Sharp Island, a 10-minute boat trip from Sai Kung town or HKUST, is a lovely get-away from the hustle-bustle of school/city. Mostly empty, even on the busy weekends, and with some fine quiet beaches and a nice hiking trail.
The HK government website introduces :
Sharp Island has gained popularity with beach lovers over the years. Today, the island is the hottest sea-and-sand destination in Sai Kung. Hap Mun Bay at the southern end is an idyllic beach of crystal water and silvery sand. On Sundays and public holidays, swimmers flock to this seaside haven. If you prefer some place quiet, Kiu Tsui Beach in the west is a good choice. Both beaches have shark nets and life guards. For anglers, the rocky shores offer many choice locations.
Kiu Tau is an inshore islet linked to Sharp Island by a tombolo only at low tide. Within this short period, you can walk across the sandy strip to explore the islet.
[…]
With the highest point standing only 136 metres, Sharp Island is not exactly a destination of grand uplands. There is a circular hill path, however, that leads to Hap Mun Bay in the south and Hoi Sing Wan in the north. This route passes through Hak Shan Teng and Kiu Tsui Bay. This is a route for experienced hikers as some steep sections of the path are challenging, while other parts are overgrown with grass. The summit of the island gives a sweeping view of the coast.
Well worth your visit…
HK magazine adds a bit more about the beaches on Sharp Island :
Kiu Tsui and Hap Mun Bay, Sharp Island
When you pull up to the pier of Kiu Tsui Beach, on the southwest tip of the uninhabited Sharp Island ("Kiu Tsui" in Cantonese), you will find a dozen or so fishermen casually fingering their lines. The water is so clear that you can follow the lines as they break the plane of the water and then head seven feet down to the sandy ocean floor. In stark contrast to Sai Kung just across the bay, the beach is deserted. According to the lifeguards on duty, this is usually the case—only on weekends does anything remotely resembling a crowd come here, and most of them are here for barbeque or camping.
The island has two small, supervised beaches that are surprisingly clean. If you go, you must bring your own supplies, as the only store onshore is a small refreshment kiosk at Hap Mun Bay. Kiu Tsui, the first beach one approaches from Sai Kung, is strewn with small stones but, thankfully, no Styrofoam. The beach is short enough that you can walk across it in about two minutes. In contrast, Hap Mun Bay Beach, on the other side of the island, is bigger and nicer, featuring smooth, fine sand. However, it attracts thousands of visitors every weekend. Both beaches have designated barbeque areas, changing rooms and shower facilities, and the water quality is better than just about anywhere else in Hong Kong.
To get there: Though it has no regular ferry service to the island, but it can be
easily reached by sampan from Sai Kung ($20-30 per person during weekends; $40-60 per person during weekdays).Weekend & public holiday attendance per day: 206 for Kiu Tsui, 2,282 for Hap Mun Bay. Weekday average attendance rate per day: 31/315
Beach grade: 1 (both).
Water quality: Good (both).
Telephone: Kiu Tsui 2798-8171, Hap Mun Bay 2796-6788/2792-4149.
Here, have a look…
While this section of Sharp Island looks like the beach is mainly rocks, it’s not. The nicest parts of the island beaches are all white sand and very comfortable, especially Hap Mun Bay.
BTW – for the right price (~150HK$ for a group), the local fishermen will even come and pick you up from the HKUST campus (try number 97102070 or any of the Sai Kung town fishermen).
More information :
- Kiu Tsui Country Park
- HK Outdoors : Hong Kong Geopark (香港地質公園) / Sharp Island (橋咀洲)
- HK magazine – Hong Kong Rocks / Beach Retreats
- Visiting Hong Kong Geopark
- Beach water quality – Hap Mun Bay
- Ferrys from Sai Kung