Rabbit Island (Koh Tonsay)

Quiet island a short boat ride from Kep, with sandy beaches and jungle

Rabbit Island — Koh Tonsay in Khmer — is a small island about 4 kilometres offshore from Kep. Boats run from the Kep pier in around 20 minutes. The island has a couple of sandy beaches, some simple bungalow operations, and a low-key village where the day-trippers rarely penetrate.

The beaches on the southern side are calm and clear, and the water is warm year-round. Snorkelling is possible over the reefs on the island's west side, though conditions vary by season. Most people do it as a day trip from Kep; a handful stay overnight in one of the basic bungalows. There is no electricity in the evenings, which is, depending on your outlook, either a hardship or the point.

things to do sight nature
A story
The island's name comes not from any rabbit population but from its shape — seen from the mainland, the silhouette resembles a resting rabbit. Local fishermen had been using it as an overnight stop for generations before travellers discovered it.