Day Trip to Lamma Island
If you’re looking for a quick and easy escape from the skyscrapers of Hong Kong, then look no further! A day trip to Lamma Island is one of my favourite ways to see a completely different side of Hong Kong. Just a short ferry ride from Central, this laid back island is known for its quiet beaches, hiking trails, and fresh seafood – which makes for a day of relaxation and adventure!
I visited Lamma during my week in Hong Kong, and found it super easy to explore independently. You don’t need a tour, and with a little planning, you can easily see the highlights in just one day.
In this guide, I’ll show you exactly how to plan a day trip to Lamma Island. This includes how to get there, which ferry to take, the best things to do, where to eat and whether I think Lamma is actually worth visiting. [Spoiler Alert: It is!] So let’s get started…
About Lamma Island
Lamma Island, also known as Y Island or Pok Liu Chau, is Hong Kong’s third largest island (13.5 km2), behind Lantau Island and Hong Kong Island. It belongs to Hong Kong’s Island District in the southwest of Hong Kong.
The island is vastly different from the hubbub and buzz of Central or Kowloon. With no cars or towering skyscrapers, it offers peace and tranquility with a far more slow-paced atmosphere. Think lazy fishing towns, sleepy cafes and idyllic views – making it an ideal day trip from Hong Kong.
How to get to Lamma Island
The easiest way to reach Lamma Island is to take a ferry from Central Pier 4 in Hong Kong Central to either Yung Shue Wan or Sok Kwu Wan. The journey provides amazing views of both the city (as you leave) and of the islands (as you dock).
Alternatively, there are more ferries from Aberdeen to Sok Kwu Wan or Mo Tat Wan. It’s slightly cheaper, but from a less-convenient location (unless you’re already nearby). Plus ferries are less frequent and more impacted by weather here so I don’t recommend.
How much are ferry tickets to Lamma Island?
You can buy your ferry tickets on arrival at the ferry port using your Octopus travel card or cash.
Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry (HKKF) Services are the main operator, prices are:
- Adults (12-64): $HK24.90 (Mon-Sat) or $HK34.70 (Sundays & Public Holidays)
- Children (3-11): $HK12.50 (Mon-Sat) or $17.30 (Sundays & Public Holidays)
For the alternative route: Aberdeen Ferry Services costs $19.00 (Mon-Sat) or $HK21.00 (Sundays & Public Holidays).
How long does the ferry to take to Lamma Island?
How often do the ferries run?
Ferries connecting Central and Lamma Island are pretty frequent (i.e. multiple per hour).
The exact schedule varies depending on day of the week and holidays. I recommend checking the ferry timetables in advance to avoid waiting.
If you miss the ferry to Yung Shue Wan, you can easily wait for the next. Central is within walking distance, so you can wander there to pass the time. Alternatively, you can follow this Lamma Island itinerary in reverse and start from the south instead.
Which port to arrive at on Lamma Island?
You can take a ferry to either end of Lamma Island – Yung Shue Wan (in the north) or Sok Kwu Wan (in the south). I recommend arriving at Yung Shue Wan.
I suggest catching the 09:10 ferry from Central to Yung Shue Wan; which arrives at around 09:35.
Yung Shue Wan is Lamma Island’s most-developed town, and the perfect place to start your day by grabbing breakfast or a coffee. Starting in the north also means you can save your seafood feast until the end of your day.
The main risk of following the Lamma Island route from north to south, is that fewer ferries run from Sok Kwu Wan to Central. This means there’s a higher chance of you waiting for a while. But that’s why you have the timetables anyway!
Lamma Island Itinerary
In short, here’s how I’d plan my day trip to Lamma Island:
- Morning: Ferry to Yung Shue Wan, big breakfast, and explore the town
- Late-morning: Begin the Lamma Island Family Trail
- Daytime: Enjoy hiking, viewpoints and beaches
- Evening: Seafood in Sok Kwu Wan + ferry back
Yung Shue Wan
Yung Shue Wan is the main village on Lamma Island and translates as Banyan Tree Bay.
Your first stop might not look like much on arrival, but its narrow, quaint streets create a maze of shops and cafes to explore! Filled with charming boutiques, art galleries and cosy bakeries, I definitely picked up a slight western feel to the town. I even stumbled across a record shop displaying UK artists that I knew!
Yung Shue Wan is a great place to grab a cup of freshly brewed coffee, go for a gentle stroll, and immerse yourself in village life as you enjoy its blend of traditional and bohemian vibes. I recommend Banyan Bay Cafe for breakfast.
NOTE: If you arrive later (i.e. lunchtime), there are several good restaurants. Perhaps grab some dim sum or seafood noodles – I like Kukumomo.
I used the town to grab a few snacks and beers for the beaches later in this day trip! There’s not many other places to buy things until you reach the other end of the island.
Lamma Island Hike (Lamma Island Family Trail)
For nature enthusiasts, there are a handful of hiking options on the island. Since you only have one day in Lamma Island, I highly recommend the scenic Lamma Island Family Trail which links the north and south of the island.
As the name suggests, it’s suitable for families and beginners!
This well-marked trail is 6km long and connects the ports of Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan.
It takes you through lush greenery, offering panoramic views of the coastline and surrounding islands.
Compared to other hikes in Hong Kong, it’s a relatively easy and no-where near as sweaty. It’s suitable for all fitness levels, and can be easily adapted to include detours to more sights in this itinerary.
The trail itself isn’t particularly crowded, but you will see people at some of the stops along the way.
Power Station Beach
You may have heard of bar crawls, but have you ever heard of a beach crawl?
Probably not, because I’ve just made it up… But anyway, Lamma Island is the perfect place to go beach hopping! Its beaches are tranquil and less crowded than those on the main island, making them perfect for unwinding and enjoying the natural beauty.
The first on your route is Power Station Beach, which is located a 20-minute walk from Yung Shue Wan, beyond Sha Po Old Village.
So named because it overlooks an industrial power station, Power Station Beach was actually my favourite beach on Lamma Island. It’s a weird juxtaposition between the lush green trees and the idyllic sea in one direction, alongside the slightly dystopian, man-made structures in the other.
Its long sandy shores are quiet because of the lack of facilities. Plus it’s unregulated which means you have more freedom to do what you want – that doesn’t mean it’s okay to litter!
Hung Shing Yeh Beach
The next bay along from Power Station Beach is Hung Shing Yeh Beach, the most popular beach on Lamma Island.
It has various facilities including changing rooms, showers, a barbecue area and some restaurants. All of which attract tourists and locals looking to relax.
This sandy beach isn’t as big as Power Station Beach, but it’s an interesting change of pace as you move through Lamma Island.
Lamma Island Lookout Pavilion
As you follow the Lamma Island Family Trail through the narrow center of Lamma Island, there are a few great viewpoints.
The Lamma Island Lookout Pavilion offers spectacular views of two beautiful bays on the west side of Lamma Island. You will need to make your way through a few trees to get the best view.
After this viewpoint, the Family Trail moves further inland, meaning views are intermittent views until the Sok Kwu Wan Lookout.
Sok Kwu Wan Lookout Pavilion
The Sok Kwu Wan Lookout Pavilion offers your first look at the finish line – the village of Sok Kwu Wan!
From this lookout, you can see the fishing villages as well as other islands in the distance.
It’s a really peaceful spot where you can sit down and admire the scenery.
Lo So Shing
Continuing along the Lamma Island Family Trail, take a slight detour to Lo So Shing Beach. This is the last beach on your day trip to Lamma Island and a great place to watch the sunset!
It’s alos home to the Lo So Shing Sitting-Out Area, which is essentially an extended piece of land sticking out with a load of benches. I thought it would be more interesting than it was, so you can miss this out!
As you leave Lo So Shing Village, you will come across the Kamikaze Caves.
During World War II, Japanese soldiers were stationed at Lo So Shing which they used as a naval port. These caves are man-made tunnels and were used to conceal munitions and speedboats which were launched from here on suicide missions.
Now, these caves along the coast of Sok Kwu Wan remain open for tourists to explore. It’s a bit dark, but you can go in a long way to see if you can find anything interesting.
Sitting out area.
Kamikaze caves.
Sok Kwu Wan
Sok Kwu Wan is much smaller and less developed compared to Yung Shue Wan. It’s primarily known for its many seafood restaurants, which makes sense given Sok Kwu Wan means Cable Fishing Net Bay.
At the entrance to the village, check out the Tin Hau Temple. Built in the 1800s, this temple and its intricate architecture provide a glimpse into Lamma Island’s cultural past. It’s one of many Tin Hau Temples across Hong Kong, with residents celebrating the birth of the sea goddess every year at the Tin Hau Festival.
The town itself is dominated by seafood restaurants, which are usually quieter by evening! Sit down and enjoy some locally caught seafood right by the sea.
The most popular seafood restaurant in Sok Kwu Wan is Rainbow Seafood Restaurant (Lamma Rainbow). The food fresh and you can expect anything from crab and lobster to oysters, squid and local fish.
Even with the pictures on the menu, it was a little overwhelming! However, the staff helped explain the set menus (which worked out cheaper).
For the quality, freshness and amount of seafood that we received, it was decent value! Definitely not the cheapest meal you’ll find in Hong Kong, but one of the most unique.
The seating areas of each restaurant blend into one another. One of the other options is Fu Kee Seafood Restaurant which looked largely similar.
Getting back from Lamma Island
Lamma Island isn’t known for its nightlife! This sleepy island tends to wind down relatively early. Therefore after sunset and food, I recommend taking the ferry back to Central Hong Kong.
From Sok Kwu Wan to Central, it takes around 40 minutes by ferry.
I timed it with the daily Hong Kong lights show (8:00 pm) which made the journey back in the dark more interesting!
Lamma Island Itinerary Map
Use the map below to plan your day trip to Lamma Island. I’ve also all of the best things to do in Lamma Island, so you can see where they’re located.
More things to do on Lamma Island
If the above isn’t enough for your one day in Lamma Island or you plan to return, here are a few more ideas of things to do on Lamma Island.
- Lamma Winds: One of Lamma Island’s best vantage points and home to the island’s first (and only) wind turbine. There are great views from up here, plus you can learn about renewable energy at the small wind power exhibition. Lamma Winds is located in the north, so a simple detour from Yung Shue Wan or Power Station Beach.
- Lamma Art Collective: Located in Yung Shue Wan, a group of local creatives on Lamma Island provides exhibitions, workshops, and community art projects.
- Tung O: A quaint and serene village with a charming waterfront, traditional fishing boats, and picturesque views of the surrounding sea and hills.
- Sham Wan Beach: The only beach in Hong Kong where Green Turtles are known to nest. Because of this, it’s closed April-October, however, this protected beach on the south coast of the island is truly idyllic.
- Ling Kok Shan Hike: Standing at 250m and not far from Sok Kwu Wan, this is a great way to extend the Family Trail further.
- Mount Stenhouse Hike: The tallest point on Lamma Island offers some of the best views over the rest of the island!
Where to stay on Lamma Island
If you’ve fallen in love with the idea of Lamma Island, or you don’t want to ferry hop to and from the island, below are a few of my top picks for accommodation on Lamma Island:
Yung Shue Wan is probably the best area to base yourself as it has the most facilities, but since the island is relatively small, you can stay anywhere and be just fine.
- Concerto Inn: A popular stay on Lamma Island due to its close proximity to Hung Shing Ye Beach.
- Bali Holiday Resort: Another popular option, located in Yung Shue Wan. This means you’re close to all the restaurants and bars that Lamma has to offer.
- Bayshore Inn: Another great option near Hung Shing Ye Beach.
Is Lamma Island Worth Visiting?
Yes – Lamma Island is one of the best day trips in Hong Kong! Particularly if you’ve already seen the main sights of Hong Kong and want a slower day outdoors.
Lamma Island is great for anyone looking for beaches in Hong Kong, village life, seafood, easy hikes or simply an escape from city life.
I perhaps wouldn’t recommend visiting if you’re short on time. With the ferries to and from the island, visiting Lamma Island will take up most of your day. If you only have 24 hours in Hong Kong, there are so many other things to do that will give you a different flavour of the city!
It doesn’t have the same excitement of hikes like Suicide Cliff or Tai Mo Shan, but it’s a completely different (and far more relaxed) feel.
Lamma Island vs Cheung Chau
Lamma Island and Cheung Chau have a lot of similarities. They’re both more rural, car-free islands where you can swim, hike and relax. But if you’ve only got one day for a day trip, which do you pick? I’d probably choose Lamma, here’s why:
- Lamma Island: is probably better if you’re looking for hiking, nature, beaches or seafood. It’s slightly larger than Cheung Chau and closer to Central.
- Cheung Chau: more developed, and good for cycling, village atmosphere and also some beaches.
Lamma Island vs Lantau Island
Lamma Island and Lantau Island are actually a lot more different! Lantau is a massive island that takes longer than a day to explore! Though it’s still great for a day trip.
- Lantau Island: More developed, more activities, better hiking, no ferry needed, more restaurants and malls
- Lamma Island: Quieter, easily-accessible village life, better beaches, seafood
FAQs
Before you go
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Happy travelling!
This is one of the best blogs ive read about Lamma Islands. Beautifully written . Thank you so much !
Thank you Shabnam, hope it was helpful!