Hong Kong and Macau_ City Guide (Lonely Planet, 14th Edition) - Andrew Stone [207]
The main operator serving the Outlying Islands is New World First Ferry (NWFF; 2131 8181; www.nwff.com.hk). NWFF boats sail to/from Cheung Chau, Peng Chau and Lantau, and connect all three via an interisland service. The Hong Kong & Kowloon Ferry Co (HKKF; 2815 6063; www.hkkf.com.hk) serves destinations on Lamma only and also has a customer service centre ( Map; pier 4, Outlying Islands ferry pier; 9am-6pm).
Ferry timetables are subject to slight seasonal changes. They are prominently displayed at all ferry piers, or you can read them on the ferry companies’ websites.
Tickets are available from booths at the ferry piers, but avoid queuing at busy times by using an Octopus card or putting the exact change into the turnstile as you enter.
If your time is limited, you can go on an organised tour (Click here) or even hire your own junk (Click here).
LAMMA
For travelling to/from Central, both Yung Shue Wan and Sok Kwu Wan are served by HKKF ferries from pier 4 ( Map) at the Outlying Islands ferry pier in Central. The Aberdeen to Lamma ferry services are run by Tsui Wah Ferry Service ( 2272 2022) linking the pier at Aberdeen Promenade with Yung Shue Wan, via Pak Kok Tsuen. There is also a smaller ferry – more like a kaido, really – run by Chuen Kee Ferry ( 2982 8225, 2375 7883; www.ferry.com.hk) between Aberdeen and Sok Kwu Wan; all but two stop at Mo Tat Wan along the way.
A sampan from Aberdeen to Sok Kwu Wan/Yung Shue Wan will cost from $100 during the day and double that or more in the wee hours, when drunken revellers who have missed the last ferry back from Central are trying to get home. If you should be in the same boat – as it were – don’t panic; there’s usually at least one other person willing to split the cost.
Central–Yung Shue Wan Adult $14.50 ($20 on Sunday and public holidays); 30 to 35 minutes; departures approximately every half-hour to an hour (with additional sailings around 8am and 6pm) from 6.30am to 12.30am. The last boat to Central from Yung Shue Wan departs at 11.30pm.
Central–Sok Kwu Wan Adult $17.70 ($25 on Sunday and public holidays); 40 minutes; departures every 1½ hours or so from 7.20am to 11.30pm. The last ferry to Central from Sok Kwu Wan is at 10.40pm.
Aberdeen–Yung Shue Wan Adult $17.50, via Pak Kok Tsuen ($7.50); departures 10 times a day from 5.20am to 8.35pm Monday to Saturday (Sunday from 7.20am to 6.20pm). The last ferry for Aberdeen departs Yung Shue Wan at 9.15pm and Pak Kok Tsuen at 9.30pm Monday to Saturday (on Sunday the last departure is at 7pm from Yung Shue Wan and 7.15pm from Pak Kok Tsuen).
Aberdeen–Mo Tat Wan Adult $9.20; 23 minutes; up to 13 departures daily from 6.45am to 10.50pm, every 30 minutes from 7am to 7.30pm (on Sundays and public holidays there are 19 departures from 6.40am to 10.50pm).
CHEUNG CHAU
For travelling to/from Central, ordinary and fast ferries run by New World First Ferry for Cheung Chau depart from pier 5 ( Map) at the Outlying Islands ferry pier in Central.
As well as the services listed below, an interisland ferry ($11.10 for all sectors) links Cheung Chau with Mui Wo (usually via Chi Ma Wan on Lantau) and Peng Chau seven days a week. The first ferry leaves Cheung Chau at 6am, and the last ferry is at 10.50pm; boats depart approximately every 1¾ hours. From Cheung Chau, it takes 20 minutes to reach Chi Ma Wan, 30 to 45 minutes to Mui Wo and 50 to 75 minutes to Peng Chau.
Central–Cheung Chau (ordinary ferry) Adult ordinary/deluxe class $11.50/18 ($16.80/26.20 on Sunday and public holidays), 55 to 60 minutes; departures approximately every half-hour from 6.10am. The last