Boat Field Trip: Iconic 82-foot So Fong schooner & 56-foot Java wooden launch to Po Toi

Name: Boat Field Trip: Iconic 82-foot So Fong schooner & 56-foot Java wooden launch to Po Toi
Start: 2026-05-29T10:00:00+08:00
End: 2026-05-29T17:30:00+08:00
Location: Po Toi Islands

Schedule

Fri May 29 2026 at 10:00 am to 05:30 pm

UTC+08:00

Location

Po Toi Islands | Hong Kong, HK

< Last lunch party at the famous Ming Kee Seafood Resturant before it closes on 31 May >
The RGS is pleased to offer a boat field trip aboard Hong Kong’s most famous iconic So Fong schooner & Java steam launch around the south side of Hong Kong Island. During the cruise, the launch stops at Po Toi Island for 3–4 hours.
At Po Toi, lunch has been pre-booked at the famous Ming Kee Seafood Restaurant, the island’s iconic sole eatery, which is closing at the end of this month after 50 years in business. This will be followed by optional visits to the local village and temple.
The iconic 56-foot wooden launch, Java, began her life in 1935 as the Government vessel Marine 1. Built at the Kowloon Docks and maintained with meticulous care by the Hong Kong Government Dockyard, Java has served the Fragrant Harbour, survived auction, and been rescued from an uncertain fate. For nearly nine decades, this distinguished craft has navigated the waters of Hong Kong, a silent witness to its history and a testament to timeless engineering and restoration.
The elegant 82-foot gaff-rigged schooner So Fong represents one of Hong Kong's finest maritime creations. Designed by the renowned firm Sparkman & Stephens and built in 1937 at the historic Ah King Slipway, this graceful vessel was commissioned by American yachtsman A. Thornton Baker. After nearly nine decades of remarkable global travel and multiple careful restorations, So Fong has triumphantly returned to her Hong Kong birthplace to join the historic fleet in early 2025.

Detail:
Meet at Hong Kong South side pier at 10:00 am
Return by 5:30pm
Cost:
$980 for Members and $1,080 for Members' guests, including free-flow drinks and wines on board and lunch. Limited places only. One member can bring one non-member guest.
Ming Kee Seafood Restaurant is pre-booked by RGS-HK at 1 pm.
The Royal Geographical Society - Hong Kong wishes to express its thanks to
Hong Kong Historic Vessels as sponsor for this field trip.

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RGS-HK reserves the right of admission. Entry may be refused at our discretion