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Head to Sharp Island – just a 15-minute boat ride from Sai Kung Pier – for a day full of hiking, beaches and rock pools with the family!
Anyone who has been out to Sai Kung knows that it’s the perfect place to escape the city, find hidden beaches and enjoy fabulous seafood restaurants with the kids. But did you know that just a 15-minute boat ride from Sai Kung town lies Sharp Island, a part of the UNESCO Hong Kong Geopark? With a relatively easy hiking trail, two breezy beaches with sparkling clear waters, and volcanic rocks from the Cretaceous period, it’s almost hard to believe that this slice of paradise is part of Hong Kong! You can visit Sharp Island for a few hours, a fun-filled day or extend your stay by setting up camp at Hap Mun Bay Beach.
Ready to go on an adventure? We’ve put together everything you need to know for a fun day out with the family on Sharp Island.
Read More: Sai Kung Neighbourhood Guide For Families In Hong Kong
How To Get To Sharp Island
To get to Sharp Island, you can either take the MTR to Hang Hau station and minibus route 101 to Sai Kung Pier or take the MTR to Diamond Hill station and then take either minibus route 1 or 1A to Sai Kung Pier.
Once you’re at Sai Kung Pier, you can take a sampan (a small boat) to Sharp Island. There are a number of boat operators offering regular trips to either Kiu Tsui Pier or Hap Mun Bay. Both destinations are connected by a moderately easy and picturesque hiking trail, so you can also choose to arrive at one location, complete your hike and depart from the other.
Read More: Things To Do In Hong Kong With Kids And Families
Things To Do And See On Sharp Island With The Family
Sai Kung Pier – Prepare for your trip to Sharp Island
Begin your day bright and early at Sai Kung Pier, where you’ll get to take advantage of the lively waterfront with scenic views of the neighbouring islands! Along the pier, you’ll see the vibrant floating seafood market where fishermen sell their fresh catches from their boats, using long-pole nets to reach the customers on the piers above. If you plan on camping on Sharp Island, this is a great place to buy your seafood for a barbecue.
Sassy Mama Tip: Food options on Sharp Island are limited, so it’s worth fuelling up at one of the many bustling restaurants lining the promenade!
Take the kids to the Volcano Discovery Centre where they can learn the geological importance of Sharp Island through its interactive exhibits. Then leave a little time to stroll the quaint Sai Kung Old Town to browse the local shops selling jewellery and handicrafts.
Boats to Sharp Island leave regularly and the journey takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
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Kiu Tsui Pier And Beach – Swimming, kayaking and hiking on Sharp Island
If you choose to take the sampan to Kiu Tsui Pier, your first glimpses of Sharp Island will be the breathtaking views of the waters around the pier.
As you disembark the boat, the first thing that will catch your eye is the giant silver conch sculpture. The “Ocean Says” art installation collects and amplifies the sounds of the sea making it the perfect welcome to your island destination.
Take a dip in the calm waters, rent a kayak to explore the coastline, begin your island hike or make your way towards the tombolo. There is a kiosk for food and refreshments (only open on weekends), as well as public bathrooms and changing facilities.
From Kiu Tsui Pier, it’s just a few minutes walk to the tombolo.
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Sharp Island Tombolo – “Fairy Walk” sand formation and Sharp Island geo trail
This striking natural sand formation immediately catches the attention of all who visit. Also known as “Fairy Walk”, it’s a 200-meter-long path made of rocks, pebbles and sediments transported by waves and wind to connect Kiu Tsui Beach to its neighbouring Kiu Tau islet.
On the other side lie the start of the Sharp Island Geo Trail, a quick and easy 500-metre geo trail that leads to a panoramic view of a lighthouse set against the backdrop of Clearwater Bay.
Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival on Sharp Island
On this trail, you’ll see a second art installation, “Moonrise in Daylight”, part of the Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival. It resembles the different phases of the moon surrounded by spheres imitating ancient sundials, a metaphor for the tidal ebb and flow that affects the tombolo and access to the Kiu Tau islet. Allow 20 to 30 minutes to walk the Sharp Island Tombolo and Geo Trail.
Sassy Mama Tip: The Sharp Island tombolo is only accessible during low tide (below 1.4m), so don’t forget to check the water level on the Hong Kong Observatory website before visiting!
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Volcanic Rocks On Sharp Island – Pineapple bun rocks from the Cretaceous Period
It’s difficult to imagine today, but Sharp Island was once part of a giant, highly active super-volcano. There are various sites located within the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, each with its distinctive rock formations.
Here on Sharp Island, the fascinating clusters of volcanic rocks date back to the dinosaur era, over 140 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. The most interesting and easy to spot are the “pineapple bun” rocks made of weathered quartz monzonite. Resembling the famous Hong Kong snack, you’ll find plenty of these igneous rocks around Kiu Tsui Beach and as you stroll along the tombolo.
Sharp Island Hiking Trail – 360-degree panoramic views with selfie stands for the perfect family photos
Enjoy a moderately easy 1.6-kilometre hiking trail with the kids across Sharp Island with 360-degree panoramic views. Be sure to stop for a photo of the tombolo from above, the white sand beaches and clear blue waters of Hap Mun Bay, the rolling hills behind Sai Kung town and the neighbouring islands and Sai Kung country park. You’ll easily spot these (thanks to the wooden selfie stands along the trail to help you capture that perfect picture!).
The hiking trail is short but can be steep in parts and without sun protection, so make sure you pack your sunscreen! The hike will take 30 to 45 minutes, depending on how often and how long you stop to admire the stunning scenery.
Sassy Mama Tip: No matter which direction you complete the trail, it does involve stairs to climb the slope. It’s worth noting that starting the trail from Kiu Tsui offers a more gradual incline (suitable if you’ve got young kids in tow), whereas it is a steeper ascent starting from Hap Mun Bay.
Read More: Hiking Hong Kong With Kids – The Best Hikes For Families
Pineapple Bun Tour – Ceramic statues on Sharp Island created for the Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival
As you embark on the Sharp Island hiking trail, you can’t miss the delightful little ceramic statues resembling volcanos, ferns, pineapple buns and more. Like the “Ocean Says” and “Moonrise in Daylight” installations, these sculptures were created as part of the Sai Kung Hoi Arts Festival by local illustrator Maoshan Connie in collaboration with St. James’ Creation, a community that provides opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities and those on the autism spectrum to create art.
Hap Mun Bay Beach – Crescent-shaped white sand beach perfect for camping on Sharp Island
Prepare yourself to be amazed by the views of Hap Mun Bay (also known as Half Moon Bay)! Located at the southern end of Sharp Island, it gets its name from its distinctive crescent shape. The stunning aqua-green waters surrounded by lush green mountains are a sight to behold. Sink your feet into the soft white sand and enjoy the sparkling clear water. Take the time to go swimming, snorkelling or simply relax on the beach.
If you’re not ready to leave Hap Mun Bay Beach, this is the place to pitch your tent. There is a small campsite alongside barbecue pits and seating areas behind the beach, a refreshment kiosk (open only on weekends), as well as public bathrooms and shower facilities. You’ll need to bring your food, barbecue grills, smokers and other necessities.
Once you’re ready to return, head to the pier located right next to the beach and depart Hap Mun Bay regularly.
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Restaurants And Dining Near Sharp Island
Dining on Sharp Island is limited to kiosks at Hap Mun Bay and Kiu Tsui Beach (both of which are only open on weekends), so you’ll have to stock up on your supplies in Sai Kung town before you arrive.
Some other restaurant options on Sai Kung Pier include:
- Turtle By The Sea – Located right next to Sai Kung Pier, this popular waterfront dining spot is perfect for afternoon drinks after a day exploring Sharp Island. www.turtle.hk
- Chuen Kee Seafood – Feast on some Michelin-recommended dim sum and seafood before or after your big day out on Sharp Island. www.facebook.com/Chuenkee.branch
- Little Cove Espresso – A coffee shop with a cult-like following, Little Cove is the place to pick up your latte to go or linger longer and fill up on a hearty breakfast. www.facebook.com/littlecoveespresso
- Sai Kung Bakery – Pick up your pineapple buns and other baked goods to snack on once you get to Sharp Island. www.openrice.com/sai-kung-cafe-bakery
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