What to do in Kep. Rabbit Island

If you are suddenly bored with swimming at Kep Beach or just a pragmatic life “on the mainland”, it makes sense to turn your eyes to the islands lying in the sea near Kep. The largest of the islands is called Rabbit Island or “Koh Tonsay” in Khmer. There is a beach, restaurants and bungalows. You certainly will enjoy to go there.

Today, of course, there are no rabbits on the island, and the origin of its name is shrouded in mystery, like so much in the history of Cambodia. The version that the island with its outlines resembles a rabbit is hardly viable. The island doesn’t look like a rabbit, what a view it is.
You can get to the island from the pier, loudly referred to as the port. This place is located a couple of kilometers from Kep beach. Before entering the "port" pointer is set, and here, at the entrance, there is a gas station. In the port there is a fairly solid for a small Kep customs building. The building is always closed, and it is not surprising, since the water communication with neighboring Vietnam has not been established.

Pricing policy is reflected in the plates installed at the pier. A round trip costs $ 8 per person. If you stay on the island overnight, then for some reason the trip will cost $ 10. The maximum load of the boat is indicated in 8 people for local and 6 people “for white”. A price for a boat round trip is $ 25. That is, a large company can save. Can a boat transport more people? Of course, maybe at least twenty. However, somebody takes care of the maximum earnings for themselves and for boatmen. And no discounts, fixed price. The agencies sell tickets to Rabbit Island also for $ 8, but there also includes a transfer from the hotel and back to the hotel. Boats leave for the island at 9am and at 1pm. Back departure from the island takes place at 4am.

Buy a ticket, including transfer to the pier and from the pier, in the agency for $ 8 is the most convenient option. You can independently drive to the port on tuktuk, but then you have to pay for the tuktuk. You can drive up to the port on a bike, but then the question arises with parking security. I think, in the daytime you can leave the bike near the boat terminal. When spending the night on the island, leaving the bike for the night in an unguarded place is extremely unpredictable.
A boat ride to the island takes up to 30 minutes. This is an excellent boat trip with a constantly changing landscape and unlimited opportunities for photo shoots.

There is no peer on the island, you have to go down into the water, so you have to take off your shoes. We are met by barkers from cafes where chaise loungeы are hospitably arranged along the edge of the sea in the shade of trees. It makes sense to agree, because in a long day you want something to eat or drink something cold. In this case, additional money will not be taken for a lounger. Prices in restaurants on the island are compatible enough.

The water in the sea is excellently crystal. The beach is cleaned by the owners of local restaurants and guesthouses. The view is beautiful, Vietnamese Phu Quoc Island and the Bokor Mountains are visible, and Kep is now like a remote island. Interestingly, from a distance Kep does not look like a city, only separate buildings are visible, and everything else is hidden by greenery.

It makes a sense to stay on the island to swim enough. However, all housing on the island is quite ascetic.

What else can you on the island, except for swimming and visiting cafes? Of course, you may explore the island. We go to the left of the beach part of the island (if you stand with your back to the sea). The territory conquered from the jungle is planted with bananas. Unexpectedly, there is a police station on the island. Behind the police station the trail is lost. Walking through the jungle in beachwear and slippers is not possible.

But in the opposite, southern part of the island along the coast is a fairly wide trail. And there it is very beautiful. Therefore, all lovers of tropical nature are advised to break off for an hour from the beautiful beach holiday and take a walk on an uninhabited island. It is especially appropriate to do this in cloudy weather.

Then the jungle part, and we find ourselves in the open space among the coconut trees. You can get to the beach, on the right, and in front there is a small beach. Their quality is perhaps worse than that of the main beach of the island. The thing is that today, unfortunately, even the most desolate beaches must be cleaned from the "gifts" of the sea, without this "bounty" does not work.

In this part of the island the old man with the old woman live near the sea. The old woman is working, and the old man “guards” the hammock.

After the beach with a hut, impassable jungle begins again, it's time to return to civilization. It seems that there is no circular trail around the island, although tourist maps indicate its presence. Perhaps it would be interesting to go around the island on a kayak in calm weather. It may take 2-3 hours.
The first time we visited the island in early October, there were very few visitors. Of the tourist services offered only massage. In the season, they promise to deploy fishing, diving, kayaking and boat trips. Coral reefs are located near other nearby islands, in particular, near Koh Po. You can arrange a trip with the boat owners.

Rabbit Island is definitely recommended to visit. The sea and the beach are clean, prices are affordable, and island life is full of relaxation and adventure.