Kep, Cambodia! A scenic, sleepy town in the southeastern corner of Cambodia. Its ambiance will charm you, its natural beauty will indulge you, but most of all, it will surprise you!
Many tourists come here just to relax and get away from it all, however, there are a number of things to do in Kep, and if you step beyond, the options are endless! Also, for Things to Do In Kampot CLICK HERE!
Welcome to Kep and beyond, your journey starts here!
Kep Town and Surrounds – Things to do in Kep!
Before we talk about what lies beyond Kep, let’s see what there is to do in the town of Kep and its immediate surroundings. Firstly, I hope you have found somewhere nice to stay. If you haven’t already, click on the booking.com link to view all your options!
Kep West – aka, Knai Bang Chatt
Another property from the Knai Bang Chatt family, Kep West, is a stunning property, sitting right on the edge of The Gulf of Thailand. Space and simplicity by design, nature by Kep. The ground floor, fully covered from the blazing sun, offers generous seating areas and water level views. Venture up the spiral staircase to their roof platform and enjoy the backdrop views of Kep National Park, and once again, an elevated view across the gulf. KEP WEST is the place to go for sunset drinks! Facing west you will capture the whole show, as the sun dips into the gulf’s warm waters.
Kep Deli
Okay, so you have checked into your resort! You may need to stock up the minibar with some gourmet treats. Kep Deli has some lovely products on display, perfect for those holiday snacks. Freshly baked baguettes, viennoiserie, sweet little pastries, wine, cold cuts, and cheeses are all available. It also serves great coffee and offers a sit-down menu. A spacious setting and fantastic Wi-Fi!
Update: Kep Deli’s has now moved to the Kep Port area with views out to the Gulf of Thailand. Very nice setting!
Crab Market – Psar Kdam
A trip to Kep would not be complete without visiting the Crab Market. Frequented by the locals and tourist alike, the Crab Market will suck you in and then spit you right back out! It is located right along the walled shoreline of the Gulf of Thailand and is a hive of activity.
Vendors shout and scream at each other under low-hanging umbrellas. Haggling is the name of the game here. Fresh fish, crab, squid, and prawns are all up for negotiation. The vendors will fight for your business, so it is worth it to shop around. Once you have made your purchase you can then head over to the other side of the market where you can get everything cooked up, all at a reasonable price.
Once you have successfully bought and cooked your fresh seafood, you can head out of the market, find a nice sheltered cabana, and enjoy your catch. Or, if you cannot be bothered to go through the chaos of the Crab Market, you can then just dine in one of the many restaurants that lie adjacent. They all have ocean views and everything is fresh. Many prefer this option!
Khmer Hands Cafe
100 meters from the Crab Market is the Khmer Hands Café. Supporting under privileged kids it is a great spot to sit and enjoy a coffee or something off their menu. Coffee is good and the food is tasty. They also have a variety of locally made products and clothing, all tastefully done at a very reasonable price.
Wat Samathi
Out of all the Pagodas in Kep, Wat Samathi is the most scenic. Nestled into the hillside of the national park it offers amazing views over the salt fields and the Gulf of Thailand. You can drive your moto or tuk-tuk to the base and then climb the remaining stairs to reach the pagoda. Only 5 minutes from the Crab Market.
You will rarely see other tourists here. Surrounded by large tropical trees, and multiple vantage points, it is a very peaceful way to spend to spend an hour or so. Definitely worth the trip up!
Saravoan Hotel – Drinks and Monkeys
The Saravoan Hotel is a boutique hotel across the road from Kep Beach. It has a great balcony overlooking the ocean and is a great spot to enjoy a drink. Also, many monkeys wander out of the national park, climbing down trees and telegraph poles to forage for any food left behind. The balcony of the hotel is a great place for people and a monkey watching, whilst enjoying the views over the Gulf of Thailand.
Kep National Park
Kep feels like one big National Park. So many beautiful trees and wildlife. The actual National Park was first established in 1993 and covers an area of 70km squared. Just recently the Kep government has paved a concrete path around the entire 8km loop. You can now actually drive your moto around the circuit.
The walk itself will take you 3 to 4 hours depending on your motivation. The fantastic views across the Gulf of Thailand will slow you down though, as you keep stopping at the many viewpoints, to rest and gaze off across the ocean at the islands below.
The Sunset Cafe
At the entrance to the national park and just 80 meters up from the Verandah Natural Resort you will find The Sunset Café. Whether you are just finishing or just starting your walk, this is a great spot to sit. Fantastic, uninterrupted views over the gulf, bright orange umbrellas, and refreshing drinks will keep you stuck there for an hour or so.
Kep Port and Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsai)
Only a 30-minute fisherman’s boat ride from Kep’s port will take you to Rabbit Island. Take a dip in the ocean and explore the nooks and crannies of the island. There are a few restaurants and shops if you want to stay for lunch. Or, stay a little longer, and overnight in one of the bungalows set back from the beach. Go for a swim, have lunch in one of the restaurants and pull up a pew on the beach. A nice little side trip!
Kep Beach
There is only one beach in Kep. It is best to avoid it on the weekends, however, during the week, you will find it relaxing. For a small fee, you can hire chairs and an umbrella and make a day of it. In addition, you can indulge in a few water sports activities and purchase snacks from the center across from the beach or the roadside vendors. The backdrop scenery is spectacular.
Butterfly Farm
Grab a Tuk Tuk and head up to the butterfly farm. Here, they explain all the different stages of the butterfly’s life cycle. Lots of butterflies, lots of jungle, lots of flowers, and just generally very peaceful. A serene couple of hours and an exciting ride up in the Tuk Tuk.
The Sailing Club – Knai Bang Chatt
Take your shoes off and step inside!
The Sailing Club in Kep is a bit of an icon. Sustainability and the environment are the two main factors at play. Every detail is focused on leaving as less as a footprint as possible. Amazing sunset views from here! The menu is diverse, thoughtfully designed, and very well-implemented. Add some craft cocktails, and a wide selection of beers and wines, and you’re in for a real treat. They also offer many non-powered water sports, in keeping with their philosophy. Only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday! Don’t leave Kep without visiting at least once!
Beyond Kep
If you are up for a little adventure, there are many more attractions that lie within the countryside of Kep and Kampot. Hire a Tuk-Tuk for the day, sit back, and enjoy the ride!
1. La Plantation Pepper Farm. One of the largest pepper farms in the region and is definitely worth a visit. You can have a tour of the farm, sample all their products and relax in their beautiful wooden, open-air restaurant. In addition to all that, the views from the farm over the countryside are wonderful.
They also run free tours through the plantation and offer a tasting session of all their different peppercorns.
2. Starling Ridge Pepper Farm and Resort. This is another farm you may want to put on your itinerary. Here you can find not only pepper and mango trees, but they also have accommodation and a large resort-style swimming pool with a restaurant attached. Great sunset views looking out over the countryside all the way to the Gulf of Thailand.
4. Paradise Farm. It is a little out of the way, however, you will enjoy the journey getting there. When you finally arrive, you will find yourself on an 80-hectare farm that you can tour on a motor-driven train. If you have an interest in farming this will be right up your alley. They grow everything, and the livestock is diverse and very well taken care of. Here you can see everything firsthand and finish off in their elevated open-air restaurant looking out over the farm.
5. Chum Kar Bei (3 Farms Village). I am a little biased here, as I live in Chum Kar Bei. If you have gone to Paradise Farm get your driver to swing by this charming little town before heading back to Kep. The countryside and scenery will draw you in. Visit the market, view the lake, and take in the fresh air. This is mango country. When they are in season, which is most of the time, they drip off the trees like water dripping from a tap. Click on the link to view my BLOG on Chum Kar Bei.
6. Crab Shuttle. A fisherman’s boat that operates between Kampot and Kep every other day. Best to check their availability. It usually leaves Kampot at 9.00 am and then returns from Kep at 3.00 pm. If Kampot is your next port of call this boat ride could be the perfect way to get there. Traveling alongside the coast you can view the mainland from a different perspective whilst enjoying a cold beer!
In Conclusion
So there you have it! There are plenty of things to do in Kep. Alternatively you may want to do nothing at all, and Kep is perfect for that also. It’s where the jungle meets the ocean and serenity enters the mind.
Thanks for visiting Mangoes and Mandalas! If you have been to Kep already, and have any other suggested activities, please share them in the comments below. You can also follow us on Instagram right here!
