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Tap Mun Island (Cantonese: Tap mun, English: Grass Island) is a small island north of Sai Kung. It's said that the name Tap Mun comes from the character "Lü" (Lü), meaning "stacked stones," which are towering like a tower, with a hole at the bottom resembling a door. Besides the stacked stones, the island also boasts other scenic spots, such as the Dragon's Neck Tendon, offering distant views of Gong Chau and Chek Chau. The main tourist route runs from the pier to the east and west coasts, converging at the pavilion in Sheung Wai. A well-marked trail then leads to Mao Ping Shan, Tap Mun's highest point.
Tap Mun Island, known as "Sea Paradise," may be part of Hong Kong, but its atmosphere is distinct from the city's. It's neither bustling nor bustling, but rather aesthetically pleasing. If you're tired of Hong Kong shopping and the crowds, spend half a day here to refresh your eyes and enjoy the deserted sea views.
Tap Mun Island is neither big nor small. For ordinary tourists, it is recommended to take the following tour route.
The loop takes about an hour, and it's quite pleasant to take photos and enjoy the sea along the way. Apart from a local fisherman's convenience store and restaurant at the pier, there aren't many other facilities on the island. Most Hong Kong locals come here to relax, walk their dogs, camp, hike, fish, and climb mountains. A few also go surfing and snorkeling, but some activities are not recommended for non-professionals.
If you want to explore Tap Mun Island in more depth, you can hike up the mountain from the prominent trail at the Sheung Wai Pavilion. The hike takes 3.5 hours and is 6.5 kilometers long, with a difficulty rating of around 3 stars. The path is dirt.
There are not many facilities on Tap Mun Island. There are convenience stores and restaurants at the harbor terminal. The local specialties are sea urchin fried rice (about HK$100/portion, large enough for two people), ginger milk tea (about HK$28/bottle), salty lemon tea (about HK$25/bottle), and other noodle sets are about HK$30-50. After getting off the pier, turn left and right to find restaurants, and the prices and tastes are similar.
The island also has a rich variety of special dried seafood, and if you don’t mind the smell, you can take some back with you when you leave the island.
Tips: Please note that there are no shops on the island except for the tea restaurant and store near the port, so if you need to restock, you should fill up here before going out to play.
Most visitors to Tap Mun Island love taking photos here. The well-preserved environment, docile cattle, artistic pavilions, azure waters, emerald green grass, and bizarrely shaped rocky coastlines create a perfect photo environment. The island is also sparsely populated and safe, so you can dress up and take photos here, enjoying this mint oasis.
The small loop on the island has a good hiking trail, so you won't sprain your ankle even if you wear high heels.
Grazing cattle and their poop are everywhere on the island, creating a truly pristine environment. So, if you don't want to stumble upon gold beneath your feet, be mindful of your steps. Watching them leisurely nibble on the grass makes time seem to slow down. These cattle are incredibly docile and fun to play with. However, beware: if you leave your camping door open or your luggage unopened, they'll come looking for food, often leaving your belongings messy and covered in drool.
Walking along the island's circular route, you'll reach the Stacked Stones, where you'll find more than a dozen pavilions facing the sea. Here, you can relax, enjoy the sea breeze, and even take some viral photos.
This place faces east and is a good place to watch the sunrise. There will be some backlight in the afternoon, so you can also take beautiful photos.
There are more than a dozen pavilions for you to pose for photos, straight, tilted, high, low, all-angle shooting~
Tips: The ultraviolet rays on the island are strong, so please take adequate sun protection measures.
(Camping is available on both large grasslands)
There's no accommodation on the island, but many people camp there. It's a camping paradise, with a large expanse of grassland near Dieshi available for camping. To wash up, you'll need to go down the mountain to the public restroom near the harbor, or spend a bit of money at a local's house for around HK$30. For food, I recommend buying your own ingredients and cooking a meal there. Enjoy the sea breeze, the starry sky, and some casual conversation – it's a relaxing escape from the city.
There are two piers heading to Tap Mun Island, namely Ma Liu Shui Pier and Wong Shek Pier.
There are fewer sailings at Ma Liu Shui, but there is a subway station near Ma Liu Shui Wharf, making it convenient to travel to and from the city. The earliest departure is at 8:30 am, and there is another at 3:00 pm. On holidays, there is an additional departure at 12:30 pm. The return trip is at 11:10 am and 5:30 pm, with an additional departure at 1:45 pm on holidays.
Huangshi Pier has more sailings, but its location is relatively remote. The specific choice depends on your itinerary.
price
Departing from Huangshi Pier: HK$9.5 on weekdays, HK$14 on weekends (one-way)
Departing from Ma Liu Shui: HK$18 on weekdays, HK$28 on weekends (one-way)
Hong Kong has a subtropical climate, with relatively high temperatures year-round, averaging 22.8°C. However, Tap Mun Island is slightly cooler than Hong Kong, making it a great time to visit year-round. We recommend visiting whenever you have the time to experience a different side of Hong Kong.
