Grass Island, or you may call it Tap Mun 塔門 is located in the northeastern part of Hong Kong, it is very close to Sai Kung East Country Park. Getting to Grass Island is a long way with different mode of transportation, but trust me you will not regret it going there.
How to get there & return:
1. Take MTR East Rail Line to University station.
2. Take Exit B, follow the sign to Ma Liu Shui Pier, it takes about 10 minutes walking. (After exiting the station, take your left and follow the red bicycle path, walk towards the sea direction)
3. Get on the Kaito Ferry at Ma Liu Shui Pier to Grass Island (Tap Mun), journey is about 1.5 hours. (Fare: Monday to Friday – $18 / Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays – $28). Although the ferry journey is long, it’s very scenic as you sail your way to the island. You will see the beautiful Sai Kung Country Park & Ma On Shan on your right, and on your left, you will the Pat Sin Leng, the Eight Immortals Mountains and also Plover Cove Reservoir. Get some fresh air, enjoy the breeze and admire the view you have around you.
4. For return you can either take the ferry back to Ma Liu Shui, or you can take the ferry to Wong Shek Pier:
( i ) From Grass Island back to Ma Liu Shui is the same journey, 1.5 hours. After arriving Ma Liu Shui Pier, you will walk to East Rail Line University Station to take the train.
( ii ) If you choose to go to Wong Shek Pier, which is in Sai Kung, ferry journey is only 35 minutes. However, you have to take the KMB bus #94 to go to Sai Kung Pier for changing other buses to go back to the city. KMB bus #94 frequency is every half-hourly.
5. Kindly refer to the Kaito Ferry website for more details of their services.
Grass Island is a small island with only approximately 100 population, it’s a place you’ll find peace & inspirations. Most people are doing day trip from the city, you can easily round the island by feet within 3 hours. It is also a good place for camping. The campsite is facing the east, so you are going to get a beautiful sunrise right from your tent when you wake up in the morning.
“Land really is the best art.”
– Andy Warhol
Remember to try their famous Sea Urchin Fried Rice, Sea Urchin & Egg Sandwich and their Ice-less Cold Ginger Milk Tea, they are not to be missed. As soon as you arrive at Grass Island Pier, you will smell sun-dried fish and other seafood as the villagers are selling them on the stalls setting up along the small path from the pier to the village. You’ll then find yourself in the village where you’ll see a few restaurants, they are all having almost the same menu. Go check them out and find one that you like. Bon Appétit!!!
Tap Mun New Fishermen’s Village and Yung Shu Village are the only 2 villages on the island. You’ll be walking through the villages when you do your circular walk, you’ll see the rustic life of the people there. As a tourist, we should not forget respecting their place of living, keeping the island clean, while enjoying ourselves.
“Balanced Rock 疉石” and “Lung Keng Kan 龍頸筋” are 2 beautiful spots for pictures, follow the path and you won’t miss it. For “Lung Ken Kan”, it is less common, and its location is not far from the Dragon View Pavilion, slightly up north, follow the ribbons and the chalked-arrow that are left by the hikers. You will find it easily, you know you are on the right track when you see a steep slope with a long rope, hold on tight to the rope and descent. Be very careful and go slow, safety always comes first.
The last ferry leaving Grass Island for Ma Liu Shui is at 1730, make sure you don’t forget to check your watch. Ferry to Wong Shek Pier has more frequency, giving you more flexibility. The villagers also run private speedboat to Wong Shek Pier for your information.
If you enjoy Grass Island, I am sure you’ll love Tung Lung Chau 東龍洲 even more.
