Long Ke Wan West

A back up short coasteering if the sea conditions are not at their best around. Allows you to enjoy some of the views ending on a nice beach.

Beauty/fun: 7.5/10. The GeoPark’s characteristic hexagonal columns, a couple of fun sea caves to explore, the “what are they doing?!” faces of the tourist around, Long Ke might be one of the nicest beaches in HK.
Difficulty (check this link if new here, this is not your standard HK hiking web): 6.5/10 if doing it all, including going to the deepest spots in the caves, not for beginners if with any waves whatsoever. Significantly easier without going into the caves. A bit more protected from big swell than other areas around. A few spots where to scramble high.
The map (how to download to your phone offline maps)

See full screen & Garmin track.

Pictures in this post are from a day that we took a boat there. The usual transportation would require you to go up to Bathrooms in High Island Reservoir East Dam at the end of Maclehose trail section 1. There are very few minibuses. Bus max up to Pak Tam Chung stop and green taxi from there otherwise.

Once in the area, visiting Po Pin Chau is a must. The Eastern shore is not spectacular but as soon as you turn

the famous hexagonal columns appear. In front, the double-entry cave

where to swim.

If comfortable with choppy water get in

check around and exit through the opposite side.

The route heading West from here offers the best coasteering in Hong Kong. But it is a long route and not easy for beginners, above all without perfect wave conditions. Heading East instead.

The water corridor between the tiny island and the mainland is very photogenic.

And offers some jumping spots.

Just do so far enough to the middle of the channel.

A little further you can find another safe and even higher cliff jumping spot. 7-9 meters high.

Perfect for the pros.

Continue walking towards the dam

with a couple of swims

and you will arrive at the dolosse area.

You can climb relatively easily on their left

and go on the road to the opposite side of the dam.

Time to go down on those dolosse.

If you are not ready for the heights, as soon as possible turn a bit to the left, and the natural wall is significantly easier to scramble down. In any case, eventually, you will arrive at the water

and continue your coasteering.

Leaving the hexagonal columns behind for a long while (you can see them again closer to the beach).

Here the rock formations are less impressive,

but still fun.

Arriving at the deepest cave, that I enjoyed on my own. The entrance is pretty high and well over 3 meters wide.

But soon tightens and goes really deep. Pitch dark half the way but for my torch. Ending at tiny “beach” of rounded rocks.

Definitely not for those with claustrophobia or if not very comfortable in the water. Video.

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At 1m07s you can see me at the end of the cave and how suddenly the waves start hitting in. Even in a relatively small swell day. The tunnel channels the waves increasing their force. Fun ride if you know what you are up to. The walls are high and sometimes barely shoulder wide apart. So if well covered with pants and long sleeves it is easy to push yourself up to pass above the waves. You can dive deep otherwise. Just be really careful with a group of nonexperienced coasteerers there.

Continue and just a little further more cliff