Tiny islets within the huge Tolo channel. Picturesque, above all with a drone, and not much more. Passing ground while kayaking/swimming.
- Beauty/fun: 2/10 only recommended if you want easy kayaking out of the usual routes or to stop if swimming/ coasteering around.
- Difficulty (check this link if new here, this is not your standard HK hiking web): 1/10 tiny islets really easy to walk on. Channel well protected from swell and most wind waves. Beware of the boat traffic.
- The map (how to download to your phone offline maps)
See full screen & the Garmin track.
I was here for the first time many years ago. While training for the Clean Half 15km race, I was exploring quite a bit of Hong Kong’s coastline. Starting in Hoi Ha, it was a surprise to find these sand strips in front of Lai Chi Chong. Old times when I was not checking the Satellite images and others before heading anywhere 😅 Later I have been around while coasteering or swimming on relaxed days on the beaches around.
Recently, I discovered that there were kayaks for rental in Three Fathoms Cove (Wake2Chill) and I decided to do a fast 4 islets check in one go. Here is the video of the outing.
Not the cleanest water that day after the most rainy September in history and pretty wet October too. Water quality can be pretty good around Ben Sha Pai, I guess at least half of the year.
It is just a sand strip, some rocks further North, and a navigation aid pole. Che Lei Pai, a half kilometer up North East is a bit bigger and with a proper pier.
From there long section to Tang Chau
It is wrongly named Che Lei Pai. The sand strip on the South and West side. Another small pier and a navigation aid structure.
Final islet for me, Sam Pui Chau
which is the biggest of the four I visited and the most interesting (relatively, nothing spectacular anywhere). Apart from the small sandy Southern part, various colored rocks and quite some fish jumping around frequently. Every time in the area I have seen fishermen around, above all, on the pier in front.
Well within the Tolo Harbour, you have also Center Island.
Which is the biggest of all. Full sandy coastline.
Everything you should know before kayaking & open water swimming.
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