Just outside of Hong Kong's concrete jungle lie a number of seriously gorgeous beaches. Dotted across the territory's islands and parks, Hong Kong's beaches offer the perfect respite from busy city schedules and high-rise living. We spoke to Martin Williams, founder of HKOutdoors.com, to get the low-down on his top five Hong Kong beaches.

1. Tai Long Wan, Sai Kung

Probably Hong Kong's most stunning and unspoiled beach, Tai Long Wan lies in a bay on the Sai Kung peninsula. Martin calls it a "stellar beach": the white sand, breaking rollers, turquoise waters and wild surroundings will blow your socks off wherever you come from. There are no buildings near the beach, just a couple of shacks that double up as restaurants, so you are guaranteed unspoiled vistas and peace and quiet.

Martin advises that the best time to go is at the weekend; there are no lifeguards on Tai Long Wan and there can be strong currents off the beach, so it is advisable to go when weekend hikers are in the area. The restaurants are not always open during the week, so if you do visit make sure you take something to eat and plenty of water.

Getting to Tai Long Wan isn't easy, but it is most definitely worth it. You can either hike in or cough up for a speedboat. Hikers should get the bus to Pak Tam Au (the highest point on the Pak Tam Road) or a speedboat or ferry from Wong Shek Pier to Chek Keng, then follow Stage 2 of the MacLehose trail towards Long Ke. If hiking doesn't appeal then you can get a speedboat from Sai Kung pier out to Tai Long Wan, but it will cost about HKD 1,000 for a return journey and involves a lot of haggling!

2. Cheung Sha, Lantau

If you want to "feel like you're on a South China Sea island" then head to Cheung Sha on Lantau. It is one of Hong Kong's longest beaches stretching 2 kilometres from east to west. Martin calls the sandy beach a "wild place" and a great spot to "get away from it all". Head to either the east end or the west end of the beach which is where the best swimming spots are. Cheung Sha is home to The Stoep, a South African barbeque restaurant and one of Hong Kong's most popular al fresco dining spots.

Cheung Sha is easily accessible by bus or taxi from Mui Wo and Tai O.

3. Cheung Chau Island

Martin recommends a visit to Tung Wan and Kwun Yam Wan beaches on Cheung Chau island. He says both are sheltered, accessible and have fantastic swimming. Quiet Kwun Yam beach also has a nice bar, perfect for hanging out at on a sunny afternoon. Martin recommends swimming at the beaches at high tide to avoid murkier waters when the tide is out. The island's main claim to fame is the Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre where Hong Kong's only gold Olympian, Lee Lai-Shan, learnt to windsurf. Her uncle owns the centre and introduced her to the sport she went on to triumph in at the 1996 Atlanta games.

Ferries run to Cheung Chau from Pier 5 in Central. Fast ferries take 35 minutes, otherwise the journey takes an hour.

4. Shek O, Hong Kong

Just 25 minutes in a taxi from central Hong Kong sits sandy Shek O beach. Martin says Shek O is "great when there's an easterly wind" as the beach gets good surf. Shek O is very popular at weekends so it's best to visit during the week when the beach and village are quiet and sleepy. The beach has several lifeguard towers and shark nets so it's very safe for swimming.

Martin says one of the best ways to visit the beach is to hike the Dragon's Back first and then drop down to Shek O village from the end of the trail.

There are a few great places to eat in Shek O whilst you're there, The Black Sheep and the Chinese & Thai Seafood restaurant both come recommended.

5. Tung Ping Chau, New Territories

Far-flung Tung Ping Chau island is in Hong Kong's most easterly corner and is about as far as you can go before you reach Chinese waters. Martin says the island has a "Robinson Crusoe feeling to it", and calls Tung Ping Chau "a lovely island, curious, interesting, with a great atmosphere and unlike anywhere else in Hong Kong".

The island is small and the beaches very close to the ferry pier. Make sure you take a mask and snorkel with you as Tung Ping Chau is one of Hong Kong's top coral sites – you can see corals, colourful fish and urchins.

Although the island is no longer inhabited full time, at the weekends restaurants open up in old village houses across Tung Ping Chau. They make fantastic spots to relax and freshen up in once you've sated yourself on the fine white sands and clear waters.

To get to the island catch a ferry from Ma Liu Shui pier near University KCR station. The ferries only run on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. To access the island during the week you need a private boat.

Photo Credits: Tai Long Wan by Justin Gaurav Murgai, Cheung Sha by Marc van der Chijs, Cheung Chau by randomwire, Tung Ping Chau by Verity.hk.