Lantau Island, Hong Kong’s largest island, is often associated with the airport and Disneyland. However, it’s also home to some of the best beaches in the city. We’ve been fortunate enough to visit most of these beaches and can confidently say that they make for amazing day trips from the city.

Each beach on Lantau Island offers a unique experience, whether you’re looking for great food, exciting activities, or a laid-back vibe. What sets them apart is their seclusion, located in the southeast part of the island away from most residential areas. A mountain range divides the beaches from the rest of the island, giving you the feeling that you’ve truly escaped civilization.

So, here are our top 5 beach recommendations on Lantau Island.

Cheung Sha Beach

Hong Kong’s longest beach

Cheung Sha Beach is our favourite beach on Lantau Island. Known for its expansive white sand beach, it’s got great places to eat, and plenty of things to do. The beach is divided into two parts, Lower Cheung Sha Beach and Upper Cheung Sha Beach.

Lower Cheung Sha Beach is where all the restaurants and cafés are located. Spending a day here feels like you’re at a remote resort. Upper Cheung Sha Beach on the other hand is more secluded and is great for running or walking. It’s also really long. The combined length of the beaches is 3 km!

There are plenty of beach activities and water sports rental facilities on Cheung Sha Beach, from kayaking to windsurfing. Check out Long Coast Seasports on Lower Cheung Sha Beach.

How to get to Cheung Sha Beach

From Hong Kong Island

To get to Cheung Sha Beach from Hong Kong Island:

1. Catch the ferry to Mui Wo from Pier 6 at Central Ferry Pier.
2. From Mui Wo Ferry Pier, take either bus numbers 1, 2, or 4 to Cheung Sha Ha Tsuen.
3. Alight at Cheung Sha Ha Tsuen, and walk down the slope towards Cheung Sha Village.

Taxis are also available at the Mui Wo Ferry Pier. However, you might need to wait for one as they’re not that common.

From Tung Chung

Take bus number 11 from the Tung Chung Town Centre to Cheung Sha Ha Tsuen.

Recommended restaurants at Cheung Sha Beach

There are plenty of amazing restaurants and cafés located along Lower Cheung Sha Beach. However, we find ourselves returning to Lantana or Long Island.

Lantana makes some of the best pizzas in Hong Kong, whereas Long Island has the widest selection of food on the beach. But having said that, I don’t think you’d be disappointed by any of the restaurants or cafés on Cheung Sha Beach.

More information on Cheung Sha Beach can be found in this dedicated post.

Pui O Beach

Popular with campers

Pui O Beach was the first beach we explored on Lantau Island, and we absolutely loved it! Nestled among the hills, Pui O Beach is also popular with overnight campers.

One of the key differentiating characteristics of the beach is its black sand. The black rocks from the surrounding area have over time eroded and contributed to the sand’s colour on the beach. The combination of black and brown sand, distributed by the waves, does make some interesting patterns on the beach.

How to get to Pui O Beach

By bus from Mui Wo

The easiest way to get to Pui O is from Mui Wo Ferry Pier.

1. Take the ferry from Central to Mui Wo.
2. From the ferry pier, catch bus numbers 1, 2, or 4 to Pui O San Wai Tsuen.
3. From the bus stop, the beach is about a 5-minute walk.

Hike from Mui Wo

You can also hike to Pui O Beach from Mui Wo. It’s a relatively easy, and fun hike, and it’s a great way to build up your appetite for when you reach the beach.

Recommended restaurants at Pui O

Treasure Island Restaurant & Bar is worth checking out as it’s situated right on the beach. There are also several restaurants and bars along the main road of the village. Some popular ones are Tap Tap and Garden Cafe.

Treasure Island also offers plenty of water sports and activities. Or you can relax at Pui O Beach after hiking the Chi Ma Wan Country Trail.

All the information on Pui O Beach can be found in this dedicated post.

Tong Fuk Beach

Come for the food, stay for the beach

The story of how we discovered Tong Fuk Beach is slightly different. We actually first came to Tong Fuk Village because it has, in our opinion, one of the best restaurants in Hong Kong. The family-owned and operated “The Gallery” has now become one of our favourite restaurants in the city. It possibly serves the best steak in Hong Kong! And it’s not just the steak, but everything in the restaurant is delicious.

And after a perfect meal, Tong Fuk Beach seems ever so inviting! The beach is usually not that crowded, and it’s really easy to find a spot to relax.

How to get to Tong Fuk Beach

From Hong Kong Island

1. Take the ferry to Mui Wo from the Central Ferry Pier.
2. At Mui Wo Ferry Pier, catch bus numbers 1, 2, or 4.
3. Alight at Tong Fuk Village bus stop.

From Tung Chung

1. Take bus number 11 from the bus terminal (5-min walk from the MTR).
2. Alight at Tong Fuk Village bus stop.

The recommended restaurant at Tong Fuk Beach

The Gallery is located just behind the beach on the main road.

More information on Tong Fuk Beach can be found in this dedicated post.

Silvermine Bay Beach

Plenty to discover near the beach

Silvermine Bay Beach is located a short walk from Mui Wo Ferry Pier. Although the beach is nothing exceptional, I find that there’s plenty to do and explore near the area.

Activities around Silvermine Bay

As the name suggests, there was once a silver mine in the area. Silver mining began in 1910 but stopped later on account of low silver content. However, the mine is still there and you can visit it.

Along with the mine, there is also a waterfall near the beach which is quite popular with the locals. Both the mine and the waterfall are a 20-30 min walk from the beach.

And finally, there are some water activities that you can do at Silvermine Bay like kayaking.

Recommended restaurants at Silvermine Bay Beach

There are plenty of options near the beach. If you’re looking for something local, head to the Mui Wo Cooked Food Market next to the ferry pier. There are plenty of restaurants inside the market, and some of them offer a lovely view of the sea.

There is Grill House by Capo, located at Riverwalk, the fancy promenade next to Silvermine River.

And finally, there’s China Beach Club which serves up some incredibly delicious food on Silvermine Bay Beach.

More information on Silvermine Bay can be found in this dedicated post.

Discovery Bay Beach

Very commercial, but easily accessible

Of all the beaches on this list, Discovery Bay Beach is the only man-made beach. This privately managed beach is a pretty good example of a perfect suburban beach. There are plenty of restaurants, cafés, and bars located at the ferry pier, along with ample amenities including a playground for kids.

Given its location, Discovery Bay Beach is almost always crowded. This beach is best enjoyed by the D’Deck, an ocean front alfresco dining area.

How to get to Discovery Bay Beach

The best way to get to the beach is to catch the Discovery Bay Ferry from the Central Ferry Pier Number 3.

More Things To Do On Lantau

Lantau Island has plenty more to offer than these incredible beaches. The Tai O Fishing Village is another popular getaway and tourist spot on the island. This old village is known for its dried seafood shops and stilt houses.

Lantau is also home to the Ngong Ping Village, where the Giant Buddha and the Po Lin Monastery are located. Behind the village, is another hidden gem — the Wisdom Path.

And then, of course, Hong Kong’s Disneyland is also located on Lantau Island. If you do plan on going to Disneyland, make sure you buy the tickets online. It’s much cheaper and way more convenient.

And as always, there are plenty more beaches scattered across Hong Kong. Check them out by clicking on the link below.

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