Located two miles off the Southern Coast of Cambodia near the town of Kep is a remote island called Koh Thonsay. Koh Thonsay, which translates to “Rabbit Island”, is a small piece of paradise nestled in the Gulf of Thailand and stretches 494 acres. Transportation is a 20 minute boat ride from Kep Beach and costs around $25 for a round trip.
If you’re looking for a quiet getaway, Rabbit Island is a great place to go. You can forget about your laptop or cellphone. Just grab a bikini and a great book, and hangout on a hammock while sipping on a $2 cocktail. That’s right, there are multiple bars along the shore serving cocktails as low as $2 and canned beers for $1!
Staying on Rabbit Island is a “one with nature” experience. There are beach bungalows right on the beach that you can rent for $10 per night. With prices so low, don’t expect anything too extravagant. The bungalows have the basic necessities: a bed, mosquito net, and a toilet. Although the accomodations aren’t ideal, the true experience and beauty comes from the island itself.
Swimming in the ocean water is so relaxing. The waters are shallow and luke warm. If you walk 10 minutes north of the island, you’ll come across a beautiful cove where you’ll be sure to find a fisherman boat anchored close to the shore. Walk another 5 minutes north and you’ll find a another beach lined with palm trees. This secluded beach is by far the most gorgeous part of the island. It provides a picturesque view of the mutliple islands just a few miles away. You can even get a trip to one of the islands called Snake Island for a day of snorkeling and fishing! The tides are a little bit more rough but still manageable for a swim. If you want to explore the entire island, a walk around the perimeter takes about 2-3 hours.
In the evening, the island is powered by generators. At 10pm, the generators turn off and the island becomes pitch black. When I initially learned about this, I FREAKED OUT. Was I going to go to bed with foreign bugs and a giant iguana in my hut!? My mind started to contemplate about scenerios that consisted of all things that go “thump thump” in the night.
But once I got over my fear and laid in my bed, I started to become attentive to the sounds of the island. The waves crashing on the beach shore soothed me. The chirps and whistles coming from the jungle was mesmerizing. It was a unique experience that I’ll never forget.
Below are pictures that my sister and I snapped. We had a great time swimming, relaxing, and enjoying the delicious food the restaurants had to offer. I recommend ordering the curried shrimp. If you like fresh seafood, there are fishermen along the shore who catch fish and grill them on the spot! Have that with a side of mango salad and jasmine rice, and you’ve got yourself a superb meal.
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