Coasteering under one of the biggest golf courses in Hong Kong. Some interesting old pools, easy on rocks, and some nice views atop the hills.
- Beauty/fun: 4.5/10 the scrambling is minimal, more a wet coastal route than proper coasteering fun. Some muddy sections. Interesting old fishing structures and some added fun to finish the outing.
- Difficulty (check this link if new here, this is not your standard HK hiking web): 4/10 as explained, only because it is a long day out, including a downstream and the time limitations. Technically easy, no swims required (just a few wades), well sheltered from swell and wind waves.
- The map (how to download to your phone offline maps)
See full screen & the Garmin track.
We had hiked and coasteered the West part of Kau Sai Chau a year before. Even if the rest of the island did not look especially interesting in the satellite images I wanted to give it a try. Denvy was ready to join. So time for one of our peculiar long routes minimizing outside help. The goal was to use public transportation: the Yim Tin Tsai ferry with the first departure from Sai Kung at 10:00, and the last return at 17:00. If we were late the backup plan was the Golf course ferry.
The regular “ferry”, kaito, departs from the pier, on the right had side, next to the seafood restaurants. Land on the little island walk on the concrete paths to the Southernmost point of it and cross the bridge that connects it with the way bigger Kau Sai Chau.
The first part is quite muddy.
After crossing the man-made sheltering wall coasteering more on rocks. Although there are still some more muddy sections later. The most interesting structures in the whole route are these abandoned fishing pools.
There are some streams going down to the sea, but initially coming from the golf course above, they are not the cleanest… How close are you going to be hiking to the course? Basically under all the time. Quite frequently being able to hear the players chatting above.
More abandoned structures, a bit more decent rocks to coasteer on, even boulder a bit and
a nice beach with tons of trash.
A bit further South there is another bay with a stream. I checked a bit, but Denvy, who had been there before, told me that it has nothing interesting and gets quite bushy. We continued therefore to the narrow channel dividing the island and Jin (Tiu Chung Chau) and the small Kau Sai village.
We arrived here well before the required time and Denvy had a brief discussion with herself. On one hand, she was really eager to try to do the whole island in one go. But on the other, I had already told her that coasteering moving forward was going to get a bit more technical and definitely slower with a few swims. She had forgotten her goggles + was very happy with all the previous where she had kept herself almost completely dry (but for the wades). Eventually, we went up the hill (purple line). Concrete path, pass the connection with the stream, and go up to Yi Leng 二嶺.
Easy well hiked path within the bush for really good views atop and a cute passageway. A video in Cantonese starting from Kai Sau, going through the way bushier Tai Leng 大嶺 first, and some drone footage for your reference.
After the lookout, we went down the stream, pass the golf ferry pier, and continue coasteering. Nothing interesting on the coastline including the rock carvings.
You could shortcut instead by going on the brown line.
Another fishing pool (this seemed it was still in use), a bit more muddy sections and arrive back at the bridge connecting with Yim Tin Tsai with plenty of time to buy some food, clean gear, etc before returning. By the way, you might want to get close to the pier early. If there are quite some people on the island that day they have extra kaitos and other companies provide rides back too. So you might be able to leave earlier than the official schedule.
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