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Did you know that Hong Kong is made up of over 200 islands? Lamma Island is less than an hour from Central Hong Kong, but it feels a world away! If you want to experience beautiful island vistas, lush and well-maintained hiking trails, small villages, and fresh seafood with waterfront views, taking a day trip to Lamma Island from Hong Kong Island might be the perfect getaway for you. Find out everything you need to know about visiting Lamma Island from Hong Kong with this guide!
Who is Lamma Island For?
Here is a quick preview of the type of traveler that will enjoy Lamma Island, if you’re in a rush! I’ll expand on this below if you need more information to decide if this is the right day trip from Hong Kong for you.
Lamma Island is worth visiting if:
- You are physically fit enough to get around on foot (Lamma Island is car-free!).
- You enjoy light-to-moderate hiking, coastal views, and beaches.
- You like chill, relaxing island vibes.
- You are looking to get off the beaten path in Hong Kong!
Lamma Island might not be for you if:
- Hiking is not your thing.
- You are a city person.
- You don’t enjoy slow travel.
How to Get to Lamma Island from Hong Kong Island?
To get to Lamma Island from Hong Kong Island, boat travel is the most common way. Several ferries travel between Lamma Island and Hong Kong.
Google Maps shows accurate and easy navigation information for the ferries, so I recommend following that. You can use the Octopus Card, similar to other public transportation in Hong Kong, but you only tap your card when you are entering or leaving Hong Kong.
Lamma Island is small enough that you can walk between the two main ferry ports in about 3 miles, so you can arrive and depart from either one depending on how you organize your trip.
Prefer to take a guided tour to Lamma Island? This tour includes a visit to the Fisherman’s Wharf in Aberdeen and lunch at Lamma Rainbow Seafood Restaurant.
From Central Hong Kong
Departing from Central Hong Kong, you can choose to arrive at either the Sok Kwu Wan Ferry Pier or the Yung Shue Wan Ferry Pier in Lamma Island. These routes have multiple departures each day.
The fare varies depending on which ferry you take to Lamma Island and the day of the week, but it is generally about HK$22 to HK$39 for an adult, one way. Check fares and timetables from Central HK to Lamma Island here.
We took the ferry from Hong Kong Central Pier 4 to Sok Kwu Wan Ferry Pier on Lamma Island. The journey is about 35 minutes.
The journey between Central Hong Kong and Yung Shue Wan offers more frequent departures. The route takes about 30 minutes.
The ferry boats for these routes are large, spanning two floors, with primarily indoor seating, but there is usually a small open-air place to sit.
From Aberdeen
Alternatively, you can depart from Aberdeen on the southwest side of Hong Kong Island, although I think this will be less convenient for most travelers. Using this ferry, you can arrive either at Sok Kwu Wan (via Mo Tat) or Yung Shue Wan (via Pak Kok Tsuen) as well.
This route is run by a different ferry operator; check fares and timetables from Aberdeen to Lamma Island here.
Via the Lamma Rainbow Seafood Restaurant Ferry
The Lamma Rainbow Seafood Restaurant also has its own ferry service available to customers with a reservation. The ferry must be reserved in advance. Find out more details about Lamma Rainbow Seafood Restaurant’s ferry here.
Returning to Hong Kong Island
You can take the same ferries listed above to return to Hong Kong Island. The last sailing from Yung Shue Wan to Central HK is at 23:30, Monday through Sunday. The last sailing from Sok Kwu Wan to Central HK is at 22:40, Monday through Sunday. The ferry schedule is subject to change, so always confirm routes on the day of your visit.
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What to do on Lamma Island?
Lamma Island is a car-free island, with two primary towns and villages sprinkled throughout. The pace is slow, but there are plenty of things to do on a day trip from Hong Kong.
Lamma Rainbow Seafood Restaurant
When you arrive at the pier in Sok Kwu Wan, there is a small fishing village with a row of seafood restaurants along the coast. This was a huge draw for us, as we heard great things about the seafood on Lamma Island.
We went to Lamma Rainbow Seafood Restaurant. We got there right at 11, when they opened for lunch. It is a large restaurant on the water with family-style round tables in rainbow colors, big fish tanks full of shellfish and other fish, and open-air views of the bay.
Everything was delicious, and there were so many options, including things we had never heard of before. We tried the fried clams with black bean and chili sauce, deep-fried squid with salt and pepper, and steamed bamboo clams with fisherman’s sauce. The fisherman’s sauce was briny and savory, with lots of flavor. The bamboo clams were similar to razor clams, but much bigger. We also ordered the fried green kale, which was more like Chinese broccoli or pea shoots than American kale.
They brought tea and dipping sauces to the table, but these were not included in the cost. We probably would have ordered them anyway, so it didn’t bother us. In total, the meal was HK$666, or about $85 USD.
There wasn’t a language barrier when it came to ordering; the menu was in English and our waiter spoke English too.
Hike
Lamma Island is great for hiking, and there are a couple of trails available. The most popular is the Family Trail, which is what we did, but there are also trails in the southern and northern parts of the island.
The Family Trail connects Yung Shue Wan to Sok Kwu Wan. This 3-mile trail is paved and moderate. We hiked this trail from Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan.
As you are hiking out of Sok Kwu Wan, you will pass a Japanese “kamikaze” cave from World War II. Apparently, the Japanese planned to hide kamikaze boats in the deep caves on the island and use them to attack passing Allied ships. However, the war ended before the work was completed.
The Family Trail features beautiful views of the island, coast, and Hong Kong in the distance. Standing on a hill of this vibrant island, with turquoise water stretching in all directions, it is hard to imagine that Hong Kong is less than an hour away. From certain viewpoints, you can see a large power plant near Yung Shue Wan, which only slightly mars the landscape.
The Family Trail is concrete and in good condition, with benches throughout. Trees occasionally offer shade on the trail. The trail was not crowded, although we encountered slightly more people near Yung Shue Wan. The Family Trail travels right by Hung Shing Yeh Beach before arriving in Yung Shue Wan.
Lo So Shing Beach
From Sok Kwu Wan, you can make a slight detour to visit Lo So Shing Beach. Accessed by a couple of flights of stairs, this beautiful beach is protected by a cove and only slightly marred by the giant Lamma Island power plant. There are bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, and a water fountain at this beach, but no other facilities or restaurants.
In the nearby village, along the Family Trail, there was a woman selling water and soda, which was nice because it was pretty hot, even in February.
Explore Yung Shue Wan
Yung Shue Wan is the largest town on the island. You can also take a ferry from Hong Kong directly to Yung Shue Wan. It is a coastal town with lots of small, local shops and restaurants. It is chill and relaxed and reminds me a bit of a laidback Southeast Asian island.
If you prefer not to eat seafood in Sok Kwu Wan, you probably want to eat in Yung Shue Wan, as there is a wider variety of cuisines available. Here are a couple of restaurants and bars to check out in Yung Shue Wan!
The Beer Shack
I recommend grabbing a post-hike beer at The Beer Shack, the home of Yardley Brothers Craft Beer. What began as the Yardley Brothers selling their bottled craft beer on a stand near the beach has become an award-winning craft brewery with taprooms on Lamma and Hong Kong Island.
We tried the supermassive black hole, a squid ink mango basil gose, which was a deep black color, surprisingly fruity, and a little sweet. Luke was excited to see the extra special bitter, an English-style cask-conditioned ale, that you don’t see everywhere, especially in the States. The Beer Shack also offers pickle backs (shots followed by a pickle shot), IPAs, flights, coffee, mulled wine, snacks, and games.
Corner 84
Another place you can check out is Corner 84, a local bakery and milk tea shop. The baked goods were mostly gone by the time we arrived, but the remaining ones looked tasty. The Hong Kong Milk tea was good and not too sweet.
Jaybird
We also tried Jaybird, which brought me back to our Thailand days. The restaurant faces the bay, near the pier, and has a nice patio area out front. We sipped our ice-cold Singhas and munched on peanuts while we waited for the next ferry to arrive.
Jaybird offers a variety of drinks, including cocktails, wine, mocktails, juices, and milkshakes. Food options include burgers, sandwiches, and breakfast. Luke ordered the sausage and egg breakfast sandwich, which was surprisingly good and affordable!
Is Lamma Island Worth a Visit?
Yes, Lamma Island is worth visiting, but it is not for everyone. Now that you know some of the things to do on Lamma Island, let’s consider why Lamma Island is worth visiting, and why it may or may not be right for you.
Pros of Visiting Lamma Island
Ferry
I love taking a ferry when I travel because it is an easy and affordable way to cruise around the area without having to book an expensive boat trip. The ferry ride to Lamma Island from Central Hong Kong is about 30 to 35 minutes, and offers great views of Hong Kong Island.
While the Star Ferry is also a popular thing to do in Hong Kong, it is extremely busy with tourists and it takes only about 10-15 minutes. The ferry to Lamma Island offers a different view of Hong Kong and more time to enjoy the ride.
Fresh Seafood
As I mentioned above, our seafood lunch at Lamma Rainbow Seafood Restaurant was one of the highlights of our trip. The fish was fresh and tender, and there were so many options! Devouring delicious food while enjoying the seaside island views was a welcome change of pace from Hong Kong.
Beaches and Coastal Views
There are some truly beautiful beaches and coastlines on Lamma Island. On a sunny day, the water is bright turquoise, set against the hilly, dense green island.
Lo So Shing Beach is secluded, while Hung Shing Yeh Beach is easily accessible to the larger village, Yung Shue Wan. Between the two, I preferred Lo So Shing Beach; however, it is a bit out of the way unless you are hiking the Family Trail. Hung Shing Yeh Beach is only about a mile from Yung Shue Wan, so it is worth a visit if you aren’t doing the Family Trail.
Seeing a Different Side of Hong Kong
Hong Kong is more than just Hong Kong Island. Kowloon and the New Territories, including over 200 islands, are considered part of Hong Kong. If you only spend time in Central, you are missing a large part of the picture.
While Central and Kowloon are densely packed metropolitan areas, many of the surrounding islands have little to no people living there and offer visitors a chance to see a slower side of Hong Kong.
The pace on Lamma Island is relaxed. The villages are small, and the appeal is in the details: a cold beer after a coastal hike, fresh clams at a waterfront restaurant, wandering a village with no particular agenda. If you’re looking for packed sightseeing or city energy, you’ll find more of that back on Hong Kong Island.
Cons of Visiting Lamma Island
Lamma Island Power Plant
The biggest deterrent to visiting Lamma Island, in my opinion, is the Lamma Island Power Plant. It is visible from Lo So Shing Beach and most places in Yung Shue Wan. It is also right next to Hung Shing Yeh Beach, and therefore would prevent me from wanting to spend much time at this otherwise beautiful beach.
It is not visible from Sok Kwu Wan, however, so if you explored more of the southeastern side of the island, you probably would not see it as much.
Weather
The weather is another thing that could put a damper on your day trip to Lamma Island. It is hot and humid in the summer months, from May until August.
Heavy rain or typhoons are also possible, with the peak season for this occurring from July through September. Rain will make the hiking trails slippery and may cause delays or cancellations in the ferry departures.
Additionally, on a foggy day, the coastal views may be disrupted. Always check the forecast before visiting Lamma Island.
Accessibility
Lamma Island is not very accessible for people who cannot be on their feet for long periods of time. The island is car-free, so getting around requires walking or biking. The sidewalks are generally well-maintained in both Sok Kwu Wan and Yung Shue Wan. The most accessible option might be limited to visiting one of the towns on the island for a local lunch.
Itinerary for One Day on Lamma Island
Here is our itinerary for spending one day on Lamma Island! Of course, you could arrange this however you like, depending on what you want to do.
Note About This Itinerary
We chose to arrive in Sok Kwu Wan first and hike to Yung Shue Wan because we wanted to visit The Beer Shack, which opens at 1 PM on Wednesday through Friday. If you don’t want to visit The Beer Shack, you could easily arrive first in Yung Shue Wan and then hike the opposite way.
10:20 AM Take the ferry from Hong Kong Central Pier 4 to Sok Kwu Wan Ferry Pier on Lamma Island.
11:00 AM Eat a seafood lunch at Lamma Rainbow Seafood Restaurant.
12:00 PM Hike from Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan (about 3 miles). Stop on the way at Lo So Shing Beach.
2:00 PM Grab a beer at The Beer Shack.
3:00 PM Walk around Yung Shue Wan and stop at Corner 84 or Jaybird for snacks and/or drinks.
4:30 PM Take the ferry from Yung Shue Wan to Hong Kong.
When is the Best Time to Visit Lamma Island?
Lamma Island is busy with locals on the weekend, so the best time to visit to avoid crowds is Monday through Friday.
The weather is most pleasant from October through December. May through August is the worst time to visit as it tends to be hot and humid, with a higher chance of typhoons.
In February, it was warm but manageable, not too humid, and I didn’t notice many bugs. There was a good amount of construction going on when we visited, but nothing that hindered our enjoyment.
I recommend checking the weather before you depart for Lamma Island.
What to Pack for Lamma Island?
Lamma Island is much less metropolitan than Hong Kong Island, so I recommend bringing a daypack for your trip. Definitely bring sunscreen, bug spray, a water bottle, cash, and wear athletic shoes. I also recommend wearing cool, breathable athletic clothing and a hat because it gets hot and sunny while you are hiking.
If you want to swim in the ocean, you can also bring a swimsuit and a towel. I like a lightweight pack towel for trips like these because they don’t take up much space.
How Much Does a Day Trip to Lamma Island Cost?
We spent about HK$874 or $112 USD for two adults to spend a weekday on Lamma Island. The majority of that was lunch at the Lamma Rainbow Seafood Restaurant, where we spent HK$666 (about $85 USD).
Where to Stay on Lamma Island?
I think Lamma Island is better for a day trip, but you can stay overnight. There isn’t much more than a day’s worth of activities, but if you have extra time, this might be a good place to stay overnight to soak up some more island vibes.
We didn’t stay overnight, but the Concerto Inn looked like a fun place to stay, with a large shared patio and rooms overlooking Hung Shing Yeh Beach. Note that this hotel is very close to the power plant (but it shouldn’t be visible from the rooms) and about a 25-minute walk from Yung Shue Wan.
Reflections on a Day Trip to Lamma Island from Hong Kong
Between the lush jungle landscape, rugged coastline, and turquoise waters, there is no shortage of scenery to enjoy on Lamma Island. With the addition of fresh seafood and local shops and restaurants to check out, Lamma Island is an underrated day trip from Hong Kong.
Have you visited Lamma Island? Do you think it is worth a day trip?
