This article features Junk trips but also covers other ways of enjoying Victoria Harbour. There are many links at the bottom of this posting.
If you spend any time at all in Hong Kong, at some point you may be invited on a Junk trip. Do not decline the invitation. Junk trips are fun. Junk trips are a Hong Kong tourist institution like taking the Tram to the Peak. The difference is that the Tram ride will be a disappointment whereas the Junk trip will not.
You can also charter sailboats and power cruises but you can do that closer to home. Hong Kong's "Fragrant Harbour" is one of the few places in the world where you can explore in a motorized Junk.
There are basically three ways to do the "Junk" thing. First and best is to be invited on to an already chartered Junk. Many businesses in Hong Kong own or have first refusal on chartering junks. If you are invited on one of these, you will not be expected to pay anything and will have access to drinks and food while cruising. Often these junks go to Lamma Island for a seafood dinner and this will usually be on the house also. A great, cheap, fun way to explore the Harbour.
Second is to put together a group and rent a Junk yourselves, splitting the cost among all of you. You can either arrange for catered food or stop at one of the outer Islands for great seafood, which by the way makes the most sense. The best thing about this option is that you get to choose where you want to go.
The third is to go as an individual on an already scheduled Junk trip and pay the required fee. These trips range from a totally banal tour of the Harbour with a "complimentary" soft drink to arranging to join a trip on one of the Junks owned by a Hong Kong restaurant or upscale tour group. These can be as much fun as you make them. They are especially attractive if you meet people somewhat easily. Many of the passengers will be tourists like yourself with a smattering of local residents.
In addition to Junk trips there are many scheduled Harbour Tours, some on ferry boats sponsored by the ferry companies and some on boats belonging to the larger tour companies. They usually follow a set itinerary and any food or drink is extra to say nothing of the sales pitches you will be subjected to so that you will buy a photo, DVD or some other souvenir.
Another and the least expensive way of getting on the water is to take a regularly scheduled ferry to one of the outer islands, enjoy a stroll or a meal and then take the ferry back to Hong Kong Island. If you are pressed for time or get easily seasick, you can always ride the world famous Star Ferry between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon side.
Links:
First Ferry
Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry, Ltd. (HKKF)
Cheung Kee Ferry, Ltd.
Duk Ling 852-2573-5282 (Junk Charter)
Jaspas Junk 852-2792-6001 (Junk Charter)
Aqua Luna 852-2116-8821 (Junk Charter)
Dragon Marine 852-9755-2146 (Junk Charter)
Michelangelo 852-9887-0000 (Junk Charter)
Panaoceans 852-2815-8235 (Junk Charter)
Saffron Cruises 852-2857-1311 (Junk Charter)
Viking's Charter 852-2576-8992 (Junk Charter)
Mes Amies: 852-2527-6680 (Junk Charter)