Sharp Island

Sharp Island or Kiu Tsui Chau (Chinese: 橋咀洲) is the largest island in the Kiu Tsui Country Park located at Port Shelter of Sai Kung, Hong Kong. The area is most known for fishing, swimming as well as diving. Sharp Island is under the administration of Sai Kung District.[1]

Sharp Island
Location of Sharp Island within Hong Kong
Kiu Tau connected by tombolo. The rocks in the foreground are part of Sharp Island Special Area
Beach at Half Moon Bay
Kiu Tsui Beach
Tombolo leading to Kiu Tau.

Geography

The island has a maximum elevation of 136m and an area of 1 km².[2] The two beaches, Half Moon Bay Beach (廈門灣泳灘, also known as Hap Mun Bay), and Kiu Tsui Beach (橋咀泳灘) are located on the island.[1] Both are managed by the Hong Kong Leisure and Cultural Services Department.[3]

When the predicted tides at Ko Lau Wan is lower than or equal to +1.40 meters,[4] visitors are able to visit Kiu Tau (橋頭), an inshore islet, on foot.

Different kind of volcanic rocks can be found on Sharp Island. The most frequent ones are rocks with a peculiar pattern on the surface. Other rocks have an unusual pineapple-shaped form.

History

Origin of the different kinds or rocks

It is believed that about 140 million years ago a volcano was located in Sai Kung. Sharp Island was on the margin of the caldera. This is probably the reason for the widely distributed different volcanic rocks from different geological periods around Sharp Island.

Formation of the tombolo

The sea currents near Sharp Island pushed sand and gravel near the shore. After several years they formed a tombolo, a natural bridge made of different sized rocks and sand – connecting Sharp Island and Kiu Tau (橋頭). At high tide the tombolo is submerged in water and thus can only be seen when the tide goes out.

Biodiversity

There are over 70% of stony corals coverage around the island. An endangered flora Tetrathyrium subcordatum is found on the south of the island.

Conservation

A small portion of Sharp Island is designated as the Sharp Island Special Area (橋咀洲特別地區). It covers 649 square metres and was designated in 2011.[5] The area is located west of the pier at Kui Tsui Beach.[6] The geology of the area is characterised by volcanic rocks of the Cretaceous period.[7]

Transportation

Sharp Island is accessible by ferry from Sai Kung Town.

See also

References
  1. "Kiu Tsui". www.afcd.gov.hk. Retrieved 2019-05-01.
  2. Hu, Puwei; Xing, Fuwu; Chen, Lin; Wang, Meina; Wang, Faguo; Chen, Hongfeng (2011). "Vegetation and vascular plant diversity of islands surrounding Port Shelter, Hong Kong, China". Biodiversity Science. Vol. V19 (05). pp. 605–609. Archived from the original on 1 December 2015.
  3. "Leisure and Cultural Services Department - Beaches and Swimming Pools". archive.is. 2012-08-03. Archived from the original on 2012-08-03. Retrieved 2019-05-01.
  4. "Predicted Tides at Ko Lau Wan". www.hko.gov.hk. Retrieved 2019-05-01.
  5. "Country Parks & Special Areas". Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.
  6. "Double Haven and Others (Special Areas) Order 2010" (PDF). Legislative Council of Hong Kong. 20 October 2010.
  7. "Five geologically important sites designated as special areas". Government of Hong Kong. 31 December 2010.
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