Lamma Island is one of Hong Kong’s largest islands and one of the closest to Hong Kong Island. Its proximity and size is why Lamma Island is a perfect day trip for those visiting Hong Kong. Lamma Island is what you get if you cross California’s Catalina Island with Italy’s Cinque Terre. Similar to Catalina Island, Lamma Island has no cars, which makes Lamma Island a peaceful change of pace from Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Lamma Island is comparable to Cinque Terre in that both have villages you reach by foot using trails. On Lamma Island a concrete trail that takes 1-1/2 hours to walk separates the two main villages, Sok Kwu Wan and Yung Shue Wan. This trail takes you through lush hills with amazing views of the island and the surrounding waters. Besides the trail, Lamma Island has beaches that are great for hot days and restaurants that serve delicious seafood.

The Ferry to Lamma Island

Visitors reach Lamma Island by ferry in under an hour on direct sailings from Hong Kong Island’s Central Ferry Pier 4. Depending on which ferry you board, ordinary or fast, your journey will take anywhere from 30-minutes to an hour. Upon arriving at Central Ferry Pier 4 you will buy your ticket for the ferry from the ticket booth. Fares vary for adults, children, and those over the age of 65. Besides age the cost of the fare depends on whether you travel Mondays to Saturdays or Sundays and public holidays. The most expensive ticket is the adult Sundays and public holidays fare from Central to Sok Kwu Wan at HKD $29.80 (USD $3.84). If your travel plans are flexible aim to visit Lamma Island during the weekday. On weekends Lamma Island is a popular place for locals looking to exercise on the trail or lounge on the beach.

One may explore Lamma Island starting at either of the main villages, Sok Kwu Wan or Yung Shue Wan. Separate ferries from Central Ferry Pier 4 can take you to either location. More ferries run between Central and Yung Shue Wan so we recommended you end your day at Yung Shue Wan. This way you won’t have to wait too long for a return ferry back to Hong Kong Island. Once aboard the ferry try to sit at a window seat so you can enjoy the view of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon while sailing through Victoria Harbour.

The Village of Sok Kwu Wan

As your ferry approaches Sok Kwu Wan you’ll realize how you are in a place much different from Hong Kong Island or Kowloon. Underneath the shadow of a small green hill lies a short row of two-story buildings. In front of these buildings various awnings nestle up along side the waterfront. These awnings belong to open-air seafood restaurants. You will exit the ferry at the Sok Kwu Wan Pier and turn right, on to Sok Kwu Wan First Street. Here you will find yourself in the midst of the buildings you saw upon your approach on the ferry. The two-story buildings house the working part of the restaurants, such as the kitchens and aquariums. Besides restaurants you will find convenience stores and shopkeepers selling dried fish. There aren’t any souvenir stores or homes in this section of Lamma Island. This village is just for seafood eating. If you are hungry be sure to eat at a restaurant and enjoy the waterfront view. Before embarking on the trail consider buying snacks and a bottle of water from one of the convenience stores for your trek.

Lamma Island’s Trail

With the hill on your left and the water on your right you’ll walk along the street through Sok Kwu Wan. As you reach the end of this street and Sok Kwu Wan’s seafood row you will come upon a temple. This is a Tin Hau temple, one of three on the island. Tin Hau is the Goddess of the Sea and of Fishermen, a helpful deity for locals given Lamma Island’s proximity to the water. From the temple you will continue on the main trail, known as Lamma Island Family Walk. Abundant signs throughout the trail keep you heading in the right direction, towards the village of Yung Shue Wan.

Kamikaze Grottos

The entire Lamma Island Family Walk trail is concrete. The trail goes up and over a hill and takes 1-1/2 hours to complete. After leaving Sok Kwu Wan you will pass a few dwellings but the majority of housing on Lamma Island is in the other main village, Yung Shue Wan. Just continue to follow the signs to Yung Shue Wan so you don’t wind up in someone’s backyard or off the beaten path. After you’ve walked 8-minutes from the Tin Hau Temple you will see one of several small caves on the island. Locals call these caves Kamikaze Grottos. During World War II the Japanese army had troops stationed on the island and were planning on using the caves to hide speedboats. Those boats were for future suicide attacks on Allies’ warships. Before the Japanese carved out the caves large enough to hold boats the war ended. The caves have remained untouched ever since and serve as a reminder as to Lamma Island’s status during the war.

Hilltop Pavilion

From the Kamikaze Grottos you will ascend the hill and reach a scenic point with a view of Sok Kwu Wan and the Lo So Shing Port. The viewpoint with its hilltop pavilion offers benches for those looking to rest before continuing on the trail. As you continue on the trail you will soon reach the top of the hill. It is at this point you will see off the coast a massive building with three tall pillars. This building is the Lamma Power Station. The Lamma Power Station provides power to Lamma Island and Hong Kong Island. The Lamma Island Family Walk trail won’t lead you to the Lamma Power Station. During the rest of your walk you will continue to see the building until you reach Hung Shing Yeh Beach and Yung Shue Wan.

Hung Shing Yeh Beach

Hung Shing Yeh Beach is a sandy beach marred only by the garish view of the Lamma Power Station as you gaze out into water. The beach itself is popular with tourists and locals alike on hot days. There are public toilets next to the beach, ideal if you need a restroom or a place to change into your swimming suit. On one end of the beach you will find benches underneath large trees that offer generous amounts of shade. These benches make for a great escape from the sun and a nice picnic spot. After you leave Hung Shing Yeh Beach you will reach the village of Yung Shue Wan in 25-minutes.

The Village of Yung Shue Wan

As you leave Hung Shing Yeh Beach behind you will continue on the trail and walk past homes, both old dwellings and newer apartment buildings. This section of Yung Shue Wan is home to many foreigners. Yung Shue Wan has a much more relaxed vibe than the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. You’ll know you’re in the heart of Yung Shue Wan when you pass shops selling bakery items such as pineapple buns. There are more convenience stores in Yung Shue Wan than in Sok Kwu Wan so you can restock your water or snack supply if need be. Along with the stores you will once again find seafood restaurants, such as Lung Wah, along Yung Shue Wan Main Street. Enjoy a plate of clams in black bean sauce or salt and pepper squid to rejuvenate after walking the trail.

Once you reach the end of Yung Shue Main Street you may continue on the Lamma Island Family Walk trail. A 10-minute walk will take you to the Tai Peng San Cheun viewpoint. Or you can walk the rest of the Lamma Island Family Walk, which includes the Pak Kok Tsuen Pier to Aberdeen. This trail circles around back to Yung Shue and is another 50-minutes of walking. When you are ready to leave Lamma Island head to the Yung Shue Wan Pier to catch your ferry back to Central Ferry Piers in Hong Kong Island.