Kep & Coast
Why go?
During the early 20th century, Kep was Cambodia’s top
beach destination and French colonists and Cambodia’s
wealthy built majestic villas all along its ocean front. But during
the Khmer Rouge years, most of these mansions and villas were
destroyed, or abandoned to slide into slow decay. Nowadays, it
still has a rather neglected air although glimpses of the town's
former splendour are apparent and it’s beginning to pick up
again.
Kep's beaches are mostly mangrove and black rock, but you can
easily catch a boat to beautiful Rabbit Island (also called) Koh
Tonsay if you want white sands to stretch out on. But if
you’re into watersports, you won’t need to go anywhere.
This is one of Cambodia’s best regions for sailing,
windsurfing and kayaking; stay at Knai Bang Chatt
and you’ll have all the equipment on tap.
Further afield, you can take boat trips along the Kampong Bay
River, or out into the ocean and along the coast to explore the
beaches and sand spits near the river’s mouth, or go
deep-sea fishing. Fishermen can take you to islands off
coast as beautiful as any you’d find in Thailand but without
the tourist footprints.
Inland, this area of Cambodia is primarily suited to
adventurous travellers looking for an eco-retreat. 4
Rivers Floating Lodge offers just that, set on the Tatai
River, one of the largest freshwater pools in the world,
amid waterfalls and wildlife-rich forests. Kayaking is the best way
to get around, and you can join guided tours of the Cardamom
Mountains in search of rare animals like Javan rhinoceros, Cloud
leopard, tigers and Asian elephants. It’s wildlife heaven,
and as with much of this area, virtually undiscovered by tourists.