The boat travels along the Tolo Channel, a flooded river valley that follows the major extinct fault line that bisects Hong Kong.  It then passes the rocky shore of Lai Chi Chong, and conditions permitting, we shall dock and explore the Jurassic sedimentary and volcanic rocks along a wave-cut platform.  The boat then sails to Chek Chau (Port Island) where we circumnavigate the island.  Here, we view dipping sedimentary rocks that were originally formed in a desert setting.  The boat then visits Bluff Head where the territory’s oldest – at 360 million years – rocks are exposed in a vertical dipping succession. 

The boat then sails to the western end of Double Island to view supratidal platforms and the Yan Chau Tong Marine Park.  Passing through Double Haven, we see the “Sombrero Islands”, before docking at the highlight of Ap Chau, a sedimentary island made up of angular rocks.  Importantly, the island is the location of Hong Kong's largest natural sea arch which we shall walk through and over. 

The excursion then passes by Kat O to view its steep rugged coastline and sea caves and by Governor's Beach on Double Island, a stunning cove reserved for the Governor's Yacht until the 1970s where swimming should be possible.

Throughout the boat trip, Prof Kaplan introduces the geology of the surrounding areas with a sumptuous professionally catered lunch.

Prof Jed Kaplan studied Geography and Earth Sciences at Dartmouth College, USA, and received his PhD in Plant Ecology from Lund University, Sweden.  He subsequently held several postdoctoral fellowships.  Later, he held Professorships at the Universities of Geneva and Lausanne, Switzerland, supported by the European Research Council.  Prof Kaplan was a Senior Research Fellow in the Environmental Change Institute, University of Oxford, and is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Hong Kong.  He has published more than 100 articles in major international journals including Science and Nature, and is recognised as an expert in interdisciplinary global environmental history.  He is currently editor-in-chief of the journal Global and Planetary Change.

Timings:
* Board coach by City Hall Central at 9:30am 
* Sail from Ma Lui Shu Pier at 10:15am
* Return coach collection at 5:00pm
* Return to Central by 5:45pm (approximately)

You have the option of joining the trip at Central and catching our coach or meeting at Ma Lui Shui Pier.

Cost:
HK$1,180 for Members and $1,280 including an onboard professionally catered lunch.

If you would like to take the coach, please kindly add $50.

To reserve places, please email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and state how many places you would like.  In view of the limited number of places, Members may bring one guest. Anyone wishing to join the Field Trip who is not yet a member is encouraged to join the RGS-HK.

You'll then receive booking instructions and a booking form. Detailed joining instructions will follow shortly before the event. 

Due to social distancing, this will be a small size trip with reduced capacity, which has been reflected in the cost.  This event is going to be held within our understanding of the social distancing rules of the Government then prevailing.  Social distancing regulations will be observed at all times.