Sharp Island

Sharp Island, Kiu Tsui Chau, sits fifteen minutes off Sai Kung town and is the easiest piece of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark to reach. Its feature is a tombolo: a natural causeway of rounded volcanic stones connecting the island to the islet of Kiu Tau, exposed at low tide so that people walk across dry-shod and covered again as the water rises. The rock along the shore is volcanic breccia weathered into knobbly forms that local guides call pineapple bun rock for its resemblance to the pastry. Two beaches with changing facilities and a barbecue area sit on the western side, and a short trail crosses the island.

History

About 140 million years ago a volcano stood in Sai Kung, and Sharp Island lay on the edge of its caldera, which explains the many different volcanic rocks around its shores. Sea currents later piled up sand and gravel into a tombolo, a natural bridge to Kiu Tau that is submerged at high tide (Wikipedia, Sharp Island).

The landscape

• The tombolo to Kiu Tau - a stone causeway exposed at low tide.
• Pineapple bun rock - weathered volcanic breccia along the shore.
• Two swimming beaches - the sheltered western bays.
• Geopark rock formations - the volcanic geology the island is protected for.

When to go

October to April for comfortable walking; check the tide table, since the tombolo is only crossable around low water. Half a day. Weekends bring crowds from Sai Kung.

Practical notes

The tombolo disappears at high tide and people get caught on the wrong side. Stones on the causeway are loose and slippery. The beaches are busy on weekends and jellyfish appear in summer. Boat operators vary in reliability.

Nearby

Sai Kung town is west; the Sai Kung peninsula lies north.

Key facts