Just 30 minutes by boat from Kep is Koh Tonsay, a small island that will make you feel virtually isolated from the world. There’s no Wi-Fi, phone service is bad, electricity through generator and available for only a few hours at night. No hotels, no cars, not legit restaurants, just beach front shacks, your two feet, and makeshift, one stove restaurants that serve what they catch 20 meters off the shore.

Isolation in the best way, if you ask me.

How to Get to Koh Tonsay

The journey to Koh Tonsay is easy. Boats leave the Rabbit Island Pier at 9am and 1pm and arrive 30 minutes later. You get your return time, and apparently that’s set in stone. The boats fit maybe 10 people and transport supplies for the businesses on the island. My boat had coconuts and three live chickens, in addition to a few backpacks from fellow travelers.

A Day on Koh Tonsay

After a scenic boat ride, the boat pulls up close to the main beach on the island. This is the only spot where you can get some food or drink, and where the $10/night beachfront bungalows are. (Book yours here)

As I jump out of the boat, my feet land in the soft sand and crystal blue water. I make my way up the beach. Almost immediately, I’m lured into a plastic chair, with a killer view, and order an iced tea and a seafood omelet.

My first impression of Koh Tonsay: relaxing and deliciously refreshing.

Here’s what else to do:

1. Walk Around the Island

I keep heading up the beach. Eventually leaving any sign of human life behind me, walking along a narrow, plant lined path that will take me around the island.

On this island path, I saw maybe five people, one dog, seven hammocks and endless, unimpeded views of the Sea of Thailand.

After my island exploration, I found myself back where I started, and hungry. I’m again lured into another plastic, beachfront stool, with a beer and Khmer curry in front of me.

2. Get an Oceanfront Massage

You can’t miss the massage tables right on the beach. Get yourself one!

3. Relax in a Hammock

4. Just Chill, Man

Koh Tonsay is a great relaxation spot, for whatever relaxing means to you, as long as it doesn’t involve electricity.

You can escape the minimal people on the island and find an isolated sandy spot if that’s your definition of chilling.

You can fall asleep in a hammock, or on the wooden chairs on the sand meant for lounging.

You can day dream while getting a coconut oil rub down.

You can sip on a cocktail and grub on delicious food, tanning, people watching.

Whatever chill means to you, as long as it’s on the minimalist side, you can find it on Koh Tonsay. So go!

Combine a trip to Koh Tonsay with a few days in Kep and a few in Kampot to get the most out of your time in Cambodia.