Lamma Island

Island · Hong Kong

Lamma Island

Island · Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Highlights

Popular day-trip destination with fishing villages, hiking, beaches & a laid-back hippie community.

Hong Kong Get directions

@cntraveler

"Just 20-to-30 minutes away from Hong Kong Island by ferry, Lamma Island is a natural wonderland, not to mention one of the city's coolest outlying islands. You've got the best of everything: excellent seafood, nature trails, chill cafes, waterfront bars, local markets, and beaches. You can make your own adventure. If you’re a foodie, head to Main Street for delicious vegan fare at Bookworm Cafe, or try some local craft beers at Yardley Brothers Beer Shack. Swing by Lamma Rainbow, an institution, for top-notch garlic scallops, black bean clams, and juicy prawns." - Kate Springer

24 Best Things to Do in Hong Kong

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@cntraveler

"Start big picture. What's this place about?Just 20 to 30 minutes away from Hong Kong Island by ferry, Lamma Island is a natural wonderland, not to mention one of the city's coolest outlying islands. You've got the best of everything: excellent seafood, nature trails, chill cafes, waterfront bars, local markets, and quirky characters galore. What can we expect to see, then?You can make your own adventure on Lamma, Hong Kong’s most bohemian island. If you’re a foodie, head to Main Street for delicious vegan fare at Bookworm Cafe, or try some local craft beers at Yardley Brothers Beer Shack. Lamma is also famous for its seafood. Swing by Lamma Rainbow, an institution, for top-notch garlic scallops, black bean clams, and juicy prawns. More of a nature buff? Head to the hills on the Family Trail, an easy, 90-minute walk that can be tackled by trekkers of any level. Connecting the island’s east and west coasts, the paved pathway passes beautiful hills, beaches, coastlines, and fishing villages, ending at a number of alfresco seafood restaurants. Beaches are also a highlight—they’re nowhere near as crowded, and they're often cleaner, than the ones on Hong Kong Island. Skip straight to quiet, empty Lo So Shing beach for one of the best sand-in-your-toes experiences. What's the best way to navigate it?It's easy to find your way around since there are only about four streets. Stick to Main Street, near the Yung Shue Wan ferry pier, for the best international dining and shopping options, or follow signs to Sok Ku Wan to dig into seafood and experience the slower, sleepier side of the island. Little side excursions and lookout points are well-marked along the way. If we're short on time, is it still worth a stop?If you only have a morning, you can still experience the Lamma Island highlight reel. Ferry over to Yung Shue Wan, then walk the Family Trail to Sok Ku Wan to see the best of everything before hopping on the ferry back to Central. Just be sure to take note of the ferry schedule to avoid getting stranded." - Kate Springer

Lamma Island

View Postcard for Lamma Island

Helen H.

Yelp

Experience fishing villages, temples, beaches, cafes and bars on a Lamma Island hike. Day trips to Lamma is good with family, friends & dogs. The Island is small so you can walk from one side to the other. If you do plan to spend the day then I suggest getting to Yung Shue Wan, Lamma Island: Take a ferry from Central Pier No. 4 to Yung Shue Wan. It takes about 30 minutes. Then leaving from Sok Kwu Wan, Lamma Island: Take a ferry from Sok Kwu Wan to Central or Aberdeen. Stop 1: Yung Shue Wan the main residential area on Lamma Island, with shops, bars, cafes and restaurants. Stop 2: Hung Shing Yeh Beach (Around a 20-minute walk from Yung Shue Wan Pier) white sandy beach, you can enjoy the sun, sand and water. Stop 3: Tin Hau Temple Stop 4: Sok Kwu Wan This tiny village is still very much focused on fishing. The seafood restaurants along the bay are great!

Priscilla W.

Yelp

Although Lamma Island comes highly rated on Trip Advisor and Lonely Planet's 2015 Travel Guide, it's a huge tourist trap and doesn't necessarily capture the beauty of Hong Kong's countryside. From Pier 4 at Central, there are two ferries to take to/from Lamma Island's two main piers: Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan, with the former being more popular and running more frequently. Most visitors hike the Family Walk, which is a ~4 km long trail (~2 hours slow-paced walking with stopping for breaks and photos), from one pier to the other. The power plant at Yung Shue Wan is an eyesore, but there are a few other lookout spots on Lamma Island that provide stunning views of the fishing villages, beaches, and sparkling waters. I recommend Sai Kung over Lamma Island for a half day trip, but Lamma Island is still a good option for those who prefer mild hiking (ie: not too long or difficult in elevation).

Gee K.

Yelp

quaint island, supposedly the third largest in hong kong, that's about a 30 minute ferry ride from hong kong island. stayed here a couple nights with an expat friend who moved here to escape the crowded bustle of hong kong. cheaper rents and a lot more chill here. this island is so quaint that normal automobiles are not allowed here. instead, there are small truck carts for transporting goods. the main road runs through yung shue wan village where an assortment of chinese seafood restaurants, british pubs, and various international restaurants line it. unfortunately didn't get to visit the beach due to the tsunami and my short stay here. overall, a good change of pace from the heavily populated hong kong island.

Sarah C.

Yelp

You can take a ferry to Lamna Island and walk from one end to the other along a solid paved path and as you take this walk, you will pass by some beaches and seafood restaurants. Unfortunately the whole time we were in Hong Kong it was raining, so we had to adapt our plans slightly. Instead, we caught a fast ferry provided by a restaurant and went over to the island to Rainbow seafood restaurant and had a great seafood banquet menu and some beverages too. This is the perfect location to visit in a group for a boozy lunch.

Deb P.

Yelp

Major tourist trap. My God. Even the seafood restaurants are a major rip off. Yes the seafood is fresh from the sea --- but you'll get caught in the fisherman's net re: price point. Painful. Meh. Overrated.

Daniel A.

Yelp

Me and my friend had half a day to spare, and we decided to do it in Lamma Island- turned out as a nice choice! Access to the island is rather easy by dropping off at HK/Central station and walk along the bridge towards the pier, there you can catch a short ferry to one of two stops on the island, we started with the less popular one and walked across the island to the other. We took the ferry back from Yung Shue Wan- You can easily spend a whole day on the island if you're willing to hike outside the main trail, bring lots of water! It's super warm. We started by going to the other side (red circle on the map) and climb to hill to get a panoramic view- this place is mentioned on the main map but if we found the right place it's off trail - means there's no sign next to it, so you'll have to find the trail yourself. After that we went back to walk across the island. We stopped at the top for a refreshing pineapple and some cold drinks, to cool down from the long way up (be prepared!) The way up is pretty long and somewhat steep, but you need just comfy shoes and that's it, it's not a difficult path. The signs are everywhere so it's really hard to get lost, and if you'll walk it like we did- you can even cool down on the beach next to the power station, so bring a bathing suit if you want to. Afterwards you'll get to the more crowded area of the city and can sit down and relax or just walk around and enjoy the atmosphere before you had back to busy Hong Kong. Nice experience which seems to me like a place which is off the map for the usual tourists.

Christina C.

Yelp

Probably my favorite island in Hong Kong. It's only a short boat ride from Central / Aberdeen. Lamma Island is a quaint little town - bearable even on weekends. It has the best of both worlds in terms of food - with the traditional Chinese seafood restaurants on both ends of the island near the pier and western restaurants to entertain. It also has a few craft shops. The walk from Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan (or vice versa) is very scenic and great for beginners. You can take as few or as many stops as you wish along the way. There is a beach (Hung Shing Yeh Beach) at the midway point, which is great for picnic or even a dip! And then there is a wind farm, which is great for selfie lovers and photography enthusiasts.

Trini A.

Yelp

I spontaneously decided to go to Lamma Island for hiking on a Saturday morning. That meant I got there in the afternoon, not the greatest time for that as it was pretty hot and humid. However, I did enjoy the day, the landscape, the villages and the beaches over there; they make you feel like you've left Hong Kong for a while or at least the Hong Kong many of us think about most of the time. I took a ferry from Central to Sok Kwu Wan that took around 40 minute. At arrival, you are welcome by a row of small seafood restaurants. I had packed some emergency food and decided to carry on the route to the closest beach, Lo So Shing. It was a little crowded and after a quick break, I decided to carry on. I wasn't aware most of the path is not shaded and I wasn't wearing a cup. In fact, the nature there is wild but most of the bushes are very low so you're completely exposed (to the sun, in my case). So caps and sunscreen are advisable. Obviously, I got burnt. On my way there I met a guy who was coming back and going to Lo So Shing because he was a little disappointed with Hung Shing Yeh, the beach I was heading to. Nevertheless, I carried on, arrived there, sat down and drank a ton of water. The beach isn't big, but it was less crowded and it is, in my opinion, a much nicer one. Yeah, you see the power station from there but I've you've been hiking, you've seen it along the way, so you know it's still going to be there when you walk down to the shore. It's not a great view (so I cropped all my pictures afterwards!) but it's part of the landscape. I met an expat who had been living in Lamma for a few years. She found it a lot quieter, more peaceful and she wanted to stay long...live there is definitely another story. At the end of the afternoon I walked to Yung Shue Wan to take the ferry from there (this time, only 30 minutes). While waiting for the ferry I sat down at a bench close to the pier and admire such beautiful view, I couldn't get enough!

Kenneth S.

Yelp

Lamma Island is one of Hong Kong's numerous outlying islands, which is popular with both expats and locals. It is a location known for its seafood and a brilliant hiking trail. Getting off the ferry at Yung Shue Wan you will find an assortment of small shops and restaurants along the way; soon you will notice that there is an exceptionally large expat population locally. The environment in the town is a relaxed one, small wonders so many commute in from town. You may elect to ride a bike but most people will choose to trek to the other side of the island for the seafood restaurant on the other side. Along the way you will truly experience the quieter side of Hong Kong; one thing to note is that there are no cars on Lamma- its such a small island that you just get around by foot mainly. You will able to see village houses and in general just a slower pace of life. There is a beach around halfway through on the trek and on the weekends it is a popular location so get there early! One of the other attractions (sites of interest) would be the power station, which is an eyesore to some but awesome to look at none the less. On the island is also the only wind power generator in Hong Kong. In all, a trek through Lamma is a good weekend respite that takes you away from Hong Kong for the 2 hours.