If you are a nature enthusiast or a geography lover, then the High Island Reservoir East Dam is an ideal destination for you. This well-developed attraction offers a unique and raw geological experience for all hikers.

The newly added wooden bridge trail two years ago has a total length of 3.3 kilometers, which is flat and easy to walk. Along the way, there are also guide boards and basic hiking facilities, suitable for all types of hikers. There are a total of 12 information boards, including information on the reservoir, rock formations, geological explanations, and the formation of sea caves. These information boards are illustrated with graphics and are easy to understand, allowing visitors to learn and gain knowledge without the need for a guide.

Remember to take proper sun protection measures and bring enough food and water as the trail is entirely exposed and offers no shelter or supplies. It takes 3 hours to walk around the East Dam and back.

Wonderful Sea Cave

At the end of the wooden path, a magnificent sea cave awaits, with the sound of dripping water providing a soothing and healing experience. The sea caves are formed by the erosion of big waves, but since the construction of the reservoir and breakwaters in 1978, the caves are no longer affected by erosion and have retained their original shape.

Huge "Legos" of Breakwaters

The breakwater is another popular place to go. It is primarily constructed to resist the erosion of the coastal foundation by tides. It resembles I-shaped piers and anchors, and when several of them are stacked together, as if piles of legos are tightly weaved into a strong wall. You can take some Instagrammble photos, like popping up from the gaps between the breakwaters – take advantage of your creativity.

Weird Hexagonal Columns

The snake-shaped columns are astonishingly unique, and the size is barely found in any other place. The biggest one even stands over 3 meters! This twisting S-shape is estimated to be caused by seismic activity or regional subsidence while the rock columns were still not completely solidified inside a broken volcanic vent 140 million years ago. By closely examining the cracks in the S-shaped columns, you can observe the deep gray basalt within the brown acidic volcanic rock.

The Pipe Organ Island, Po Pin Chau

You can not only enjoy an endless view of the ocean but also observe Po Pin Chau Island in the distance from the East Dam. Po Pin Chau Island is named after its appearance of being a small island that was cut out and it is adjacent to the nearby Fa Shan Island. The island is formed by a hundred thousand hexagonal columns. It wasn’t an island until the connection between the headland and the coast had been eroded gradually, and the strip of land finally became isolated.

Stargazing in the Silence

You can also build a tent and watch plentiful stars without any light pollution. Many photographers told it was inconceivably rare to relish the whole span of the galaxy in Hong Kong. However, the site does not provide anything so better to have enough food and water prepared (Don’t try to steal water from the reservoir).

High Island Reservoir East Dam Itinerary

Check out the itinerary below to plan your day trip. You can go to the beaches or Geopark nearby to explore the beauty of nature in Sai Kung. 

Day Trip to UNESCO Global Geopark

Sai Kung Pristine Beach Hike