Tiny coasteering with a very peculiar rock formation and colorful rocks around. Tons of trash and murky water on the bad side.

See full screen & the Garmin track for the full route + tiny coasteering + hiking route.

I was arranging our surprise anniversary celebration in Tai O and I decided to give this coastline a try. Good enough to do it again in a shorter version with Summer later. So pics are from both days.

Long transportation to the starting point. Buses departing from Tung Chung (MTR) and Mui Wo (ferry). There is also a Tuen Mun – Tung Chung – Tai O ferry. Just use Google Maps to see what fits you best. Knowing that there might be extra bus departures (above all on weekends & public holidays) from TC if there are a lot of people queuing. Quite frequent.

After the transportation, even with taxi, you will arrive at the Bus Terminus Car Park. A bit more than 15 min street walk to the Tai O Heritage Hotel

and just next to its entrance go down to the beach.

There was quite some trash already here. Almost completely flat initially, very easy scrambling on nice colored rocks and arrive at

the highlight.

Very peculiar rock formation. On top you have the Moai like head shape. The reason of its name: 將軍石 Old Man Rock. I think the Elephant trunk below is even more noteworthy.

Pass under it and continue on diverse colored rocks

till the early exit. You can find ribbons around. Steep, slightly sandy, but within the woods, with small trees to help with up

till bush section, connection with a more clear path and little later concrete stairs next to this Dolphins statue.

You can go directly down to the village or continue on an easy path on the ridge and down to the coastline again.

If you don’t take the easy exit out and you continue on the coastline, soon things get spicier. Here the first short swim or tricky climb. I was alone and decided to play safe. The pic shows the very same spot from three angles. Overhang approx 2m high.

In any case, if you are able to pass it, just very little after you find this wall.

Over 20 meters high. Colin had bushwhacked around it and required even higher abseil in the opposite side. 60m rope recommended. So second swim.

After that section the coasteering becomes easier with more combinations of sedimentary and volcanic rocks until the sewage treatment station.

Man made blocks for a while. Another potential exit. And the last nice colored rocks

before the end of the coasteering.

Most would head to the starting point. In my case, to avoid the queues I usually trail run back to TC. Easy path for running, big parts on concrete.

Everything you should know before coasteering.