Reviewed · CANOES & KAYAKS
Sunset Scenic Kayaking and Swimming Activity
Kampot’s Green Cathedral is not a stone church but a narrow river loop where overhanging plants meet above the water. You paddle beneath this leafy roof, away from the hard Cambodian sun, then pause for a swim as the light fades. It is a simple idea, but a memorable one.
I like two things here. First, Sey leads a small-group outing, with no more than 11 people, so the trip can feel personal rather than like a floating traffic jam. Second, the price includes fruit, a drink, a guide, and the entrance fee, which keeps the evening easy to manage.
The main point to check before booking is the location. The activity is described as being in Sihanoukville, but the meeting point and the Green Cathedral route are in Kampot. Confirm the exact departure place and pickup plan before you pay.
Key points to know before you go

- Paddle beneath a natural canopy: The Green Cathedral is a small river loop shaded by plants that reach across the water.
- Sunset and swimming are part of the evening: After kayaking, you have time for a peaceful swim and sunset views.
- Guide Sey leads the outing: The experience is run by Sey Scenic Kayak tour, with Sey named as the guide.
- Small groups keep the outing manageable: A maximum of 11 people makes this more intimate than a large boat trip.
- The 2.5-hour schedule includes driving: About 30 minutes of the total time is set aside for transport.
- Fruit and a drink are included: You still need to plan for your own main food, lunch, and sun protection.
Paddling into Kampot’s Green Cathedral
The heart of this outing is the Green Cathedral, a short river loop on the edge of a national park. The name sounds grander than the place itself, which is part of its charm. You will not find towers, carved stone, or stained glass. Instead, you follow calm water beneath plants that have grown tall and wide enough to meet over the river.
That cover matters in Cambodia. A kayak moving under leaves feels cooler and quieter than an exposed stretch of water under the afternoon sun. The route gives you a close view of the river plants, with branches and leaves shaping the view instead of distant buildings or busy roads.
You should expect about two hours of time connected with the kayaking and surrounding nature, with the remaining 30 minutes of the total tour used for driving. The description does not give a detailed list of separate launch points or named stops, so the Green Cathedral is best understood as the main focus rather than one stop among many.
I like this kind of route because it asks little from you beyond steady paddling and attention. You can look up at the canopy, watch the waterline, and enjoy the changing light without needing a packed sightseeing schedule. The setting is natural and close-up, not a grand attraction that requires a long explanation.
Still, keep your expectations practical. This is a small river loop, not a full-day wilderness expedition. If you want a long-distance paddle with several major sights, this will probably feel too short. If you want a gentle nature outing with a strong sense of place, the scale works well.
A few more Sihanoukville trips to weigh up
- Guided Kayak trip around Green Cathedral outside Kampot, Sunset
★ 5.0 · 15 reviews - Kampot Classic Tour & Kayaking at the Green Cathedral with lunch
★ 5.0 · 9 reviews - Green Cathedral Kayaking Journey & Reflection River View
★ 4.8 · 123 reviews
A sunset finish with time to swim

The later part of the activity shifts from shaded river paddling to open sunset views. You get about 90 minutes for the sunset and swimming portion, a generous block compared with a tour that simply pauses for a few photographs and heads back.
The swimming stop is one of the outing’s strongest features. After sitting in a kayak, a quiet swim gives the afternoon a change of pace. The description calls it peaceful, so you should think of this as unhurried time by the water rather than a structured water-sports session.
The sunset also gives the tour its daily rhythm. You start with the river and its green canopy, then finish as the light softens. One guest described ending the outing with beers, dragon fruit, and sunset watching. Beer is not listed as an included item, so do not count on it being supplied, but the detail helps you picture the relaxed way the evening may wind down.
Fruit and a drink are included. The fruit is specifically described as snacks, with dragon fruit mentioned as an example from one outing. That is useful after paddling, but it is not a substitute for a meal. The tour does not include food or lunch, so eat beforehand if you need something substantial.
You should also bring or apply suncream. Sun protection is specifically excluded, and the canopy will not cover every part of the route or the sunset stop. The same goes for any personal food or drinks beyond what is supplied.
Meeting Sey and keeping the group small

The experience is operated by Sey Scenic Kayak tour, and the guide is named Sey. The personal side of the outing matters here. A solo participant found the experience especially welcoming, with Sey and his family described as kind and hospitable.
That detail is useful if you are traveling alone. Kayaking can sometimes feel awkward when an activity is built around pairs or large groups, but a maximum of 11 people gives the guide room to keep an eye on the group and speak with participants. The available information does not promise private guiding, so you should expect a shared experience rather than a one-to-one trip.
A small group also helps with the natural setting. Narrow waterways are easier to enjoy when they are not crowded with a long line of kayaks. You get more chance to hear the water and notice the plants around you.
The operator lists pickup as an available feature, but the meeting point is given as J5XF+34G, Kampot 12305, Cambodia. The activity ends back at this meeting point. Because the main title identifies Sihanoukville while the address and route point to Kampot, contact the operator before departure to confirm:
- The correct town and meeting point
- The exact pickup area, if you need pickup
- The departure time
- Where the kayaks launch
- What you need to bring for swimming
That is not a minor detail. Sihanoukville and Kampot are separate destinations, and arriving in the wrong place would spoil an otherwise straightforward evening.
What the 2 hours and 30 minutes really include

The advertised duration is approximately two hours and 30 minutes. About 30 minutes is allotted to driving, leaving roughly two hours for the activity itself. This makes the tour more compact than the headline duration first suggests, but it is still a useful half-day or evening plan.
The rough flow should be:
- Travel to the kayaking area
- Paddle through the Green Cathedral for about 120 minutes
- Spend about 90 minutes on sunset views and swimming
- Return to the meeting point
The figures supplied do not fit neatly as a strict minute-by-minute schedule, so treat them as approximate time blocks rather than a guarantee of exact stop lengths. Weather, river conditions, launching, and the group’s pace may affect the timing.
The driving allowance is worth noting if you are planning dinner or another activity afterward. Since the tour finishes back at the meeting point, you will not need to arrange a separate return from the river, but you should leave some flexibility after the stated end time.
Confirmation is provided at booking. Most people can participate, according to the activity information, but no detailed accessibility notes are supplied. If you have a physical concern related to getting into a kayak, swimming, or moving around at the launch point, ask the operator directly before booking.
Same country, a completely different kind of day:
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Is $28 a fair price?

At $28 per person, this is priced as an affordable guided outdoor outing rather than a luxury excursion. The fee includes the guide, entrance fee, fruit, and a drink. Those inclusions matter because they reduce the small extra costs that can make a short activity feel less worthwhile.
The value also comes from the setting and the group size. You are paying for access to a particular river route, local guidance from Sey, transport time, and a sunset stop with swimming. For someone already staying near Kampot, that is a sensible way to fill an afternoon without committing to a full-day tour.
The price is less attractive if you are traveling a long way only for this activity. Since the kayaking period is about two hours and the total outing lasts roughly two and a half hours, you are buying a focused experience, not a full day of sightseeing. It works best as one part of a Kampot stay.
You should budget separately for any full meal, lunch, suncream, and extra drinks. The mention of beer in one account does not change the official inclusions. Fruit and a drink are provided, but the outing is not presented as a food tour.
Who will enjoy this river outing most

I would recommend this for someone who wants nature without a demanding schedule. The route sounds particularly suited to couples, solo visitors, and small groups looking for a calm evening on the water. The swimming stop adds variety, so you are not paddling for the entire time.
It also suits people who value local contact. Sey’s role is more than simply moving a group from one point to another. The outing is connected to his family and local setting, which gives it a more personal feel than a standard equipment rental.
You should think twice if you dislike getting wet, cannot swim comfortably, or want a highly structured sightseeing program. The tour includes swimming, and the main attraction is the natural setting rather than a long list of formal sights.
The outing may also be less suitable if your schedule is based in Sihanoukville and you have not confirmed the location. The address supplied is in Kampot, and the Green Cathedral description clearly refers to Kampot. Sort out that geographical question first.
Practical preparation for the water

Wear clothes you do not mind getting damp. The activity includes kayaking and swimming, though the supplied details do not specify changing facilities, lockers, or towel service. Bring what you need for the swimming portion and ask Sey where personal items can be kept.
Suncream is not included, so bring your own. The leafy canopy offers shade in places, but you will also spend time in open areas during the sunset stop. A drink is supplied, yet carrying extra water may be useful if you normally need more fluids during outdoor activities.
Do not plan this as your main meal. Eat before the tour or arrange food afterward, since food and lunch are excluded. The included fruit is a welcome snack, especially after paddling, but it is light by design.
A mobile ticket is offered, and confirmation arrives when you book. Cancellation is free if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, so check the weather, meeting point, and transport plan early.
The final call: book it or check first?

Book this kayaking outing if you are staying in or near Kampot and want a short, nature-focused evening with a local guide, shaded river paddling, swimming, and sunset time. The best reasons to choose it are the unusual Green Cathedral route, the small maximum group of 11, and the personal feel associated with Sey and his family.
At $28, the package is good value for a compact activity, especially with fruit, a drink, transport time, guiding, and the entrance fee included. Just remember that it is not a full meal, a full-day adventure, or an intensive kayaking course.
My strongest advice is to confirm the geography before booking. The supplied meeting point is in Kampot even though the activity is labeled Sihanoukville. Once that is clear, this looks like a pleasant way to trade Cambodia’s hot afternoon for cool river shade and a quiet sunset.
FAQ
Where does the activity meet?
The listed meeting point is J5XF+34G, Kampot 12305, Cambodia.
Where does the activity end?
The activity ends back at the meeting point.
How long does the kayaking and swimming activity last?
The total duration is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. About 30 minutes of that time is allotted for driving.
How large is the group?
The activity has a maximum of 11 participants.
Is pickup available?
Pickup is offered as a feature, but the supplied information does not specify the pickup areas. Confirm the pickup details with the operator.
What is included in the price?
The price includes fruit snacks, a drink, a guided tour, and the entrance fee.
Is food or lunch included?
No. Food and lunch are not included.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations and changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.
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