Travelling to the Outlying Islands is much simpler and easier that many visitors might suppose. Most tourists and local residents use the frequent and inexpensive ferry services to travel to their preferred island. The exceptions to this rule are the smaller and more remote islands where you will need to either hire a boat to take you there or investigate the less frequent and more informal boat services that can, sometimes, be hard to find. However, most Hong Kong people never concern themselves with the smaller islands, so simply head for the Central ferry terminals alongside the Star Ferry and make your choice. Having an Octopus card will speed you through the gates because some ferry services only accept payment using coins or Octopus.
See the main Hong Kong article on how to get and use the Octopus Card.
Some services impose a 50% surcharge for travel on Sundays and public holidays. So, it's usually cheaper and less crowded to visit during the week or on Saturdays. Paying more for a premium seat on a ferry is usually a disappointing experience.
By ship
Ferries for all major islands of interest depart from the Outlying Islands pier in Central, to the west of the Star Ferry terminal. The largest operators are New World First Ferry (http://www.nwff.com.hk/) and the Hong Kong and Kowloon Ferry Company (http://www.hkkf.com.hk/en...). Some ferries come in slow or "ordinary" and fast versions. The slow ferry is generally available every other departure, so if the fast ferry comes every thirty minutes, the slow ferry will come every hour. When time tables show an asterisk beside a departure time, it usually means that a slow ferry is available in addition to the fast ferry.
Cheung Chau
Pier 5, every 20-60 minutes. Fares range from HK$11.50 to HK$18 on the ordinary ferry on Mondays to Saturdays. Sundays and public holidays the fare rises to HK$16.80 to HK$26.20. The fast ferry costs HK$22.50 on Mondays to Saturdays, and HK$32.20 on Sundays and public holidays.Lamma (Sok Kwu Wan)
Pier 4, every 20-90 minutes. Mondays to Saturdays adult fare is HK$17.70 and on Sundays and public holidays HK$25. Child Aged under 12 years HK$8.90 or HK$12.50. Elderly Aged 65 years or above / Disabled HK$8.90 or HK$12.50. Child aged under three years accompanied. No charge.Lamma (Yung Shue Wan)
Pier 4, every 20-60 minutesMondays to Saturdays adult fare HK$14.50 and on Sundays and public holidays $20 Child Aged under 12 years HK$7.30 HK$10 Elderly Aged 65 years or above / Disabled HK$7.30 or HK$10 Child under three years accompanied No charge. See HKKF (http://www.hkkf.com.hk)
There is also a local ferry service [ (http://www.ferry.com.hk/e...) from Aberdeen to Lamma Island Mo Tat and Sok Kwu Wan.
Tap Man Chau
Ferry from Wong Shek Pier in Sai Kung (http://www.traway.com.hk/) or from Ma Liu Shui Pier near Chinese University.Po Toi
The Chuen Kee Ferry departs once a day leaving from Aberdeen, via Stanley. There is also a kaido from Aberdeen every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.Peng Chau
Public ferry from Pier 6 in Central.Tung Lung Chau
Ferries from Lei Yue Mun pier in Kowloon, and from Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong island. Tel 2560 9929 for more information.Soko islands
there is no public transport to the Soko islands, you will need to hire a sampan from the harbour at Cheung Chau.Tung Ping Chau
Limited service from Ma Liu Shui pier taking 90 minutes.Waglan Island
Permission is needed first from the Marine Department.Kwo Chau islands
It is a uninhabited island. You have to join a tour or try and rent a small boat kaido from Sai Kung.