While many travelers associate Hong Kong with its bustling main island and the Kowloon peninsula, the city is a gateway to numerous inhabited and uninhabited islands. Among these, Lamma and Peng Chau offer regular ferry services, vibrant communities, and an array of amenities. However, the more secluded islands, like Ap Chau and Kat O, often require careful planning to explore, providing a unique and tranquil escape from the typical Hong Kong experience.
Ap Chau, also known as Duck Island, and Kat O, or Crooked Island, reside in Hong Kong’s far north, near the Shenzhen border in mainland China. Despite their relative remoteness, a well-thought-out plan allows adventurous travelers to visit both islands in a single day, unveiling their distinct beauty and a departure from the bustling atmosphere of the city.
To embark on this island-hopping adventure, travelers board a kaito, a smaller boat reminiscent of a fishing vessel, departing from Sha Tau Kok in the New Territories. Unlike typical commuter ferries, these boats contribute to the authentic island-hopping experience. Some kaitos accept Octopus transit cards, while others only accept cash, operated by independent companies.
Journeying to Sha Tau Kok poses its own challenge, requiring multiple MTR subway lines and connections to minibusses or a taxi ride. The green taxis in the New Territories only accept cash, making prior arrangements essential. Despite the logistical hurdles, the reward of exploring these unique islands makes the effort worthwhile.
Four kaitos operate daily, departing at 8:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m., and 5:00 p.m., with corresponding return ferries at 6:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. An alternative departure point is Ma Liu Shui, near Sha Tin, offering easier accessibility via public transit but with only one departure per day on weekends and public holidays.
The round-trip cost for this same-day journey is $20 HK cash (approximately $3 US), providing an affordable escape to these remote islands.
While the kaito rides are relatively long, lasting around an hour and a half from Ma Liu Shui, the journey itself becomes an integral part of the experience. Travelers are treated to stunning scenery as the boat navigates through the UNESCO-listed Hong Kong Global Geopark, offering picturesque views of Plover Cove Reservoir and the Tsz Shan Monastery’s impressive 250-foot-tall statue of the Buddhist goddess Guanyin.
Ap Chau, the smaller of the two islands, is the first stop on the ferry journey. Aptly named “Duck Island,” Ap Chau is the smallest inhabited island in the Hong Kong archipelago. Visitors have approximately an hour to explore this tiny island before continuing their journey to Kat O, the larger of the two islands, which boasts a few businesses and a more extensive population.
Both islands are part of the Hong Kong UNESCO-recognized Global Geopark, where tourist activities primarily involve hiking and appreciating the natural beauty. Each island features a small “story room,” providing insights into the region’s history and geography.
In the small fisherman’s village on Kat O, visitors can savor the unique experience of a family-run Cantonese eatery called Yik Man. This casual outer-island eatery offers laid-back meals, typically served family-style with a single set menu. Exploring the island further, travelers can embark on the main Kat O trail, approximately a kilometer long, or venture to the Tin Hau temple for a spectacular view of the Shenzhen shipping container port.
While Hong Kong is known for its fine dining, experiencing a casual outer-island eatery captures the essence of local life. Despite potential language barriers in more remote areas, making an effort to learn basic Cantonese phrases can enhance the interaction with locals and enrich the overall island-hopping adventure.