A quick trip from Central Ferry - Pier 4 (to Yung Shue Wan) gets you out of the city and onto an island where time slows down a little. A quick walk from the ferry takes you to main hub of shops and eateries. Many vegetarian options are available and restrooms can be found connected to restaurants along the way. Summer is hot. Bring a hat, fan, and water, especially if you plan to do the Family Walk hike to one of the beaches.

Lamma Island is located southwest of Hong Kong Island and is connected by way of 20-25 minute ferry ride from Central and Aberdeen. It is a quiet residential location as well as a popular place for those looking to spend a day out of the city. The island is vibrant and has a much more chilled out atmosphere than what you find in the densely populated locations around HK Island and Kowloon. There are plenty of eateries, convenience stores, food shops, banks and basic shops, particularly around the village of Yung Shui Wan in the northwest of the island. There are a few small accommodation options here as well as a couple more at the popular Hung Shing Yeh Beach. At the Sok Kwun Wan end of the trail, there is a promenade lined with traditional Chinese seafood restaurants. Visitors to Lamma will find a 5 km long Family Walk across the island, passing through nice countryside, small villages and a couple of really nice small beaches. There are two Tin Hau Temples, WWII remnants in the form of the Kamikaze Cave and other interesting points of interest along the route. Hikers will be able to enjoy nice viewpoints, rest stops and public facilities found along the way. The route is almost entirely paved and fairly easy, making it family-friendly and accessible for those who prefer leisurely and low-impact hikes. Note: For ferry service to/from Lamma, have a look at the HKKF ferry website for service schedule between Central (HK Island) and Yung Shue Wan (Lamma Island) as well as Sok Kwu Wan (Lamma Island). Look at the Chuen Kee ferry website for schedule between Aberdeen (Hong Kong Island) and Sok Kwu Wan (Lamma Island). Overall, Lamma is a good day out from Hong Kong. There is enough to keep you busy and occupied for half a day. Worth packing a picnic to enjoy at one of the beaches or just take a meal at one of the cafes at Yung Shue Wan or a Chinese seafood restaurant at Sok Kwu Wan. Otherwise, just enjoy your day at Lamma before returning to the city in the afternoon or evening before dinner.

...(if that makes sense) that you can easily visit from the Central piers, Lamma is MUCH larger than either Cheung Chau or Peng Chau and in population terms is very sparsely habited. The two main settlements that can be reached from pier 4 are the larger Yung Shue Wan in the north west and smaller Sok Kwu Wan south east, which can also be reached from Aberdeen. There are also a few very small hamlets dotted around. When I first visited here years ago, I didn’t like it and didn’t get it so I understand some of the negative reviews BUT having visited here multiple times since, I now truly love Lamma Island as a getaway from the city. It has as many different sides as you need: secluded beaches and popular beaches; local seafood and varied international fare; cool new bars and SE Asian-style drinking shacks; relaxed paths to stroll along and challenging hikes to majestic peaks. If you plan your trip here a little bit rather than just expecting some kind of ‘island experience’ just by turning up (of which I was guilty in the past) then I bet you’ll love it here too. Unless that is you’re expecting luxury, in which case it might not be for you but that expectation will limit your enjoyment of any of the outlying islands and areas at all, ultimately and sadly I would say.