Sharp Island — Hong Kong's True Island Beach Experience
The Outdoors — Sai Kung, Hong Kong
Sharp Island: Hong Kong's True Island Beach Experience
Hap Mun Bay · Kiu Tsui Beach · The Tombolo Trail
Leaving Manila, I was expecting to just handle some business to get the year going right. But some delays allowed me to look at some of the trails I used to take before — and one of them brought me back to Sharp Island, that green gem in Sai Kung considered a quick escape to nature for those weary of the urban upheaval of Hong Kong.
The ferry from Sai Kung pier — your gateway to the island
The island map at the pier: Kiu Tsui Beach on the left, Hap Mun Bay on the far right
The first stop after docking is Kiu Tsui Beach — and it is an immediate delight. Trees lean over golden sand, dappling the shore in shifting light. Small children scramble along the shoreline. It is precisely the kind of family-friendly, unhurried beach experience that Hong Kong hides so well behind its glass towers.
Kiu Tsui Beach — and yes, I was very happy to be back
I would return here just for this beach alone. The trees lining the shore make it feel far removed from the city — a true island beach experience within Hong Kong. But the trail beckoned.
The popular trek between Kiu Tsui and Hap Mun Bay may look easy on paper — and at five kilometres it is perfectly suited for beginners. But do not underestimate it. I was not in my hiking shoes, and was quietly worried about slipping. The heat, even at fifteen degrees Celsius, can be searing on exposed sections. I passed quite a few Chinese hikers complaining about it. Apparently, the rewarding views do not seem to matter much when your feet are cooking.
The forest staircase — shaded, atmospheric, and mercifully cool
From shaded forest to exposed ridge — the trail shifts character more than once
The trail is clearly marked — too well marked, almost touristy. But that is no bad thing. It alternates between cool forested staircases, narrow dirt paths winding through scrub, and open ridges where the wind picks up and the world opens wide.
The rewarding views don't seem to matter when you're complaining about the heat — but then you reach the ridge, and everything quiets down.
The view from the ridge — worth every step, every complaint
I arrived at Hap Mun Bay shortly before one in the afternoon. The tide was high, the beach busy with families. A lookout post near the sand sold cold drinks and snacks, and a pleasant lawn at the back invited picnickers. I was grateful for both.
Hap Mun Bay — where the trail ends and the ocean begins
The explorer in me carried me further — past the sand, onto the rocky part of the beach, where I sat for another hour doing absolutely nothing. Meditating, if I am being generous. It helped, more than I expected.
Food was all I could think about by then, so I hopped on the ferry directly from Hap Mun Bay back to Sai Kung. Hong Kong, like most Chinese cities now, is convenient this way. Everything connects. Everything is reachable. The Hidden Lagoon: A "secret" heart-shaped lagoon (natural rock pool) tucked into the coastline. The Tombolo: During low tide, a natural sand and gravel bridge (tombolo) that connects Sharp Island to the nearby islet of Kiu Tau, allowing you to walk across the ocean floor. I arrived in high tide. Volcanic "Pineapple Buns": The island is a UNESCO Global Geopark by the way; for its unique rock formations that resemble Hong Kong’s famous pineapple buns.
Back at Sai Kung — the floating seafood market greets every returning hiker. I bought a pack of dried squid to take home to Manila. Tastes differnt from ours. Let's just say it had a cleaner feel and less salt.
But running back to the rocky shore made me think about something else entirely. Development is real, and it is creeping into the once-protected, much-loved nature that Hong Kong has long celebrated. The trails are well-maintained. The ferries run on time. The lookout post sells cold drinks, sandwiches and ice-cream. It also sells swim gear and toys for kids. And somewhere in all that convenience, the wildness quietly negotiates its own survival.
Sharp Island today is still beautiful. Go while it stays that way.
Comments
Post a Comment