Listen closely to the tale of Sam Pak Wan. This is a story not just of a place but of Hong Kong’s changing shores. Sam Pak Wan is a bay located on Lantau Island. It is part of the Islands District.
In Cantonese Sam Pak Wan means third white. It refers to one in a series of beaches with white sand. These beaches are closely linked. The others are Tai Pak Wan. Yi Pak Wan and Sz Pak Wan.
Cleanliness is key to Sam Pak Wan. The Environmental Protection Department monitors the bay. They publish cleanliness gradings. These gradings are updated quarterly. As recently as September 2024 Sam Pak Wan earned a grade of 2. This indicates the beach is generally clean. Similar gradings were given in June 2023. March 2023. December 2022. September 2023. June 2023. March 2023 and December 2023.
Sam Pak Wan’s story is entwined with Discovery Bay. Discovery Bay includes Tai Pak Wan. Yi Pak Wan. Sam Pak Wan and Sz Pak Wan. In 1964 K M A Barnett wrote about Discovery Bay. He noted these villages. Barnett was a District Commissioner in the New Territories. He was also a World War Two prisoner of war.
The name Discovery Bay may have come from British surveyors. When they landed at Tai Pak Bay villagers did not understand. They replied digging for clams. This sounded similar in Cantonese. Another theory says HEICS Discovery surveyed the area.
Discovery Centre or DC was in Sze Pak Wan. DC was a non-profit. Voluntary Christians ran it. Mike and Pamela were a British couple. Mike studied at Hong Kong University. Pamela taught at Diocesan Girls School. Activities included sailing. Boat rowing. Mountaineering. Religious studies happened after sunset. There was no public transport directly to Sze Pak. People took a ferry from Central to Peng Chau. DC had its own motorboat to the beach.
Sam Pak Wan may seem like a quiet bay. It is a place where history and nature meet. Its story is a reminder of Hong Kong’s past. It is also an example of the city’s commitment to preserving its natural environment.