Big Wave Bay

Big Wave Bay faces east into open water at the north-eastern end of the Shek O headland, which gives it the most consistent surf on Hong Kong Island: small by international standards but enough to support board rental shops, a surf school and a resident crowd who check the forecast daily. The beach is lifeguarded in season and backed by a row of shops and noodle stalls. Above the northern end of the sand, reached by a short path, is a prehistoric rock carving of geometric and animal-like patterns, a declared monument and one of a small number of such carvings around the Hong Kong coast. The Dragon's Back trail descends to the bay.

What you actually see

• The most reliable surf on the island - the open eastern exposure.
• The prehistoric rock carving - a declared monument above the sand.
• Board hire and surf school - the shops behind the beach.
• The Dragon's Back descent - the ridge walk arriving at the bay.

When to go

September to March for the best swells; summer brings small surf and heavy crowds. Half a day. Weekends fill both the beach and the board hire.

Honest expectations

The surf is small and inconsistent by any international measure. Rip currents are real and lifeguard cover is seasonal. The beach is packed on summer weekends. The rock carving is faint and easy to walk past.

Nearby

Shek O is south; the Dragon's Back ridge rises behind.