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UN/LOCODE HKHKG · Hong Kong
Hong Kong grants shore leave to seafarers with seaman's books and a shore pass issued by the agent under the standard Hong Kong Immigration Department procedure. Hong Kong is not a Convention 185 signatory but has its own efficient shore-leave regime. Most crew changes happen at Kwai Tsing Container Terminals (the world's busiest container hub for many years) or at the Hung Hom anchorage for tanker turnarounds. Mission to Seafarers Hong Kong operates the Mariners' Club in Tsim Sha Tsui, one of the largest and best-equipped seafarer centres in the world.
Container terminals at Kwai Tsing connect to the city by agent van (30 minutes to Central). The Mariners' Club is at TST, on the MTR (subway), 5 minutes walk from the Star Ferry to Hong Kong Island. Pricier than Singapore, but cleaner and easier than Shanghai or Shenzhen.
ATMs: every MTR station, every 7-Eleven; HSBC, Hang Seng, Citibank machines are universalMoney changers: Chungking Mansions in TST is famous (best rates, slightly chaotic); Central has gentler optionsHospital: Queen Mary Hospital (Pok Fu Lam, public, A&E open 24/7), Queen Elizabeth Hospital (Yau Ma Tei)Prayer rooms: every major mall, Kowloon Mosque (TST) is the central Islamic landmarkHalal food: clusters in TST and Yau Ma Tei, plus the South Asian community in Sham Shui PoSupermarket: Wellcome, ParknShop everywhere; 7-Eleven for 24/7SIM card: 1010, 3, csl at airport or any 7-Eleven; HK$80-150 for 30-day tourist plan
Do: use the Octopus card for transport — it works on MTR, buses, ferries, and many shops. Don't: argue about the shore-pass duration with immigration officers — Hong Kong is strict on overstays and the consequences include flag-administration notification. Watch for: post-2020 political climate has tightened entry procedures slightly. Hong Kong remains crew-friendly but expect more paperwork than 5 years ago. The Mariners' Club is open 24/7 with full amenities — internet, restaurant, accommodation, chaplaincy.
Last verified: 2026-06-29