Shek O

Shek O sits at the far south-eastern corner of Hong Kong Island at the end of a winding coast road, and it has kept the feel of a village: low houses in narrow lanes, a Tin Hau temple, Thai and Chinese restaurants around a small square, and a wide sandy beach with lifeguards and changing rooms. Behind the beach a headland path leads out to a viewpoint over the rocks and the open sea. Big Wave Bay, the surf beach, lies a short walk or ride north, and the Dragon's Back ridge walk, one of the most popular hikes in Hong Kong, ends near the road above the village. Weekend traffic on the single access road is heavy.

What's there

• The village lanes - low houses and small restaurants behind the beach.
• A wide lifeguarded beach - the main swimming bay of the south-east.
• The headland viewpoint - rocks and open sea beyond the village.
• The Dragon's Back finish - the ridge walk ending above the village.

When to go

April to October for swimming; the ridge walk is better in the cooler months. Half a day. Weekends and holidays fill the beach, the buses and the restaurants.

Practical notes

The single road in jams badly at weekends and the bus queue can be very long. The beach is crowded in summer and jellyfish appear. Restaurant prices reflect the location. Parking is close to impossible.

Nearby

Big Wave Bay is north; Cape D'Aguilar lies south.