It is widely known as a scenic drive, with views of the South China Sea.

The name Shek O Road was found in maps in 1888, which today is part of Big Wave Bay Road and the Hong Kong Trail Section 8.

[1] The old Shek O Road was not wide enough for vehicular access, so another road was built to connect Shek O and Cape D'Aguilar to the rest of Hong Kong Island.

The current Shek O Road was completed latest by 1922, indicating a start of construction in the 1910s.

[2] The name Shek O Road was standardized and named in the Hong Kong Government Gazette on April 12, 1935: Road commencing at Tytam Gap and running to Shek O Village ... Shek O Road 石 澳 道Shek O was home to a large quarry named Shek O Quarry, which occupied 45 hectares on the west side of Cape D'Aguilar.