Hong Kong Global Geopark, Sai Kung Volcanic Rock Region — Local services in Hong Kong

This is a short 500 metre long trail which starts just past the main ferry pier at Sharp Island. It is flat and stretches the length of the Tombolo, a land bridge that connects the main island to a second tiny island. The tombolo is notable for a high concentration of unique geology which can be spotted throughout.

Note: There is a UNESCO Geo Global information sign along the main walkway shortly before reaching the tombolo. It highlights the various geological features and where to best spot them along the way.

Note: the Tombolo is accessible when tidal levels are lower than 1.4 metres. During height of high tide, this land bridge is slightly underwater so expect to get your shoes a bit wet if trying to cross at these times. However, during the majority of the time it is open for foot crossing. There is a posted tidal schedule just next to the Tombolo. It is worth checking if you are concerned.

Along this short Geo Trail there are various geological features reaching back 140 million years as you will have seen on the UNESCO sign near the start of the tombolo. These include volcanic breccia, rhyolite, tuffite and the quartz monzonite (pineapple bun rocks) for which the trail is best known. These are odd rocks, formed from underground magma that cooled and became solid before making its way to Earth's surface. The minerals upon the surface of the pineapple bun rocks eventually weathered away over millions of years, leaving numerous cracks in the rock surface. These strange quartz monzonite stones are found in fairly high concentration near the start of the tombolo.

The Geo Trail is easy to walk and see in half an hour. However, you can easily spend an hour or more if you are enjoying what you see and want to take it slow or if you want to explore the smaller island connected to the tombolo as well.

Note: To reach Sharp Island and experience the UNESCO Geo Trail here, there are many ferry boats leaving from the Sai Kung pier between roughly 9am and 6pm daily. There are numerous operators located on the main promenade selling return tickets (HK$30) to the main ferry pier on Sharp Island and (HK$40) to Hap Mun Beach on the other end of the island for those who want to experience...

THE WORD ON THE STREET FOR LOW TIDES AT SHARP ISLAND Tourist information always advise visitors to check the tidal reports of the Hong Kong Observatory for the times of low tides. But the charts are actually very difficult to read and in fact it does not pinpoint the tidal movements at Sharp Island.

The ferry helmsman told me the rule of thumb for low tides at Sharp Island. He said that you should go on the 1st or 15th of each month on the lunar calendar. That is when the tides recede between 2pm to 4pm, which would make the perfect afternoon walk on the tombolo.

For other days of the lunar month, the low tides might come so late in the afternoon that it gets dark when you are about done with the walk, especially during the winter. There is also a schedule for last ferry departures at Sharp Island in the...

Takes 25 mins by boat from Sai Kung pier which cost hkd40 for roundtrip. The views are fine and the 1.7km to the other side of the island is not too difficult. Bring food with you as the shop on the Island has little to offer and expensive. Worth a visit which will...