Lamma Island
Lamma Island
4.5
Islands • Hiking Trails
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  • Kimberly W
    Hong Kong, China743 contributions
    A Nice Getaway
    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.
    Visited June 2020
    Written 21 July 2020
  • BradJill
    Hong Kong, China158,676 contributions
    Good day out of the city
    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.
    Visited January 2021
    Written 20 January 2021
  • TheOExpress🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇭🇰
    Hong Kong, China4,470 contributions
    The largest of the smaller islands...
    ...(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.
    Visited March 2021
    Travelled with friends
    Written 3 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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schmidtmg
Switzerland1,070 contributions
Apr 2023 • Solo
I had not been to Lamma since 2011 , before the tragic ferry disaster... I went back on a recent sunny Sunday and took the ferry from Central to Yung Shue Wan, Yung Shue Wan is busy, and busy with expats who seem to reside here. There is a French bakery with fresh (i.e. crispy crust) baguette, and the - wonderful - Lamma Vinyl Record Store, a treasure trove for fans of old vinyls. The owner is very helpful trying to help you locate items, including in other shops on HK Island or Kowloon. The hike from Yung Shue Wan to Sok Kwu Wan is about 75 minutes - halfway through there is a wonderful beach. Sok Kwu Wan has the better seafood restaurants and stands with locally produced XO sauces and shrimp paste. I took the ferry from Sok Kwu Wan back to Central...
Written 1 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lakshman
1 contribution
Dec 2022 • Family
I did not get a god vibe from the locals of the place. I felt they looked down upon my and my friends. At a local apparel shop, just because kids were picking things to see them, the shop lady refused to sell goods to us and asked rudely to leave the shop. Similarly the people always gave a weird stare at my group wherever we went.

Place is ok . There are few beaches where you can enjoy as family and friends. Food is just ok ( i tried Indian cuisine only) . Half day trip is good enough
Written 31 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

VickyLargs
Largs, UK131 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
During our stay I fell in love with this island! The lifestyle here looks very different from the city’s hustle and bustle: relaxed, laid back, easy going. And it’s a very beautiful island with lots of hiking trails with amazing views, nice beaches, delicious food and friendly locals. No cars, just VVs (village vehicles) rustling about and carrying goods. We took a trail from Yung Shue Wan to Sok Kwu Wan fishing village on the other side climbing up for rewarding views and returning along the family path. In Sok Kwu Wan had a delicious lunch. The ferry service is very convenient, only 25 minutes to Central, very enjoyable. There are many expats living on this island, you can hear different languages spoken while wandering about. And the food options you get here range widely from very local Chinese, Indian, Malay, Mexican etc to having quite traditional English or American breakfast at Banyan cafe.
Written 8 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joe
Budapest, Hungary3,371 contributions
Oct 2021 • Friends
In a city of Islands offering everything from sunset hiking, golden beaches and abandoned villages, it can be difficult to know which of Hong Kong’s many many islands to visit next. With an expansive and convenient ferry service, going to and from these Islands is quick, easy and relatively cheap, then choosing where to go next is a great dilemma to have.

Lamma Island, Hong Kong is a quiet and pleasant place with a laid-back feel. People come to the island to enjoy walking on trails. If you go on a Sunday or holiday, you are likely to see many locals. On Lamma Island, there is a walking trail at one end that leads to the traditional fishing village of Sok Kwu Wan, and the other end is the laid back and multicultural village of Yung Shue Wan, where visitors can find international cuisine and handicrafts. Conveniently located just a 40-minute ferry ride from the city, Lamma Island has the charms of Western and Chinese island life, where West meet East. It is a must for everybody’s itinerary.  The trail which is known as the “Lamma Island Family Walk” is a great way to see the Island and is one of Hong Kong’s most loved trails.

It is a gentle hike and relatively easy as it is paved and well-marked, with even refreshment stops and many resting points along the way.

There are some ups and downs and some stairs and steep hikes if you wander out to the many outlook posts, just take your time

You will walk along the water, through the forests and lots of vegetation, little temples, pavillions, with many fantastic views… be sure to stop frequently and take it all in… (and try to ignore the ugly power plant that is definitely an eye sore)

You can start the day with the ferry to Yung Shue Wan, explore the town a bit before embarking on the light hike to Sok Kwu Wan passing through fantastic vistas of beaches, hills, local temples… stopping for a dip in the ocean or a break at the breezy pavilions along the way… then enjoy a nice seafood lunch or dinner before catching the ferry back to town. Or you could do it in reverse as well.

If time is short, skip the hike and stick to either side. The ferry rides are worth it just for the views, both of the majestic Hong Kong Island skyline, and the lush greenery of the mountains as you approach Lamma. And once there, enjoy a nice seafood dinner, and perhaps a breathtaking sunset…

The beach of course is a must see here and it is almost unmissable since it is located between the two ferry piers and easily reached from either.  Not the biggest beach but very clean and with soft sand and lapping ocean waves its perfect for a dip or a sunbath. It is rarely too busy here and gives you a chance to take a break from hectic life and just relax.  The beach has changing rooms and toilets which are functional and adequate to use.

The Lamma island pig is probably the most photographed thing on the whole island.  Muraled onto a random building this splash of colour really jumps out at you as are trekking along.  It is fun, and different to what you would expect to see here.  Perfect for a selfie.  Nearby here are the kamikaze caves, which Japanese soldiers planned to use during WW2.  It’s not much to see but has a nice historical anchor point for the island.

Yung Shue Wan has many little shops and restaurants here and has a nice laid back feel.  There are some great food choices here of both western and Asian styles. There is a hustle of activity here with locals buying their daily groceries or tourists milling around and having a look.  This is where the majority of the ferries stop at so it usually has more people.

All in all if you have a spare day and want to explore a different side of Hong King then I definitely suggest Lamma Island be on your radar.  You won’t regret it.
Written 21 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Nora
New York City, NY14 contributions
May 2022 • Solo
There ere tourists and others who are really nice here. But the locals, they are rude and dreadful here.
Written 11 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MissHK2009
Hong Kong, China3,850 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
There're some offshore islands good for day trip and I picked Lamma Island for my nephew last Sunday. We took ferry from Central pier and the ride was very cozy with excellent air con (very important these days) and less than 30 mins.

Our route was from Yung Shue Wan (some western restaurants) to Sok Kwu Wan (some Chinese seafood restaurants) via the Hung Shing Yeh Beach.

The path was flat with a bit uphill, we walked awhile, ate awhile (eg the famous Ah Po Tofu) and took a rest in the kiosks on the way. We had lunch in the Concerto Inn which is next to the Hung Shing Yeh beach.

It's a sunny hot day. Felt so good to sweat 💦 We spent nearly 7 hours in the island. This place is less crowded than Cheung Chau, another popular island.
Written 26 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mike M
Hong Kong, China2 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
Nice place 30min away from Hk Island by ferry.

Good option to spend the day, lots of restaurants and few beaches.

Better on weekdays since weekends can be too crowded
Written 11 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TheOExpress🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇭🇰
Hong Kong, China4,470 contributions
Mar 2021 • Friends
...(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.
Written 4 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Mairwen1
United Kingdom9,148 contributions
Jan 2021
Lamma Island is a favourite day-trip. Ferries go to both Sok Kwu Wan and Yung Shue Wan which are on opposite sides of the island. An excellent plan is to catch the ferry to one side, then follow the walking trail over to the other side and catch the ferry home from there. It works equally well whichever way you do it.
The seafood restaurants are better at Sok Kwu Wan so we usually plan to catch a ferry here first for lunch, then walk the Family Trail up and over the island to Yung Shue Wan, where the ferries are more frequent.
EATING - Rainbow Restaurant is an established and popular spot along the waterfront, next to a small beach at Sok Kwu Wan. If you’re eating here, they have a boat which will pick you up and take you back to Central.
HIKING - The Central Lamma Hiking Trail is a 3km walk from one end of the island to the other and takes about an hour. It’s paved and, for the most part, there are no difficult or horribly steep sections so it is a very manageable walk for children.
SIGHTS – The Kamikaze Caves are an interesting WWII relic and there are several Tin Hau temples (including one with a freakishly preserved oar fish). You can easily spend a full day here enjoying the Hung Shing beach, the walking trails and the old-world charm of the island villages.
GETTING TO LAMMA: Public ferries run every day throughout the day from Central Pier 4. The piers are numbered in order, from 1-10 so it is easy to find the #4. You don’t need to book ahead because you can buy your ticket at the machines near the gate or use an Octopus card. However on a Sunday, there can be quite a crowd for the ferry so it is good to make an early start if you can. Ferries run more frequently to/from Yung Shue Wan and take 20 min. The Sok Kwu Wan ferry will take about 25 min. Tickets vary in price depending on which ferry and whether it's a Sunday or public holiday but they are around $20 HKD each way for an adult.
Written 3 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BradJill
Hong Kong, China158,676 contributions
Jan 2021
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.
Written 20 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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