A Day Trip From Tseung Kwan O to Sai Kung Town: Seafood, Islands and Volcanic Rocks

Tseung Kwan O may be known for its high-rise estates and busy malls, but one of Hong Kong’s most relaxed seaside towns is only a short ride away. Sai Kung town has harbor-side seafood and island beaches, plus some of the city’s most dramatic geology. Check out this article for an easy day trip plan from Tseung Kwan O.

Getting There: Bus or Minibus

Reaching Sai Kung from Tseung Kwan O is simple, and you don’t need a car.

• Bus 792M: Runs from Tseung Kwan O Station to Sai Kung town, a comfortable option if you live near the town center.
• Green minibus 101M: Leaves from Hang Hau Station and runs straight into Sai Kung town. Have your Octopus card ready.
• Green minibus 12: Connects Sai Kung with Po Lam, handy for residents in the northern part of the district.

Weekend mornings get busy, so leaving early pays off. You will also get to the waterfront before the lunch crowds.

Morning: The Waterfront and Tin Hau Temple

Start with a walk along the Sai Kung waterfront, where boats come and go from the public pier and fishermen sometimes sell their catch straight from their sampans.

Before heading out to sea, step into the old town center. Just off Po Tung Road, in the middle of Sai Kung Market, you’ll find the Tin Hau Temple. It is a Grade II historic building that dates back to the early 20th century, with a two-hall layout and a small courtyard. It gets especially lively on Tin Hau’s birthday, the 23rd day of the third lunar month, when local fishing families come to pay their respects.

Midday: A Kaito to Sharp Island

From the Sai Kung pier, small ferries called kaitos take visitors out to the islands. A favorite destination is Sharp Island, part of Kiu Tsui Country Park. Designated in 1979, it covers about 100 hectares and is Hong Kong’s smallest island country park.

• Hap Mun Bay Beach: At the southern end of Sharp Island, this beach has barbecue pits, showers, changing rooms and a kiosk. Lifeguards are on duty from April to October.
• Kiu Tsui Beach: On the island’s western side, usually a little quieter.
• The tombolo: At low tide, a natural sand and pebble bar links Sharp Island to the small islet of Kiu Tau, so you can walk across.

Kaito fares and times vary by operator, so ask at the pier before you board and confirm the return time.

Afternoon: Hexagonal Rock Columns

Sai Kung is part of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark, and its volcanic rocks are worth the extra effort. About 140 million years ago, a huge volcanic eruption left behind rhyolite columns that average about 1.2 meters across and cover more than 100 square kilometers.

The best place to see them up close is the East Dam of High Island Reservoir. On Sundays and public holidays, green minibus 9A runs there from Pak Tam Chung, which you can reach on bus 94 from Sai Kung town. On other days, a taxi is the easiest choice. The High Island Geo Trail is about 3.3 kilometers long and takes around three hours.

Evening: Dinner on Seafood Street

Back in town, finish the day on the waterfront strip known as Sai Kung Seafood Street. Restaurants here keep live seafood in tanks out front. You choose what you want, agree on a cooking style and wait for it to arrive at your table.

Ask about prices first. Seafood is usually charged by weight. Steamed fish with ginger and spring onion, salt-and-pepper mantis shrimp and garlic scallops are all classic choices.

Looking Ahead: The Volcano Discovery Centre

The Volcano Discovery Centre in Sai Kung Waterfront Park, next to the bus terminus, is the Geopark’s visitor center and a good place to learn about the rocks before you see them. It closed for refurbishment at the start of 2026, with work expected to finish in the second half of the year, so check whether it has reopened before your trip.

Making a Day of It

Whether you’re after a quiet morning by the harbor, a swim off Sharp Island or a close look at ancient volcanic rock, Sai Kung town is an easy escape from Tseung Kwan O. With the bus and minibus links so close to home, there is no need to plan weeks ahead.

Pick a clear day, pack some sunscreen and leave room for dinner. It is one of the simplest ways to see a very different side of Hong Kong without traveling far.