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Header image courtesy of Big Dodzy (via Unsplash)
Hong Kong’s largest outlying island, Lantau, is home to the city’s international airport, Hong Kong Disneyland, and the iconic Big Buddha. Despite its urban developments, Lantau Island remains one of the best places in Hong Kong for an escape into nature, offering a diverse range of landscapes, greenery, mountains, and sandy beaches.
Hikes through the untamed countryside of the island promise breathtaking views, but its beaches are just as picturesque. More time-consuming to reach than those on Hong Kong Island or even off the Sai Kung coast, the beaches on Lantau Island are oases of tranquillity for any visitor looking for a sunbath, a good view, and a fun time spent splashing in the waves. Whichever beach you choose to post up at for the day, you can count on finding an unspoilt environment and a moment of peace, far from the city.
Before you head out to one of the following beaches, remember to bring water and sunscreen, and to wear something to cover your head. We also recommend checking the transportation schedule so as not to miss the last bus or ferry of the day.
Cheung Sha Beach is probably the most famous beach on Lantau Island. Divided into Upper and Lower sections, Cheung Sha stretching along three-and-a-half kilometres of sandy shore, and is the longest beach in all of Hong Kong. It is also one of the most peaceful, and one of the most beautiful, in our humble opinion. After all, it enjoys golden sand, sunset views, and is surrounded by mountains. If you’ve just summited Lantau Peak, you can take a swim, look up, and take in your accomplishment!
Cheung Sha Beach offers the usual seaside activities—swimming and lying down in the sun. Waves are not too strong on this side of the island, so you can enjoy a calm splash, or you can rent a kayak or a stand-up paddle board and go on an adventure! Facilities include public washrooms and showers, as well as umbrellas and chairs for hire. There is also a nice selection of places to eat and drink on Lower Cheung Sha.
Take the ferry from Central to Mui Wo and hop on bus 1 or 2 until you reach the Cheung Sha Beach stop. Alternatively, make your way to the Tung Chung MTR station, and hop on bus 3M until you reach the Cheung Sha Lower Beach stop. You could take a taxi, but remember that urban red taxis are not allowed to travel to parts of southern Lantau and Tung Chung Road, so you might have to swap halfway for a blue Lantau taxi.
Pui O Beach, located close to Pui O village and not far from Cheung Sha, is a wilder beach, with thin white sand, turquoise waters, and herds of meandering water buffaloes. Untouched, it is a peaceful place for hikers to stop by after a day traipsing around the mountains, but it’s also a perfect spot for a stunning view of the sunset on a clear day. Although it is isolated, Pui O Beach is equipped with toilets and showers, and you can easily rent or buy beach gear, should you require it.
Take the ferry from Central to Mui Wo, hop on bus 1 or 2, and stop at Pui O. Alternatively, hop on bus 3M from the Tung Chung Station Bus Terminus, and get off at Pui O. From the village, you’ll have to walk along the coast until you reach this remote shore.
Tong Fuk Beach is located south of Lantau, just west of Cheung Sha, near Tong Fuk village. It’s relatively quiet in comparison to other beaches, but as with most shores on this part of the island, it offers amazing views of the hills, mountains, and calm waters. The beach boasts a barbecue area perfect for grilling up a storm and enjoying drinks with friends while taking in open views of the South China Sea. There are toilets on the beach, but no other facilities—a peaceful getaway comes at a price! Be prepared to pack food and water for your trip, and remember to keep an eye on the last bus back.
Take the ferry from Central to Mui Wo and hop on bus 1. Alight at the Tong Fuk stop, or simply hop on a blue Lantau taxi from Tung Chung.
Widely popular among Discovery Bay—DB for short—residents, this beach is often referred to as Discovery Bay Beach. It’s basically the front garden of this affluent residential community, inhabited mostly by expats and families with young children.
Family-friendly activities are often organised at the beach, which means it can get busy, especially on the weekends! Tai Pak Beach enjoys plenty of promenades to and from, and many restaurants and bars along the shore, and there are also places to hire kayaks and paddles for activities on the water, as well as more extreme water sports like nautical skiing and wakeboarding sessions.
Take the ferry from Central to Discovery Bay. It’s a short walk to the beach from the ferry terminal. If the 10-minute trip seems like too much to handle under the hot sun, there’s also a free shuttle bus service from the ferry to the beach.
Silvermine Bay Beach, located just next to the Mui Wo town centre, is a famous beach in Hong Kong. It’s popular for its proximity to the Mui Wo ferry pier, a mere 15-minute walk. The beach can get quite busy, especially on the weekends when families come out to enjoy the many restaurants and activities on offer. However, this also means that the public facilities are well-developed, and toilets, showers, and changing rooms are available. It’s also easy to rent umbrellas, deck chairs, and equipment such as kayaks and paddle boards.
Take the ferry from Central to Mui Wo, and walk 15 minutes along the coastline to Silvermine Bay Beach. Alternatively, you can also take bus 1 and 2, which make a stop at Silvermine Bay Beach from the Mui Wo Ferry Pier.
For the ultimate nature escape, you can take the long route to Lo Kei Wan. Located south of Lantau Island, this island is one-and-a-half kilometres away from Shui Hau village, the closest trace of civilisation. This beach is one of the most isolated in Hong Kong, and offers scenic views, clear water, and lush greenery. Although it’s not the most convenient spot to go for a day out, it is loved among campers looking to spend a night in nature at the Lo Kei Wan Campsite.
From Tung Chung, hop on bus 11 to Tai O or bus 23 to Ngong Ping until you stop at Shui Hau village. Alternatively, take the ferry from Central to Mui Wo and take bus 1 or 2 and alight at Shui Hau village. From Shui Hau, walk along section nine of the Lantau Trail for about 25 minutes, in the direction of Shek Lam Chau.
Born and raised in the French countryside, Lily arrived in Hong Kong looking for an adventure. Passionate about books, she spent some time in Parisian publishing houses and is the author of an illustrated book about hair. Life in Hong Kong for her entails looking for seaside places to eat and a lot of hiking.
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