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 are up for some adventure, you can also go hiking in the Kep National Park and discover some nearby caves. The town of Kampot is nearby and can be a great option for day trip. Read on for the best things to do in Kep, Cambodia.

How to Get to Kep

• By bus: You can book a bus from any major town in Cambodia to Kep.
• By boat: There are daily boats departing from Kampot to Kep. I took the Crab Shuttle from Kampot. (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 Best Things to Do in Kep

Hike the Kep National Park

Difficulty level: easy

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 to keep me company. If you are in Kep and longing for a bit of nature, the hiking trail in the Kep National Park is the best option.

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 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.

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. 

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. 

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.

Relax at 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.

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.

Go on a Scooter 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. 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. 

Check out all the best things to do in Kampot.