Peam Krasop Mangrove Sanctuary

Peam Krasop protects one of the larger surviving mangrove forests in Cambodia, some two hundred square kilometres of tidal channels, mudflats and trees on the coast near the Thai border, and the way in is a concrete boardwalk running for around a kilometre through the forest at canopy height in places, ending at an observation tower with a view over the whole system to the sea. Crabs, mudskippers, kingfishers and sea eagles are the usual sightings. Boats go further into the channels and out to the fishing hamlets of Koh Kapik, houses built on stilts over the water where families live from crab and shrimp. The mangroves protect the coast from storms and are a nursery for the fishery, which the community here is well aware of.

What you actually see

• The boardwalk - a kilometre of walkway through the mangrove canopy.
• The observation tower - the view over the forest to the sea.
• Mudskippers and crabs - the tidal life below the walkway.
• Stilted fishing hamlets - Koh Kapik houses built over the water.

When to go

November to March for dry weather and calm boat trips. Tides govern how much water is in the channels; high tide is better for boats and low tide better for mudflat wildlife.

Honest expectations

The boardwalk is concrete and in variable repair. Mosquitoes and sandflies are severe. Boat trips are hired whole and negotiated. The hamlets are people's homes rather than an attraction, and visiting them warrants some restraint.

Nearby

Koh Kong lies north; the Tatai river is east.