The Kampot River is the reason the town exists — it provided the route for French colonial trade — and it is still the centre of daily life. In the morning, fishing boats come and go from the small harbour beside the old market. In the evening, locals walk the promenade and tourists hire kayaks from several outfitters near the bridge. The river is wide and slow here, brown with silt, with the Bokor mountains rising behind the western bank.
Kayaking downstream into the mangroves takes about an hour from town and is one of the best ways to see the riverine birdlife — kingfishers, herons, and cormorants are all common. Sunset boat cruises operate from the riverfront promenade; the light on the water and the mountain silhouette is better than the food on most boats. Swimming in the river is popular among guesthouse residents; do not swim near the road bridge, where currents can be unpredictable.