Kat O, or Crooked Island, is an island in the southwestern part of Mirs Bay, near Sha Tau Kok. It is the northernmost island in Hong Kong. The island overlooks the Yantian International Container Terminal in Shenzhen. The island Ap Chau, a hot eco-tourism destination in Hong Kong, is located to the west of Kat O. Kat O is home to calm waters, which provides a natural shelter for fishing boats. This actually inspired the naming of the island as Kat O, with the word kat meaning prosperity or luck. It is also called ‘Crooked Island’, inspired by its crooked shoreline.
The history of human settlement on the island dates back nearly three hundred years. Inhabitants came from different clans, but most of them were Hakka and Tanka people. The waters of Kat O used to produce high-quality and delicious conches, so many fishermen came to make a living here. In its prime time in the 1950s, the island was home to more than 4,000 people, but by 2006, only a dozen households remained. Today, most islanders are elderly people and the younger generations have moved into the city of Hong Kong. A Bun Festival, also called Tai Ping Ching Chiu, is held on the island once every ten years to pass the bloodline or legacy on. For a period of six days, the island is enlivened by a series of activities, including dragon boating, variety shows and fireworks displays, which gather together the island’s original residents and their descendants living in downtown Hong Kong or abroad.
Major parts of Kat O fall within Yan Chau Tong Marine Park, which is included in the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China. A Kat O Geoheritage Centre was jointly built by Kat O villagers, voluntary groups and the government. The centre was rebuilt from a village house and is home to a collection of exhibits, which include fossil replicas of different eras, rock samples and extremely rare examples of sedan chairs and costumes. There is also an 800-metre long nature trail, which serves as the main road on the island. The trail, largely flat, contains sections of stone steps and comes with interpretation signs, from which visitors can gain a glimpse into the unique culture and history of the fishing village on the island. The Chinese Banyan in Kat O Playground is included in the Register of Old and Valuable Trees maintained by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong.
Suggested Route:
1. Charter a speedboat at Wong Shek Pier (Sai Kung). For a group of 6-8 people, a speedboat for a round trip (a one-way trip takes 40 mins) costs about HK$800. You can also take the opportunity to travel to Ap Chau and Lai Chi Wo on the way for no extra charge.
2. Book a yacht in advance.
