The 8 Best Things to Do in Kep, Cambodia

Looking for the best things to do in Kep?

You’ve come to the right place! I used to live in Cambodia and if you like seafood or some easy-level hiking, Kep is a great place to visit.

Kep is a small town on the southern shoreline of Cambodia, close to the border of Vietnam. Kep is mostly known for its chill atmosphere and seafood, specifically crabs and shrimps.

People usually come here to relax and enjoy the beach – but without the crowds of tourists like in Sihanoukville. If you like hiking, there is also a short hiking route in the Kep National Park.

The town of Kampot is nearby and can be a great option for day trip.

Here are the 8 best things to do in Kep!

How to Get to Kep

• By bus: The easiest way is to book a bus through Giant Ibis. It has buses operating from all major towns in Cambodia to Kep.
• By boat: There are daily boats departing from Kampot to Kep. The Crab Shuttle is one option for boats from Kampot to Kep. It costs USD 10 one-way, or USD 15 return.
• By scooter: It is also possible to hire scooter in Kampot and drive down to Kep for the day.

The 8 Best Things to Do in Kep

1. Hike the Kep National Park

• Difficulty level: easy
• Length and Duration: 8 km, 2-3 hours hike

The Kep National Park is a beautiful and easy hike in Kep. The trail is 8 km long and can be completed in 2-3 hours.

The trail is mostly follows a wide, dirt road and in some places you will get nice views of the Kep shoreline. I really enjoyed my hike here, it is also safe to hike it as a solo female traveller.

There were not many people on the trail when I went, although there were lots of monkeys around the trail. If you are in Kep and longing for a bit of nature, the hiking trail in the Kep National Park is the best option.

2. Take a Boat Trip to Koh Tonsay (Rabbit Island)

Visiting the Rabbit Island/Koh Tonsay can be a great day trip from Kep or if you have more time, you can also stay there for the night. The boat trip to Rabbit Island takes only about 30 minutes and leave from the Kep Pier.

Rabbit Island is like a paradise of peace and laidback atmosphere. There are hammocks and wooden huts to chill and relax. 

If you are up for some hiking, there are also two hiking trails. One that leads to the top of the mountain and another one that goes along the beach. If you have time, it is definitely worth relaxing and enjoying the peaceful environment here for a few days.

3. Visit the Crab Market

Kep is most famous for its crabs and you will find a crab market in town. The market can get very busy and crowded sometimes, displaying life at a traditional Cambodian market.

Within the crab market, they sell various seafood, including shrimps and oysters. The prices are also very affordable and it is a great place to try different seafood dishes here. 

4. Try Seafood Dishes

Apart from the Crab Market, most of the restaurants in Kep sell seafood items. I had the shrimp soup and it was really, really delicious. You can also taste the pepper flavours in the soup which has a long tradition in Cambodian dishes. 

5. Explore the Caves Near Kep

There are some pretty cool caves near Kep. Although you will have to take a tuk-tuk or rent your scooter to get there, it is totally worth the trip.

Kampong Teach Water Cave

This cave is one of the best near Kep. The area surrounding the cave is very beautiful. The great thing about this cave is that it is not too touristy so it will not be crowded with people. Make sure to bring a headlamp so you can see better inside the cave.

Sorsia Cave

Although the Sorsia Cave is not as great as the Kampong Trach Water Cave but it is the closest one to Kep. It is also on the way towards Kampot, so if you are on your way to Kampot, you might stop to check out this cave.

6. Relax by the Kep Beach

If you don’t have time to go over to the beach at the Rabbit Island, you can still spend some time sunbathing and swimming at the Kep Beach.

There are some food stalls along the beach so you can try some seafood and have some drinks while enjoying the beach.

There are no trees or shade along the beach, so the only option is to rent a big umbrella. Although it is the only option, it can be handy if the weather is very hot and sunny.

7. Visit the La Plantation Pepper Farm and Secret Lake

The La Plantation Pepper Farm and Secret Lake are both located between the towns of Kep and Kampot. You can rent a scooter for the day and drive to discover these places. It is also possible to book a taxi through the PassApp taxi app to take you there, although you will have less flexibility if you have to rely on taxi drivers. Nevertheless, it is also easily done.

The La Plantation Pepper Farm is a massive farm where you can learn about growing, harvesting pepper and making pepper. There is also a free tour of the farm for everyone and during the tour you will be able to try different types of pepper.

The Secret Lake is near the La Plantation Pepper Farm and if you have already made it to the pepper farm, you will most likely pass by the Secret Lake too. It is allowed to swim in the Secret Lake, although I did not go inside. There are some restaurants by the lake where you can get some drinks and snacks and chill for a while.

8. Go on a Trip to Kampot

Kampot is very close to Kep and it can be a great day trip option if you are spending a couple of days in Kep.

The easiest and fastest way to get to Kampot is by renting a scooter or hire a tuktuk with a driver.

There is also a boat that goes daily between the two towns but you have more freedom if you have your own transport.

If you plan to go over to Kampot for the day, make sure to go early in the morning. If you arrive early, you will have time to discover the Bokor National Park, visit the salt fields and possibly even go on a sunset boat trip. 

Hotels in Kep

Visiting Kep on a day trip from Kampot can be a great option. However, if you have more time and looking to stay for a few days, here are my top recommended hotels in Kep for every budget:

FAQs: Best Things to Do in Kep

Is Kep, Cambodia worth visiting?

Kep is worth visiting for you if you like seafood, spend time at the beach or go on short hikes.

Some of the best things to do in Kep include hiking in the Kep National Park, having seafood at the Crab Market, relaxing at the Kep Beach, or going on a trip to Kampot.

What’s in Kep?

Kep is a seaside town in the south of Cambodia, close to the border with Vietnam. Kep is famous for its seafood, crab market, as well as the Kep National Park.

If you like hiking there is a short 2-3 hour hiking route in the Kep National Park.

How to travel from Phnom Penh to Kep?

The most common way to get around Cambodia is by bus. There are daily, direct buses from Phnom Penh to Kep. The bus ride takes around 4-5 hours and costs USD 12.

If you want to book bus tickets in Cambodia, the buses by Giant Ibis are reliable and safe.

Is it better to stay in Kep or Kampot?

Kep and Kampot are both small towns in Cambodia with a more laid-back atmosphere. Whether Kep or Kampot is better for you, it depends on what activities you prefer.

In Kep, you can go to the beach, enjoy seafood and go on a short hike in the Kep National Park.

While, Kampot is better for you if you want to spend a few days in a relaxed place and chill by the riverside.

Conclusion

Kep is a small town on the southern shoreline of Cambodia, close to the border of Vietnam. Kep is mostly known for its chill atmosphere and seafood, specifically crabs and shrimps.

People usually come here to relax and enjoy the beach – but without the crowds of tourists like in Sihanoukville. If you like hiking, there is also a short hiking route in the Kep National Park.

The town of Kampot is nearby and can be a great option for day trip.