Kampot.city
Riverside public space

Kampot's Artificial Sand Beach on the River

Kampot's riverfront has a stretch of imported sand where residents swim, picnic and walk along the water. The sand was dredged from the riverbed itself, which makes this a river beach rather than a seaside one.

The Teuk Chhou river in Kampot town
Photo: Hans A. Rosbach, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What the beach is

This is a man-made beach on the bank of the Kampot River. Golden sand runs along the waterside, giving the town a place to sit in the sun, wade or swim, or just walk the shoreline.

It is a public space meant mainly for local people, and it feels like one. Expect families and groups of friends rather than a resort set-up.

What people do here

  • Picnic on the sand with family.
  • Build sandcastles with children.
  • Play beach volleyball.
  • Swim in the river, with lifeguards watching over the water.
  • Walk along the shore or exercise outdoors.

Local vendors and food stalls have set up close by, selling refreshments and snacks, so you do not need to bring everything with you.

How the beach was made

The project involved local authorities, environmental experts and community members. Boats pulled sand up from the riverbed and deposited it along the shoreline, turning an underused patch of riverbank into a place for the public to gather.

Because the sand comes from the river, expect river water rather than clear sea water. Swim where the lifeguards are, and treat it as a riverside dip, not an ocean beach.

Finding it and planning a visit

The beach lies on the Kampot riverside. Use the Google Maps link on this page to get your exact position. The source gives no opening hours or entry fee, so check locally on arrival.

It sits among several other riverside sights, so it combines easily with a walk along the waterfront.

Questions people ask

Is the beach natural?

No. It is artificial. Boats extracted sand from the riverbed and placed it along the shoreline.

Can you swim at the beach?

Yes, people swim in the river here, and lifeguards watch over swimmers.

Is there food nearby?

Yes. Local vendors and food stalls nearby sell refreshments and snacks.

Who is the beach for?

It serves as a shared public space for Kampot residents, including families, children and groups of friends.