梅窩位處大嶼山東南岸，史籍記載南宋時期已有人聚居成為村落，古名「梅窠」、「梅葦」或「梅蔚」，此名稱曾出現於南宋末年。據《新安縣志》記載，宋景炎帝（即宋朝宋端宗）曾乘船至梅蔚，並築建行宮（臨時住處），有學者指梅蔚山即梅窩，為宋帝當時的居所之一。
梅窩曾是大嶼山數個產鹽地點之一，其歷史可追溯至宋代。60年代，大量漁民湧入梅窩築建棚屋，導致鹽田污染，採鹽作業亦被逼停止。
除製鹽外，梅窩亦曾產礦。梅窩的礦洞原為鉛礦，後來有採礦者在礦石中發現銀礦。學者估計，該礦洞早於1862年已開始投入生產，並於1886年進行大規模開採作業。1896年，礦場因銀礦素質欠佳而停產。與梅窩相鄰的海灣稱為銀礦灣，銀礦洞附近的白銀鄉相信是以前的採礦者聚居之處。
Mui Wo is located on the eastern shore of Lantau Island. Historical records show that there were people living in villages there during the Southern Sung Dynasty. The ancient name was “Mui Duk”, “Mui Wai” or “Mui Wei”. According to the “Sun On County Chronicles”, Emperor King Yim (Sung Shui Chung) of Sung Dynasty once took a boat to Mui Wei and built a transient palace (temporary residence). Some scholars pointed out that Mei Wei Mountain was Mui Wo and was one of the residences of Sung Dynasty emperor at that time.
Mui Wo was once one of several salt-producing sites on Lantau Island, and its history can be traced back to the Sung Dynasty. In the 1960s, a large number of fishermen poured into Mui Wo and build a shanty town, which caused pollution of the salt pans and forced the cessation of salt mining operations.
In addition to salt production, Mui Wo also produced minerals. The mine in Mui Wo was originally a lead mine. Later, some miners discovered silver ore inside. Scholars estimate that the mine was put into production as early as 1862 with large-scale mining operations in 1886. In 1896, the mine stopped production due to poor quality of silver. The bay adjacent to Mui Wo is called Silvermine Bay. The Silver Village near the silver mine is believed to be the place where former miners lived.
