportunities, unique culture, and various facilities have made millions of people flock to the region. The current estimated population in the region is about 7.3 million people.

First and foremost, Hong Kong SAR is an economic hub. This region generates a GDP of 369.2 billion dollars per year. According to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the four major industries in Hong Kong are financial services, trade and logistics, professional and producer services, and tourism.

The region has the University of Hong Kong for studies, Hong Kong Disneyland for tourists, sports attractions, and much more to offer people that come to the area. Of course, the area also has historical places dating back centuries, religious sites, and private homes. All this is found in a relatively small space.

Hong Kong Harbour serves as an important lifeline for this region. The government maintains the harbour to uphold its ability to serve ocean-faring ships that bring the products people need to thrive. Part of that maintenance requires asking, how deep is Hong Kong Harbour? That way, the government can ensure that the region has channels to serve the ships they rely upon for trade.