Firefly Cruise on the Kampot River

The basics

The boat leaves at 5:00 p.m. from the pier area near the Tourist Information Center, close to the town centre. Foreigners pay $5; locals pay $2.50.

Plan on about two hours from departure to return. The timing is built around sunset, so the trip finishes after dark.

What the trip is like

The vessel is a refurbished traditional wooden boat with soft lighting on board. It carries up to 20 passengers, so it feels more like a small group outing than a large tour boat.

For the first stretch you travel downriver in the fading light. The banks are lined with mangroves and thick greenery, which shelter a range of birds and other wildlife, so it is worth keeping an eye on the shoreline before it gets dark.

As the sun goes down the boat slows. The first fireflies appear in the trees, and the more the light fades, the more of them there are. The crew point out facts about the insects and the surrounding environment along the way.

Who it suits

• Couples after a quiet evening on the water.
• Families, since the trip suits all ages and abilities.
• Anyone wanting an easy, low-effort activity after a day of sightseeing in town.

Tips for going

• Arrive a little before 5:00 p.m. so you are not rushing to the departure point.
• Fireflies show best in darkness, so avoid using bright torches or phone lights once they appear.
• Dinner fits well afterwards: the town has Khmer restaurants as well as international options.