Koh Tonsay(Rabbit Island), Kep Overview

Koh Tonsay or Rabbit Island as it is popularly called is a small island off the coast of Kep in Cambodia. Once a quiet relaxing place, it is now among the top tourist attractions in Kep. Most people go on a day trip from Kep and enjoy the scenic landscapes, white sand beaches and seafood. If you are short on time, you can also explore the island for a few hours on your Kep trip.

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Rabbit Island History & Significance

Koh Ton Say is Khmer means spreading out, which comes from the another Khmer word Rum Say. King Sa Kor ordered his troops to spread out away from the mainland to the neighbouring islands while defending his empire. During the later period in the early 19th century, prisoners were imprisoned in Koh Ton Say, where they worked on various things to sustain life on the island. The prisoners set up the water system and built administrative buildings, all of which were abandoned decades later after the war broke out.

After many years, human habitation resumed when a few fishing families migrated to the island. Now, there are more than 100 homes with many families settling here. Fishing and farming are the sources of their livelihood along with some income from tourism which has picked up in recent years.

Places to visit in Koh Tonsay

Unlike Kep beach, which is small and has not much to offer, the beach on Rabbit Island is long and more beautiful. There are no vehicles on the island, and the coast is lined with lovely coconut palm trees. Many seaside restaurants are serving excellent seafood and local Khmer cuisine. So you don't have to pack food if you intend to stay longer. The resources are limited in this remote island, and it might be hard to find Wifi or electricity. These restaurants rent out snorkelling gear, hammocks and beach shacks for free for the tourists. You can swim on the beach, go snorkelling to explore the colourful fishes or relax in the bed. Also, many of these restaurants have happy hours starting at 11 AM until sunset, which draws a lot of tourist crowds.

You can rent a bike and cycle around the island or walk around. Being an island spanning just over two sq.meters, hiking around the island is quite a favourite activity and takes about 3 hours to circle the island. You can go on fishing trips from the island, which can be made once you reach there. You can also go kayaking in a few beaches. There are also massage parlours offering relaxing spas. You can watch a fantastic sunset from any of the beaches on Rabbit Island, which is one of the top things to do.

You can also stay overnight in the island in beach bungalows or resorts, which start at 10 USD per night. Traditional wooden houses built on stilts are favourites among tourists who stay back. They offer all the necessary amenities and sometimes also have restaurants. There are many day trip packages run by tour operators in Kep and Kampot, which begin at about 8 USD per person. Many of these include pickup from your hotel. Some of them also offer complimentary lunch or drinks. There are exclusive packages for water activities as well if you want to indulge in some adventure.

How To Reach Koh Tonsay(Rabbit Island)

From Kep city centre, you need to get to the pier by a Tuk-Tuk for about 5 USD. You can reach Koh Tonsay from Kep by a ferry ride from the main Kep pier. The journey takes about 20 minutes, and there are boats frequently until 5 PM. The cost is about 6 to 8 USD per person for a return trip. It is best to share the ride with others as the private tours range from 25 to 50 USD.