How to Take the Ferry to Lamma Island from Central Pier 4

ByDeborah Rogers Hours Categories How to Get Around
Tourist map of Lamma Island at the Sok Kwu Wan ferry pier in Hong Kong, showing hiking trails, scenic spots, and suggested sightseeing routes across the island. The board highlights popular Hong Kong hiking paths, beaches, and cultural sites, blending nature with island charm.

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Lamma Island is home to one of my favourite walks in Hong Kong (the Family Trail), plus some surprisingly good little shops at the Yung Shue Wan end. Between the trail, the beach, and a browse through the shops, a trip to Lamma by ferry hits that sweet spot: a bit of walking, a bit of browsing, and plenty of breathing space.

In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how to take the ferry to Lamma including where to find the right pier, which route to take, how to pay, and a few things to know before you go.

No need to pre-book or plan it down to the minute. Just turn up, pay, and enjoy one of Hong Kong’s most laid-back outlying island trips.

✨ Quick answer: How to get to Lamma Island

  1. To get to Lamma Island, go to Central Pier 4 on Hong Kong Island. From there, choose either the ferry to Yung Shue Wan or Sok Kwu Wan.
  2. Pick Yung Shue Wan if you want the easiest option for shops, cafes, beaches and a relaxed wander.
  3. Pick Sok Kwu Wan if you want seafood restaurants or plan to walk the Family Trail back towards Yung Shue Wan.
  4. The ferry to Yung Shue Wan takes about 27 minutes, while the ferry to Sok Kwu Wan takes about 30–40 minutes.
  5. You can pay with a Tourist Octopus card at the turnstile or buy a ticket at the pier.

👉 If this is your first time using Hong Kong ferries, my Hong Kong day trip ferries guide explains how Lamma, Cheung Chau and Lantau compare.

1. Where to find the Lamma Ferry Pier

Man runs along the Central ferry promenade. There are red flags along the shelter walkway and a sign that directs people to the Hong Kong day trip piers.

To catch the ferry to Lamma Island, head to the Central ferry pier on the Hong Kong Island side. Don’t confuse this with the Star Ferry pier from Kowloon/Tsim Sha Tsui (Kowloon is on the opposite side of where the Hong Kong day trip ferry piers are located).

Once you’re near Central Pier, follow the blue signs for “Outlying Islands”.

How to get to the Central Pier from Kowloon

Take the Star Ferry from Tsim Sha Tsui to Central (a scenic ride on its own), then follow signs along the promenade to the outer island piers. You won’t miss them.

Or hop on the MTR to Central Station, head through the IFC Mall, and follow the overbridge walkway to the piers. It takes about 10 minutes on foot, and it’s well signposted.

How to get to Central Pier from Hong Kong Island Side

Blue sign at Central Ferry Piers in Hong Kong showing directions to outlying island ferries, including Pier 5 for Cheung Chau.

Take a taxi or the MTR to Hong Kong Station, then follow signs through IFC and out to the piers via the overbridge.

👉 For a broader overview of when to use taxis, the MTR, ferries and trams, read my guide to getting around Hong Kong.

Once you’re at the waterfront, go down the stairs to the left and walk along the promenade. You’ll see clearly marked signs for each destination (in this order):

  • Pier 6: Lantau Island (Mui Wo)
  • Pier 5: Cheung Chau
  • Pier 4: Lamma (Yung Shue Wan & Sok Kwu Wan)
  • Pier 3: Lantau Island (Discovery Bay)

Lamma Island Pier 4

Entrance to Pier 4 at Central Ferry Piers in Hong Kong, with signs for ferries to Sok Kwu Wan and Yung Shue Wan on Lamma Island. People walk toward the terminal under a covered walkway, and small red Chinese flags are strung above the entrance.

From Central Pier go left and walk along the waterfront for about 5 minutes until you reach Pier 4.

2. Choose your Lamma Destination: Yung Shue Wan or Sok Kwu Wan?

Close-up of Pier 4 entrance at Central Ferry Piers in Hong Kong, showing signage for the Sok Kwu Wan ferry to Lamma Island with a fish graphic and bilingual text. Chinese and Hong Kong flags hang above, and a vending machine and stairwell are visible inside the terminal.

There are two main ferry routes to Lamma Island, so you’ll want to choose your destination based on what you plan to do on the island:

  • Yung Shue Wan: This is the most popular and frequently serviced route. Yung Shue Wan is a lively village with a mix of local shops, cafes, and beaches. It’s the perfect starting point if you’re planning to hike the Yung Shue Wan to Sok Kwu Wan trail (also known as the family trail) or just want to explore the village.
  • Sok Kwu Wan: This route is less frequent but ideal if you’re heading to Sok Kwu Wan for its famous seafood restaurants or want to start your hike from this side of the island. Ferries to Sok Kwu Wan also depart from Central Pier 4.

Which Lamma ferry should I take?

Choose this ferryBest for
Yung Shue WanFirst-timers, cafes, shops, beaches, relaxed wandering, easiest return ferry option
Sok Kwu WanSeafood restaurants, starting the Family Trail from the quieter end, a more “destination lunch” feel
Sok Kwu Wan out / Yung Shue Wan backBest if you want to walk the Family Trail and finish with shops or lunch

My recommended Lamma route for first timers:

If you just want to poke around a few shops and have lunch then return to Hong Kong, I’d recommend the Yung Shue Wan route.

However, if you’re up for walking the Family Trail (one of my favourite easy hikes, taking about 1-1.5 hours), I typically catch the ferry to Sok Kwu Wan, do the walk, and end with lunch at Yung Shue Wan. I catch the ferry back to Hong Kong from there.

3. Lamma Ferry Schedule

Interior view of the Yung Shue Wan ferry terminal at Pier 4, with passengers walking past small convenience stores selling snacks, drinks, and hot food under bright signs. A blue overhead sign indicates the direction to Yung Shue Wan, and people are casually browsing or checking their phones.

I don’t usually bother syncing my day around the Lamma ferry schedule. I just head to the pier when I’m ready and catch the next one. If I was aiming for Sok Kwu Wan and the timing’s off (the ferries are a bit less frequent there), it’s no big deal. I just hop on the next ferry to Yung Shue Wan instead.

  • Yung Shue Wan schedule: The ferries to Yung Shue Wan run approximately 6.30 a.m.—11.30 p.m., and depart around every 20 minutes.
  • Sok Kwu Wan schedule: The ferries to Sok Kwu Wan run from approximately 7.20 a.m.—10.40 p.m. There is usually at least an hour between ferries, so check out the official timetable if you need to be precise.

Return ferry tip: You do not have to return from the same Lamma pier you arrived at. If you walk the Family Trail from Sok Kwu Wan to Yung Shue Wan, you can simply catch the ferry back to Central from Yung Shue Wan. Just make sure you are checking the timetable for the correct pier before you settle in for lunch or dinner.

4. Lamma Island Ferry Fare

A hand holds an Octopus card above a blue and yellow ferry turnstile at the Cheung Chau Ferry Pier, with a green arrow and “Please Enter” displayed on the screen. The digital display shows a fare of $27.5 HKD, indicating the price for the Cheung Chau ferry.

The Lamma Island ferry fare varies slightly depending on your destination, and whether you’re travelling on a weekday or weekend.

Current Lamma Island Ferry Fares (as at June 2026)

RouteJourney timeMon–Sat adult fareSunday/public holiday adult fare
Central Pier 4 to Yung Shue WanAbout 27 minutesHK$24.90HK$34.70
Central Pier 4 to Sok Kwu WanAbout 30–40 minutesHK$30.90HK$43.50

*Fares and sailing times can change, so check the official HKKF or Transport Department ferry pages before travelling, especially on Sundays and public holidays.

You don’t need to pre-book. To pay, purchase tickets at the pier or use your Tourist Octopus card or standard Octopus card, and tap straight through at the turnstile. Super easy.

If you want to have transport sorted before you arrive, you can book a Tourist Octopus Card in advance and collect it when you land.

👉 If you are still deciding how to pay for transport, my Tourist Octopus Card guide explains whether it is worth getting before you arrive.

5. Boarding the Lamma Ferry

Passengers boarding the Lamma Island ferry via a short ramp, including adults and a child with a pink backpack. The ferry's entrance is partially visible, with yellow and black safety markings on the floor and structural beams framing the dock area.

Ferries usually start boarding about 10 minutes before they leave, so it’s worth turning up a little early, especially on weekends when things can get crowded.

Once you’re on board, you’ve got options: sit inside in the air-con or head upstairs to the open deck for harbour views all the way to Lamma.

6. Enjoy the Ferry Ride to Lamma

View from the back of the Lamma Island ferry, showing churning wake trailing behind in the dark green water. In the distance, high-rise buildings line the Hong Kong shoreline against a backdrop of green hills and dramatic clouds.

The ferry ride to Lamma takes about 25–30 minutes if you’re heading to Yung Shue Wan, or around 35–40 minutes for Sok Kwu Wan.

Along the way, you’ll pass the Hong Kong skyline, scattered outlying islands, and the occasional fishing boat bobbing past. It’s one of those slow, scenic rides that sets the tone for the whole day. I never get tired of it. 😎

Lamma is one of several great Hong Kong day trip ferry rides worth checking out.

7. Arriving at Lamma Island

Tourist map of Lamma Island at the Sok Kwu Wan ferry pier in Hong Kong, showing hiking trails, scenic spots, and suggested sightseeing routes across the island. The board highlights popular Hong Kong hiking paths, beaches, and cultural sites, blending nature with island charm.

Once you’re off the ferry, just start walking.

At Yung Shue Wan, the village path is right in front of you. Perfect for a relaxed wander or kicking off the island hike.

At Sok Kwu Wan, the seafood restaurants line the pier, and the trail toward Yung Shue Wan starts just behind them. It’s a scenic route with a mix of coastline, forest, and quiet little beaches along the way.

📷 Hong Kong Hiking Tips: Lamma’s trails are beginner-friendly, but don’t forget it’s still a proper hike—sun, stairs, and no shade in parts. Bring water, wear proper shoes (not flip-flops), and don’t rely on mobile signal the whole way. I’ve included more tips like this in my Hong Kong hiking alone guide.

👉 If you plan to use maps while walking the Family Trail, it’s worth setting up an eSIM for Hong Kong before you arrive so you’re not relying on public Wi-Fi.

Final Thoughts on Catching the Ferry to Lamma

Lamma’s one of the easiest and most scenic day trips you can take in Hong Kong, and the ferry is part of the fun. No booking needed. No stress. Just turn up, tap your Tourist Octopus card, and go.

Here are my other step-by-step guides to help you plan:

✔️ How to Take the Ferry to Cheung Chau from Central Pier 5)
✔️ How to Take the Ferry to (Mui Wo) Lantau Island (Tourist Guide)
✔️How to Take the Discovery Bay Ferry (even if you’re not a local)

Deborah Rogers is the creator of Hong Kong Made Easy, a travel site focused on helping first-time visitors.

She has over 45 years of experience with Hong Kong: she grew up there and returns frequently as a visitor. This long-term connection gives her a practical understanding of how Hong Kong works and what matters most for visitors.

Her work focuses on the decisions that shape a trip—where to stay, how to get around, and what to prioritise—based on what she has personally tested over many years.

She also helps travellers use Hong Kong as a starting point for a wider Asia trip, with nearby destinations like Shanghai and Japan just a short flight away.

Everything she shares is based on real experience—what she’s done, tested, and would genuinely recommend today.