Kep Beach
Kep, Kep Province, Cambodia
Kep sits on Cambodia's southwestern coast facing the Gulf of Thailand, a quiet former French colonial resort town built as much around its crab market as its beach. A statue of a giant blue crab stands just offshore near the main beach, and the market's covered stalls sell the local catch grilled or stir fried with Kampot pepper right at the water's edge.
The crab market and colonial era charm make the town worth the stop, but the beach itself is modest, more a backdrop to the seafood than a swimming destination on its own.
Eat at the crab market itself rather than a restaurant in town. The crab comes straight off boats docked at the pier behind the stalls, and it's usually cheaper than the sit-down places nearby.
Kep is an easy 25 kilometer, roughly 30 minute drive from Kampot, with parking available near the main beach and the crab market.
The beachfront promenade is flat and easy to walk, and the beach itself is a short, level walk from the road with no stairs or hikes involved.
The dry season from October through May is Kep's best window for beach weather, while the wetter months from June through September bring more rain typical of Cambodia's southwest coast.
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