If you’re looking to explore beaches on Lamma Island, then look no further. Hong Kong’s third-largest island has plenty of beaches waiting to be discovered. But of course, not all beaches on Lamma are the same. Some are commercial and crowded, while others are relatively isolated and empty. In fact, one of the beaches is closed to the public for 5 months a year!
Hopefully, this blog post can shed some light on the beaches on Lamma Island, and help you decide which one to visit on your next trip. But first…
How to get to Lamma Island
First the logistics. To get to any of the beaches on this list, you first need to make your way to Lamma Island.
There are two main piers on the island – Sok Kwu Wan (on the south side) and Yung Shue Wan (on the north side). Both piers are served by ferry from Central. The ferry timetable can be found below:
There are a few other smaller piers on Lamma Island. One, that is important in this blog, is Mo Tat Wan (also on the south side, and close to Sok Kwu Wan). The kaito (small ferry) to Mo Tat Wan departs from Aberdeen and its timetable can be found here. The same ferry also carries on to Sok Kwu Wan. However, if you’re unable to catch the kaito to Mo Tat Wan, no problem. Mo Tat Wan is a 25-minute walk from Sok Kwu Wan. So, just add that extra time to get to the beaches towards Mo Tat Wan.
You’ll need to make your way to Yung Shue Wan, Sok Kwu Wan, or Mo Tat Wan to get to any beach mentioned below. Now with that out of the way, let’s start this list with my favourite beach on Lamma Island, and work our way down the list.
1. Shek Pai Wan Beach
Located between two small villages, Yung Shue Ha and Tung O (which is probably a deserted village), lies Shek Pai Wan – the longest beach on Lamma Island. To get to this beach you’ll need to hike for about 25 or 45 minutes, depending on your starting point.
Once you get to Shek Pai Wan, you’ll be rewarded with a huge soft sand beach, that is just so picturesque! On one side are the hills, the other the sea. Scattered rocks, across the shoreline and in the middle of the water, are constantly lashed by wave after wave. And the lack of crowds makes this beach perfect!
It’s a peaceful beach to spend your day relaxing, reading a book with no care in the world.
Facilities at Shek Pai Wan Beach
- A small establishment with a limited food menu, and canned drinks.
- Public toilets
- No lifeguards
How to get to Shek Pai Wan
Shek Pai Wan is the easiest to access from Mo Tat Wan. Once you arrive by the kaito, walk along the beach till you reach the steps after The Bay restaurant. Climb up, and follow the path for 25 minutes.
Click here to open the map on Google.
If you arrive from Sok Kwu Wan, walk towards Mo Tat Wan and follow the same directions. Simply add another 25 minutes to your hike.
Although Google Maps would advise you to hike the other way because it’s shorter, I would say follow my recommended path as it doesn’t involve any climbing. Click here to open the directions in Google Maps. However, the view from Google’s recommended path is nicer.
2. Sham Wan Beach
Sham Wan Beach is a unique beach on this list. For starters, it is closed for 5 months a year. Why? Because it is the only Green Turtle nesting site in the South China Sea. And as such, it is a protected beach where trespassers can be fined up to HK$ 50,000 for entering between 1 June and 31 October.
However, when it’s open to the public, its soft sand and remote location make it one of the most peaceful beaches to visit. All the information you need on the beach can be found on this blog.
Another great thing about Sham Wan Beach is that it is a 10-15 minute walk from Shek Pai Wan Beach. So you could visit both beaches in one day.
Facilities at Sham Wan Beach
- None. Pack all necessities before you leave for the beach.
How to get to Sham Wan Beach
Sham Wan Beach is an easy 40-45 minute walk from Mo Tat Wan pier or a 60-70 minute walk from Sok Kwu Wan. Unfortunately, Google Maps does not show the path to the beach, so make sure you check out my blog on Sham Wan Beach for detailed instructions on how to get there.
Again, just remember that Sham Wan is closed from 1 June and 31 October.
3. Lo So Shing Beach
For a while, I didn’t know that there was a beach right in the centre of Lamma Island. Even if you were to hike across the island from Yung Shue Wan to Sok Kwu Wan, Lo So Shing Beach wouldn’t fall on the way. You would have to take a diversion to go to the beach.
Lo So Shing Beach is quite charming in my opinion. It’s cut off from sight from the rest of the island, and its outdoor seating area (next to the rocks) has a real adventurous feel to it, especially if the waves are strong. The small promenade too is pretty with the seating area and the trees.
Unfortunately, the last time we visited the beach, rubbish had just washed up onto the shores. This happens every time after the rains. But when it doesn’t rain, the beach is very clean and really beautiful.
As it’s off the beaten track, Lo So Shing Beach doesn’t see as much of a crowd as some other beaches on Lamma Island.
Facilities at Lo So Shing Beach
- Lifeguards
- Public toilets
- Vending machine
How to get to Lo So Shing Beach
The beach is a 20-minute walk from Sok Kwu Wan.
You can open the directions in Google Maps by clicking on this link.
4. Hung Shing Ye
Hung Shing Ye Beach is by far the most popular beach on Lamma Island, which is both a good and bad thing.
For starters, it’s almost always crowded. Although there’s plenty of open space, the beach attracts many visitors, especially over the weekend.
But that also means that this is a fully functional beach, with restaurants, cafés, shops, and much more. It even has a couple of hotels along the beach where you could spend a night or two away from the crowds of the main city.
More information about Hung Shing Ye Beach can be found in this post.
Facilities at Hung Shing Ye Beach
- Restaurants, cafés, food kiosks
- Lifeguards
- Public toilets
- Showers
- Barbecue pits and outdoor seating area
- Hotels:
How to get to Hung Shing Ye Beach
The beach is a 20-30 minute walk from Yung Shue Wan Pier.
You can follow the directions on the map by clicking here.
5. Mo Tat Wan
Mo Tat Wan isn’t a “beachy” beach. The beach feels coarse, and not very inviting. However, it’s still a great location to spend an afternoon grabbing a bite and kayaking around the bay.
There’s a pretty nice restaurant in the middle of the beach called The Bay. The food’s pretty good, and the ambience is excellent. You can also rent kayaks from the restaurant at a fairly reasonable price. They even have rooms to rent.
Facilities at Mo Tat Wan
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
How to get to Mo Tat Wan
The easiest way to get to Mo Tat Wan is to arrive by kaito from Aberdeen to the Mo Tat Wan pier. Or you could walk 20-30 mins from the Sok Kwu Wan Ferry Pier.
6. Power Station Beach
If you don’t mind the Lamma Power Station overshadowing your beach day, then the Power Station Beach is a pretty sweet option.
The beach is best known as the venue for the annual Holi celebrations. But other than that, it’s a fairly secluded beach with no facilities. However, as it’s close to Hung Shing Ye Beach, you could walk across and back for any necessities.
Facilities at Power Station Beach
- None.
How to get to Power Station Beach
The beach is accessible from Yung Shue Wan on foot. It’s an easy 15-20 walk from the pier. Simply follow the directions on the map below, or click here to open it on Google Maps.
Best Beaches on Lamma Island
I hope this post was able to give you a good idea about all the beaches on Lamma Island and what you can expect. So, pick a beach that’s a perfect fit for how you plan to spend your day on Lamma Island.
For more information on the island, be sure to check out our Complete Guide to Lamma Island. And don’t forget to leave a comment or share this post if you liked it!
2 Comments
There are two piers at Mo Tat Wan – which is the correct pier for ferry transit? The North pier or the South Pier?
Hey Chris,
I’m not sure if I’ve seen the second pier at Mo Tat Wan. From what I know, there is only one public ferry pier on the northeast side, close to The Bay restaurant.