Lamma Island
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Lamma - by Koreval
Description
Lamma Island, also known in Cantonese as Pok Liu Chau, is the third largest island in Hong Kong. It is located to the southwest of Hong Kong Island, measures 7km in length and is quite oddly shaped. Few people live on the southern side of the island whilst the eastern edge houses the village of Sok Kwu Wan and the northern side is the most developed with the ferry town area of Yung Shue Wan. Besides seafood restaurants, the most popular thing to do is to walk between Yung Shue Wan (where there are some cool shops and cafes) and Sok Kwu Wan or even further south, up Mount Stentouse, the tallest hill on the island at 353m. Lamma has a significant Western and international population and a reputation for alternative lifestyle.
Access & Transport
The island is only accessible by Ferry from either Central Piers or Aberdeen (on the southwest of Hong Kong Island) - those two lines serve Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan, respectively, at regular intervals and there are a couple of smaller piers on the island as well: Pak Kok Tsuen near YSW and Mo Tat Wan which is further east from SKW. The fastest and most frequent route is between Central and Yung Shue Wan and takes about 30mins. As the island is not connected by road to the rest of Hong Kong, the only vehicles on the island are those used by the emergency services, and village vehicles, which are used to transport goods. The main method of getting around the island is on foot or by bicycle
Instructions & Recommendations
If you include a walk across the island on the Family Trail and/or some beach time, assume you will spend at least half a day, if not most of a day, so make sure you take a small backpack with some water and the usual sun protective gear. It is possible to buy water and snacks at either of the main villages, but there are few options in between. The southern part of the island sees few tourists although it is wilder and more beautiful so a detour on the Ling Kok Shan trail is recommended if you are fit enough (it is far from flat in that part of the island). If you come in from or head back to Aberdeen, also take an hour to discover that area of Hong Kong, although it has lost a lot of its traditional charm.
Environmental & Social
Besides the ferry trips, most of the activities would entail little energy consumption. Lamma is home to Sham Wan – a beautiful bay in the south of the island that is Hong Kong’s only regular nesting site for endangered green turtles (the beach is closed at certain times of the year to protect the turtles and their eggs) The influx of visitors, most of them day-trippers, has the usual economic advantages and societal drawbacks. Life has certainly changed for the residents, but they have a potential source of income enabling them to continue living on Lamma.
Conclusion
A day on Lamma Island is a very popular option with residents as it offers a pleasant scenery and a change of vibe from the city. However, for tourists, there is no specific sight warranting half day or a full day, so there is a definite opportunity cost and better options elsewhere although maybe none that combines seafood, hiking, beach and alternative lifestyle in such a small footprint!
Key positive
Diversity of things to see and do
Ferry ride is part of the experience and reinforces the sense of leaving the city
Some very pleasant scenery, in particular on the southern side of the island
Key negative
The island is a victim of its own popularity with prices for food being quite high
No X-factor on the island and the alternative lifestyle can feel a bit artificial
Suitability
The island is welcoming to all, but adults will enjoy it much more than kids and some minimum fitness is required for the regular Family Trail hike. People with reduced mobility will be quite limited in what they can see and experience on the island.
About this Rating
TYPE
Onsite
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:1h
est. visit time:5h
Sunrise / early morningOk
MorningOk
Lunch timeOk
AfternoonOk
Sunset / eveningOk
Night – bef. midnightNo
Night – aft. midnightNo