While most tourists flock to Cheung Chau and Lamma Island, there are several nearly forgotten islands hidden around Lantau. Names like Peng Chau, Hei Ling Chau, and Ko Tei Chau are unfamiliar even to many Hong Kong locals, but this very isolation has preserved the purest fishing village character.
With Hong Kong's tourist growth of 18% in 2026, major outlying island attractions are overcrowded, making these islands a sanctuary for travelers seeking to escape city noise. Unlike Lantau's commercialized development, there are no cable cars or theme parks here—only the most primitive island life.
The Charm of Islands Secluded from the World
The defining characteristic of these islands is "slowness." No cars, no high-rises; most island residents are third or fourth-generation fishermen still maintaining the traditional rhythm of working at sunrise and resting at sunset. Island shops may close at 2 PM because the owner is going fishing; seafood restaurants only open when there are fresh catches—if there's no fish, they rest.
This freedom from commercial logic is already hard to find in Hong Kong. Especially on weekends, when other outlying islands are swamped with visitors from Macau and Shenzhen, these islands maintain their tranquil island pace.
Secret Islands Worth Exploring
Peng Chau
This small island of less than 1 square kilometer is a pearl northeast of Lantau. The island has one of Hong Kong's last traditional bakeries, where handmade wife cakes and chickpea cakes have recipes unchanged through three generations. A 15-minute walk along the coastal path from Peng Chau Ferry Pier leads to Finger Mountain—though only 95 meters high, the 360-degree sea views rival those from Victoria Peak. The island's "Peng Chau Cha Chaan Teng" has only 6 tables, but their stir-fried rice noodles use flower crabs caught the same day by their own fishing boat, with a freshness that amazes.
Hei Ling Chau
Located at the southern tip of Lantau, Hei Ling Chau was once Hong Kong's leprosy rehabilitation center, now transformed into an ecological conservation area. Though there's no regular ferry service, you can charter a boat from Mui Wo, about 30 minutes one way. The island has Hong Kong's most complete cluster of stone houses, plus a small chapel from the 1950s—a secret spot for photography enthusiasts. Over 200 bird species inhabit the island, with October to March being the best time for birdwatching.
Cheung Tsui Island
This tiny island of just 0.16 square kilometers sits between Peng Chau and Lantau. Only three households live here, making it Hong Kong's least densely populated inhabited island. Only one ferry runs morning and evening to transport residents, but Uncle Chan, the island's owner, is happy to take visitors to tour his organic vegetable garden. The water spinach and cabbage grown here are a special variety irrigated with seawater, with an exceptionally sweet taste.
Ko Tei Chau
Although the government plans to reclaim land here to build an artificial island, current Ko Tei Chau remains a paradise for fishing enthusiasts. The island's western side has Hong Kong's best rock fishing spots; during the yellowfin bream season from May to September, fishing enthusiasts charter boats for overnight fishing trips. The island has a guesthouse run by retired fisherman Uncle Lee, with only 3 rooms accepting reservations from returning guests only, but his fish soup, simmered from over 20 types of marine fish, is the island's most precious experience.
Pu Toi Island
Though not directly beside Lantau, you can charter a boat from Fan Lau at Lantau's southern tip to reach this southernmost island of Hong Kong. The island's 126 Lighthouse is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Hong Kong, and the "Pu Toi Rocks" at the island's southern end contain Hong Kong's oldest rocks, with geological age exceeding 400 million years. The island has only one cha chaan tang, where owner Auntie May's sea urchin fried rice uses purple sea urchins collected by diving that same day, limited to 8 portions daily.
Practical Information
Transportation
- Peng Chau: Depart from Central Pier 6, regular ferry HK$13.2, fast ferry HK$23.8, journey about 45 minutes
- Other islands: Charter boats from Mui Wo or Peng Chau, price HK$800-1500 (seats 8-12)
- Avoid Sundays as ferry service is reduced
Budget
- Ferry round trip: HK$30-50
- Charter boat split: HK$100-200/person
- Island dining: HK$80-150/person
- Guesthouse accommodation: HK$300-500/night
Opening Hours
- Ferry service: 06:30-23:00 (Peng Chau)
- Island restaurants: Usually 11:00-15:00, 18:00-21:00
- Charter boat service: Book 1-2 days in advance
Travel Tips
Bringing cash is essential—these islands don't accept credit cards or electronic payment. Prepare about HK$500 in cash for emergencies. Island shops have limited options, so prepare sunscreen and drinking water before departure.
Since there's no fixed schedule, confirm return times with boat operators when chartering to avoid being stranded on the island. Ferry services may be cancelled in bad weather—it's best to call the ferry pier to check before departure.
Most importantly, adjust your mindset. The pace of these islands is completely different from Hong Kong's city center. Temporary shop closures and restaurants without menus are normal. But it's precisely this casualness that lets you truly experience one of Hong Kong's last undeveloped pure places.
