Kep was once the top beach destination in Cambodia. This now quiet beach town is near the border with Vietnam. It is easy to reach Kep from Phnom Penh. It is 5-6 hours from Cambodia’s capital, and a mere 45 minutes from Kampot. Kep is definitely scenic, but in a rugged way, compared to Sihanoukville, which is now Cambodia’s top seaside town. While Sihanoukville boasts endless stretches of sandy beaches, Kep has a short stretch of sand surrounded by mangrove forests and rocky coastal areas.
The best reason to visit Kep is its seafood. The road behind the beach is clogged with seafood vendors selling everything you can (and can’t) imagine. Crab is plentiful offshore, and is a local specialty. It is the paltry price of the exotic seafood that leaves many travelers with mouths agape. Of course, the freshness of everything adds to the delightful gastronomic experience.
Tonsay (Rabbit) Island is a few miles from Kep. This is the place to find a quiet setting and a couple of very nice white sand beaches. Many travelers come to Tonsay for the snorkeling.
Because of the slow, but steady resurgence of Cambodia’s economy, Kep is once again becoming a tourist destination. Several new buildings have been built, including the luxurious Knai Bang Chatt, the most plush and expensive hotel in Cambodia. There are plenty of cheaper guesthouses in and around town as well.
A somewhat interesting time can be had simply wandering the shoreline. Some of Cambodia’s elite, including the former king, built villas near Kep. However, because of the devastating effects of civil war, most of the places are now abandoned.
There are some hiking opportunities near town. Kep Mountain (as it is called by Kep’s tourism authority...it’s more of a hill) offers some nice views of the sea. It is possible to drive or motorcycle up the mountain as well. The king’s abandoned palace at the hilltop. The grounds are now inhabited by a trope of friendly monkeys.
If you want to do some work yourself, it is possible to hire a boat and do some fishing. Simply taking a trip along the coastline is also a nice way to spend an afternoon. There are numerous bays and inlets and the natural beauty of mangrove forests.
Kep is still not as nice a beach town as Sihanoukville, but the lack of a full blown tourist industry is refreshing. There is lots to explore and plenty to eat in town. While the tourist industry is picking up as of late, there is still a very laid back vibe to be found in Kep.
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