You don't have to go to Zhuhai to see the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. Shekou Cruise Homeport in Nanshan District, Shenzhen runs the Bay Area Sea Cruise: board the Greater Bay Area No. 1 (大灣區一號) or Greater Bay Area No. 2 (大灣區二號) and in about 180 minutes you sail under the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge twice — no HK/Macau travel permit required. It's a rather special and relaxing half-day outing for Hong Kong travellers heading to Shenzhen.
It's especially good for: families who want to feel the sea breeze on deck without much walking, or trips with elderly relatives and young children in tow. Below we set out the routes, fares, schedules and transport clearly.
1. What is the Shekou Cruise Homeport "Bay Area Sea Cruise"?
Shekou Cruise Homeport is a modern cruise hub that integrates sea, land, air and rail in one nationwide complex. China's first comprehensive high-end bay area cruise ship, the Greater Bay Area No. 1 (大灣區一號), officially set sail on 26 August 2020. She is about 72 m long and 19 m wide, with 3 spacious decks, a maximum capacity of about 350 passengers, and a diesel-electric hybrid power system that is low-noise and zero-emission. On board there is a sightseeing area, a mini museum, an atrium, a technology shop, a theatre and a restaurant — sightseeing, entertainment and dining all in one.
2. The main routes
- Shenzhen Bay route: departs from Shekou Cruise Homeport, passes Shenzhen's earliest SCT dedicated container terminal and the Shenzhen Bay Bridge, with views of the Shenzhen Bay Super Headquarters Base, Houhai area, Talent Park and Mangrove Ecological Park.
- Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge route: about 180 minutes in total, passing Neilingding Island (Lingdingyang), the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the West Artificial Island, sailing under the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge twice, with a chance of spotting white dolphins in the Pearl River Estuary.
- Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link route: sea sightseeing along the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link area, ideal for those who enjoy engineering landmarks.
- Night banquet route: departs in the evening for Shenzhen Bay sunsets and the night skyline on both shores, with on-board performances on some sailings.
3. Fares and schedules (2026 reference)
| Item | Reference |
|---|---|
| Bay Area Sea Cruise fares | From about ¥168 on weekdays, from about ¥198 at weekends; Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge route about ¥318–398 (varies by date) |
| Third-party platform prices | From about HK$205 (about 3 hours round trip, no permit needed) |
| Children / infants | Free ticket under 1 year old; child ticket for ages 1 to 6; full ticket required from age 6 |
| Schedules | About 3 sailings on weekdays and about 4 at weekends, lasting 100–180 minutes, covering morning, lunch, afternoon tea and evening slots |
Fares and schedules are adjusted by season and date. The above is a 2026 reference; the official ticketing page prevails in all cases.
4. Transport: how to get to Shekou Cruise Homeport
Shekou Cruise Homeport is at the Shekou Cruise Centre, No. 1 Haiyun Road, Nanshan District, Shenzhen.
- Shenzhen Bay Port: after clearing customs, transfer to Metro Line 13 to Taiziwan Station, then walk to the Cruise Centre.
- Luohu Port / Futian Port: take Metro Line 1 and transfer to Line 12 to Taiziwan Station, or Line 2 to the Shekou Station area.
- Within the city: alight at Taiziwan Station on Metro Line 12 or Shekou Station on Line 2, then follow the signs to the second floor of the Cruise Centre.
5. How to book
You can first follow the WeChat official account "招商蛇口郵輪母港" (China Merchants Shekou Cruise Homeport), which has a "one-tap Bay Area cruise booking" function where you buy by route; you can also buy in person at the ticket office on the second floor of the Shenzhen Cruise Homeport hall. We suggest arriving at the Cruise Centre 30 minutes before departure to complete boarding formalities; the gate closes about 5 minutes before departure.
6. Practical tips
- The outdoor decks are windy — bring a light jacket when sailing in autumn and winter.
- For sunsets, pick the evening sailing; to see the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, make sure you book the "Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge route".
- On-board food and drink are mostly charged separately; keep valuables with you, and if you get seasick, take motion sickness pills in advance.
7. Things to do nearby after the cruise
There is plenty to see around Shekou Cruise Homeport itself: Sea World (海上世界) with the Minghua ship is a Shekou landmark and has a musical fountain at night; Taiziwan Garden City has indoor animals and family facilities; Shenzhen Bay K11 ECOAST is a waterfront culture and arts mall. After the cruise you can go for seafood or wander the malls, making a half-day outing of it.
8. Notes for going to sea
- Boarding involves a security check and prohibited items are not allowed; the outdoor decks are windy, so bring a jacket in autumn and winter.
- To photograph the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, choose the deck side with the more open view (depending on the day's heading).
- Some on-board food, drink and performances cost extra — ask before boarding.
9. Shenzhen Bay route vs Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge route: which to choose?
If you want something quick and easy with a sea breeze, choose the Shenzhen Bay route: the sailing is shorter and you can see the Shenzhen Bay Bridge and the Houhai skyline. If you want to see a world-class engineering feat, choose the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge route: about 180 minutes, sailing under the bridge twice, with a chance of spotting white dolphins. For a first trip, an afternoon-to-evening sailing is recommended — the light is best and you get the sunset too. All three routes start from Shekou Cruise Homeport, so check carefully which route you are booking.
FAQ
Do I need a HK/Macau travel permit for the Bay Area Sea Cruise?
No. The whole voyage stays in the waters off Shenzhen and does not leave the mainland; an ordinary ID card or Home Return Permit is enough to buy a ticket.
How long is one voyage?
The Shenzhen Bay route is shorter; the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge route is about 180 minutes. The actual time depends on the sailing you choose.
Are there discounts for children?
Yes. A free infant ticket is available under 1 year old, a child ticket for ages 1 to 6, and a full ticket from age 6.
10. Pier transport details + parking (tested)
Shekou Cruise Homeport is at the "Shekou Cruise Centre", No. 1 Haiyun Road, Nanshan District. It is actually not far from the city centre by metro; here are the three most practical routes:
- Metro Line 12 (first choice): Taiziwan Station, Exit A, about a 4–6 minute walk straight to the Cruise Centre.
- Metro Line 2: you can go to Sea World Station and transfer to Line 12 to Taiziwan; or alight at Shekou Port Station and from Exit C transfer to the free B601 shuttle bus, which goes one stop directly to the B1 level of the Cruise Centre, then take the escalator up to complete boarding.
- Driving: navigate to "Shekou Cruise Homeport"; private cars can park in the B1/B2 car park at about ¥5/hour.
A reminder: from Shenzhen Bay Port you can take Line 13 into Nanshan and then transfer to Line 12; from Luohu/Futian Port you will mostly take Line 1 and transfer to Line 12. We suggest arriving at the pier 45 minutes before departure to allow time for the security check. Parking spaces are tight on holidays, so drivers should arrive early.
11. Pier FAQ
Can I buy tickets on the spot at the Cruise Centre?
Yes. Shekou Cruise Centre has an on-site ticket office (on the second floor of the Cruise Centre hall), but popular sailings and holidays sell out easily, so it is best to book online first via the "招商蛇口郵輪母港" WeChat official account and then arrive early to collect your tickets.
Is parking at the pier convenient? How much?
Private cars can park in the Cruise Centre B1/B2 car park at a reference rate of about ¥5/hour; spaces are tight on holidays, so arrive early, or simply take Metro Line 12 to Taiziwan Station, Exit A and walk over.
Is it convenient with children and elderly relatives?
The Cruise Centre has lifts and barrier-free access, and it is just a few minutes' walk from the metro station, so it is fairly convenient with a stroller or for elderly people with limited mobility. The voyage is fairly long, so bring water and snacks; the outdoor decks are windy, so bring a jacket.
How early should I arrive at the pier?
Officially, boarding formalities should be completed at least 30 minutes before departure, and the gate closes about 5 minutes before departure; in peak season it is crowded, so in practice allow 45 minutes to an hour.
What will I see during the voyage?
The Shenzhen Bay route passes Shenzhen's earliest SCT container terminal and the Shenzhen Bay Bridge, with distant views of the Houhai Super Headquarters Base and Talent Park; the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge route passes Neilingding Island, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the West Artificial Island, sailing under the bridge twice. The views differ on each side of the deck, so once on board ask the crew which side is most open for photographing the bridge.
Is there food on board?
The ship has a restaurant and snacks, but most are charged separately and slightly pricier than on shore; you can also bring a small amount of dry food and water (generally allowed through the security check). We suggest not eating too much before boarding; those prone to seasickness can take motion sickness pills in advance.
Where can I go after disembarking?
The Cruise Centre is right in Shekou, so after disembarking you can walk to nearby Sea World (the Minghua ship landmark, with a musical fountain at night, Sea World Station on Metro Line 2) or the Taiziwan Garden City area for seafood — you can play from dusk into the night along the way.
💬 Comments
Loading…