Secret Island Party offers music and fun far from the city

Ever wanted to go to an event that makes you feel like you're nowhere near Hong Kong? Secret Island Party, held in a roadless village, accessible only by boat, is entirely cut off and attracts a relaxed crowd of adventurous party people.

The venue is only reachable by privately booked boats from Central ferry piers, although you can take a sampan if you already know where it is. And you probably do: the slogan "The secret's out" acknowledges that, as the three previous events have all happened at the same place, the name has become a misnomer.

Secret Island Party plays host to DJs and bands playing on five stages on October 18 and 19. There are camping grounds nearby, including one on a beach a couple of minutes' walk away. It's an ideal place to wake up after a day's fun, and prepare for another (tents are available for hire). The fun starts at 11am on Saturday and goes on until 9pm on Sunday, with a short break between 6am and 10am.

But what really sets Secret Island Party apart is its joyously whimsical atmosphere, a fantasia of inspired, eclectic decor and offbeat art exhibits complemented by a crowd with a taste for outré dressing. It's also notable for the sheer range of stuff going on, from dance performances to yoga to meditation to craft workshops.

With a vibe of friendly, laid-back fun, it even attracts families on the Sunday. "I try to encourage a festival rather than a rave atmosphere," says the event's British organiser, Rachel Frost. "We get the perfect crowd — all adventurous types. We don't have many big-name artists and it's difficult to get to, but that means that the people who go are a really proper festival crowd."