As one of our most frequently asked questions, we thought we'd put together a blog on the basics you will need for an adventure in M'Pai Bay. There is more to see and do here than just your regular beach, and with a few token pieces of gear, you can really make the most of your experience.
Hiking Gear
There are a number of hikes you can do from M'Pai Bay and though some are easy enough to do in flip-flops, others will be much more comfortable if you have the correct shoes. For those who like to use them, trekking poles could come in handy here, especially for the more jungly parts of the island. The longer hikes on the island will sometimes involve you walking through parts of the ocean or streams, so having waterproof shoes and clothing will come in handy.
Refillable Water Bottle
In M'Pai Bay, we work hard to reduce our consumption of plastic and our use of other non-recyclable materials. Plastic water bottles in Cambodia are one of the largest pollution problems in the country, so we encourage all of our guests to travel as environmentally consciously as possible by bringing a water bottle along with them. There are a number of businesses around the village where you can refill your drinking water throughout the day and night.
Wet Weather Clothing
If you are visiting us in Cambodia's rainy season (June-October), one of the trustiest companions you can have is a lightweight rain jacket. As rain on the island usually comes with pretty strong winds, umbrellas are not the best form of rain protection. Though it never really rains here constantly, you may experience a nice tropical downpour during your visit, where a light jacket will come in handy.
Swimwear Cover-ups
Though we are a beach destination, M'Pai Bay first and foremost is a traditional Cambodian village. Swimwear is perfectly fine on the beaches, but if you are wandering through the village, it is always best to cover up a little so as not to make the locals uncomfortable. Cambodia is a modest country in many ways, and respecting the culture is a big part of what we do here in our village.
Dog Leash
For those who are visiting from neighbouring cities and towns in Cambodia, we are a very pet-friendly island. Because of this pet-friendly nature, most businesses in the village have pets of their own and though they are friendly, dog owners will understand that introducing a new pooch personality into the mix may not always go smoothly. If you are bringing your pets with you to M'Pai Bay, we encourage you to bring harnesses and leads to ensure that all of our animals remain as safe as possible.
Cash
As a remote fishing village, M'Pai Bay does not have any ATMs, so you will need to bring the cash you need for your trip along with you. For those travelling within Cambodia, the village is ABA Bank friendly, so you will be able to pay by local bank transfer in most places. If you do run out of cash during your visit to the island, there are a few businesses who offer cash withdrawals from your credit card for a fee.
Proof of Vaccination
GTVC Speedboat is the only speed ferry company which is currently servicing M'Pai Bay. This company requires proof of vaccination to board any of their ferries, so unless you have been fully vaccinated, you will not be able to use their services. For those who are not vaccinated, the alternative is to take one of the Supply Boat options to the island.
General beach items
You're coming to the beach, so you know that you'll need to bring along regular beach items such as swimwear, a beach towel, sunscreen, sun protection like a hat and sunglasses etc. In addition to this, we recommend bringing along insect repellant for those dawn and dusk mosquitos and to ward off any sandflies. As we don't get very much ambiant light, it is recommended to also bring a torch along with you for nighttime activities.
You can easily rent snorkelling equipment around the village and we have a minimart that offers essentials such as sunscreen and mosquito repellant, so there's no need to panic if you forget those essential items. Feel free to contact us anytime for more information about the best things to bring with you to make the most of your M'Pai Bay experience.
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