Perhaps a unique archipelago awaits your discovery at Kiu Tsui Country Park. This is the smallest island country park in Hong Kong. Kiu Tsui Country Park is a hidden gem. It is situated in the Port Shelter of Sai Kung.
Kiu Tsui Country Park was designated in 1979. It encompasses 100 hectares. The park includes Sharp Island, also known as Kiu Tsui. Seven other outlying islands also belong to the park. These are Kiu Tau, Pak Sha Chau, Tai Tsan Chau, and Siu Tsan Chau. Cham Tau Chau, Yau Lung Kok, and Tuen Tau Chau complete the group.
Many come here for angling. Hap Mun Bay on Sharp Island attracts beach lovers in the summer. Take a kaido at the Sai Kung Market ferry pier to explore these islands.
Sharp Island is the main attraction. It has become a popular destination. Hap Mun Bay boasts crystal clear waters and silvery sand. Swimmers flock to this seaside haven on Sundays and public holidays. If you prefer a quieter spot, Kiu Tsui Beach is a good choice. Shark nets and lifeguards protect both beaches. Rocky shores provide ideal spots for anglers.
Kiu Tau is an inshore islet. A tombolo links it to Sharp Island at low tide. This sandy strip allows you to walk across and explore the islet for a short period.
Kiu Tsui Beach offers many facilities. You will find toilets, showers and barbecues here. Dense woodlands surround the beach. The trees provide shade even on hot summer days.
Among the eight islands, only Sharp Island has wooded slopes. The other islands have sparse vegetation. Forests on Sharp Island consist primarily of native trees. The Camphor Tree and Ivy Tree thrive here. You can also spot the Chinese Banyan and Horsetail Tree. The African Tulip Tree adds vibrant color. Shrubs like Rose Myrtle and Dwarf Mountain Pine also grow.
Many bird species inhabit these islands. You might see the Striated Heron or White-bellied Sea Eagle. The Indian Cuckoo and Asian Koel also live here. Keep an eye out for the Greater Coucal and Sooty-headed Bulbul. Other birds include the Common Tailorbird and Japanese Tit. You can also find the Black-necked Starling and Crested Myna. The Black Drongo, Oriental Magpie, and Large-billed Crow complete the avian ensemble.
Sharp Island has a peak of only 136 metres. Despite its modest height, Sharp Island offers scenic trails. A circular hill path leads to Hap Mun Bay and Hoi Sing Wan. This route passes through Hak Shan Teng and Kiu Tsui Bay. Experienced hikers will enjoy this route. Some sections are steep and challenging. Other parts are overgrown with grass. The summit offers a sweeping view of the coast.
Sharp Island is also a geosite of the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark. The Sharp Island Geo Trail stretches across the tombolo. This natural sand levee appears only at low tide. Here, you can see quartz monzonite boulders. These rocks have unique pineapple bun-like cracks.
About 140 million years ago, a volcano existed in Sai Kung. Sharp Island was on the margin of the caldera. This explains the diverse volcanic rocks found around Sharp Island.
The sea currents formed the tombolo over many years. The tombolo connects Sharp Island and Kiu Tau. At high tide, the tombolo disappears under water.
The waters around Sharp Island teem with marine life. Over 70% of the area has stony corals. Brain corals and lettuce corals dominate. The northern shore has the highest coral coverage in Hong Kong.
These corals support about 170 species of fish. Spotted seahorses and threadfin porgies thrive here. Also the sargassum fish adds to the diversity.
Today Kiu Tsui Country Park offers you the chance to reconnect with nature. Enjoy its beauty. Cherish its tranquility. Protect its fragile ecosystem for future generations.