Even if it is not as spectacular as the East coast this is a fun & significantly easier route full of beautiful cliffs, deep caves & clear water to jump into.
- Beauty/fun: 8/10. Fun scrambles, several caves, good jumping spots, it can have cleaner water than HK average.
- Difficulty (check this link if new here, this is not your standard HK hiking web): 6/10 Protected from biggest East swell waves (but the little Southernmost tip if doing the East side, obiously), relatively easy water entry and exits, several high cliffs that you could scramble if you want to do it a bit more difficult. Once you leave the South point behind there are no possible easy early exits until the rock carving area.
- The map (how to download to your phone offline maps)
See full screen & the Garmin track with a slowish group.
Ferries depart (2020) from Sam Ka Tsuen and Shau Kei Wan typhoon shelter, next to the Sai Wan Ho MTR station. First departure around 8 something, last return around 17:30. Check the time tables the day before. You will need to buy a return ticket and tell them which ferry you are planning to return on. If not too many people that day on the island they may allow you to get into previous boats if you are early. In busy days the queues can be long. The boat ride will take you 35-45 minutes till Tung Lung Chau. Go down on the main pier and start walking towards Luk Keng Wan.
After a bit more than half an hour on concrete we started the coasteering here.
Go down the slope and you will find the rocks to coasteer on. If you have some extra time and it has been raining in previous days you could turn left first and check the streams and waterfalls nearby. In our case, we just turned right around the small peninsula. Big rocks
and the first water jumping spot in no time.
Little further the white walls.
The first time I saw them I was not sure of the reason why they were this color. Finally confirmed that it is man-made. Tyler found documents mentioning it. Painted to increase visibility for approaching boats.
Just after the white walls second big jump opportunity.
And arrive at a pier and the path leading to the abandoned Radio station above. Walk on the rocks for a bit and arrive at the pebble beach in the opposite shore of the starting point.
If anyone in your group did not feel fully comfortable until here, time for him to leave, before getting in the long no exit section.
Fancy a shower? There are several small creeks falling into the lower rocks and sea throughout the route. Depending on how much has rained in the previous days easier to spot or not.
You will find quite some scrambles and
clear water in the remotest sections.
Another good jumping spot in front of
the Sydney Opera House rock.
There are fun traverses.
We saw a rescue helicopter almost above the aforementioned Nam Tong Mei radio station.
More nice rock formations before arriving at the
cave section. The first I called it Dragon’s Mouth, as you can get, depending on the tide (approx 1.4m when there) into it carefully and be enclosed inside by the water. Watch video at 0:39.
Be careful though with wave timing or you might be bumped against the walls or even the “palate” of the Dragon.
A bit further you have another significantly bigger and deeper cave. Pitch dark inside.
Enough to need the torch to explore each corner.
Coming out.
I might have repeated myself too many times in the web, but beware if not experienced. Even with relatively small waves (mere East 0.3-0.5m swell that day) the swims and exits from the water can be tricky for you.
Up and down with the lighthouse in front.
Seeing clearly the city: Chai Wan.
There is an interesting tiny “island” later. A double passageway captured with this panorama.
Later there are still possible high scrambles if you are trying to avoid extra short swims.
But in general the closer you get to the ferry the easier the route becomes. The last small cave atop.
A tiny beach.
Before arriving at the rock carving.
You could escape through the stairs here (green line) or coasteer the last really easy section before arriving back
at the pier
Several shops around offering super basic food and drinks. Please bring all your trash back. Limited pick up in the island, even from the pier bins…
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